The First Week (for my friends)

Tomorrow I will quietly start homeschooling my kids.

I have no elaborate schedule made and my refrigerator is almost empty until next pay day.

I don’t have a big organizational binder or any outings planned.

Two days ago I cried as I was putting together my daughter’s Essentials binder for Classical Conversations. It was complicated and felt overwhelming for a first-timer.

I cried because I never want her to be the child who is ill-prepared. That was me. And also because I’ve had some health issues that effect my concentration and memory at times. I was picturing myself in our first CC class meeting, not understanding or being able to remember how to do anything by the time we get home.

My health has also taken a tole on my energy and appearance. I am on the mend, but have had so many ups and downs this summer alone. The lows leave me in a tailspin and sometimes I get caught staring in the mirror at my protruding stomach or red, inflamed face.

I don’t want to compare myself to other women but it’s just flat hard not too sometimes. I’ve worked so hard to heal my body and restore my health, and when I see other women who seem so naturally healthy and energetic, I tend to feel envious.

We are all fighting different battles as women and as mothers, and sometimes we feel we are on the verge of being swallowed alive.

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” -2 Cor 4:8-9

I’ve found this scripture to be so true that you can lie down and rest on it.

I’ve not been able to be all things to all people, but God has sustained me to be a wife to my husband and a mom to my children- praise God!

I’m certainly not a perfect one, not even close, but even in the midst of hardship he makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside quiet waters. He is surely still leading me.

And what I felt like God impressed on my heart today was this:

Just plan the first week.

So that’s what I’m doing tonight.

Instead of working myself into a knot trying to plan out our entire schedule perfectly- I am planning our first week of homeschool.

He has also been using other moms to remind me to slow down and enjoy this homeschool year with my kids. Instead of fretting how much we get done- to just spend time with my children, go for walks as we recite our memory work- just slow down and be with them.

I always thought that was floofy talk.

But as someone who has been hell-bent on her own version of perfection for far too long- being in the moment with my kids sounds lovely. It sounds like life.

My friends, please pray for me that God can keep my focus on my priorities: Him and my family for starters.

That instead of worrying about what my house and my body look like- that I would use those very tools to love and teach and bless the people God has entrusted to me.

Please Jesus, reward and bless all of the Moms who fear you and who keep pressing forward, however weary, as all of the fears, lies and jealousies fight for our attention.

Thank you that you are still in control of this world even when we are tempted to think otherwise.

Please help us to rely on YOU, to know YOU more, and to guard our hearts as we walk peacefully on the path you’ve laid out before us.

And please fill us with your Holy Spirit so we can bear your fruits along the way!!

He leads me by still waters:-)

He leads me by still waters:-)




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When You’re NOT Crushing It

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I want to be the happy, excited, well-balanced Mom who is cute and composed. Gray hairs freshly covered, manicured hands, glowing make-up, cute outfit, clean car, on time- all of it. I want to be crushing Mom life.

This morning I ate pistachio ice cream for breakfast. A new low of sorts. For 9 months I ate healthy and clean with an occasional splurge. I dropped baby weight like it was my job. My skin looked clear and my eyes bright. Then _________ threw me off. We can each fill in that blank differently- and I know just what it was for me.

I don't want to write this post. I don't want to be in a failing place. Being successful, and looking like it has

How to Increase Intimacy in Your Marriage (Physical and Emotional)

There is nothing on earth like being fully loved.♥

It’s what we dream about from the time we are little girls!

Then we grow up and realize that reality is brutal.

Men are typically not delicate with women and things don’t work like they do in fairy tales. (Hang tight, we’re coming back to this!)

Now I’m almost 40 and most married couples I know don’t even touch eachother.

There is so much hurt and unmet expectation.

It is not even in them to put a hand lovingly on their spouse’s leg.

It is clear to me that we were created to do things much differently then we’re doing them.

So, if you are still flexible and optimistic enough to want BETTER for your own marriage, and if you are humble enough to look at things differently- you are in the PERFECT space to grow and increase intimacy in your marriage.

What to do when intimacy has ceased in your marriage

This is a very difficult place to be.

Have you ever seen the kid's movie Madagascar?

If so, you'll remember that from the time the four main characters (Marty, Melvin, Gloria & Alex) get onto the island, they don't eat anything. Nothing. Not until the very end of the movie when the shifty penguins introduce them to sushi, do they finally fill their hunger.

How To Treat Your Husband Like a Man (It's all about respect)

Respect is everything to a man.

I had no idea what this even meant until I picked up the book: Love and Respect: The Love She Most Desires. The Respect He Desperately Needs.

God dropped this little book into my hands at the exact right moment and it literally saved my marriage.

It taught me that the same way that MY primary need in a relationship is love, my husband's primary need is respect.

I couldn’t believe what I was reading and I was amazed I had never noticed it before.

That the key to my man’s heart was respect (not love).

I couldn’t wait to try it out.

Best Outfits for The Modern Homemaker

The BEST outfit we can “put on” as modern day homemakers is a gentle and quiet spirit. ♥

1Peter 3:1-6 says this:

“Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.”

This scripture reminds us that what is TRULY important as a woman-of-God, is what is inside of our heart, rather than what is on the outside.

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Inner Child Healing for The Christian Woman

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The Inner Child is another name for the embodiment of concealed emotions and damage done to you by negative childhood experiences.

This usually involves the relationship dynamic (or lack thereof) with your parents.

We have all had bad experiences in our childhood, some more than others, and there are a lot of ways that these relational experiences affect us and manifest in our adult life.

Three Timeless Trademarks of Ladylike Etiquette for Girls

When it comes to etiquette it can be hard to gauge what is unnecessary and out of date, versus what is timeless, important and still elicits people's favor.

We want to teach our daughters ladylike etiquette, but we also want it to fit with modern times and not feel out of place.

Here are three traits of ladylike behavior that never go out of style!

What Boys Need To Thrive

Sometimes it’s hard for a mom to understand the needs of her son. They can feel like a different breed of humans because, well, they kind of are!

As a mom of three boys and one girl, I can honestly say it has taken me a little while to really grasp what my boys need to flourish.

What Southern Women Understand About Men

My family and I are spending the week in a little coastal town in Georgia that we love!

Being a clean-cut, Christian family in the Northeast can feel lonely at times.

Here is GA, just seeing the genuine smiles and the polite interactions- the hey ya’ll’s and God bless you’s- is like fresh air to our souls!!

There is also a different kind of sweetness between men and women here.