6 things for staying in & staying sane

i work from home and homeschool my kids, so this whole everybody stay home thing is nothing new for us. since we're all home-bound for health reasons until further notice, i thought i'd share six things i use EVERY DAY that keep me sane staying home:

1. diffuser and essential oils // you knew i was gonna say this :) seriously, in addition to the health benefits of diffusing essential oils, it really makes a difference in the overall atmosphere of my home when the air is filled with essential oils. put one in all high traffic areas of your home, and if you are at your computer most of the day, i recommend a USB diffuser! TARGET / AMAZON / YOUNG LIVING

2. walking shoes and sunscreen // ok i know this isn't technically "staying in" but hear me out. even when working from home and on homeschool days, i think it's important to get outdoors at least once a day for sunshine, fresh air, nature, and physical exercise. i put on my running shoes and sunscreen on my face first thing in the morning. find yourself a good pair of outdoor tennis shoes, and a sunscreen that you like, and work it into your day! i linked my: SHOES / SUNSCREEN

3. Beachbody On Demand // speaking of physical exercise, this is my favorite app for working out at home. i've been working out at home every day for years using this app! most workouts are only 30-40 minutes! super easy to work into a daily routine. BOD is $99/year, and there's a free trial no obligation option, as well. DOWNLOAD BEACHBODY ON DEMAND *updated: Beachbody has generously offered 11 FREE workout programs! CLICK HERE TO ACCESS (pdf file with links) (no purchase necessary) AND FREE Kids Fitness Programs on Vimeo here.

4. rebounding trampoline // this is fun for the whole family and really good exercise! i recently read that 10 minutes of jumping is the cardio equivalent of running for 30 minutes. i made a REBOUND PLAYLIST on Spotify to jump to. it's great for homeschooling days, too, when the kids need a bounce break :) WALMART / AMAZON

5. Voxer // face to face interaction with people might be limited right now (#socialdistancing) but you can still have real, quality conversations with friends using Voxer app. i love using Voxer because it allows the users to listen and reply via voice at their convenience, either real time or later. whereas, a phone call requires both users to be available on-demand. it's a fun way to stay in touch with people and hear their voices! i usually have ongoing conversations with multiple friends :) DOWNLOAD VOXER (it's free)

6. Church Home // this should be #1 on the list because it's what i use every morning even before i put on my shoes and sunscreen! :) Churchome app has daily messages with prayer and reflection via 5-10 minute videos. it's such a great way to start the day encouraged by the word of God! faith comes by hearing! (Romans 10:17) DOWNLOAD CHURCHOME (it's free)

while none of these things are absolutely necessary for staying home, either by choice or by CDC recommendations, they're all things that i have found useful for a successful, productive, and pleasant work from home and homeschool experience! 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, 

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity. 

I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," 

declares the Lord, 

"and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."

-Jeremiah 29:11

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things i love thursday

lately on instagram stories i've been sharing THINGS I LOVE on thursdays. sometimes it's products you can buy at the store, sometimes it's a song or an idea. completely not sponsored or anything. just things from my day to day life that i discover and think are worth sharing! i've enjoyed the feedback and responses on instagram so i thought i'd bring it over to the blog, too! this is a recap of the last few weeks of THINGS I LOVE THURSDAYS! 

polaroid digital frame // great gift idea, preload images on the card, we love ours!

autumn's gold bars // clean ingredients, filling and nutritious, grain free! i keep one in the car for emergency snacks :)

packing cubes // must-have for travelling! keeps luggage contents organized and tidy.

free diy custom prints // another great gift idea! free, customizable beautiful prints! print, frame, gift!

makeup eraser // must-have! magic cloth takes off all makeup with just water. i use it on my eyes and lips regularly to remove waterproof mascara and long last lipsticks.

schmidt's deodorant // natural deodorant that actually works for me!

praying the scriptures for your teens book // a must read for anyone parenting/raising teenagers. very specific scripture-based prayers for very specific teen issues!

(click on the bolded item name to take you to the product info page)

xoxo

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family road trip tips 🚗

we are roadtrippers. we have been loading up the kids and our luggage and hitting the highways since our kids were tiny babies. long stretches of roads, truck stop snacks, gas station bathrooms, obscure sightseeing, audio books, custom-made playlists, endless games of "i spy"...we LOVE road tripping! some of our favorite destinations include Matagorda, Wichita Falls, San Antonio, and Austin, Texas, and we also love driving further, to New Mexico, Colorado, and Arkansas!

our family has made many memories on road trips! in the spirit of summer family road tripping, here is a guest post with ideas for keeping kids entertained en route. 

Must Haves For Kid Entertainment While Traveling

Tired of being asked, “Are we there yet?” No worries, we have you covered with nine can’t-miss suggestions to keep your travels fun with the kiddos. Even more important than the entertainment factor is safety. This guide to safety on the roads will make sure you don’t miss anything important before you leave.

// 1 – Keep it Movin’Sitting for long periods of time is hard on anyone, but especially for little ones. It’s a good idea for everyone’s physical and mental health to get up and move around. Make a plan to take a small stop every hour to let everyone stretch their legs. Consider having a small roadside dance party or even download some simple workout routines for a family on the go.

// 2 – A Few Good Books

Time in the car does not need to be time wasted. It's a perfect time for older children to catch up or finish their favorite chapter books, and a great opportunity for younger children to brush up and hone their budding reading abilities. A local library or used book store is a useful resource to find books. Used books can even be donated along the way after being enjoyed. If your child enjoys the tech life, it may be worth it to invest in services like Amazon Kindle Unlimited which offer thousands of titles accessible on many different devices.

