Lindsay—wife and homeschool mom of five boys

I’m from Lansing and was raised in Grand Ledge. When I was going into ninth grade my parents got a divorce and we all moved into an apartment for a year. Then after that we moved in with my grandpa. For the most part I had a great childhood, we went to Disney a few times, lived in good neighborhoods—where we rode bikes and played with friends all summer long. Now, I’m a happy mother of boys and I homeschool.

What’s your faith story?

Growing up we didn’t really attend a church regularly. When my parents had marriage troubles they started going more. When I was eight-years-old a family moved in behind me and I really got to watch and learn what a Christian family was. They homeschooled and that’s where my desire to homeschool came from. They were very influential in me becoming a Christian and gave me an understanding that life could be more than what I had. Even though I had a good childhood I would retreat and go to their house all the time. As an adult I asked the mother, Renee, if it bothered her that I was always at their house and she said not at all. It only made her feel sorry for my family who was missing out in knowing me because they were too busy.

When I moved, and my parents divorced my life went hirewire. I partied in and after high school. It wasn’t until I got pregnant with Aiden that I realized I needed to change because I was about to be a mom. I started going back to church and I stopped parting and associating with the baby’s father. I started to delve into who Jesus is. I was baptized by Renee because she was influential in my journey to Christ, and I continued to grow.

After my son was born the father,Jordan,came to the hospital and I thought we could be a family. My mother wasn’t happy that I let him back into my life but she thought she had to do something drastic to open my eyes. She looked at me and said “I think you’ve grown too much to go back to him now.” But she gave permission for him to come and live with us if that’s what I wanted. I was excited to be a family, but I soon realized that I couldn’t be a mom with Jordan around. I told him to leave and he hasn’t been in our lives since Aiden was two.

What was your last moment of bliss,?

In middle of night, snuggling my baby.

When was the last time someone made you laugh? Today, my husband did.

What are your hobbies? Kids.  I don’t have too many hobbies. My husband enjoys gardening and I learned to love cooking and trying new recipes on Pinterest.

What was the last game you played? Spot-It, with my oldest.

What is something few people know about you? I’m extremely self-conscious and over-think all the time. A while back, I was thinking what was the one thing in my life that makes me feel good and complete. It’s knowing who I am in Christ and my position as a mom and wife. I realized that’s all that matters and that  I shouldn’t care so much what others think.

What is your dream for the future? Becoming a mom was always my dream and I’ve accomplished that. But, I’m really interested in midwifery and phsycology. I like being with people and helping them. I don’t know if that will ever happen but it would be cool to be a midwife or doula.

Do you have any talents? I enjoyed swimming in high school. I was on the swim team. One regret I have is not joining  one is swim team in Okemos. I wish I kept at it.

What is one word you always have trouble spelling? I’m a bad speller and have trouble with a lot of words! But I always have trouble saying ‘statistics’ there’s too many ‘t’ and ‘s’. My husband makes fun of me and I try to avoid saying the word. I learn a lot now as a homeschool mom.

Are people’s first impressions of you accurate ? I’m not sure. I’ll say no. Once in high school at a party I started talking to this girl from my school. She said she wished she had spoken to me sooner but every time she saw me in hallway I looked unapproachable. Another time after knowing the Lord, someone told me they would have never guessed I had the life style I did as a young adult. I thanked God for changing me so much and am grateful  mu past doesn’t define me.

What is the strangest dream you ever had?  I dream a lot but don’t always remember them. When I was young I had a reoccurring dream of seeing a clown outside my window. I’d stay still in my bed after I woke up because it seemed real.

What have you learned from bring a mom? Patience. I think God has shown me how different each child can be. They all come from same parents and upbringing but they are different. I try not to compare but rather to embrace their differences. My biggest prayer is that God help me be the best mom to each individual child. When I pray over each one I say their name and ask that I be the best mom (child’s name) needs me to be. I want to broaden my understanding of each one and help me lead them to him.