Blended and Blessed: Our Real-Life Homeschooling Adventure
Hey there and welcome! I’m so glad you’ve found your way here. My name is Jennie, and I’m the voice behind Unexpectedly Blended. This is a space where my many hats come together in a unique blend of parenting, books, homeschooling, and a bit of everything else life throws our way.
Who Am I?
I’m a wife, mom, professor, and former K12 educator who finds joy in juggling all the beautiful chaos these roles bring. Life has taken me down paths I never anticipated, but that’s the beauty of it—it’s unexpectedly blended in the best ways possible. When I’m not teaching or planning lessons for my kids (or my college students), I’m usually lost in the pages of a book or exploring new ways to bring learning to life.
Why “Unexpectedly Blended”?
The name of this blog comes from the many ways my life has merged into something wonderfully unpredictable. I came up with the name years ago when we became a blended family. My husband and I have daughters from previous marriages and a son together. We’re a homeschool family for two of our kids, not because it was part of the original plan, but because it became the best fit for us. In the process, I’ve discovered a passion for creating meaningful, hands-on educational experiences. It’s a journey that has taught me to embrace flexibility and creativity, blending together all aspects of my life to make it work.
What Can You Expect Here?
Here on Unexpectedly Blended, you’ll find a little bit of everything:
📚 Bookish Adventures
As a professor and reading specialist, my love for books runs deep. I’m an avid mood reader, gravitating mostly towards fantasy and thriller genres. You’ll find book reviews, recommendations, and all things bookish sprinkled throughout the blog. If you’re into deep-diving into the magic of a good plot twist or escaping to fantastical worlds, you’re in the right place!
🏡 Homeschooling Insights
Homeschooling wasn’t always the plan. However, it’s been one of our most incredible adventures. I love sharing tips, lesson ideas, and the resources that have helped us along the way. We aim to keep learning exciting and engaging, whether that means taking a field trip or delving into hands-on projects at home. Expect posts about our homeschooling journey, curriculum choices, and ways to make learning fun and meaningful for your blended family.
💛 Parenting with Extra Support
Parenting is a journey filled with unexpected turns, and our family is no different. Our children have specific needs and unique schedules that require us to take things one day at a time, adding layers of challenge and beauty to our lives. While our children have diverse needs, I will share them with you candidly here. We are also a unique family in the fact that both my husband and I have children from previous relationships. Here, I’ll share our experiences, resources, and offer guidance on navigating the ups and downs of co-parenting with children who have additional needs. Being a blended family isn’t always easy. So, this is a space for honesty, support, and community.
🎃 Seasonal Joys
October holds a special place in my heart. You can expect a surge of autumnal and Halloween-themed content during this time. Whether it’s book recommendations for the spooky season, fall activities with the kids, or ways to make the most out of this magical time of year, I’ll be sharing everything that makes October my favorite month next year. However, I will also share other holidays (I promise)!
Let’s Connect!
Whether you’re a homeschooler, a reader, or a parent, I hope you find a bit of joy and connection here. I’d love to hear from you. Your stories, your recommendations, and your tips for managing the chaos of life.
Thank you for joining me on this journey! Here’s to embracing the unexpected in and finding beauty in blended families. 💫
Follow Along
You can also catch more of our day-to-day adventures on my Instagram (@unexpectedlyblended), where I share snapshots of our homeschooling life, book reviews, and snippets of our blended journey.