// 3 – Embrace Your Inner Artist
Even if you think you can’t draw, everyone has their own creative gifts. Providing children with colored paper and fun colored pencils may do the trick, but there are other options. Consider bringing scented markers and glitter pens to make drawing even more fun. To avoid messes, a travel tray may be a worthy investment.

// 4 – Car Games
Many of us grew up playing the state license plate or “I Spy” games to pass the time in the car. There’s no reason these old favorites can’t be enjoyed now. To spice things up, consider adding in trivia, songs, and even card games.

// 5 – Food, Food, Food
Eating is a source of entertainment and can occupy at least a few moments of a restless child’s time. Bringing a bag full of fun options is always a crowd pleaser. Let the kids make their own trail mix with an assortment of granola, dried fruit, chocolate chips, and mixed nuts. A cooler with ice and a wide variety of drinks is also a must.

// 6 – Trip Planning
Make your kids active participants in the trip by involving them in planning the route, stops, points of interest, and meal breaks. A family road trip planner is a great tool to help your kids become interested in the journey and pinpoints neat places to see along all the major routes of the United States. Make it a game and allow each child to plan a day or half day, as time permits. They get to choose the pit stops or points of interest, for example a neat place to eat lunch in San Antonio as well as visiting the city’s riverwalk.

// 7 – Podcasts and Books on Tape
Podcasts are most commonly associated with topics like technology, business, and self-improvement, but there are also podcasts that will entice and entertain your children. If you won’t have a steady WiFi connection during your trip, download some podcasts on your tablet, phone, or computer. Those lucky enough to have satellite radio can just tune into their favorite stations. Audio books can be found through Kindle, Apple Store, Android Stores, and Nooks.

// 8 – Music
Anyone who has ever been on a road trip knows good music makes the time fly. For your kids, the radio station, KidzBop will be sure to please. Offering a variety of hits with a few Disney favorites thrown in there, your kids will be rocking out in no time. This station can be accessed on virtually any device and offers limited commercial interruptions. For the AM/FM traditionalists, there are plenty of local radio stations offering kid-friendly broadcasts.

// 9 – Movies and TV shows
Allowing the kids to indulge in their favorite movies or TV shows while on the road is a sweet treat. You can score some great second-hand movies at thrift stores and online or simply download a few flicks on your smart device.

A long or short car trip can be a trying time for any family, but with these simple ideas it is possible to make it better for everyone. So be safe and enjoy the journey!


this is a guest post from Maggie!
Maggie is a writer/contributor for autoinsuranceez.com. She has an educational background in science and liberal arts, both of which have proved beneficial in her academic research and technical writing specialities. She lives in Southcentral Pennsylvania with her dog, Loki and writes romance novels in her spare time.

weekly menu planner 🍕📝

i've said it before and i'll say it a thousand times (because it bears repeating and i am forgetful): planning my family's weekly dinner menu is a total sanity saver. when i don't plan our menu, i end up rushing to the grocery store for quick dinner inspiration, or grabbing random ingredients for a last minute recipe, or we tend to dine out- which leads to not so healthy eating choices. it's a bad habit. and you know what they say, bad habits breed bad habits. not being prepared for our weeknight dinners is frustrating and stressful.

when i'm frustrated, unprepared, and stressed, i can't serve my family well. then the peace in our home is disturbed. it's a crazy cycle.

the one thing that has helped me stay consistent in menu planning is WRITING IT DOWN. i use a notebook, but i also like to use a calendar format so i can post it on the refrigerator and the family can see what's for dinner. it works for me and it works for them! i love serving my family- and this one simple habit sets me up for success.

if bad habits breed bad habits, good habits must breed good habits right?

*TGIT is our standing family date night and we dine out. tip: avoid the weekend rush! restaurants are less busy on Thursdays. YOYO is "you're on your own" for dinner aka eat all the leftovers and clean out the fridge :)

i made this printable menu planner calendar and it definitely helps! you can download and print the menu planner here: 

FULL PAGE WEEKLY MENU PLANNER PRINTABLE

HALF PAGE WEEKLY MENU PLANNER PRINTABLE 

here's to menu planning and keeping good habits! xoxo

more menu planning posts:

// MENU PLANNING Q & A

// PREVENTING MENU PLANNING BURNOUT

// GROCERY DELIVERY

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grocery delivery is my new BFF 🛍️

i resisted the grocery pickup bandwagon for as long as i could. i actually enjoy grocery shopping. it's 1-2 hours a week of time that i'm alone yet being super productive, and sometimes finding new treats and fun things in the store while i'm there :) i could probably do our weekly grocery trip at SuperTarget blindfolded and without a list - that's how regular and routine it's become.

so when the grocery pick up service started becoming a thing, i wasn't interested. like, at all. i want to pick out my own avocados, thank you very much.

twice in one week, in two separate conversations, two wise and trustworthy friends each recommended using a grocery delivery service for these very valid reasons: 

// give me more time at home with my family
// take 1 thing off of my weekly to-do list
// break the cycle of going to the store for 1-2 things, just out of habit
// help me meal plan so that our dinners are healthy, homemade, and pre-prepped

yes please!

so, i thought i'd give it a whirl. my husband and i researched all the services available, their prices, what products they offered, and the pros and cons of each. we tried loading our regular groceries on the different services available in our area. THIS was the most time consuming part of the process - but worth it. all things thoughtfully and carefully considered, we decided to shop with Amazon Fresh. 

once a week now for the past two months, my groceries are delivered to my front porch from Amazon Fresh. and i love it! they have just about everything we need, really great prices, and free delivery.

as we need groceries, i add them to my Amazon Fresh online cart. i place the order on Saturday for delivery on Sunday, usually before 7am! cold/frozen items come bagged together in insulated bags with frozen bottles of water. produce is in separate bags. dry goods are bagged together neatly. easy and fun! Once Amazon Fresh gets to know my shopping habits and preferences, they offer recommendations, and keep a list of frequently purchased items which makes it really easy to remember to buy the things that i like to keep in stock.

i keep a separate list of the specialty things we need that Amazon Fresh doesn't carry. i make ONE trip as needed for non-grocery items (like graph paper, socks, etc.) OR i'll add those to my Amazon Prime cart and place an order as needed.

my heart belongs to Target. the RED card, the Cartwheel, the clearance stickers, the $1 Spot, in store Starbucks...oh how i love Target! but i confess, i have a new BFF: Amazon Fresh. grocery delivery definitely helps me live a "making the most of it" kind of life. ♥️

TAKE AWAYS: 
1) listen to your wise friends when they share their life-changing recommendations with you.
2) try grocery delivery!

