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Stories, Roots, and Resilience: A Conversation with Author Leilani Mueller

One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is a love for stories. Stories anchor us, shape us, and remind us of who we are. They give us courage in hard seasons and spark our imaginations with hope and possibility.

In this week’s episode of The Feast Life, I had the joy of talking with Leilani Mueller, a fellow homeschool graduate, mom of five, and now a published author. Her new children’s book was born out of her own family’s experience of moving across the country and learning to stay rooted in love, even when the landscape changes.

From Oxford to Waco to Houston

Leilani’s story is rich with places and transitions—studying at Oxford, building friendships in Waco, and now raising her family in Texas. Along the way, she discovered how family culture, faith, and imagination can travel with you wherever you go. As she shared about her homeschooling years and her own mother’s simple but profound practices—daily prayer, reading aloud, and encouraging her children’s interests—I couldn’t help but think of how many of us need that reminder. Homeschooling doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about filling our homes with truth, beauty, and goodness, one page and one conversation at a time.

A Book for Families in Transition

Leilani’s book tells the story of Poppy and Jack, two children who move from California to Texas and bring their beloved grandparents along in their imaginations. With the help of a pet brontosaurus and a unicorn, they learn that grit, love, and a little creativity can make any place feel like home.

What I love most is how her book speaks to the real struggles children face when moving—missing grandparents, making new friends, and learning resilience. For military families, traveling homeschoolers, or anyone who has faced a big transition, this story offers comfort and hope.

Why Imagination Matters

We also talked about the role of imagination in childhood. Leilani shared sweet stories of her own children turning their bed into an airplane to “fly” to California or building elaborate worlds out of play. It was a reminder to me that our kids’ pretend play isn’t frivolous—it’s a sacred way they process reality, experiment with courage, and build resilience.

Encouragement for Homeschool Moms

As we closed our conversation, Leilani offered encouragement straight to the heart of every homeschool mom: be faithful to what God has called you to, lean on prayer, and don’t underestimate the simple practices of truth-filled stories and family connection. The work you’re doing is good work.

✨ If you’d like to add a story about resilience, imagination, and family love to your homeschool bookshelf, you can find Leilani’s book wherever books are sold.

And if you need encouragement today, listen in to this episode—it’s a gentle reminder that what we are building in our homes matters deeply, even when it feels small.

About Our Guest:

Long familiar with homeschooling, Leilani Mueller was homeschooled through high school and now homeschools her five children. Since her early days, Leilani has spent much of her free time with a book and a pen (or a keyboard as the case may be). She went on to receive a BA in humanities, with a minor in English and Bible, from Biola University. She is also a member and graduate of Torrey Honors Institute, the Great Books program run through Biola. One of her fondest university memories is the year she spent studying English and history at Oxford.

In her professional life, she taught high school humanities courses to homeschooled students. While there she met her husband who moved her from California to Texas where she then ran high school and junior theater at a classical school in Waco while her husband worked on his PhD. During her time, she was introduced to the world of competitive theater and directing musicals. While running the theater, her family grew so by the time her husband got a teaching position, it was time to step back, and focus on her kids. 

It is her joy to teach her five children, and even a greater joy to have them love her first children's book, All Aboard the Grandparents Express which comes out in one week.

Connect with Leilani Mueller:

• All Aboard the Grandparents Express – OUT NOW
• Instagram: @leiraewrites