Many of you already know who I am, but just in case you don’t I figured I would do an intro into our crazy life.
My name is Ashlee Mattingly and I am the mother of 6 beautiful children. Most of you only know 5 of them, because the 6th is 21 and has been moved out for a few years now. He actually joined the marines at 17 and due to an injury he was medically discharged at 20. He now lives alone because he is too cool for us.
The other 5 you all see often: Annalise is 14, and the leader/second mother of the bunch. She has a heart of gold and will do anything for anyone. She is also an amazing chef and cooking is her love language. Layton is 11, and the clown of the family. He is the one that will always keep you laughing. Alice is 4, and we call her the diva child. She will talk your ear off and thinks she is 20 instead of 4. Benedict is 2, and is ALL boy! He loves with the absolute biggest heart while also jumping off of the highest thing he can find. Last but not least we have our newest addition, Cordelia. She is 3 months (can you believe that), but only 3 weeks adjusted. She is our miracle preemie and God’s last precious gift to our family!
We have been homeschooling for almost 9 years after pulling Annalise out of public school in the middle of 1st grade. We have crashed and burned through more curriculums than I can even count to be honest, but more will come about that later. I will also be graduating my first from “full” homeschooling in 2 years at 16, so we have really come a long way in this journey.
Our family is truly like any other homeschool family. It takes me 15 photos to get one that I can post for a member directory photo that has them all looking at the camera….. or at least most of them. We have days where I want to throw the towel in and sit in the corner and cry! We don’t often change out of our PJ’s because that means more laundry for mom. I send my kids out to play, just so I can get 5 minutes of peace. I have spent many days wondering how I am supposed to do this when I am so outnumbered and feel so ill equipped.
But each day we work through the traumas and the meltdowns, we wake up and remind ourselves that this day is going to be our best day ever! I pour my coffee or tea and wipe the lack of sleep from my eyes and we get started. No, we don’t have a school room, our home and our world is our room! You will drop by and find books, toys, trash, and clutter most days because this is truly reality. I won’t sugar coat it but I will tell you that it is worth it!! It is real, and fun, and honestly sometimes the biggest disaster that I never imagined, but this is God’s calling for our family and it is what truly works best for all in our family.
Aside from all the fun of homeschooling we take a more natural/holistic approach to life. I live Gluten free, not because of an allergy but because I was diagnosed with Fibro and Lupus almost 8 years ago and this is what I have found keeps me off medication and makes me a healthier/happier person. Please feel free to ask me about it anytime, I love to talk….ask Theresa. LOL
I feel truly blessed to be given the opportunity to let y’all have a closer look into our very real lives. To hopefully let you know that you are not alone and make you feel a little more like a part of not only our family but the MAHC homeschool family as a whole.
-Ashlee Mattingly
Child of God, Wife of Ryan, Natural minded mama to 6 beautiful children- Devin 21, Annalise 14, Layton 11, Alice 4, Benedict 2, and Cordelia 3 mon/15 days adjusted!
Interested in writing for us? Click here to find out how to become a MAHC blogger!