A family update!

August 15, 2017

(So much appreciation for Max’s face. Photo by Tim Willoughby)

We wanted to announce some family news since you will be seeing some of these changes roll out, we thought it would only make sense to share it with you in a formal update!

As of July 1st, Gabe and I are officially in business together! I guess you would say full time partner in family, marriage, and now IHOD. As many of you know, my husband Gabe has been in the education field since he graduated college. It is something I loved seeing him do, because he had a knack for connecting with youth. He loved it as well, and was definitely something he was always meant to do! As IHOD has unexpectedly grown over the years as well as our family size, everything started to come to a peak point of craziness trying to balance our lives in a healthy way. We started to pray for guidance. We tossed and turned ideas like flapjacks. Do I hire more help with the kids? Do I walk away completely? No solution felt right. We weighed out many pros and cons of what we should do at this crossroads in our lives. Although Gabe loved his career, he felt like a change was needed for the sake of our family. Balancing the demands of his position with the demands of a home business was pulling us away from the family structure we so desperately desired. Gabe suggested we take a leap and join forces in IHOD. I wasn’t opposed to the idea, but it took me a while to feel confident in such a big shift. I wanted to make sure Gabe would be able to still continue using some of his talents and strengths if we moved forward with this change. Seeing his confidence in this decision gave me a lot of peace. We both new this would be a risk, and would require some preparations in advance. So we have worked the past year at getting things set up to make this step. Thankfully, we now both feel very peaceful about this change, and are 90% excited / 10% terrified of what is to come.

On the business side of life:
I will continue to run the content creation and writing here on In Honor of Design. We have previously only been able to produce a minimal amount of content since my main focus was my little ones, but I am hoping now to be able to share all of the ideas I have been brewing! We will be rolling out some home DIYs that will hopefully be helpful to all of you, as well as some more renovation reveals in the coming months. This was something we always needed more time for and didn’t have. He’s already knee deep in projects!

On the family side of life:
We will also both be tackling the home front together as well. I have always been humbled by how much Gabe has offered his time in our marriage even after a long work day. Knowing I was trying to balance the blog as well as motherhood, he would walk in the door and either take the babies or offer to make dinner. He helps me in multiple ways as a father, and the tag team effort has carried us through the past few years. Even with all hands on deck, it can still feel a challenge some days! We may still need to call in reinforcements, but for now we are going to see if we can juggle the duties.

So yes, so many life shifts happening around here, and we are holding onto our hats! I am so appreciative of all of your kind support this year. Thank you for always being uplifting, and encouraging! I hope you continue to find something good to take away every time you visit this space.

With deep appreciation,

Gabe and Anna
+Gabriel, Veronica, Max, Rocco, and Azelie

Leave a Comment

  • this is suuuch wonderful news for your sweet family!! congratulations!

  • Congratulations on joining forces with Gabe! Pretty sure the content will be amazing!

  • So happy for you both!!!

  • What a wonderful shift for your family! I wish you all the best of luck that everything transitions smoothly. I would LOVE to hear how the schooling is going throughout the year. I know I feel the same way with my son when he comes home from school and I’m trying to determine the best course of action (I work full time for a company, but from home) Best wishes!

  • Congratulations! And I have heard wonderful things about the classical education offerings that you mention. This hybrid model is the best of all worlds, and I admire you for taking the leap.

    • Thank you very much Kate. I am a little nervous more so for the discipline it will take on our part, but it helps feeling very peaceful about the decision. Holding my breath! 😉

  • Congratulations! I am a little envious of the hybrid school option. We don’t have that here and it sounds amazing! Good luck!

  • So happy for you all! I know you’ve been working so hard and it’s just wonderful to see all your hard work pay off. Prayers to the whole family.

  • Wow!! So many great changes and can’t wait to see it all. Congrats

  • Nicole Swart

    How exciting for your precious family! I’m a long time reader of your blog and lover of your IG, so I’m looking forward to more posts and new content. I’d love to learn more about your children’s classical schooling as my oldest child is quickly approaching grade-school age and my husband and I are discussing our options. Would you be opposed to featuring a follow-up after the first semester or first quarter?

    • That is really kind thank you Nicole! I absolutely will. I know each child can be drawn to different ways of learning, so I am looking forward to seeing how this model does with my kids!

  • Ah, we just sent our 3 older kids to school for the first time after homeschooling from the start; our oldest is starting 5th grade, and already the crankiness has set in 😉 a hybrid model sounds like an amazing option!!! We have one by us as well, but unfortunately is cost-prohibitive at this time. Looking forward to hearing how that schedule works for you all!

