Raising Good Sons

David and Julie Lavender met in a 10th-grade chemistry class, and sparks flew right away! High school and college sweethearts, the two married after graduation and began work on their master's degrees. Julie received a master's degree in early childhood education, and David's master's in entomology followed his biology undergrad degree.

With diplomas in hand, David joined the navy as a medical entomologist and Julie continued teaching public school. Over the next 20 years, Julie and David lived in 10 different homes as David's career took them to Florida, North Carolina, back to Florida, Virginia, California, and Washington before finally landing in their home state of Georgia.

By the time David retired from the navy and started work as a wildlife biologist for an army installation, the couple had added four children to the family—two boys and two girls. At the birth of their first child, Julie became a stay-at-home mom and part-time freelance writer. Julie and David homeschooled their four children through high school, and their four favorite humans are now college graduates.

Oldest son Jeremy works as an elementary school counselor. Jenifer, an executive administrative assistant, is married to Adam Sartain, a senior marketing manager, and the two are parents of Benaiah and Maverick. Jeb holds a financial analyst position in the aerospace industry. And Jessica, a seminary event planner, is married to Dawson Goddard, a seminary student and sixth-grade Bible and history teacher, and they are the parents of Danae.

With David retiring last year, Julie and David are enjoying more time with their children and grandchildren, loving the opportunity to spend more time outdoors, and finding lots of time to write together. They are the authors of books, magazine and newspaper articles, and devotions.

Their most favorite hats to wear? Mommy and Grandmommy, Daddy and Granddaddy. View titles by David Lavender

Of all the hats Julie Lavender has worn, her favorite by far is the “mommy” hat. She believes it’s the most challenging, yet most rewarding, position she’s ever held. Julie thanks God every day for the gift of motherhood and is very grateful for God’s blessings and guidance throughout her parenting journey.

An author, journalist, and former homeschooling mom of 25 years, Julie holds a master’s degree in early childhood education. She is married to her high school and college sweetheart, and together, Julie and David are the parents of four, in-laws of two, and grandparents to a precious almost-five-year-old grandson.

Julie loved living in various locations across the country as the wife of a United States Navy medical entomologist. She taught public school before becoming a stay-at-home, homeschooling mommy. After her husband retired from active duty, the Lavenders moved back to their hometown, and David began work as a wildlife biologist at a nearby army installation.

Julie’s most recent book, also published by Penguin Random House, Children’s Bible Stories for Bedtime, was truly a heart-project, and Julie loves that the 52 Bible stories help children snuggle up with thoughts of God’s love before going to bed each night. Prior to that, Julie wrote 365 Ways to Love Your Child: Turning Little Moments into Lasting Memories, published by Revell/Baker, to encourage parents to show kids every day how much they are loved with simple but meaningful gestures and activities.

Learn more about Julie at JulieLavenderWrites.com and connect with her on social media. She loves getting to know other moms and grandmommies. View titles by Julie Lavender