OTHER MEAL PREP, MENU PLAN, AND GROCERY SHOPPING TIPS:
// i always use smile.amazon.com on my laptop (set up so a % of my purchases go to Mercy House)
// our go-to weekly dinner menu

// 5 ways i save $ at Target
// menu planning Q&A

MAKE THE MOST OF IT! XOXO

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this post is 100% my honest opinion and recommendations, and is not sponsored or affiliated with Amazon in any way. 

social media contract for our teenager (with scripture) 📱

we gave our daughter her own instagram account for her 14th birthday. but first, we made her agree to a few things. we made her sign a contract. and yeah, we used scripture to back up our expectations.

according to instagram's terms of use, you must be 13 years old to have an account. some of my daughter's friends were on instagram long before they were 13, but we stood our ground to follow the official terms of use. but when she was 13, i still didn't quite have peace about her being on social media. there were more conversations we needed to have and more heart-work to do. so i waited, prayed about it, tried to model healthy social media presence, and then i kind of forgot about it. and so did my daughter. having her own instagram account wasn't something she asked for, or bugged us about, but i know she would have fun connecting with her friends on that platform. and at age 14, i saw a new level of maturity in her that indicated she was ready. i had peace about releasing her into the wild world of social media...with heavy monitoring and some serious guidelines in place.   

my husband and i drew up a social media contract for her, specific to instagram since that is the only platform she is using. and because the Bible is the foundation of our family's moral compass, we added scripture into the contract as a reminder of who she is and Whose she is. in a world full of puppy ears and sparkle eyes filters, we want her to know that the best filter she'll ever use is the Word of God. this contract was written with our teenage daughter in mind, but honestly i wish everyone had to agree to these things before they got online. social media would be a much nicer place! 

as a social media marketer/online influencer manager, i understand what she's getting into. being on social media is a bigger deal than it might seem. it's a big responsibility and privilege that we don't take lightly. this isn't just about posting selfies and seeing silly memes. she will be exposed to a lot. there will be temptations and influences. she'll have new opportunities to walk the walk we've taught her to walk. when my daughter is online, i want her to represent our family well and i want her to represent Jesus well. we've raised her to know that her identity is found in Christ alone, not in likes and comments. we've taught her that words are powerful and to use them wisely. she knows how to trust the Holy Spirit for discernment. she knows to prepare her heart before she posts. it's less about what to post and more about why she's posting. we have taught her, and will continue to instill, that what really matters in life is Who she follows (Jesus), not who follows her on instagram. 

"train up a child in the way he should go,

and when he is old he will not depart from it."

-proverbs 22:6

something i'm learning as i go is that the best way i can protect my kids is to prepare my kids. the natural instinct is to protect them by preventing them from doing anything - the put them in a bubble perspective. but that isn't really living at all. a safe life isn't an abundant life, because a safe life never learns to dream big, take risks, try new things, or trust God fully. we're called to train our children in the way they should go, which means we need to prepare them and equip them for an abundant life, fully trusting God and leaning on Him. 

so, instead of keeping my kids off of social media and strictly prohibiting it for their entire lives, we are choosing to equip them with biblical boundaries and guidelines that line up with our family's beliefs. a line of communication has been established now, and how we navigate being on the internet will be an ongoing conversation with lots of grace and love, remaining firm in our foundation. this social media contract is where we're starting.

social media is supposed to be a fun place to connect with friends. that's it! these boundaries are in place not to be a helicopter parent or to take social media too seriously, but to keep it fun and safe.

you can view, download, and edit our instagram contract here: 

SOCIAL MEDIA CONTRACT (WITH SCRIPTURE) 

❤️

"let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. and whatever you do,whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." -colossians 3:17

ARE YOUR KIDS ON SOCIAL MEDIA? 

share your thoughts with me on instagram (of course)!

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feels good to feel good // ultimate reset cleanse and detox

in September 2018, my husband and i committed to doing the Beachbody Ultimate Reset. the Ultimate Reset is a 21-day cleanse and detox. it was so successful for us that we decided to maintain the new eating habits after the 21 days were over! and we also decided to do the Ultimate Reset again in January! it feels so good to feel so good.

the Ultimate Reset is a 21-day process of eliminating certain foods and toxins from your diet, cleaning up your system, relaxing the nervous system, and providing antioxidant support for the immune system. the Ultimate Reset includes supplements and meal planning tips. dairy, sugar, caffeine, and meat is eliminated and by week 2 you've transitioned to a plant-based diet. but there is plenty of yummy food - we never felt hungry. our bodies respond positively when we treat them well! after three weeks, my husband and i felt completely healthy, clean, light, and strong. 

before beginning the first round of Ultimate Reset, my eating habits were way off whack. there were days i'd look at the clock and realize at 3pm that i hadn't eaten anything. i was literally running on coffee and water. 

