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when you pour your whole heart into something, you reap the benefits in the form of love, blessings and gratitude. being an “artist” looks different for everyone. we all have a different craft, different strengths & a different outlet for our creativity and talents. for me, I’ve been making jewelry since I was about 10 years old. I remember stringing some beads together, making earrings for my gram and other women in my family for Xmas. I put them in little white boxes and wrapped them up so proudly. fast forward a few decades and I still love stringing beads together with other materials, wrapping them up in little boxes and shipping them to people all over the country. it just stayed with me — and I’m forever grateful for that first set of beads when I was only 10. you never know what your hobbies will grow into — parents: encourage them in your children! let them explore and learn and create and build and get dirty and make messes and fail and try again. from a novice 10 year old to a decently skilled 30 something — stay true to your passions. they eventually come full circle 🤍 https://www.instagram.com/p/CqT46HNOAIB/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

In 2017, I launched my first online boutique. I had been an avid essential oil user and back then, my team hosted in-person gatherings and my table was always flooded with patrons. I had built quite the little side hustle for myself. enter 2020, and that team stopped meeting in person, my essential oil obsession was quickly fading and my boutique struggles big time. I had a lot happen in my life between divorce, homeschooling, and figuring out my passions and my purpose. 2023 — I’ve opened a successful, one room schoolhouse, and I’ve learned that even though I am unable to sell my creations in person as successfully as I was had, my creativity is still bursting at the seams, waiting to be released. So, today, I’ve rebranded and joined Etsy to sell some of my most precious creations to a larger audience, in hopes of making women feel beautiful through self-expression and accessories. I needed time to rethink, renew, reset and rebrand and I think this new path will surely prove itself worth the wait 🤍 please feel free to share with special women in your life — new styles added daily. as always, thank you for all the love and support 🙏🏼 you can find me here: rootedingracejewelry.Etsy.com https://www.instagram.com/p/CqDcSnxOVvk/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

how it started vs. how it’s going 3 years ago today, we began our homeschooling journey — which, at the time, wasn’t really “homeschool”. It was BS virtual school which failed our children miserably, and our teachers. my children were happy to be trying something new and didn’t think much of it. they were not prepared for the decisions that followed. In September of 2020, when schools “opened back up”, we broke the news that they would not return to public school. We didn’t feel masking was safe, nor the weekly spraying of “potent, germ killing substances” that their precious hands would touch. We didn’t agree with the protocols set forth because by this time, we knew they weren’t warranted and were totally unnecessary. Were my kids happy then? Only the boy. He hated school so this was an answered prayer. He thrives in a 1:1 setting. Didn’t bother him one bit. But the girl, her world was turned upside down. And that was the most difficult decision we’ve had to make yet as her parents. We knew she would hate us for choosing this path for her. We knew she was too young to truly understand why. We knew she would kick and scream and give us a hard time every chance we got. That first real year of homeschool was the hardest, most trying time of our lives. At one point, I didn’t think we’d make it through. … here we are— 3 years later. still alive. still learning. still seeking better for ourselves. the boy will graduate this year. The girl is still pissed and hates the choice we made 3 years ago. parents:: we have the hardest job in the entire universe. we will never please our children all of the time. We can only guide them, teach them, make good decisions on their behalf when they can’t, and show them why we’re doing it so hopefully one day, they will look back and see it wasn’t so bad. I can only pray the next two years are kind on my girl’s heart. that she grows into the beautiful woman God made her to be. That she discovers her talents and harnesses them with all her might and then takes on the world as only she can do. 3 years…. Time surely flies. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp6FZLzuavc/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

