15 Minute Connection

Good Morning, Mama. It’s really true what they say, the days are long but the years are short.

4 years ago, it was her in the crib. Now she stands tall beside it. One month ago, he couldn’t pull up at all. Now he greets me proud and tall, holding onto the top rail.

Whatever age your kids are, today is a day they want to spend time with their Mama. (Even if they’re “big” kids!) Not tomorrow, when the chores are done and the house is clean. Not later, after you finish scrolling. Today.

What’s one small way that you can spend time with them today? That you can pause, and look in their eyes, and spend 15 minutes connecting with them?

You’ll be amazed at what a difference just 15 minutes can make!

You’ve got this, Mama. I’m cheering for you! Drop a comment and let me know how you spent your 15 minutes!

**Mom Truth**—Sometimes, when I’m really not feeling it, I set a 15 minute timer. I can get much more into play/art/whatever if I know I’m actually committing for just 15 minutes. And you can always extend it after that if you want to!

#MomTruth

#Motherhood

#Parenting

#MomTips

#FamilyTime

#QualityTime

#15Minutes

#NYCMoms

#HobokenMoms

#JerseyCityMoms

Why You Need to Try the 3 Marker Challenge

Hey, Mama. Want a simple, easy way to spend some quality time with your kids?

We celebrated my daughter’s 5th birthday yesterday—and one of the ways we celebrated was with a family style “3 Marker Challenge”.

You pick a picture to color (we often like to do it around a “theme”—for this we did “Birthday”! You then have someone hold the marker container behind their back, and blindly draw out three markers for each person. Those are the colors you’ll use for your picture—no trading or adding (although we keep the black marker out of the mix)!

It’s such a simple activity that only takes about 15 minutes; but it’s something all my kids, from preschoolers to teens really love! And you don’t even have to use markers! Crayons or colored pencils would work just as well—my kids are just in a marker loving stage right now.

The best part? I actually really enjoy it. It can be quite the creative challenge! Dad does it with us sometimes as well. When we’re finished, we’ll tape our artwork up on the wall by the kitchen table for a few days…and not only is everyone proud to see their work displayed, but it’s a reminder of time spent together.

What are some simple ways that your family plays together?

#3MarkerChallenge

#Parenting

#FamilyTime

#Family

#MomTips

#ArtsandCrafts

#FamilyCrafts

#KidsCrafts

#NYCMoms

#HobokenMoms

#JerseyCityMoms

Out of the Ordinary Days

I woke up later than usual today, and so did the kids. Breakfast was late. And leisurely. We lingered and talked, and I had a second cup of coffee. Our morning routines are behind; although they are slowly getting finished. There have been several quiet moments like this (pic above) as the bigger kids have been deeply engaged in their play.

And you know what? Because our rhythms and routines are consistent most days, and our home is simplified, it’s ok. On this rainy cold morning, we can take time to linger. Read extra stories. Drink deeply of baby snuggles before those days are behind us.

This afternoon, we’ll return to our rhythms. And tomorrow as well. But for this morning, we’ll rest and linger. And maybe I’ll sip just one more cup of coffee.

Do you have space in your home and schedule for slow days? What do your “different” days look like?

#MomTalk

#Parenthood

#MomTruth

#Family

#FamilyLife

#Minimalism

#Simplify

#DeCluttering

#Schedule

#Rhythms

#Routines

#NYCMoms

#HobokenMoms

Simplifying & Gifts

If you’ve tried to simplify or declutter at all, you’ve probably come to realize that birthdays and holiday gifts can seem to quickly undo any progress you’ve made.

I used to feel a lot of stress around this, and tried to keep tabs on what was being given by whom, and ask folks not to give this or that.

But as we’ve finally reached that sweet spot in our simplification journey, I’ve come to realize that we can easily return to the amount of “things” that work for our family. And so we joyfully accept gifts in the spirit that they’re given…by folks who love our kids and love to show their love through gifts.

Sometimes, a gift is played with and then passed along to a friend who will love it even more than we do. And sometimes, we are surprised, because something we never would have picked out or our kids never would have chosen becomes a beloved treasure. And so we make space for it, and share other not so loved items with those who can use them.

How do you handle the influx of love through gifts in your home? 🎁

#RealTalkForMoms

#MomTruth

#Presents

#Gifts

#BirthdayGifts

#Birthdays

#Simplifying

#Decluttering

#Family

All About Groceries

Curious how we grocery shop and meal plan? Once a month, we place an order for grocery delivery from our local warehouse store. The order we place is all the food that our family of 7 will eat for the next 4 weeks.

