Hi, my name is Jacob.  I'm guessing you'd like to know a little about me, otherwise, you would have clicked on another link.  Even if you've gotten here by mistake, I'm going to let you know a little bit about me.  I am married to my childhood sweetheart, LeeAnna, and we are blessed to have 4 boys with a zest for life to be envied, and a daughter who has had me wrapped around her fingers before she entered this world.  We all live in Denton, TX and love the fact that we actually get to enjoy the 4 seasons in Texas.   

Prior to Denton we lived in Houston, TX.  I was given the option to homeschool the summer in-between my junior and high school years.  After writing an essay as my entrance exam (yes, Mom made me) I embarked on a wonderful journey where I was able to focus on learning to love learning rather than simply answering questions and writing papers to satisfy my teacher's purposes.  I spent the first year 'un-schooling' by reading different book series ("Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites" and "The Work and the Glory"), putting together puzzles, playing the piano, and playing games with my siblings.  At my first homeschool activity I met LeeAnna.  Within the next year, at the ripe old age of 15 (she was 13) we told our parents we were going to be married one day.  They handled the news gracefully, now that I look back at it.  

LeeAnna and I kept ourselves busy in the leadership of the teen group and working (she in her family business and myself teaching piano to youth).  I served a mission to the great state of Indiana and, upon return, proposed to LeeAnna.  We were married in November of 2002 and have been blessed with over 10 years of love and trials to help us grow closer to the Lord and to one another.  Along the way we've been blessed with 5 children (4 boys and a little lady).  Now we are embarking on this road less traveled known as homeschool and do so with faith and curiosity.  We don't always know how things are going to work out, but we put our faith in the Lord and lift our feet so he can guide our steps.

I was excited to hear that my mother was hosting a mother's retreat one weekend and that LeeAnna was going to attend with Nicole.  A vision was seen and a passion ignited.  I was ecstatic when LeeAnna told me all that they were wanting to do.  It's always amazing to me how much fire can be ignited with just a few drops of vision.  I have always wanted to be heavily involved in homeschooling, yet kept my opinions to myself so as not to put undue strain on my wife who would, and does, bear the brunt of the hard work.  With her shared energy, the time had come and, with the blessings of my mom, I have now taken on the leadership of the National LDS Homeschool Association.  I am grateful for LeeAnna and Nicole who's vision and passion provide the fuel to ignite our ideas with momentum.  I also humbly acknowledge that there would not be a run way to take off of if it hadn't been for the leaders of the past like my dear mother.

Having been homeschooled before, I hope to bring a perspective of a rising generation who hopes to build on what has worked and to see what can be added.  I am appreciative of all that has been done to support me in my learning and hope to be able to add insight and effort to help homeschoolers everywhere feel like they have all they need to be successful in their righteous endeavors.  Let's enjoy the journey together!

Articles Written by Jacob: 

None yet, but they're coming