other days, i'd have my yummy Shakeology shake and coffee, and the only other time i ate a meal was at dinner time. i've never really been a breakfast person - i love breakfast food but typically

don't feel hungry until 10 or 11am. but there were too many days when i wasn't a lunch person or a snack person either. yikes. 

when i did make a point to eat, i made healthy choices, yes, but eating wasn't a priority and i definitely didn't make time for it. my eating schedule was nonexistent. no wonder my metabolism was non-responsive! i was working out 4-5 times a week but my results had completely plateaued. i had unhealthy eating habits and my body was hanging on to every calorie for dear life, not knowing when i'd nourish it again. i knew in my head that i was in a bad cycle, and my body was showing physical symptoms too: bloating, digestion discomfort, lack of appetite, low energy levels, unstable moods, trouble sleeping, and overall feeling of sluggish.

so my husband and i committed to doing the Ultimate Reset together! it was not easy. but it was 100% effective. 

MY ULTIMATE RESET RESULTS

// i re-learned to fuel my body properly

// i re-developed a healthy relationship with food 

// i re-learned to prioritize mealtimes, learned to listen for my body's hunger and satisfaction cues

// all of the physical symptoms were completely reversed

// no more bloat, no more poochy/soft tummy 

// my ab muscles showed up (abs are truly made in the kitchen, by EATING not by skipping meals!)

// my fitness results started showing, plateau breakthrough (more toned muscles)

// my metabolism was jumpstarted, responding positively to nutritious foods

// my energy was restored, stable - no mid-day slumps 

// i sleep like a champ 8-10 solid hours a night with no drugs/aides

// i felt lighter, stronger, cleaner, and healthier: mind and body!

real Ultimate Reset results from Beachbody.com // based on my experience, these photos are realistic of what you can expect after completing the Ultimate Reset! 

i don't use a scale to weigh myself but my husband does. he lost more than 10lbs. i could tell by the way my clothes fit that i lost a good amount of weight and inches, too. and while most cleanses/detoxes cause you to lose water weight, which is easily gained right back, the Ultimate Reset actually helped us to lose any unhealthy weight we were carrying because it detoxed our bodies of toxins. i saw most change (weight loss) in my tummy area, hips, thighs, and upper arms. other cleanses/detoxes made me feel deprived, starving, and afterward, i felt scrawny and weak. but on the Ultimate Reset, we never felt deprived. there is plenty of food! and afterward, i felt completely healthy. i love looking in the mirror and seeing a HEALTHY body, not a skinny, unhealthy, scrawny body. 

can i just say, why do we sometimes expect results without putting in any effort? we are grown-ups and we can do things that might seem hard. like not eating sugar, dairy, meat, caffiene, or alcohol for 21 days. good grief. if we want to see changes, we have to make changes. it's as simple as that. the truth is, if you want to be healthy bad enough, you'll be willing to do what it takes to get there even if it makes you a little uncomfortable at first. you'll be willing to make a commitment to prioritize your health. 

my husband and i continued eating a plant-based diet September through November until Thanksgiving or so. and then we were eating about 75% vegan. now, with the start of the new year upon us, we are ready to do another round of cleansing and detoxing our bodies for 21 days! perfect time to start fresh! kicking off the new year HEALTHY and WHOLE because it feels so good to feel so good. 

the Ultimate Reset comes with everything you need to completely cleanse and detox in a healthy way!

i shared real-time results and Ultimate Reset tips on my INSTAGRAM HIGHLIGHTS! 

  

if you are interested in committing to the 21-Day Ultimate Reset, ORDER HERE and let me know! i'd love to be your support system, answer any questions you have, and help you achieve your health goals! 

you can read more about my health and fitness lifestyle, including the workout program i'm currently doing and why i drink Shakeology daily: HERE.

here's to a happy, healthy, whole 2019! 

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, 

do it all for the glory of God." 

-1 Corinthians 10:31

xoxo

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lighting up HALLOWEEN

yesterday was Halloween. we had such a fun night walking through the neighborhood with our friends and neighbors. it was chilly and it had rained earlier. most of the children were bundled in jackets and raincoats, costumes covered. clinging to their candy buckets, kids of all ages dodged puddles, going door to door in droves to meet friendly faces and get some chocolate. our kids are 10 and 13 now. they have outgrown a lot suddenly. but last night they were young. last night, we let them be little. chasing candy dressed as Spongebob characters with glow necklaces. midway through the night, i looked around at my neighborhood bustling with families and i thanked God that i get to be here and now. i thanked God for another fun Halloween for the collection of memories in my heart. 

i've shared my journey of navigating Halloween as a God-fearing, Christian family. i have absolutely struggled with the tension of the holiday. there were a few years when i was so confused and torn that we skipped Halloween altogether. my heart was broken for the lost and for those in darkness. now i know God used those years to convict me, and he has shown me that the way to respond with a broken heart to a lost and dark world is not to hide from it, but to light it up.

here is how we did Halloween in 2009, 2010, and 2011. i was/am transparent in my struggle because i know i'm not the only one, and i believe there's freedom in bringing things into the light. 

ultimately, here is what October 31 actually is in my community in 2018: a night for children to dress in costumes, get together with friends and neighbors, collect buckets of candy, put candles in pumpkins with toothy grins, and pretend to be afraid of plastic spiders in cotton webs. i mean, let's just call it what it is, right?

but i still see so much tension surrounding October 31. especially, sadly, among Christians.

the week before Halloween i had a conversation with my kids about it. i wanted to know what they thought about Christ followers celebrating Halloween. do you ever do that? so often i think we (adult Christians) overthink things and make mountains out of molehills. my perception is so clouded because of my experiences and exposure to other people's opinions. i can always count on my kids for some grounded, simple, insight. their faith is so pure!