  • Anna! I am so happy for your family. What a big step. I’m interested in this hybrid school you are doing. What is it called? It’s sounds like a great way to keep the kids focused, reduce burnout, all the while having time for be. To explore the things they love! As a former educator myself (that sounds so weird to say!) I think a hybrid school would be perfect for my little family too.

    Anyways, congratulations on this new venture! So happy for y’all.

  • Christina

    I’m so happy for you guys! It’s been so much fun watching your family and blog grow!!

  • So exciting! Looking forward to seeing the new shift! It’s awesome that you have the option for a hybrid school for the kids, too. It sounds amazing!

  • That is amazing! Congratulations to you and your sweet family.

  • Carolyn V

    Congrats !!! We love your content and blog. We also struggle with the same issues with school we live in Atlanta and also looking for somethign similar for our son. Any ideas were we can start searching would be great 🙂

  • I’ve never commented but have been a reader for a while now. Just wanted to say that my children attend a classical school set up the same way and it has been THE BEST decision for our family. It has been nothing but a gift from day one and I pray you all will experience the same!
    Happy for your sweet family!

  • Maranda Chase

    You are an inspiration for families out here who are also making these types of decisions. It’s beautiful to see a family come together & adjust to the rhythms necessary to make life more joyful & purposeful. Praying God’s strength & continued guidance for your beautiful family!
    Thank you for sharing.

  • SO THRILLED for you!!!

  • That is wonderful news! I love how you put your family and marriage first despite the growth of your blog. I am looking forward to the changes to come. 🙂

  • Anna, I’m so happy for you, Gabe, and the kids! Such an exciting time and transition! We are part of a classical homeschool hybrid model here too and have been loving it so far! On the days that our kids are at center, I actually do tutoring with other grade levels and have really enjoyed that aspect as well! I only mention it because if it’s a similar model, perhaps Gabe still using his talent that way too could be an option on the at-center days? I know hybrid models are all different, but just thought I’d share our experience 🙂 I’m thrilled for y’all! This will be such a time of grace!

  • Wow, congratulations! This is such awesome news!!

  • Shauna DG

    Wow this is great to hear! Of course it won’t be with out struggle and growing pains but if anyone could do it, it would be you guys!
    What Courage and faith,
    If it wasn’t meant to be he would have blocked it within this year of your preparation.
    Leave it to God and let him lead❤️
    Your guys journey seems to be a true testament to that!
    I pray many many blessings on this new adventure for you and your crew ?❣️

  • Christina

    This is so exciting and I LOVE the plan of God…as well as witnessing how He has led you. XO

  • I wish I could put into words how absolutely thrilled I am for you! Not many people, unless they have a blog themselves, know how much work you put in to get to this point. It is my own little pipe dream to do something similar around your age so I am taking notes. 😉 Thank you for being such a wonderful role model in this blogsphere — ps I am crazy curious about their new school! I have this quote hanging in my office that seems perfect for this moment: “Opportunities are a direct growth out of what you are currently doing.” Of course by our fav Alison. You are rocking this, Anna, and it’s been so fun to follow along!!! Absolutely all of my best wishes to you and Gabe on this new journey.

  • Congrats Anna & Gabe! This is so exciting and wish y’all the best in the transition!!

  • Wow Anna, this is so great! Congrats to you and Gabe and the kids too. I have long admired what an awesome team your family is. And that school situation sounds AMAZING!!
    Sending some prayers for the transition, even the good ones can be hard.

  • Anna!!! Congratulations on the big ‘move’ and the confidence and peace to do so. You gave a thoughtful explanation of what brought you to this super-cool transition. I hope you guys enter it peacefully and with minimal bumps. You got this!!

  • Could you share more information about the hybrid model and how you found it? I’m interested if my area has one!

  • I wish we had those hybrid models for school where I live! That is so wonderful. Congrats on everything to your family!

  • CONGRATS! I am so happy for you and the family to be making amazing moves TOGETHER. I wish you a very successful business partnership, as you already have a great one in marriage.

    Xo,
    Arabelis

  • Yay! Congrats Anna! So exciting! I love your blog and your family is so beautiful!

  • My husband helped start Veritas Christian Academy here in Tucson, which sounds like the model you describe. The families seem to love it! Our three kids are too young still to attend, but I’m very excited about them going there in a few years. Blessings To your family as you transition to this new phase!

  • That sounds like a great plan for you family! My kids go to school 2 days a week and homeschool the other days. We love all the time we have together and I love that the siblings are growing up to be so close! God Bless you all.

