Who Is This Helo Chick Anyway?

 

Hi! I’m a writer and mother living in sunny Jacksonville, Florida.  We recently decided to homeschool our four children and this is the story of our grand adventures

Here are 10 things you didn’t know about me:

1. I went to school at Hawaii Pacific University and the University of Kansas before settling on and graduating from the University of Maryland.  I earned my BA in English because I love writing! I go through books like they’re going out of style and love reviewing new books for several large newspapers. My favorite genre is historical fiction.

2. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and love it there. The rain doesn’t bug me one bit. I love hiking, green living, and the breathtaking scenery. Plus, I love the Seattle Seahawks. Go Seahawks!

3. I’m married to a Navy helicopter pilot, hence the name “helicopter mama.” Yes, I know it’s a play on the whole “helicopter mom” thing. I’m proud of my hubby and we’ve been married for just about 8 years now. Plus, I love the thundering sound of Naval helicopters in the sky. Go Naval aviation!

4. I LOVE RV’ing! We bought our first camper in spring 2011 and have had so many adventures already. I just wish we’d gotten a bigger one. The freedom of having a home on wheels allows us to explore the country inexpensively. The kids adore “RV.”

5. I always wanted to be a writer, ever since I was in first grade. I wrote my first magazine article the month I graduated from college and I couldn’t believe it when an editor actually liked my writing! I’ve been writing steadily since then. I just need more time in the day to complete my two work-in-progress novels!

6. Education reform is a big passion of mine. I didn’t always want to homeschool my kids. We stumbled upon it because we were not satisfied with the education our kids we getting in the public school system. It turns out, we love it! The kids are learning so much and we’re bonding and growing as a family.

7.  I am in love with the South.  I’m a Northwest girl at heart, but the last 6 years living in the South have won me over. I love the heat and the beaches, the friendly people and the great food. There is so much to do! It would be an injustice to stay at home and miss it all.

8.  I love photography.  I discovered a passion for photography this past spring and have been exploring this love ever since. I’ve taken a few photography classes since then and love reading books on the topic.  Photography is an amazing form of art and I would love to learn how to take amazing pictures.  A good photograph speaks a thousand words.

9.  I adore history. I truly believe that people who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past. This is true whether you are the leader of a country or an average citizen. I love everything about history and earned a minor in history in college.  It’s really important to me that my kids get a strong foundation in history.  Whether it’s historical fiction, a good historical movie, or a historical place to visit, I’m all there.

10. This blog is our story. I started this blog to document our homeschool progress as a part of our portfolio. I wanted proof of our outings and projects, should I ever need to prove we actually do school work. You never know where we’ll end up as a military family! Some states have much stricter requirements than Florida. The blog turned into something more. It’s a way to share what we’re doing and to show the world that homeschooling is a viable option. It’s something the average parent can do.  It’s a way to share ideas and stories, art projects and amazing places we’ve visited. Feel free to stay a while. I hope you enjoy it.

Range time! I'm an awesome shot at the gun range.