Hi, I’m Bettina – the mom behind Blue Eyed Mama.
I’m a stay-at-home mom of three and step-mom to one (two girls and two boys). After living in bigger cities like Chicago, Indianapolis, and the Tampa Bay area, our family eventually settled down in rural Indiana, where life is a little quieter and a little slower.
We’re a homeschool family, which is both rewarding and sometimes challenging. I also teach small classes online from home, so most days are a mix of school lessons, laundry, cooking, and trying to keep the house somewhat in order.
Like most moms, my life isn’t picture-perfect. Sometimes the kitchen is spotless… but more often it’s not. The laundry piles up. The kids occasionally get on my last nerve. But we laugh a lot, we make time for movie nights, and we try to read together as a family a few nights a week.
My husband is my partner in all of it. Like many couples, we’ve had our ups and downs over the years, but through love and a lot of hard work we’ve built a life together that we’re really proud of.
At the end of the day, we’re just a pretty ordinary family trying to enjoy life together.
Why I Blog
I never set out to be a “blogger.”
This blog started simply because I enjoy sharing ideas and learning from other families. Over time it became a place where I could document things that worked for our family… whether that’s a seasonal activity, a homeschool idea, a family tradition, or something simple we tried at home.
You won’t find a perfectly curated “mom blog” here. My pictures aren’t always perfect, I don’t post as often as some bloggers, and I’m not always following the newest trends.
Instead, this space is simply where I share things that have brought a little joy, creativity, or usefulness to our home. If something here inspires your family too, then that makes it worthwhile.
Why “BEM”?
People sometimes ask where the name BEM comes from.
Years ago, when I first started sharing online, my blog was called Blue Eyed Mama (as it is now). For a while I also spent time streaming online, and people in the community started shortening the name and calling me “BEM.”
The nickname stuck.
Even though I’m not streaming these days, the name became a fun little part of the community that formed around the blog, so BEM and Fam just felt like the right fit for this space.
A Few Random Things About Me
Just for fun, here are a few little things about me.
- I grew up in a home with four generations of women living together at one point, my great-grandmother, grandmother, my mom, and me.
- I was public schooled and homeschooled growing up, which probably explains why I eventually chose that path for my own kids.
- I’ve lived in a few different places, including some time in Russia and even briefly on a Native American reservation.
- Our home currently includes two dogs and eight cats, which I fully admit is a lot of cats.
- I teach small online classes from home, which is something I genuinely love doing.
- I drink a lot of coffee, love the flavor of maple, and my favorite color has always been green.
- I use ellipses… probably more than I should… and I know it drives some people crazy.
- I’m not a perfect person. I’ve walked through postpartum depression and other difficult seasons, which has shaped a lot of how I see motherhood and life.
- These days I try to focus on building a calm, meaningful life filled with small, good things, family time, books, learning, and simple traditions at home.
Connect With Me
If you enjoy my homeschool mom blog (which really has become a little more), you can also find me in a few other places. I share more day-to-day moments and quick ideas on Instagram, save lots of inspiration on Pinterest, and occasionally post updates on Facebook.
I also run a small Etsy shop. It’s not a full-time business, but it’s a fun creative outlet, and the sales help support our Little Free Library, which our family loves maintaining for the community.
A Note About Affiliate Links
From time to time, I link to products we use and genuinely enjoy. As an Amazon Affiliate, this means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through those links… at no extra cost to you.
These commissions are small, but they help support the blog and allow me to keep sharing ideas here. More importantly, I only recommend things I truly believe in and would happily use in my own home.
If you’d like to learn more about how affiliate links work and how I choose what to recommend, you can visit my Affiliate Page.
Thanks for stopping by and getting to know a little about me and my family.
I’m glad you’re here.
Bettina❤️
BEM and Fam