A Slightly Better Wife

Visit Enchanted Acres Pumpkin Patch in Sheffield, IA

Our family had the honor of joining the North Iowa Bloggers crew in visiting the Enchanted Acres Pumpkin Patch in Sheffield, IA. My oldest daughter went last year with my brother and his family, but this was the first year for the rest of us. I was pleasantly surprised by how close to home it ...

You Are Good

Eek! She's so adorable I can hardly stand it! Even though this little one has tested my patience, negotiated her way out of a time-out, trashed the living room (twice), and screamed at me at the top of her lungs because she wasn't ready to come inside (twice)... I still love her ...

Our Adoption Story: We are His, and He isn’t finished with us yet.

For years, I have wanted to share our adoption story here on the blog. I’ve wanted to tell it in a way that is respectful to my husband, and to his past. I’ve wanted to honor our daughter’s joy and the love she radiates every single day. I’ve spoken about it in coffee shops, playgrounds, Bible ...

3 Things You Need in Your Preschool Homeschool Art Class

If you have a little one who likes to do paint with water, or maybe you’re just trying to keep your little one busy while you homeschool your big kids, this tip is for you! Paint with Water books entertain preschoolers for a long time. Maybe not quite as long as Play-Doh, but hey, it sure cleans up ...

Why We Do Year-Round Homeschooling {Currently}

As the big Back to School push is happening everywhere, we’re already on week 8 of our homeschooling year. Don’t ask me exactly how many weeks ago we started… let’s just say it was a little longer than that! I’ve had some reservations about year-round schooling, but after reflecting on our progress, ...

The Best DIY Home Cleaner Using 2 (or 3) Simple Ingredients

Are you still cleaning with harsh chemicals in your home? Please allow me to loving tell you to KNOCK THAT OFF. Really, I care about you, your health, and your pocketbook! Making your own cleaner is better for your health, and much more inexpensive (read --> a whole boatload cheaper). It's ...

Create Homeschool Workboxes with an IKEA Kallax Bookshelf

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. YOU CAN VISIT THE DISCLOSURE TAB TO LEARN MORE. The number one tip I have for homeschool moms is PRAY OFTEN. Tip number 2 is take time to get organized! Sometimes that means taking a day, or even a week off. That’s okay! Do what you’ve ...

You Are Loved. Right Now. Always.

Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, it is my prayer that right now, in this very moment. you would know and believe with your whole heart that YOU ARE LOVED. I don’t know what you’re going through. I don’t know what tomorrow holds for you. But I do know this: you are not alone. Tough Days ...

Celebrate Absolutely Everything

Why We Celebrate Absolutely Everything 🎉 Someone once told me, “You guys celebrate everything!” At first, I took it as criticism. Were we being frivolous? Over the top? Maybe. Later I realized… what if it wasn’t criticism at all? What if it was actually: “Wow, those people really know how to look on ...

How to Make Hard Boiled Eggs in the Instant Pot

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. YOU CAN VISIT THE DISCLOSURE TAB TO LEARN MORE. Woot Woot! Did you snag an Instant Pot on Prime Day? I did—I wasn’t even sure what I’d use it for, but I figured at least it would have good resale value if it didn’t earn its keep. But now? After just a few ...

Consignment Shop Haul: Back to Homeschool, Clothing Edition

Hello Momma Friends! As you're thinking of back to school (homeschool or public) clothing shopping, don't forget to check the local consignment shops and thrift stores. You can find lots of great deals and avoid the big crowds! For example, I bought 3 pairs of jeans for my ...

Child Sized Inspiration: I Believe in YOU!

“MOM!! I BELIEVE in you!” Then she slammed the door and was gone. I stood there stunned... What just happened? Then came the tears of joy. She didn’t wait to be praised, she just said the kind thing and moved on. What a lesson. Friends, speak the encouragement. Don’t overthink it. Don’t wait for the ...

5 Tips for Creating or Organizing a Kitchen Pantry Closet

When we built our home 11 years ago, we included a great closet in the family room. At first, we used it for storing books, board games, and all sorts of miscellaneous items. But as our family grew—and so did our desire to host friends and family around the table—we needed to rethink our ...

12 Years Ago Today

Twelve years ago today, I met a boy. Before long, he made me a wife and a momma. We were just babies back then! We had no idea how incredibly hard life would be—how we’d lay his mom to rest after her battle with cancer, how many funerals we’d attend, how many bills would come, or even how many cars ...

My 30th Birthday Recap

What a great day! Not because we did anything spectacular for my 30th, but because we spent it together. I’ve always been the type to celebrate absolutely everything, and usually to celebrate BIG. Learning to Slow DownLately, I’ve been praying for God to teach me how to slow down. To savor quiet ...

The Prayer Chair

Not too long ago, I spent a night on my bedroom floor, crying myself to sleep. My husband tried to comfort me, but I had my mind made up: I needed more than a quick “you’re okay.” What I really needed was hours of prayer and quiet time with Jesus. I needed to hear Him speak, to center my heart, and ...

Marriage: I Want You To Keep Fighting

Friends, if you’re feeling like your marriage is falling apart, I want you to take comfort in this: Jesus’ hands are not only for comfort, but for healing. Radical healing. I’ve seen it in my marriage, and I believe it can happen in yours too. Marriage is such a good gift from God, but we also know ...

Simple Summer

As summer nears, I always find myself making a big Summer Bucket List. I check out all the local events, buy simple crafts for the toddler, bigger projects for the older kids, and maybe even something a little ambitious for myself. I pick up new popsicle molds, vowing we’ll only make homemade frozen ...

The Simple Joys of Motherhood

Motherhood. It drains me and fulfills me like nothing else ever could. If I don’t get too caught up in all that I have to do, I can really practice being grateful for what I get to do. Today I am grateful for laundry. A bathroom floor covered in dirty clothes is a blessing in my eyes. As I pick up a ...

The Power of Words: Choosing Uplifting Labels

I truly believe that the words we use shape how others see themselves and how they see the world. When you tell someone, “You’re smart,” they’re more likely to embrace challenges with confidence. When you say, “You’re organized,” they’ll feel encouraged to nurture that trait. On the other side of ...