Today we are interviewing our 2007 Best NEW Homeschool Blog winner. Kristine’s winning blog can be viewed at Mama Archer’s Blog. It has been a pleasure to get to know Kristine through her blog.

1. Tell us a little bit about your family.

I go by MamaArcher online (my last name is not Archer BTW). This comes from Psalm 127. I am a Christian and I seek to honor God and bring glory to his name in all I do. I am very aware of all my failings and am so thankful for his grace, mercy, and forgiveness! I am married to a wonderful man. He is a minister serving in the USAF. We currently have 8 children and one on the way. I am finishing up my 12th year of homeschooling.

2. Kristine and I have a few things in common. We are both moms of large homeschooling families and we are both spouses of Air Force Chaplains. I know I have a list of “comments” I’ve received as we traveled from state to state. Can you share the funniest comment you’ve heard about your family size?

Most comments tend to be ones of shock and unfortunately there are also many negative comments. We are always thankful for the positive ones. However, the funniest one we have had, on several occasions is this…

When people find out that my hubby is a minister and then the number of children that we have they tend to automatically ask one particular question. “Are you Catholic?” To this my hubby simply replies, “well, I wouldn’t make a very good priest would I?” It takes a moment but people usually figure it out.

3. What does a typical day look like in your home?

I don’t know if I can really describe a typical day. Things are somewhat flexible around here. I do like to keep to a schedule and will most likely write about that next month on The Heart of the Matter. I am not overly rigid with my scheduling. We have fallen into a rountine but each day is a bit different. Some days we have piano and other days we have unexpected things arise. I have a post with the basic outline (opening of school day) and the curriculum we use. School Days at the Anderson Academy.

4. What is the one “chore” you, personally, would rather avoid?

I hate doing dishes!

5. What does a perfect day look like for you?

There is no such thing as an absolutely perfect day. Have you ever had a day where everything went the way you intended? But I would consider a perfect day to be one in which we accomplish our schoolwork with loving attitudes all around. It is one in which the preschoolers are happy and content to play and nap well. It is a day in which school was not only accomplished but finished early enough to have a straightened house and dinner smelling good when my husband walks in the door.

6. You are a classical homeschooler, right? Do you have a set curriculum you use?

I do have a set curriculum. It took about 6 years or so to find the one we fell in love with. We use Primarily Veritas Press materials. I have thrown in a few other things along the way making some adjustments for our child with learning disabilities but the core of our curriculum is VP.

7. Do you have a separate room where you homeschool?

No, we school primarily at the dining room table. Often the children will spread out around the house looking for a quieter corner in which to study.

8. Do you have any advice for new homeschoolers?

 I have adressed this in several of my posts on The Heart of The Matter. To sum up the things I have written there I would say it is very important to know exactly why you are homeschooling and keep that forefront in your mind. Make sure you prioritize and do not overload yourself. Always remember that there will be bumps in the road. Things will not be perfect or run exactly as you wished they would. High standards are very important but be careful not to set a standard so high that it is unattainable and by doing so set yourself up for failure.

Great words, Kristine.

9. You are fairly new to blogging. What are some good things that blogging has brought into your life and have there been any pitfalls?

When I started blogging just over a year ago I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I have been hurt, discouraged and forced to look more deeply at who I am. Though most painful, this has stretched me and caused me to grow. But I have also made many friends along the way. They have encouraged me, spurred me on and challenged me which has also caused me to grow. The Lord is actively at work in my life and I have a peace that passes all understanding. I have been allowed to be a blessing to others and the Lord continues to open new doors of ministry for me in the blogging world. This adds a great responsibility I did not anticipate and is one I constantly feel ill-equipt to fulfill. I am humbled each time I am praised because I know that it is only by the power of the Spirit that anyone is touched.

I am thankful to the Lord for providing my small space in blogland to reach out to others. I am also thankful for those who have encouraged me and extended friendship to me. May I be obedient and faithful to continue to blog about the things God has laid upon my heart and let that bring glory to Him.

10. What advice do you have for others just starting to blog?

My advice would be that new bloggers remember that there will always be others who disagree with you. Try not to wear your feelings on your sleaves. If someone says something contrary, evaluate your life and what you have written. Be teachable. If after that evaluation you are not pursuaded then stand firm upon your convictions! Sometimes we need to be taught and other times when people (even other Christians) take issue with what you have said it is their issue not yours. I wrote a post concerning this a few weeks ago and it seemed to make a big impact in blogland. A Disclaimer on Conviction.

11. What are your favorite topics to blog about?

 The topics change from time to time. I enjoy participating in a few memes. I mostly like to write about what the Lord is doing in my life and the things he has taught me. I write about homeschooling, parenting, and the ongoings in our life.

12. I’m sure you hear this often, I would love to hear YOUR answer: “You homeschool, you raise a large family, you blog, you support your husband’s ministry….How do you do it all?”

 I don’t “do it all” and those things that I do accomplish is by the grace of God alone. He is the one who enables me to do what I do.

13. Do you have any passions besides blogging and family that you’d like to share with us?

I do not have much time to pursue many other things at this stage of life with all that I have going on but there are a few things that I enjoy. Genealogy is a fun and interesting hobby; it is never finished and I can pick it up at any time. I also LOVE music! I would love to start composing again. I would also love to have another oboe (I haven’t played in years) and I would love to learn to play the cello one day.

14. I know you are facing some new challenges in your life. Would you care to share how our readers can best pray for you in the next few months?

We are facing some new challenges but they are exciting ones. We just recently found out that we are expecting our 9th child. Please pray for a safe and healthy delivery and that this child would grow and live a life that glorifies the Lord. We are also preparing for a big move. We are headed to Alaska! This is over 4ooo miles from where we currently live. We are excited and axnious to begin this new trek but please pray for us as we accomplish all involved AND that morning sickness and seasickness (on the 3 day ferry ride) doesn’t overtake me!

Kristine, thanks for taking the time to visit with us today. We appreciate the glimpse into your life.