I am honored today to share about a book that is absolutely dear to my heart. Before I talk bout the book (and giveaway!) I am taking a minute to share about the amazing author of the book, and the story of our friendship. (hop to the bottom to get to the review and giveaway!)It was seventeen years ago this month that I first met Stephanie Fast. I was at a women’s retreat in beautiful Cannon Beach, Oregon. Just a year into my marriage, I was struggling to figure things out, and wrestling
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Take Home Lessons from an 80th Birthday Celebration
Greetings from somewhere high in the sky over the Pacific Ocean. If you're following on Facebook and Instagram, you might know that Dave and I just spent a whirlwind 36 hours in Oregon, to be a part of an 80th birthday celebration for both of his parents. We’re on our way back now, and naturally, I am reflecting on so much that happened, in such a short time.I have concluded that as a parent, there are actually two types of “get aways” from your kids. The practical kind where you go to
Life Hacks of the Lean and Fit. Part IV: Imagine it and Live it.
Hi! Welcome to Part IV of this series. If you're looking to get leaner and fitter, OR--You want to quit obsessing about your workouts and diet...(Or both of those things!?) This is the place for you. I am passionate about this topic of living healthy, loving your body, and enjoying life--all without obsessing over...anything.I call them "Lifestyle Hacks." You can call them whatever you like. What I do know is that they are the real deal. They are the simple, common sense tools that
Because…
Because Dave and I dress up for Halloween almost never... And because Josiah decided not to dress up this year, and instead offered to be our photographer... And because I am intentionally choosing mucho family time over mucho blogging time today...I thought I'd just share a few Halloween photos with you:*Somehow we ended up with the Cowboy and Indian Girl theme...(I don't know too many guys who can make a $19 fake fabric suit look so
Five Ways You Can Help When Your Kids Are Feeling Down.
I am super excited to be guest posting today over at the Kids Activities Blog. (You may know of their site, (or recognize their Facebook page, Quirkymomma.com, which is such a fabulous resource that they currently have nearly one million LIKES!)I chose to do my guest post on a subject that I've never written about here at my blog before. It is something that all families will eventually face, and one I think we all should be equipped to handle. I hope you'll hop over to read it after
One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta w/ Grilled Chicken
This post falls under the category of: I had no intention of blogging about this but it's too good not to. And you've got to hear the story of how this all came to be, because that falls under the category of: Life changing. You see, though Hurricane Ana (or was it Anna?) just missed us, it did come close enough to give us a Sunday full of heavy rains, wind, and a dark sky-- very atypical of Hawaii in October. Or Hawaii anytime. And you might know me well enough by now to imagine that I was
When You Feel Like You’re Drowning (Motherhood.)
I might make it all sound like fun and games around here. And many days, it truly is. I love this family of mine, and I wouldn't trade this life for anything.But this life of boys and noise and schedules that always (always!) change, and teenage testosterone, and toddler tantrums...it can get crazy. My boys are always around, and sometimes my head just spins as they go in and out in around me... Sometimes I just stop and take in my environment...and I can hardly believe it myself.And
Life Hacks of the Lean and Fit. Part III: How to Eat Less Without Going on a Diet.
Welcome back to my mini series--where about twice a month I share a healthy approach to weight loss, fitness, and a balanced life.PART III: HOW TO EAT LESS WITHOUT GOING ON A DIET. (You might like to start with Part I, and Part II.)Something usually happens when a chronic dieter gives up dieting in exchange for a healthy approach to weight loss. I know it happened to me, and I've heard the same from many others.It's a big shift in mentality.In my dieting days I thought of