Instead of Operation Christmas Child, I am recommending you choose a gift from World Vision's Gift Catalog this year. Unfortunately, I can no longer recommend that you participate in Operation Christmas Child. I will not support or promote the ministry of an organization that is headed by Franklin Graham after his un-Christlike and anti-Gospel actions during this election year. Also, here are 7 Reasons not to Participate in Operation Christmas Child this Year. … [Read more...]
Managing After School Screen Time for Kids
I don't know about your kids, but almost every day when my kids come home from school, after grabbing a snack, they ask for screen time. Whether it's watching a show, playing a game on the iPad, or checking out one of their favorite You Tube channels it was becoming a default for them which was something I wanted to avoid. Torch, a new and exciting wifi router, is sponsoring this post and I'm excited to share with you how it can help you to manage your kids' screen time. In order to … [Read more...]
6 Lessons We’ve Learned in 12 Years of Marriage
"Hey!! Daddy stop scoochin' mommy!!" Our 3 year old pulled on our pant legs as she tried to wedge herself between us while we stood in the kitchen kissing one evening when Jer got home from work. Somehow "scoochin'" has become the term for mommy and daddy kissing in our house and it cracks me up every time. Jer and I have been married for 12 years on September 20th, and I am so thankful to say that we are in the best place our marriage has ever been. We're proud of our relationship because … [Read more...]
Let me tell you a secret: You are an inspiration!
A new friend came over for a playdate last week, and she said something to me, almost in passing, as she was leaving that has stuck with me and I can't get out of my mind. She said to me, "You're such an inspiration." And I was surprised and caught off guard by her comment. It's definitely not something I was expecting her to say. Here's why, this new friend has a PhD in theology (or some other really, really smart thing) from Notre Dame and is now a professor there. She completed her … [Read more...]
4 Things I Want to Say to My Kids Every Day
Several months ago during a Bible Study group we were studying Psalm 90 as a part of the life of Moses. It's a Psalm that talks about how the days of our lives are numbered and will pass away quickly. It can be a little depressing, but one of the ladies in our group shared how she viewed this passage in a different way regarding being intentional with our days and using them to leave a legacy. She encouraged us to count up the number of days we have left to live if we are blessed to live until … [Read more...]
How to Waste Your Day
Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow? -Old Procrastination Proverb I learned from my Dad I sit snuggled up on the couch, the clock reads 11:00pm. I'm tired and I need to go to bed. I look around and notice a few things strewn about on the living room floor, left over from the post-soccer practice bedtime rush for the kids. The dining room table is still covered with crumbs from the day. In the kitchen, the dishwasher door sits open, left that way after loading the dinner dishes. … [Read more...]
Our Summer in Pictures
It's been a rainy and fairly cool summer so far, but we're trying to still enjoy every moment! Shopping Local at Madison Road Artisan Market This girl has been reading like CRAZY and I LOVE IT SO MUCH!! Lots of cloudy, rainy soccer games. And of course, summer projects - we still need to finish painting the bathroom! Just the sweetest! And these too! From our garden! We LOVE Art for Kids Hub! She's 3!! Highly recommend this balance bike we got her for her … [Read more...]
On Parenting with Grace and Second Chances
Last week, I was sitting on the floor with my daughter, helping her sort hundreds of tiny rubber bands by color after I accidentally knocked over her Rainbow Loom band storage box that had been left open and sitting precariously on our dining room bench. As we worked, she talked. (I love that about working side by side with my kids, how they talk and open up, especially when I'm helping them with something.) And she told me something I will cling to as a mother for a long time. "Mom," she … [Read more...]
Why I’m Now a Huge Audiobook Fan (and why I think you should be too!)
Just over a year ago I jumped on the audiobook wagon, and I have never looked back. It is not an overstatement for me to say that listening to audiobooks has changed my life! Here's why: Increased Motivation Sometimes, okay most of the time, I don't want to clean my house. I despise doing dishes, I don't enjoy folding clothes, and let's not even talk about cleaning the bathroom. The only homemaking task I might actually enjoy is vacuuming. I do love a nice clean floor! So I usually need a … [Read more...]
An Intentional Summer Plan and Routine for Kids
Summer break is right around the corner! While I'm completely looking forward to not sending my kids out the door to school every morning and not spending hours each day in the car driving for carpool, I also get a little squirmy thinking about all of us at home together all day, every day. The fighting, the whining, the sibling rivalry, the messes. Oh, the mess of having three kiddos at home all day. Shudder. But then there's also the great stuff too. The beach, the pool, the backyard … [Read more...]