  • Great news! Congratulations

  • This is literally my dream! To work on my blog AND my home with my husband! Congratulations!! Looking forward to reading how it all unfolds 🙂

  • What a beautiful change for you all! I’m so excited to see more content from you as you melt into this new way of life. I’m sure the adjustments will be tough but so life giving at the same time. Praying for you as this all begins to unfold–what sweet days you have coming your way!!! All grace to you. -Meg

    • Meg, that is so kind of you. We need those prayers! It will be challenging in new ways, but there is peace which is all you need to carry you! x

  • Yay! What a great step on all fronts. Excited for you guys! And thankful for how you seek out health in all areas especially family.

    • Thank you Kayla! I have seen the side of not taking enough care of our physical and mental health, which was probably the main motivator behind this shift!

  • Looking forward to the day you guys get your own TV show!!!

  • Geena Harrington

    How wonderful for your family. You all are inspiring! 🙂

  • Love this! A little birdie actually told me the news a few months ago, but so excited to see it in print!!

  • Heidi Ferguson

    Oh! Congratulations Anna & Gabe! What a beautiful choice you’ve made!! Tell US READERS how we can help you…I subscribe, make comments (without trying to look like a total stalker ?, click on links when you provide them…is there anything else that we as readers can help you with?? I love your blog! Our only child is 17 so I love to see all of your sweet babies! I love how positive you are! Such a ray of sunshine (oh, how this world needs more of that)! Keep u the great work and.im so excited to see you and Gabe devoting so much love & care for your sweet family!

    • Wow that is really humbling to read. You are so kind Heidi! All of those things are already such a big help. We can’t wait to have this time together, and have a feeling no matter what it be for the better. x

  • Kristy Dickerson

    Congrats Team IHOD! I love this for multiple reasons but mainly supporting each other and still making sure you are both happy in the process! POWER TEAM!

  • So happy for you and your sweet family and that God has provided a way for you two to work on this site together. SO amazing and I can’t wait to see what the future holds in store for your family.

    Paige
    http://thehappyflammily.com

  • So so so exciting! Can’t wait to see where this next chapter takes you!!

  • Wonderful news Anna! A lot of thought, prayer and divine guidance led you this way! All the best as you enter this exciting chapter in you and your family’s life!

  • excited for you guys!

  • Congrats on your good news!

  • This is SO exciting!!! Congratulations to you all! It has been so wonderful watching your business grow over the years, love everything you do and look forward to continuing to follow along! xo

  • CONGRATULATIONS! That is such a big and exciting shift! My husband and I both took leaps to get to the point where we both work at home together and we love the flexibility and time it allows for us to be with our family. Rooting you on from the Phoenix desert 😉

    • Kara that is so awesome! It definitely takes a big leap to make that first move, and you almost have to jump without thinking too hard! Happy for you:)

  • Anna!!! This is so exciting!! I’m so happy for you and your family!

  • Anne Lewis

    You two are amazing. Good luck with this project!

  • Pat Schwab

    Anna, This is big and exciting news. Welcome aboard full-time Gabe. Do I have to sign up for the monthly newsletter if I am already a regular subscriber? Thanks, Pat S

  • Marybel Carlisle

    Looking forward to your monthly updates!
    Love you and your sweet family! Continued prayers for your dear parents!

  • […] and not feel pulled in so many directions. As you know, we went for a different solution when Gabe joined the IHOD team, and we decided to jump all in because it presented an opportunity to have more time as a family […]

  • […] big changes in our home as well as some small personal ones. I almost quit the blog, but we came to this conclusion instead. This has changed our day to day lives in big ways, and Gabe and I both were able to get back a […]

  • Katie Fatzinger

    Hello!

    I just wanted to let you know I stumbled upon your Instagram account and have been brought nothing but joy from your media. My husband and I are missionaries and just had our first little girl. From reading your blog it sounds like you went to Stubenville. I apologize if I’m assuming wrongly. Just wanted to let you know how big of a witness you are to me as a young, vibrant, fun loving couple with lots of kids. You are truly bringing people to Christ through the beauty of your life, your marriage, family and business. Your marriage is the best thing you can give to the world! Keep being countercultural. You inspire me.

  • […] was the one who originally suggested it since he was coming to a fork in the road with his career. Here is the post about how we made that decision about going into blogging together full time. This choice was […]

  • Hi! I just love your blog! I was just reading the about page and read about the hy bred school you were talking about as that is EXACLTY what I am looking for and for the same reasons you started doing it. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks!
    Tiffany

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