Meet Jennifer
I'm Jennifer, and I've been homeschooling since 2001 while raising 10 children (plus fostering dozens more) with my husband of 28 years, Dennis. We welcomed our first grandchild into the fold in February of 2024!
This blog is where I share the real, messy, beautiful journey of homeschooling, homesteading, and building a sustainable life.
As I'm writing this in early 2026, my children are 27, 26, 23, 21, 20, 17, 15, 13, and 11. I have an almost 2-year-old grandson and another grandbaby on the way. My angel child passed away almost 15 years ago when he was only 5. I'm still homeschooling my youngest four.
Most of my time is spent homeschooling and managing our home and appointments, though I work a few part-time jobs.
When I'm not teaching, working or running to appointments, you'll find me tending worm bins, growing microgreens, or experimenting with sustainable homestead practices. My husband Dennis brings his nonprofit finance experience to support our homesteading business while he focuses on his nonprofit CFO work.
I have over two decades of homeschooling experience, and I've experimented with different methods, from unschooling to school at home, and classical to digital. Some of the curriculums I've used include: Abeka, Bob Jones, Well-Trained Mind, Easy Peasy, Ambleside, Acellus, Khan Academy, Apologia, CLE, ACE, Singapore, Sonlight and more.
After all of that, I feel confident in saying that there is not a perfect method or curriculum. I have raised foster children and biological children with all types of special learning needs. These include ADHD, Autism, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Seizures (affected retention), fetal alcohol syndrome, severe anxiety disorders (she's a perfectionist too!), and gifted kids.
I'm familiar with burn-out and a master of pushing through. This blog is the reality in my amazingly-blessed, crazy-chaotic life. I'm not Pinterest perfect, or in any way polished. I write for families who know that homeschooling isn't always Instagram-worthy and may just need a friend who understands what real life is like sometimes.
Homeschooling
I'm a planner and a dreamer. This website focuses on homeschooling and homesteading, with occasional detours into whatever I'm researching that week. I'll try to keep it organized so you can follow the paths that interest you.
I'd love to hear your polite suggestions and questions. You can reach me at info@restoringrootsranch.com.