Want an easy win, Mama? Invite your kid(s) to a homemade sundae bar. Fill a muffin tin with whatever leftover odds and ends you have on hand. (I used crushed cookies, mini marshmallows, M & Ms, white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips and broken pretzels). Scoop some ice cream into mason jars or drinking glasses,Continue reading “Elevate the Everyday”
Category Archives: Family
Point Them To Him
Did you take the opportunity to point them to Jesus today, Mama? This time of year is so very busy—there’s only 4 days until Christmas! But in the midst of all the busyness—the presents to wrap, food to prepare, last minute shopping and cleaning and tidying–I’m here to gently encourage you…take a few quiet momentsContinue reading “Point Them To Him”
Slow Afternoons
Hey Mama. How are you doing as we head into the colder months? Here’s a gentle reminder that some days are for finishing All. The. Things…and some days, it’s ok to snuggle on the couch and just read aloud The Grouchy Ladybug or whatever your family’s current favorite is. Because some days, they need snugglingContinue reading “Slow Afternoons”
Here’s to a Slow Summer
Hey Mama how’s your summer going? We are having a slow summer over here. We haven’t jumped back into all of our pre-pandemic activities just yet, although we are doing much more we did last year! We’ve been spending lots of time outside, and the kids have been enjoying the break from school and academics.Continue reading “Here’s to a Slow Summer”
Simple Lunch Routine
Hey Mama. It’s summertime. How’s your lunch routine going? We eat a lot around here. With 5 kids someone is always hungry. While I’ve had dinners figured out for awhile, lunch somehow always got to me. I wouldn’t think about it until someone was STARVING, and then the mad dash to throw something together wouldContinue reading “Simple Lunch Routine”
Sunday Breakfast
We eat almost the same breakfast every Sunday. Scrambled eggs. Roasted potatoes. Baked goods leftover from Saturday’s baking. Since we all know the Sunday morning plan, we’ve fallen into a comfortable routine. Mr. 8 gets up and cracks eggs. He cracks them one by one into a smaller bowl, then dumps this into a largerContinue reading “Sunday Breakfast”
Stop Watching & Start Living
Sometimes we spend so much time looking at what others are doing that we never get to the “living” ourselves. How’s your week going, Mama? Are you living the life you’re called to, or are you watching others live theirs while you scroll and wish things were different? Here’s a gentle nudge to start livingContinue reading “Stop Watching & Start Living”
How We Celebrate Birthdays
How do you celebrate birthdays in your home, Mama? As the years have gone by, we’ve gotten simpler and simpler in our celebrations, and I’ve come to really appreciate the rhythm we have now. And with 5 kids, it’s been good to keep it simple! We start the day with a simple birthday breakfast, chosenContinue reading “How We Celebrate Birthdays”
Embracing the Less Than Perfect
Shout out to all the Mama’s embracing the less than perfect. To the ones whose backyards are far from Instagram worthy (hello, fellow city dwellers!), but get daily use, making mud pies and staining knees, patchy grass and all. To the ones who don’t have the dreamiest toys, but whose kids’ imaginations have the freedomContinue reading “Embracing the Less Than Perfect”
Behind the Scenes of a Pastor’s Family
It’s the Saturday before Easter, Mama. How is your family spending today? As we do many Saturdays, our entire family is working together to make sure everything is ready for Sunday worship tomorrow. Mr. 14 and Mr. 11 left this morning to help their dad film parts of the worship service to stream online tomorrow.Continue reading “Behind the Scenes of a Pastor’s Family”
Next Door Hope 