Since all of our meals use the same base ingredients, we always order the same basic items:

25 lbs of rice. 8 lbs of pasta. 3 lbs of oatmeal. 6 loaves of bread. Boneless chicken. Ground Beef. A roast of some sort. 1 box of hamburgers. 1 package of hot dogs. 1 box of Oreos, 1 bag of Potato Chips. 6 cans of Crushed Tomatoes. 2 jars of Salsa. 4 bags of Tortilla Chips. Pretzels. Apples. Bananas. 5 dozen eggs. Flour, Butter, Sugar. Dried Beans. Peanut Butter, Jelly. Peppers, Onions, Potatoes & Avocados. Apples. Oranges. Carrots. Cabbage. Coffee. Graham Crackers. 5 Gallons of Milk. 1 box of Frozen Waffles, 1 bag of Chicken Nuggets & 1 bag of French Fries. Frozen Broccoli Florets & Frozen Peas or Corn. Raisins. 3 bags of buns. 2 blocks of Sharp Cheddar Cheese & 1 container of sliced Colby Jack Cheese. 1 container of Vanilla Ice Cream. 2 bottles of Lemonade. A box of Brownie Mix. Almonds. Walnuts. And a few other items that I’m sure I’m forgetting.

I used to think that grocery delivery was a luxury…but it has actually saved us So. Much. Money. We don’t eat out unless someone gifts us a gift card; and because we don’t walk around the store, we don’t make any impulse purchases. Shopping once a month forces us to use what we have, and be creative when we run out of something.

We follow a weekly rhythm for our meals that I’ll post more about soon…it’s really simplified my decision making.

**Oh—and we often eat a simple dinner of Cuban Bread with butter and fresh fruit the day we get our grocery delivery…it makes my “helpers” a lot more helpful in putting everything away when they have something to look forward to. **

Any questions about our system for groceries?How do you grocery shop and feed your family? How many times a week/month do you head to the grocery store?

#Groceries

#MealPlanning

#Shopping

#WhatsForDinner

#Family

#Meals

#Motherhood

Brotherly Love

One of my hands down favorite things about homeschooling is the bond our kids have with each other.

This morning, Mr. 7 and Mr. 14 sat side by side working on math together—and they truly enjoy (most days) spending time with each other.

Of course, there’s arguing, and wrestling, and frustration…but more often there’s laughter, and jokes, and helping each other out. I’m so very thankful for the time they have together…and I pray that they’ll continue to be close even as adults.

Are your kids friends as well as siblings? What have you done to encourage that bond?

#Brothers

#Siblings

#Homeschool

#HomeschoolMath

#HorizonsMath

#MathUSee

#HereIsOurHomeschool

#LargeFamily

#LargeFamily Logistics

#Parenting

#Family

How Candles Can Change Your Mornings

Good Morning, Mama.

How do you start your mornings as a family?

Our breakfast table often looks like this; as sleepy children wander in to the kitchen, they’re greeted with candles glowing and glasses of cold water waiting at their places.

It’s amazing how candlelight can transform the mood of the morning! As we gather ‘round the table together, conversation happens, thanks is given, and we get ready for whatever the day may hold together.

How do your days as a family begin? What simple rhythms can you begin that would make your mornings easier?

**Those candlestick holders are from our wedding day—it’s such a joy to use them daily and share them with our children! **

#Rhythms

#Motherhood

#MindfulMotherhood

#Parenting

#Family

#Realtalk

#Breakfast

#Meals

Lived Out Faith

Good Morning, Mama.

This was me last Sunday, reading Scripture with a babe in arms at our outdoor worship gathering.

What a week it’s been!

No matter where you find yourself politically, whether you are celebrating or despairing, know this: The King is still on His throne. He is not surprised nor dismayed. He is good, and His plans for our country, for you and me, continue.

And so today, I and my family will again join our community of believers. And we will worship the King, the One who reigns forever, and who holds the whole world in His hands.

These are the rhythms I want to sow into my children…that no matter what may happen, that no matter what current events are taking place, that no matter whether we are struggling or celebrating, we go weekly and join with other believers and worship. Week in & week out, it is this LIVED OUT trust in our King that is imprinted on our souls.

How are you worshipping today, Mama?

#Rhythms

#Sundays

#Worship

#GrowinginFaith

#NextGeneration

#Family

Content Where You’re At

We don’t have a huge backyard. But we sure are thankful for the little green space behind our house. We play out there daily. We planted a little garden. We drag our picnic benches back there and paint with watercolors. We search for earthworms and play card games on a blanket. It’s a small space filled with a lot of laughter, and dirty hands and sweaty faces.

Do you have a space inside or outside of your home that could be bigger? Different? Nicer? Don’t spend so much time dreaming of the ideal space that you miss the gift of the reality. Don’t focus so much on what you don’t have that you fail to see what you do.

What are your spaces of love and laughter? What places are you thankful for?

#Backyard

#BackyardIdeas

#MomTruth

#Simplify

#Contentment

#Play

#PlayOutside

#1000HoursOutside

Are Your Routines Serving Your Family?

Good Morning, Mama.

It’s going to be a beautiful day here in the Northeast, so we plan to speed through a few morning chores so that we can spend most of the day outside.

While we usually take Friday mornings to tidy up as a family and get the house ready for the weekend, we also take care to let our rhythms serve us, rather than being bound by them. And so we will go light on the housework today, and perhaps do a bit more tomorrow morning, so that we can enjoy time outside together as a family.

How do your rhythms and routines flex around real life? Are there certain things that always get done, no matter what?

#Simplify

#MomTalk

#MomTruth

#Rhythms

#Routines

#Housework

#Chores

#Homekeeping