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...]
How to Clean a White Kitchen Sink Without Harsh Chemicals
I really, really love the idea of a white kitchen sink. A white apron sink is on my wish list for when we finally get around to updating our kitchen. But let me tell you, those things are crazy hard to keep bright white and sparkly clean when you use them for, you know, cooking and feeding your family three meals a day. Unless you never, ever eat at home, your white kitchen sink is likely to look dingy, dirty, and just plain gross without a little intentional cleaning on your part. We've … [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...]
How NOT to Save Money by Protecting Your Cell Phone
So what is more expensive? A quality protective cover for your cell phone? Or replacing a cracked, broken screen twice in three months? Well I can tell you, it's definitely not the cover! And I'm thankful to OtterBox for sponsoring this post and providing my phone with a case that will protect it from my kids and me from now on. I don't know about you, but my kids use my iPhone a lot. They play games, read books, watch shows and YouTube videos, FaceTime family, and listen to music. The first … [Read more...]
How comfortable do you feel using essential oils for your family?
Do you use essential oils for your family and around your home? How comfortable do you feel with properly using essential oils? I stared using essential oils several years ago. I first used them in my homemade cleaning recipes, and then as natural remedies for my family during cold and flu season. More recently I've been expanding my collection of oils, and learning even more amazing uses for them. Essential oils are beneficial, affordable, and even fun to use! But, as essential oils are … [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...]
3 Kid-Friendly Ways to Enjoy Smoothies
Now that our kids are back in school, I'm making a point to be more intentional about planning ahead for our breakfasts, packed lunches, and after school snacks. I need to make sure I have quick, easy, and healthy options available. Fortunately, our family loves smoothies. (I mean really, who doesn't?!) And I love that smoothies are a great way to pack a lot of nutrition into a meal or snack without a lot of work! Here are some of the ways our family enjoys smoothies: For Breakfast You … [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...]
Why we choose to send our kids to public school
As our oldest two kids head back to school this week, I wanted to share our family's reasons for sending our kids to public school. This will be our kids' 3rd and 5th years, respectively, in public school because they attended two years of public preschool before beginning kindergarten. We have never regretted our decision to send them to public school! I know some families face community or family expectations about where and how to educate their children and sometimes have to make a … [Read more...]
