When people first spend time around our family, they often act surprised. "You guys actually seem to like each other!" "Your kids act like best friends." And people will ask "What is your secret to having such a happy family?"Well, first to be clear: our family is NOT perfect. We have flaws, and rough patches, and difficult seasons, too. But overall I'm pleased to say that yes, we really are a happy family. My boys really are best friends. They come to my husband and I for advice. They
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Monica’s Mini Meatball Minestrone
Monica's mini meatball minestrone. Go ahead, I know you want to: Say it five times fast. Well done. But really, this is serious business: You see, if you haven't decided what to make for Christmas Eve dinner yet, then I'm pretty sure this post was written especially for you. Like really. You see, I started obsessing about this soup weeks ago. I pondered the hearty minestrone base (minestrone is like one of my favorite things in the world). Then I couldn't quit thinking about
20 things to think about instead of food
Do you think about food all of the time? Do you dwell on what you just ate, or what you might eat next? Do you find yourself staring into the fridge when you're not even hungry?I watched as my teenage son walked into the kitchen yesterday and did the fridge-stare. "I hate it when I do this." he said, closing the fridge and walking away. I laughed, but it made me think of how many people stare into the a refrigerator not because they're a hungry teenager, but because thinking about food
Self-Care: 5 things moms should do now to avoid holiday burnout
The holidays are here! And we all know that means: Parties! Friends! Family! Fun! and allofthefood...But it can also mean: Stress! Exhaustion! weight-gain! and a general sense of overwhelm.It's true: Holidays can be hazardous to your health.As Moms especially, we tend to push hard during the holidays. We work more and sleep less. We stress more and exercise less. We take care of everyone around us and put our own needs last. And we especially tend to ignore any extra
A must-read if your kids are on social media.
A few weeks ago my oldest son told me that he is taking a break from social media. No biggie, he said, he just had a lot going on, needed to focus on school, and he'd get back to it some time later. Maybe.This son, now seventeen, is the only son who I no longer regularly monitor on social media. He has proven to be wise with his phone and has a clean track record in his use of social media. He also has accountability outside of his parents now, in the form of a youth leader and small
Why Meditate? (with printable 5-minute Bible Meditation Cards!)
**Scroll right to the bottom to get the cards!**This time of year is full of excitement and anticipation. But for some of us, (most of us,) it can also be draining, and even anxiety-ridden. This year I want to encourage you to slow down a little (with me)...and one way I want to do that is by using meditation. But not just any meditation...I hope you'll read on and see what I'm talking about. {and find a free printable to help you at the
Easy (and healthy) Baked French Toast with Bananas
Tis the season to...BAKE! :) I have these really fond memories of my mom's baked french toast. She used to make it for brunch on holidays, and what I really remember was that it was super sweet and a complete indulgence. I mean: cream cheese and butter and sugar and every sinful ingredient possible in it. And I loved it. So a few weeks ago on a Tuesday (or maybe it was Wednesday, but it was just a normal day) I started craving Mom's baked french toast. I wanted to make it and I told my boys
Birth Order: What Youngest Kids Need Most from their Parents
After a long pause, we return to the fascinating topic of birth order. And just like those baby albums that never seem to get done for the youngest kids, we almost left the babies out of our birth order series!But I couldn't do that, because this is my favorite one of them all! And of course it is, because I happen to be a youngest child. And youngest kids love to talk about....themselves!Yep, birth order is a super fun topic. And no, it is not a perfect science, but yes, it is