Looking for a way to spread holiday cheer to your neighbors without spending a fortune or spending hours in the kitchen? This simple, hands-on gift is perfect for busy families and still shows love and thoughtfulness. Supplies You’ll Need: Wrapping paper Tape Ribbon Scissors ...
Motherhood as a Profession: Running the Household Like a Workplace
My home is my workplace. I spend more hours here than anywhere else, and I’m in charge of more daily responsibilities than anyone else in the house. I say this with pride. God has blessed me with a beautiful home and a husband who allows me the gift of being a full-time homemaker. This year, we took ...
Show me the mother and I’ll show you the child quote
At the suggestion of a friend, I just started watching Army Wives. I really didn't need another show to watch. I'm good with just Parenthood. I love the story lines, even when they make me cringe. um, hello Julia? What are you doing?! I'm only a dozen-ish episodes in on Army Wives (watching on ...
Devoted December: Focusing on What Truly Matters
Welcome! Thank you for stopping by. Would you join me for Devoted December? Where I will be devoting my time this December: Jesus (He is the reason for the season). Celebrating Advent. My family. That beautiful advent tree is a handmade gift our family received in 2013 from my very ...
Our First Sewing Project: 18 inch Doll PJs & a Tulle Tutu
My oldest daughter has been wanting to learn how to sew, so this week we finally tackled her very first sewing machine project! We kept things simple, thrifty, and fun—perfect for building confidence. Project 1: Doll Pajama Shirt Start with a baby onesie that no longer fits your little one. ...
2013-2014 Homeschool Curriculum Choices
Well folks, we.are.crazy. “Are you guys crazy?” That’s the question we’ve been asked more than once. With three kids—ages 10, 6, and 9 months—we’ve decided to homeschool the big kids this year. The truth is, I’m not one of those moms who can’t wait for the school bus each August. I’m the mom ...
DIY American Girl Boy Doll (On a Budget!)
About a month ago, I took the kids to the American Girl store. My oldest daughter adores their dolls, and I thought it would be fun to get a boy one for my son. But when I saw the price tags, I knew I needed a DIY, budget-friendly option. My sweet girl is currently working hard to earn a “mini-me” ...
DIY Designs: Clock Wall
I’m not a designer or decorator by any means, but I do love all things DIY, inexpensive, and pretty. This project checks all three boxes. For a couple of months, I kept my eyes out for three coordinating clocks I loved. I never found the perfect mix—so instead, I bought three that matched. They were ...
Make-Ahead Freezer Peanut Butter & Honey Sandwiches (Busy Family Tip!)
As a busy family of five, we are constantly on the go lately. In an effort to avoid the drive-thru, for the sake of our pocketbooks and our health, I started keeping a stash of quick, grab-and-go meals ready to go. Enter: Peanut Butter & Honey Sandwiches for the freezer. Yep, this is the extent ...
DIY: Diaper Sprayer Shield How-To
This post contains affiliate links. You can visit my disclosure tab to learn more. We’re a cloth-diapering family, and yes… I catch a lot of crap for that. Get it? Crap. Yep. Momma’s got jokes for dayyyys. There’s a little gadget you can buy for about $20, but I’m a DIY kind of gal anyway, so I ...
My Fears Through Pregnancy, Labor, Delivery and Recovery.
Fear. It's been a year since I found out I was expecting our 3rd baby. We tried, cried, and prayed for this baby for y.e.a.r.s. Each time a friend would get pregnant while we were trying to conceive I would feel joy for them, but not as much as the sadness I felt for myself. Believe me when I say ...
The Boy Turns Five and a Half
This past Saturday our family celebrated something special. Even though we didn't celebrate in the way we normally do, because we were busy cleaning and taking care of household things we were still celebrating. The celebration was marking 5 and a half years of what we call "The Carben1 Comedy ...
School Days: Magnets On an Oil Drip Pan
This sweet boy is independently practicing his 3 letter words. If you’re like me, you love seeing your kids’ creativity—but your fridge might not love it as much. Scratches, smudges, and clutter can add up fast. Here’s a simple solution: use a large oil drip pan from Wal-Mart or an auto supply ...
Safe in His Presence
Matthew 14:27 says: "But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.'" This is a picture of my dad meeting one of my babies for the first time. The feeling I describe here hasn’t changed over the years, it’s about that sense of safety, of knowing someone is watching over ...
Product Review: GROWNSY Electric Nose Suction for Baby
If there’s one baby product I would recommend above all others, it’s the GROWNSY Electric Nose Suction for Baby—a hospital-grade nasal aspirator that makes caring for little noses so much easier. Why I love it: Quickly and effectively clears nasal congestion, no more struggling with a bulb ...
DIY Table Top S’mores
Last night we made Table Top Driveway Smores. I had everything on hand already except the charcoal and the pot. Driveway S'mores Being impatient we roasted some while there was still a little flame, this makes deliciously burnt mallows. ;-) The Basics. I think this bag of charcoal will last us ...
Create a Simple Donation Station for a Clutter-Free Home
If you haven’t already, set up a donation station in your home. For us, it’s a small table in the basement. Whenever the kids are getting dressed and a shirt doesn’t fit, or a pair of shoes is too snug, they know exactly where it goes. This keeps things organized and helps me avoid hunting through ...
Courage for Today: Trusting God in Every Step
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9 Imagine if you truly believed this with your whole heart today. How much could you accomplish? What fears or doubts might fall away if you walked through your day ...
Recipe: Baked Oatmeal
I must have made breakfast too early this morning, or maybe I just didn’t eat enough, because this delightful baked oatmeal came out of the oven at 10:30 a.m. Yes, you read that right—10:30! One of the perks of being a stay-at-home mom is that no one tells me when I can take a break and enjoy ...
Take Time This Week to Visit Your Local Library
If you haven’t been to your local library lately—or ever—this week is a great time to go! Libraries are such a wonderful resource for families, and they offer so much more than just books. Here’s how to make the most of your visit:Sign up for a library card if you don’t already have one. It’s free ...