another bucket list “hero” checked off today — we traveled to Rochester to see Dr. Peter McCullough and a few amazing other patriots for freedom remind us of how precious our time here is on earth and how having faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. all it takes it ONE person. well, I stand with TWO amazing women in this photo who are helping to build a parallel society for our children. we’re paving the way in NY for alternative education and we’re pioneers in this arena! We are not afraid. We are not staying quiet. We are not trying to repair the broken system. We are BUILDING and CURATING something beautiful. 🤍 an amazing day and a refresh I needed. 😍 https://www.instagram.com/p/CpqnfKfO5xq/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I am filled with emotion as I write this. One year ago today, a girl {that I barely knew} and I sat down at my kitchen table and founded what is now known as Born Free Ministries. We met each other a little bit through the homeschool groups, and decided that we needed to make what we were doing available to a larger community. So we sat down and put our heads together put our ideas on paper and began brainstorming what this could look like for our community here in Buffalo. Our first notes were taken on a scrap sheet of paper we found laying around a church. We didn’t know what it would look like. We didn’t know who would join us. We didn’t know how we would make it happen, but all we knew is that God was calling us to do something bigger and greater, and it was on both of our hearts. We’ve been through an incredible amount of stress, highs, and lows, and things we probably shouldn’t mention publicly, but together with conquered and overcome all of the obstacles that have surrounded this mission to bring you the light and the truth by way of education in Buffalo. we cannot believe how far we’ve come, and we know that it’s only going to get better from here. Happy 1st birthday to our labor of love, and our baby, Born Free Ministries. We look forward to the big vision that God is placed on our hearts, and how he plans to unfold it in our lives, and in the lives of everyone who joins us. https://www.instagram.com/p/Co9zxLEu1cR/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I’ll never quite understand the “socialization” argument from people who criticize homeschool. When my children attended public school, they were taught not to talk during class, not to talk in the halls, to walk in a straight line everywhere and to only speak if they raised their hand. they were stuck in a room with only children their own age and told to memorize and regurgitate the information given to them and ONLY that information. they were yelled at for free thinking, for asking questions & for trying to speak their truth. they took zeros on many tests and assignments because they wrote the right answer, not the answer the school district sought. also — do you send your child to public school to socialize or to learn? that’s a conundrum I can’t quite figure out. 🤷🏻‍♀️ we will never work with people just our own age.. nor will we marry or experience life in a bubble with people only our age. so, why do we choose to educate our children that way and call it “proper socialization”….? food for thought… ❤️ https://www.instagram.com/p/CoSe25SOYcK/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

strong mothers raise strong daughters 💪🏼 they’re watching us, mamas. everything we do, say, react to, laugh at, cry at, dance to, eat, and live — they’re soaking it in. all of it. the good + the bad. if we aren’t healed, they’ll carry that into their own relationships. if we aren’t modeling the behavior we want from them, they’ll rebel and we’ll wonder why. women can make or break a movement, a business, a family structure… just about anything — we can influence it or destroy it. we take the world on our shoulders & expect close to nothing in return. Our daughters will do the same and if we do it right with them, they’ll leave this world better than they found it 🤍 moms: raise strong, independent, fierce young ladies with caring hearts + a fearless spirit 💫 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn24bdTONf4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

become ungovernable. I’m not in the business of making friends. If stumbling my way through this life happens to bring me a few good ones, great. At the end of the day, the only people who matter are the ones inside the 4 walls of your home, including those you’ve raised and now live on their own. Live your life so *radically* that you and those people would survive if the world turned upside down. Live in such a way that you’ve created your own self-sufficient systems, safe words, hand gestures, unspoken words, trained them for everything and educated them enough so they can defend themselves — verbally and physically. Love them in such a way that no matter where they are or who they’re with, they FEEL your presence in their heart & know right from wrong. They should hear your voice in their ear, guiding them in their decisions. Equip them with the armor of God — so they are ready for the ugly that this world will bring them. Show them gratitude so they can appreciate the beautiful in it too. be unshakeable, untouchable, unreachable, unapologetic and ungovernable. https://www.instagram.com/p/CnpU4aKO2hI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

couldn’t have dreamt of a better way to spend the morning — another beautiful trail completed ✔️ and it was surely an icy one. I was one of the only ones in the woods & was so SO grateful for sunlight. After 2 weeks of not having any, it felt incredible on my face. what a gift it is — to be sovereign, free and experience God’s goodness by simply getting outside. highly recommend bundling up & enjoying time in the great outdoors. 5/5 ⭐️ . . . . . #wnyhikingchallenge #wnywinterchallenge #hikingny #getoutside #natureheals #spendtimeoutside #hikersofwny #buffalonewyork (at Franklin Gulf County Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnfLjrtOQdV/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#wnyhikingchallenge #wnywinterchallenge #hikingny #getoutside #natureheals #spendtimeoutside #hikersofwny #buffalonewyork