our Halloween vs Christians conversation was incredibly insightful. there's nothing like a Bible-believing child to offer an untainted perspective. they asked really good questions. they were mostly confused about why Christians wouldn't get out there among the unbelievers. why would anyone think that Christians are celebrating witchcraft? why wouldn't we want to invite our neighbors over? aren't we supposed to show the love of Jesus to everyone even if they practice witchcraft? is our faith so weak that it can't withstand fake skeleton decorations and sound effects CDs? are we only supposed to celebrate Christian holidays? why are Christians so small-minded sometimes? how do we show love in this situation? why is there division? what would Jesus do? 

they're all "who told you that you were naked?" and i'm like, oh snap.  

after we talked, i prayed, and was prompted to share some of our thoughts with others who might be feeling the tension and confused about Halloween. i put my thoughts in an Instagram story and was blown away by the responses. first, the struggle is real. Christians are trying to navigate this, and carefully, because there is so much tension and division over this issue. however, Christians are overwhelmingly burdened to love like Jesus and redeem October 31 for the glory of God. 

Pastor Dustin Bates says it like this:

when you walk into a dark room and you flip on the light switch, light overcomes the darkness. 

it's no longer dark. darkness doesn't prevent the light from lighting up the room. 

so turn on the light! God will turn the darkness in life into an opportunity for His light. 

i have come to believe Halloween is no different. as a Christian, regardless of the day of the year or the origins of a holiday, my obligation and burden and honor is to be light in the darkness to display the love of Christ to everyone. 

i have seen God work His redemption firsthand. 

i watched a close friend practice witchcraft at a party years ago. a few years after that, she needed a place to stay so we invited her to live with us. she went to church with me and my family during that time. even more years later, she is a completely new person.

another friend of mine was not a believer. a week before Halloween, her best friend tragically passed away. Halloween fell on a Sunday that year and it was her first time in church. she's been going ever since and she tells me it's changed her life. Halloween is her new birth-day.

God let me be an up close and personal witness in those situations so that i could live fearlessly. His redemption and love conquers all. nothing, no day, no darkness is out of His reach. 

these are the thoughts that i shared on Halloween, also available here:

i refuse to believe that the enemy of our souls thinks our gathering with friends and neighbors tonight for fun and fellowship is bringing us any closer to him and his evil ways. 

the enemy is a liar and would love to STEAL, KILL, and DESTROY our attempts to have a fun night with our neighbors. 

as for me and my household we will serve the Lord in all we do, on every day of the year. we will redeem the day. we will glorify God in all of it. 

this day might have origins in evil, but we serve a God who calls us to light and love, and can make all things new. beauty from ashes! redemption is His. 

we are not celebrating the origins of this day. we are celebrating victory in Christ.

we choose to reject the evil roots and aspects of today, and instead redeem it by loving our neighbors, practicing hospitality, and sharing the love of God with friends and family.

we teach our kids that god can be glorified in all things.  
everything can be redeemed. 
everything and all things. 
even a pagan holiday. 

i refuse to believe that my friends and neighbors and those little cuties coming to my door for candy are out celebrating witchcraft tonight. 

and if they are? come on over, sweetie, i'll show you the love of Christ.

living not of this world sometimes means taking the things of this world and turning them upside down for God's glory.

our neighbors might not be Christians. we might be the ones on the block who represent Christianity to them. you better believe we're prioritizing love.

we believe there's nothing and no one too far out of God's reach that He can't redeem. we will be the catalysts of change today.

once you witness redemption, you can't unsee it. 

the enemy wants me fearful today. he wants this day to be set aside for evil because after all that's how it originated. and he wants me to leave it alone. he wants to make me believe God doesn't have any power on October 31. the enemy celebrates when believers are divided and turned against one another. let's not give him that opportunity today. or tomorrow. or ever. 

perfect love casts out fear. nothing can separate us from the Love of God. don't lose consciousness of God's perfect love or our access to it today.

if the origins of Halloween are a stumbling block in your relationship with Jesus, or cause your faith to weaken, by all means skip it. 

pray about it. honor your convictions. don't judge others. (they have their own convictions). and stand firm in your faith. 

my conviction was this: the enemy doesn't care if it's 10/31 or 5/9 or 2/28. he just wants me isolated so he can shame and confuse me. he wants me to feel proud of myself and to judge others. he wants my doors locked, lights out, curtains drawn. he does not want me loving on my neighbors, enjoying family time, and being in community. 

God is sovereign. that doesn't change on Halloween.

i am called - and so are you - to light up Halloween.

"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, 

that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." 

-Matthew 5:14-16

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. 

Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"

-John 8:12

"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. 

This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood." 

-1 John 4:4-6

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LOVING LATELY: bath + beauty 💄

it's been a while since i've shared some of my favorite things! i've found some new-to-me products that were recommended to me, that i'd definitely recommend to you. sharing is caring!

here are some bath and beauty products i'm loving lately:

// nyx butter gloss in shade eclair. love this gloss for every day. it's not sticky at all, but stays put on my lips for a while! makes my lips feel super soft. and it smells kind of like... cotton candy? this color is a pretty neutral/ light pink. i got it at nyx but i've also seen it at target.

// gold bond neck & chest firming lotion. just occurred to me recently that i should be moisturizing my neck and chest area. and then i read somewhere that people are experiencing creases/lines on their necks from all the time spent looking down at their phones. yikes. i've been using this lotion for a month and just bought my 2nd tube because i love the way it makes my skin feel! and i have seen improvement in the elasticity/firmness of the delicate skin in that area. i got it at target it's 3cents cheaper on amazon.

