It's important to maximize after-school time with our kids in order to encourage free play time and enjoy quality time together as a family. I stare down at her smooth skin, her blonde hair flowing across her shoulders, her eyes closed tightly, and I realize that even though she's right here in front of me, I miss her. This is the first time I'm seeing, truly seeing her today. The hours since she got home from school have been jam packed and overwhelming. Seeing her so still and peaceful … [Read more...]
8 Postpartum Self Care Ideas for the Natural Mama
In the days and weeks after your new baby is born, it's so important to focus on yourself and your postpartum recovery. Find eight ideas for postpartum self care for the natural mama! You've made it through labor and delivery and are snuggling your sweet babe. But, you feel like you've been hit by a truck! You're exhausted, you're sore in places you didn't know could be sore, and you find yourself crying and have no idea why. I've been there too. I'm now eight weeks postpartum and want to … [Read more...]
Griffin’s Homebirth Story
It's hard to believe it's been over a month since Griffin was born! I wrote down his birth story the week after he was born while it was still fresh in my mind, and I wanted to share it with you because I believe it's important for women to share our birth stories with each other and with the world. And I'm so incredibly grateful to have this birth documented in photos by my friend and birth photographer, Meg. Griffin Lee was born at home on Sunday, August 7th at 10:11pm. However, … [Read more...]
10 Healthy Pregnancy Items I Can’t Live Without!
It's still a little hard for me to believe, except for my hugely bulging belly, but I'm 31 weeks pregnant and in the final countdown to sweet baby boy's arrival! If there's one thing I've learned through this fourth and surprise pregnancy, it's that you can never be fully prepared for all of the side-effects and symptoms of pregnancy that you will experience. As you strive to have the healthiest pregnancy that you can, some of your symptoms will be the same as previous … [Read more...]
25 Inspiring Date Night Questions (Written by my Husband!)
Ready for date night? Inspire conversation and have fun with these 25 date night questions, written by a husband, they're perfect for married couples! My husband and I went on a date night a few weeks ago, and he brought out this list of questions he had put together to inspire our conversation. I thought it was one of the sweetest and most romantic things he could have done to make our date an intentional and fun time. We took turns randomly picking a number between one and … [Read more...]
A Summer Self Care Plan for Moms
Prepare yourself with a summer self care plan! Take steps to fill up your cup and enjoy your days with your kids this summer! My kids are done with school in just over a week, and I know some school's summer breaks have started already! While I'm definitely looking forward to sleeping in and lazy mornings, not having to wake my kids up every morning and get them out the door, I also realize it's going to be an adjustment for all of us to be home together all day. Every day. So, I've … [Read more...]
5 Strategies for Coping with a Surprise Pregnancy
Unexpectedly expecting a baby? You can take care of yourself and process your feelings using these strategies for coping with a surprise pregnancy. I don't know about you, but I am not really a happy pregnant person. When I found out in early December that I was unexpectedly expecting our fourth child I wasn't super thrilled about it, because me and pregnancy just don't mix very well. And while sometimes I just want to curl up on the couch and have a nine month long pity party, I know … [Read more...]
4 Easy Steps to a More Natural Pregnancy
My own journey toward more green and natural living began when I found out I was pregnant with my first child, and I think this is true for many women. When you're expecting a baby, you become more aware of the kind of lifestyle you are living. You think about how the choices you are making will effect your new baby, as well as how the environment around you will affect your baby both in utero and after she is born. You may be considering, for the first time, how to make green and natural … [Read more...]
On Marriage as Mutual Submission
After my post last fall about the lessons we've learned in 12 years of marriage, a reader asked if I would expand on my thoughts about being equal partners in marriage. I must admit that I am a little nervous about this post, because I realize people on both sides of the issue hold strong ideas and opinions. And I don't pretend to be an expert or have all of the answers. No two marriages are the same and there is no one perfect formula for a happy and fulfilling marriage. However, I truly … [Read more...]
When You’re Not Thrilled About Being Pregnant
Two lines. Two lines. What in the world?! How is that possible? No. That can’t be right. I’m pregnant? Two lines. I’m pregnant???! I can’t. believe. I’m. pregnant. These were the thoughts running through my mind as I took a pregnancy test at the beginning of December and it came back obviously positive, within seconds. No waiting 3 minutes for that thin blue line to appear. It was there as soon as the liquid moved across the test strip. This was completely unexpected. A … [Read more...]