nature:: draws us closer to God while humbling us in our stature. brings us to our knees & forces us into gratitude— for all that we are and all that we can become. we must take each day & celebrate our small victories. sometimes, that’s drinking a full cup of coffee before it gets cold; sometimes it’s a promotion we’ve worked hard for; sometimes it’s breaking free from an addiction; sometimes it’s being with the ones we love most. find solace & refuge in the small things & you’ll be abundantly blessed with more than your heart can hold 🤍 (at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnIo-WVO5f8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

one of my most favorite things is nature — I’ve always found it to be so completely peaceful & soothing. God’s masterpiece is full of so much awe and I find myself so humbled amidst its vastness. I love sharing it with my two nature lovers too 🤍 grateful for our time together today & every day. 2023 is going to be an incredible year — I can feel it 😊 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm7bt_7Of-6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Merry Christmas, y’all🥹🎄❄️ from our family to yours xoxo https://www.instagram.com/p/CmmCr_DuSuA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

homeschool = f r e e d o m 🤍 https://www.instagram.com/p/CmXPMxKO3Jo/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

every day, I remind myself that I’m not for everyone & that’s okay. I’m loud where most would be tame. I’m passionate where most would be timid. And I’m a maverick where most would comply. I have little to no filter, I cuss frequently, I don’t care what other people think of me & I fiercely advocate for ALL of the children. I am also reminded, by the handsome guy in this photo, that not being everyone’s cup of tea is just how I was made and I should never be ashamed of that. He reminds me that I was strong when others couldn’t be & dedicated when most would have tapped out. We may not see in ourselves what others do & it’s important to have a partner in life who not only unconditionally loves you but can also bring truth and sensibility when the world makes no sense at all. grateful to have the opportunities I do, to serve God in a way I never imagined, to have healthy children, a dream “job”, a loving relationship and a sound mind that is able to discern truth from lies and good from evil. if you’re like me, you’ve been a black sheep your entire life. you’re loud, passionate, fiery and unapologetic about all of it. welcome to the age of the black sheep 😁 🔥🤍 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl-aM8CuDsL/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

last night, my sister & I got to watch both of our girls receive 1st place 🥇 on their respective cheer teams 🤍 proud moment for two mamas & aunties 🙂 https://www.instagram.com/p/ClwdlYjumV7/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I met with a few moms this week who wanted to chat about my favorite thing :: homeschool 😁 we are planning a little something for the new year which {I’m stoked about} and as we were talking, the number one question popped up “what do we do?!” — well parents, YOU are the answer to that question. YOU ARE THE WAY FORWARD. curriculum, co-ops, field trips, books, pencils & videos are just tools to help you on your journey. they are never a requirement. God has already equipped you when He decided you were going to be that baby’s mom and dad. God equips the called and we are ALL being called for such a time as this. the answer to every question starts and ends with — YOU. you can homeschool your children. it might take some creativity, sacrifice, rearranging schedules and even jobs and a whole lotta patience and grace BUT…. You can do it. Never ever underestimate your ability to guide your babies’ education. You carried them, birthed them, fed them, and have loved them since before they joined you earth side. and that, my friends, is enough 🤍 if you need encouragement today, I hope this resonates. and as always, I hope you’ll join me in the new year for new adventures, meetings, ministry and all things non conformist ♥️🤍💙 https://www.instagram.com/p/ClpWlcZu_d5/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

happy thanksgiving, from our family to yours 🇺🇸🦃🍁 . . . . . use this time to be grateful • for all that you do have and all that’s on its way to you 🤍 abandon those thoughts of negativity, lack, anger & fear. invite gratitude into your heart • you will be abundantly blessed. 🧡 https://www.instagram.com/p/ClWL0xMubKC/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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