// bath & body works rose quartz fragrance mist. my sweet daughter bought this for me randomly one day at the mall. she said it reminded her of me :) it's rose water, lily, and patchouli! LOVE! smells like a subtle bouquet of roses. it isn't replacing my signature perfume, but it's nice for a quick refresher spritz or to toss in my purse to have on the go. available at bath & body works.

// vp collagen peptide vanilla creamer. um, yum. anytime a food product is both delicious AND functional, i'm all in. this powerful powder is all that! i add just 1 scoop to 1 cup of coffee. it's made of organic coconut milk and collagen peptide. 2 scoops has 10 grams of protein! it's dairy-free, Paleo-friendly and Whole30-approved. and delicious. just the right amount of sweet and creamy. available on amazon.

// e.l.f. liquid matte lipstick in shade tea rose. i actually bought this out of necessity after the lid my (still full) more expensive matte lipstick broke causing it to leak all over my purse. i was bummed and needed a replacement! this color is almost identical to tarte birthday suit which i LOVE. but when i saw the applicator on this e.l.f. dupe, i decided i like this lipstick even better! it's shaped like a triangle which makes it super easy to apply. it's matte without being drying. and it's long lasting! i'm a big fan of Lipsense and this lipstick is a competitor in the long lasting department for sure! i found it at target.

// my magic mud activated charcoal whitening toothpaste. if you don't mind black toothpaste, give this one a try. benonite clay, charcoal, and peppermint oil leaves my mouth feeling so fresh and so clean clean! no chemicals or flouride. i got it at sprouts but i also saw it at whole foods and it's probably online.

// sally hansen insta-dri nail polish. long story short, sometime last fall i found myself constantly admiring other people's natural nails - polished and not polished. at the time, i was regular getting nexgen dipping powder on my nails and i loved it. but the love was fading and i longed for my natural nails. so i'm doing my own manicures since january, re-strengthening my natural nails from the damage done by constant dipping powder treatments. but trying to keep my nails pretty and polished is a total joke because laundry, dishes, and, um, life, are no match for nail polish drying time and chips. (which is why i loved the nexgen!) alas! sally hansen insta-dri nail polish is MAGICAL! it dries in a minute flat and lasts about 4 days before it gets chippy. i have it in multiple colors and i LOVE it! i've even tried using other polishes just to confirm that insta-dri really is magic and it is. other polishes, as we all know, take days hours to dry, get smudgy and chippy after a day.   

and that's what i'm loving lately!  

xoxo

shout-out to Jen one of my faves to follow for solid home, beauty, and clothing recommendations!  

my 2014 edition of bath/beauty favorites

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*no ads, affiliate, or referral links in this post

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non-candy easter basket goodies for kids 🍭

do you make Easter baskets for your kids? it's something we do every year! traditionally, the kids wake up on Easter morning to find their baskets filled with a few fun (small and usually practical) springtime gifts, and they use their baskets for egg hunts later that day. i'll toss in some Cadbury eggs and a chocolate bunny rabbit for novelty purposes, but ideally, my kids' Easter baskets will not be filled with a ton of candy. now that my kids are older (9 and 13) they have outgrown stuffed animals and toys for the most part, so i have to get a little bit creative - but it's a fun challenge! i like to think "what are my kids into these days?" (reading, basketball, slime) and "what do my kids need right now?" (shoes, always shoes) and i take all that into consideration and think outside the box for Easter basket gifts that will make them smile.

truth be told, the basket is the least of our focus on Easter Sunday. my kids are well aware of the truth of what we celebrate on this holy day, and the resurrected Son of God is what it's all about. the trinkets and toys won't last: their faith in Jesus Christ will. my kids' favorite traditions are church service, lunch with family, the Jesus Story Egg Hunt,  Resurrection Rolls, and "egging" our neighbors! the baskets of goodies are just a fun little thing we do.

i was shopping for my kids' Easter baskets when i came up with this list of NON CANDY EASTER BASKET GOODIES:

// books, journals, coloring books
// crayons, gel pens, markers, colored pencils
// stickers, erasers, temporary tattoos
// art supplies, small craft kit, sketch pad
// flower seed packets, small flower grow kits
// swim goggles, floaties, dive toys
// flip flops, socks, slippers
// bubbles, sidewalk chalk, water balloons
// kid-sized garden tools, gardening gloves, small flower pot
// Lego minifigures, matchbox cars
// reusable water bottle, cup with lid/straw
// kite, boomerang, yo-yo
// umbrella, rainboots
// puzzles, slime ingredients, deck of cards
// pool/beach towel
// popsicle mold, cookie cutters
// night-light, glow sticks, piggy bank

what other non-candy goodies would you put in your child's Easter basket?

(our Easter 2012 and Easter 2014)

'After the Sabbath, as the first light of the new week dawned, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to keep vigil at the tomb. Suddenly the earth reeled and rocked under their feet as God’s angel came down from heaven, came right up to where they were standing. He rolled back the stone and then sat on it. Shafts of lightning blazed from him. His garments shimmered snow-white. The guards at the tomb were scared to death. They were so frightened, they couldn’t move.
The angel spoke to the women: “There is nothing to fear here. I know you’re looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised, just as he said."' Matthew 28:1-6

happy easter, bunnies! 

