*This post was originally posted on Aug. 16, 2011, but I love these ideas so much and with my kids heading back-to-school tomorrow, I wanted to share them with you again today! I'm still catching up from being on vacation, so here's another great guest post for you! I love the idea of the time capsule, since this is my daughter's first year in school, it would be a great time to start that tradition! Guest Post by Stacey at A GOOD and SIMPLE Life: Back to school is just around the … [Read more...]
A Time of Quiet
The ground here is already covered with snow, which definitely puts me in the Christmas mood! For a peek behind the scenes of Live Renewed, you can follow along with me on Instagram! You've probably noticed that it's been a little quiet around here recently. I haven't posted much since July! This break has been intentional. I took a break from blogging in July to enjoy the summer with my kids and go on vacation with my family. But then that break extended into August when we got back from … [Read more...]
To be called Mommy
Mom. Mom. Mom. Mama! Mama!! MOOOOMMMMYYYY!!! We were driving back from our family vacation in Northern Michigan, and while the older two kiddos were watching a movie the youngest babe wasn't interested and instead wanted my undivided attention for about two hours straight. Jer and I were trying to have a meaningful conversation, which was pretty much impossible because we kept being interrupted every 5 seconds by her yelling, "Mama, Mama, MAMA!!!!" I'd say, "Yes, Blair?" and she'd rattle … [Read more...]
Vaccinating my Child: 15 Reasons I’m Looking for Middle Ground
I told myself that I would never write about vaccines. It is a scorching hot topic, and honestly I don't want to get burned. But here I am, because I have this sneaking suspicion that maybe I'm not alone in feeling the way I do. My daughter had her two year old well baby visit this week. And I was feeling very anxious leading up to the visit because I knew we'd have to face the issue of vaccines again with our doctor. Let me start by saying that I am not pro-vaccine and I'm not … [Read more...]
Babies Don’t Keep: Some Thoughts on Being Done with Babies and Breastfeeding
My baby turned two years old on Sunday. Deep breath. When did that happen?! I can still remember giving birth to her at home, in our bedroom. Like it was yesterday. And the newborn snuggles! Oh, the newborn snuggles. I just cannot get enough. Those newborn days are so fleeting. You're so exhausted, and yet trying to just drink in every moment. The days just seem to fly by too fast. And you blink and she's not a baby anymore. She's two, and she's running and talking and growing into … [Read more...]
5 Simple Secrets to Improve Your Family’s Diet
Like me, you probably strive to feed your family real, whole, and healthy foods, but maybe sometimes your actual diet can veer pretty far off course. Our family recently found ourselves eating more processed foods than usual, eating out more often, craving sweets and carbs, and feeling exhausted all the time, we knew it was time to do something about it! If you're ready to improve your family's diet too, be sure to check out these five simple secrets! Photo credit: … [Read more...]
Beauty from ashes. That’s what He does.
I have to share this story with you because it's such an important part of who I am, and I cannot stop talking here about what Jesus has done in my heart and my life. (Acts 4:20 - One of my Dad's favorite verses.) Today is the second anniversary of my dad's passing from this world to his eternal home in Heaven. It still hurts every day. The experience of grief has been suffocating and probably the most painful and difficult thing I have ever walked through. But I am walking through it - … [Read more...]
I’m Wrecked: What I’m Into in February
So y'all, I want more than anything to just pour you a cup of coffee with my homemade vanilla creamer, and cozy up on my couch, with toys scattered around on my floor and dirty dishes in my sink and just chat like friends, like sisters, because that's what we are in Christ. I'm an extrovert, so talking is how I process my thoughts and feelings, how I organize things in my mind before I can truly know what I think and believe. Talking is usually what I do before I sit and write the words on … [Read more...]
Where Should Baby Sleep? The Case for Co-Sleeping
"Is she sleeping through the night yet?" The worst question that could ever be asked of a new mom. EVER! Becuase, um, news flash: Babies don't (and shouldn't) really conform to our ideals of what it means to sleep for long periods without waking, at nighttime. I mean pretty much anyone who's ever had a baby, or taken care of someone else's baby, could probably tell you that. And yet, how a baby is sleeping is always at the very top of other people's priority list for your baby. So, you … [Read more...]
10 Reasons I Am the Worst Mom Ever!!
According to my children, I am the absolute worstest mom ever! EVER! Insert: stomps off and slams door! When you ask them why, here's what they'll tell you. 10 Reasons My Mom is the WORST mom EVER! 1. She makes me wear my coat just because it's cold out. But I NEVER get cold! That coat is so big and bulky and totally cramps my style - what does below zero mean anyway?? How can anything be less than zero? 2. She wastes a lot of time making these terrible dinners every night that … [Read more...]
