BIG news here at Keeper of the Home! {VIDEO}

Today is a very special day here at Keeper of the Home.

So special, in fact, that we’ve been hinting about it here and there for several weeks in our weekly newsletter, on the Facebook page, on Instagram. I guess you could say we’re a little excited about the video we have to share with you today!

In the video, I’m going to introduce you to my dear friend, Ann, and we’ll explain why you’ll be seeing a whole lot more of her around here, and a little bit less of me.

First of all, don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere! 🙂

But we are making some changes, or as we like to think of it, a passing of the baton.

For over 8 years, ever since its creation, I’ve been at the helm of this site, leading and guiding and directing it. All along, our mission has been to “be an encouraging, inspiring and Christ-centered resource for those who aspire to healthful and natural homemaking”, and all these years later, that hasn’t changed one bit.

What has changed is that our family has grown over the years, and my husband and I have gradually become partners in crime together, working as entrepreneurs, running several businesses, homeschooling and raising our five kids, traveling as a family more frequently, and blogging and podcasting about it all.

We love this unconventional lifestyle of ours (but gosh, if I thought I was weird when I first got into healthy living, now we definitely qualify as being a bit outside the box, LOL!).

Now I’ll be the first to confess that sometimes (read: more often than not), I bite off more than I can chew. I’ve written before about how I burned out, and it’s something I have to continue to watch out for. I’m sure many of you can relate.

Which is where Ann comes in, and why I am so full of gratitude as I write today’s post.

You see, for the past 8 years, I have been exactly where I wanted to be.

Building and nurturing this community, teaching and encouraging and providing practical helps for moms who want a healthier lifestyle for themselves and their families, and having the privilege of connecting with all of you.

I can’t imagine a better way to have spent these years. Truly. {where is a heart emoticon when I need one?}

Now, as I step into a new season of life, I’m ready to step back a little, and let someone else take up the helm and steer this ship. 

And I am delighted to tell you that it couldn’t be in better hands. A mom of five teens and one pre-teen, beloved wife to Mark, passionately crunchy mama, and a devoted Christian, Ann is the perfect person to take over and navigate.

Our two families on vacation together this summer

Allow me to introduce you to Ann…

OK, enough talking… go ahead and watch the video to actually get to meet Ann, hear us chat a little about our own stories, where KOTH has been (and where it’s going), and understand more about what we’re up to. 🙂

*We had our fair share of giggles, a whole lot of coffee, and a ton of bloopers as we made this video together, and we can’t wait to share it with you.* 

As I said in the video, I will still be a member of this team, collaborating with and supporting Ann, writing monthly posts, and just generally hanging out.

That said, you’re going to get to know Ann a whole lot better as she writes more frequently, sends out our weekly newsletter, and provides vision and future direction. She has such amazing plans to keep making Keeper of the Home an encouraging, honest, and genuinely helpful resource for all the women that read it.

And even though I’m not actually going anywhere, can I just say THANK YOU… to all who have commented and encouraged me and shared your thoughts and your stories and your lives here over the years. You have blessed me more than you’ll ever know.

Every once in a while, we get incredible thank you emails from readers telling us how much the site has helped and encouraged them, and I just shake my head, because it’s totally the other way around. I’m the one so terribly grateful for all of you.

Can we just do a virtual group hug???

{sniff, sniff… I’m gonna pull out the box of tissues, and meanwhile, pass you on over to Ann.} 

Hello there, I’m Ann!

Wow! Did you catch all of that? I’m still awe-struck myself! I have some BIG shoes to fill and to be honest….I’m a little terrified, GREATLY humbled and feeling richly blessed to be stepping in to this position at Keeper of the Home.

Stephanie has spent the last several years pouring her heart into making Keeper of the Home the blooming and flourishing community of women that it is today. I’ve grown so much myself from following Stephanie as she has shared about her family, her faith and her health story. I’ve also gained a truly lovely woman as a friend and sister in Christ (and a crunchy kindred sprint to boot)!

It is my honor and privilege to continue Stephanie’s mission of Keeper of the Home to be a place where women at any stage of their healthy living journey can come to connect with other like-minded ladies and to learn and be encouraged to live the healthy lifestyle they’re searching for.

I am eager to get to know all of you mamas and keepers out there, to hear your stories and to share my own.

Shall we pull up some cozy chairs and grab something warm and yummy to drink? Let’s start getting to know each other…

Did you like the video?

I’d love to hear from YOU.

Leave a comment…

• …introducing yourself and how you came to Keeper of the Home.
• ….with a question to “Ask Ann” and I’ll respond to each one personally.

Or email me at annt (at) keeperofthehome (dot) org to share your story. I’d love to hear how you came to join us on this journey!

You can learn more about me and my family HERE. I’d love for you to join me on Monday mornings, while I sip coffee and send a personal note about my life, my story and some exciting things coming up at Keeper of the Home in the new year!

Be prepared to laugh, cry and be encouraged… together! I’ll see you on the blog!

Ann