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DINNER IS SERVED 🥕 // our go-to menu

what's for dinner? 

i love/hate that question. 

i love it when someone asks me what's for dinner and i have an answer! i feel so accomplished and prepared! even better when the food is prepped and i've remembered to thaw the meat or put it in the crockpot. 

but when i hear "what's for dinner?" and i don't have an answer? it's the worst! i feel like a total slacker and failure, and why are you always hungry?! ;) as it turns out, my people like to eat dinner every night.

i used to be so good at menu planning - and blogging about it! (and apparently i need to read and heed my own advice for sticking to meal planning!) i'm not as consistent at it as i used to be but i'm trying, because it really makes my life so much easier when i have a week of dinners planned in advance. 

something that has helped TREMENDOUSLY is our go-to weekly dinner menu: 

monday // crockpot

tuesday // tacos!

wednesday // Asian or Italian

thursday // family date night out

friday // leftovers or something easy

the recipes vary week to week, based on the "theme" of the night. the "themes" are pretty much a given, and make it super easy to put together a menu. all i have to do is find recipes to fit the theme of each night. it's a dinner meal planning hack! 

here is how i use the go-to menu to plan our dinners each week:

my crockpot is my bestest friend on monday nights. mondays are currently the nights when we get home from kids' extra activities well past our regular dinner time, so it's nice to have dinner ready and waiting. my favorite sources for crockpot recipes is Make it Fast, Cook it Slow by Stephanie O'Dea, and by searching #crockpot on Instagram. 

tuesdays are taco tuesdays, duh. but it's not always tacos. it's always some variation of easy Tex-Mex: taco salads, enchiladas, burritos, nachos. basically anything that goes good with chips and salsa because let's be honest that's the real star of the show. 

on wednesdays i alternate between Asian food and Italian food. my family's favorites are chicken and veggie stir-fry, orange chicken, and honey seared chicken, served with rice. or, if it's an Italian week wednesday, i'll make zoodles, veggie pasta, turkey meatballs, spaghetti squash, or homemade pizza.

thursdays are our family date nights and we go out to eat. this is something we started doing years ago, when our kids were very young, because we realized 2 things: by thursday i'm done cooking, and restaurants are considerably less crowded on thursdays than they are on fridays. we all look forward to thursday nights because it's good quality family face time. plus no cooking and no dishes to wash. 

because sometimes we have plans and sometimes we don't, i like to keep friday night dinners easy peasy. if we don't have plans and we are eating dinner at home, i'll make sandwiches or breakfast for dinner, nachos (if we didn't have them on tuesday), or something from the freezer like chicken pot pies. the key here is to always have miscellaneous ingredients on hand to throw something together quickly. otherwise, it's leftover buffet! or pantry challenge! 

having this go-to menu makes it easier (and more fun) to try new recipes, takes most of the guesswork out of figuring out what to make for dinner, and helps me be prepared for the dreaded WHAT'S FOR DINNER question. because let's face it: they're going to want dinner pretty much every night forever! i might as well be prepared :) my go-to menu has been very helpful for my weekly meal planning, my family is well-fed, and that makes me happy! 

do you have a go-to menu? what are your meal planning hacks?   

"commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."

-proverbs 16:3

adorable stamped servingware from etsy: http://etsy.me/2yEpxZY

GROWING my children's faith 🙏

eat healthy.
exercise.
get fresh air.
get enough sleep.
do your chores.
finish your homework.
mind your manners.
obey your parents.

of all the things we want our kids to do and to be, and of all the daily expectations we have of them, one thing is MOST IMPORTANT of all: their relationship with Jesus. it's so much more than having good morals, obeying the law, having religion, and generally being a good person. it's important to me that my kids know Jesus so that they know true hope, grace, joy in all circumstances, the power of prayer, godly love, and the promise of heaven. i want Jesus to influence their day-to-day decisions, and i want them to live eternity and kingdom-minded. i want my kids to know that we have a friend and Savior in Jesus forever! in our home, a strong faith foundation is top priority. 

"direct your children onto the right path,

and when they are older, they will not leave it."

proverbs 22:6

God has entrusted us with or children and we're honored to lead them to knowing Jesus! what an awesome privilege. instilling faith in our children's hearts is a huge responsibility and an ongoing process, and we need all the tools, resources, and helpers we can get! 

there are a lot of resources out there to help parents lead their children into a relationship with Jesus. it's easy to get overwhelmed with all the options. where do you even start to introduce your child to God?? the best news is, it's never too late to begin to nurture your child's spiritual growth. my encouragement to you is to simply start somewhere. pick up a children's or family devotional and open to page 1, and make the most of this beautiful gift of raising your child with a heart for Jesus.

here are a few of our family's new favorite faith-growing books:

 

• Jesus Always: 365 Devotions for Kids by Sarah Young // help your child develop a friendship with the Lord through daily time with Him and His Word. each day features a scripture and a devotional that is written as though Jesus is speaking directly to your children. we read these daily devotions as a family at dinner time and it makes for really great discussions! ENTER TO WIN 1 OF 5 COPIES OF Jesus Always: 365 Devotions for Kids: http://www.blessedfreebies.com/jesus-always-365.html

• Faith, Hope, Love Devotional by Amy Parker // one hundred daily scripture-based devotions explore faith, hope, and love, written in a way children will understand. each day has space for kids to journal as they learn, as well as a prayer prompt or applicable action step.

 

• Cover Them: Bite-size Prayers for Busy Moms by Brittany Frey // this is perfect little book for moms who need quick but powerful prayers for their kids. i love to write out each day's prayers, filling in my kids names, and also write out the scripture reference, and exploring different translations of the verse if i have more time :) super simple book with adorable illustrations. this is great for keeping in the car and praying in the school drop off line, or keeping in your diaper bag or purse for those stolen moments of quiet time with Jesus.

• She is Yours: Trusting God as You Raise the Girl He Gave You by Jonathan and Wynter Pitts // this book has practical advice and encouragement for parents of girls. i love the stories and real ways the Pitts' offer for helping my daughter develop an awesome relationship with God, with me, and with others. i also love the surrender prayer included in the book!  

i hope these books help you in your God-centered parenting journey!  

Father, thank You for the honor and blessings of being my kids' parent. thank You for helping me grow my child's faith, and guide them to a real relationship with You. God, thank You for the privilege of directing my children in the right path, and that when they are older, they will not depart from it. cover our home in Your peace and grace. in Jesus’ Name, amen.

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IT'S ALL GOOD // things i'm loving lately

MUSIC /// "every day, i'll awaken my praise and pour out a song from my heart: you are good, you are good, you are good, and your mercy is forever." -Kari Jobe, You Are Good. also loving "let the King of my heart be the fire inside my veins, the echo of my days; oh He is my song. you are good, you're good, oh...you are good, you're good." -Eleven32 Music, King of My Heart. i'm all about seeing the good these days and i'm discovering that when it all comes right down to it? it's all good. 

 

KITCHEN /// i splurged on a salad chopper bowl for $10 and it is definitely the cheapest, most loved, most used tool in my kitchen right now. i am AS SEEN ON TV's target customer apparently. plus i love chopped salads, so this was a no-brainer investment. they are available on amazon - just search for salad chopper bowl. also loving "Daily Sunshine," the new Shakeology formula for kiddos, is genius and just in time for me to send my kids back to school with this quick and healthy breakfast shake! order a sample pack for your little ones to try.

 

PRIMPING /// seriously loving LipSense lipsticks! my collection includes Praline Rose (neutral berry), Apple Cider (every day neutral), Mulled Wine (dark purple/brown), and Kiss for a Cause (hot pink). have you tried it? it really does stay on through eating, drinking, exercise, and mom-ing ;) also loving R+F enhancements mineral peptides SPF 20 in light. this loose powder is light weight yet provides a full coverage and has completely replaced my other foundation makeup. my favorite thing about the powder is that it has SPF but i also love that it doesn't feel heavy nor does it have a scent like some powders tend to have. if you're looking for a new face powder i recommend R+F! 

 

POOLSIDE /// hallelujah for a summer spent mostly poolside! this summer i'm loving slathering my family in NO AD sunscreen. we use the spray on our bods and the stick on our faces and yay for no sunburns! also loving peppermint oil (YLEO) when we're out by the pool because it deters pesky mosquitoes and bees! who knew? i just sprinkle a few drops around the area where we're hanging out poolside and buhbye bugs.

loving it lately and it's all good.

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how beautiful on the mountains
    are the feet of the messenger bringing good news,
breaking the news that all’s well,
    proclaiming good times, announcing salvation,
    telling Zion, “Your God reigns!”

(isaiah 52:7 the message version)

*beachbody, r+f, and yleo links are connected to my account

happy lunchbox packing

my happy guy with his new lunchbox and a seriously loose tooth!

something new in our routine this school year? packing lunches. my daughter is in school two days a week and most days she has to bring her lunch from home. having her lunch packed the night before a school day took some getting used to, but now i'm having fun with it! some days, i'll even pack a lunch for my son who is homeschooled - because for some reason getting his lunch pre-prepared in his very own lunch box makes lunchtime more special.

whether your children go to school each day, or if your kids are homeschooled, or your child is in preschool, or if your schooling looks like something in between, no matter what your schooling situation is, one thing i've found to be universal: we all want our kiddos to eat a healthy lunch. 

to make healthy lunches fun, i like to get creative when i'm packing them! i'm only about a month or two into this lunch packing business, but here are my tips for making a healthy and happy lunch: 

// let them pick out their lunchbox. or surprise them with one you know they'll love. if they like their lunch box, they'll have a burst of excitement every time they get to use it. it doesn't have to be expensive or fancy. it could even be a paper bag that they decorate with crayons or markers (before it's packed with food), or maybe you decorate the bag! one mom draws a simple silly comic strip on her son's lunch bag - a different frame every day so by the end of the week he has the whole comic strip! it keeps him looking forward to lunch every day to see what mom drew on his bag. great idea! my daughter picked out a lunch box that matches her backpack. my son recently outgrew his Cars lunchbox, and now he likes this one from Personal Creations embroidered with his monogram. lunch boxes make great and unusual gifts, too! 

// get the kiddos involved. let them help pick out groceries at the store specifically for their lunches. since we rarely have prepackaged snacks in our pantry, my kiddos love getting to choose some for their lunchboxes. my only rules are 1) that they can read the ingredients listed on processed/packaged foods, 2) foods must be natural and/or organic if at all possible, 3) they have to have all 5 food groups.   

// add a fun napkin. i like to buy colored or printed napkins from the dollar store or clearance section from time to time, and party-themed napkins, too. just to add a fun little surprise in their lunchboxes. i recently put in my daughter's lunchbox a white and gold napkin with the word "LOVE" on it, that was leftover from a bridal shower. she thought it was so pretty.     

// write a sweet note. i like to think of my kids opening their lunch boxes and seeing a note from me to lift their spirits, encourage their hearts, make them smile, or even make them laugh. maybe the note just says HI, HAVE A FUN DAY! or maybe it's a knock-knock joke that they can share with their friends. or maybe it's a scripture or prayer specifically for them. it takes just a few extra seconds and can change the tone of their entire day.

// don't forget silverware! i have been known to pack mandarin oranges but forget the fork. oops! i like to pack real silverware or reusable plasticware - the kind that is colorful and fun. again, i shop the party section, dollar section, and clearance section for these things.   

my kids don't always finish what's inside their lunchboxes and that is okay. as long as i know the foods they eat are healthy to refuel them for their school day, and if i can bring a smile to their faces at lunch time, we'll call it a success. they can always eat the leftovers for after school snacks :) i'm having a lot of fun packing my kids' school day lunches! 

do you pack your kids' lunches? what is your favorite lunchbox packing tip? how do you make the most of it? 

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*i was provided with a lunchbox from Personal Creations to inspire this post.