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What Would Ma Ingalls Do?

You know when you were younger and you read the Little House books and would have day dreams about how awesome it would be to be Laura Ingalls? You’d dream of how much fun you’d have in your dresses, fishing and playing in the creek? Hmmmmmmmmm, not just me, right?

There’s a lot we can learn from the wisdom of Ma Ingalls. For whatever reason, we’ve gotten away from letting the older women lead us and give us direction. We head on over to Yadda Yadda Expert Blog (yes, I realize I’m a blogger) and assume they know what they’re doing instead of seeking a mentor.  [Read more…]

Embracing Your Inner June Cleaver

Before we get this party started, let me insert this little disclaimer and plea here:

Please don’t send me hate mail or nasty messages on social media. You might disagree with everything you’re about to read, and that’s okay. But your time may be best spent elsewhere on things like…eating donuts and drinking coffee. That is all. Onward!

I firmly believe there are desires that God has planted deep in the hearts of women. The desire to care for and nurture her family The desire to do her best to keep a good house and hug babies. And also a deep desire, when needed, to hide in the closet and eat chocolate.
[Read more…]

Sending Meals to Those in Need…Local or Long Distance

Food speaks to people. People of every race and nationality. There is just something about FOOD that can bring people together…and bring comfort at the same time. Food is my love language. It’s how I show love to others…and it’s how others show love to me.

After the birth of Ruth Ann, we received an abundant outpouring of love from friends and family in the form of food. At 3 weeks in, I still hadn’t touched ANY of my freezer meals. But, this wasn’t always the case. After one of my births, we were at a different place in life and hardly received anything – I felt all alone and on my own.

And I’ve seen that same sentiment shown from others on Instagram when I talk about giving food in times of need:

-No one ever brings me anything.

-I was all alone after my birth and had to do it all myself

-No one sends sympathy gifts any more

-People are too busy to help

I’m issuing a mandate to you all – let’s see how many people this year that we can bless with food.

Yeah, you heard me…food. Everyone needs food. It’s a universal need and mostly a universal love. [Read more…]

If You Don’t Work, You Don’t Eat – Kids’ Chores {free printable}

Before someone calls CPS, let me explain. Every member of this house is expected to contribute. If you want to live here, you’re going to work. Plain and simple. And it’s Biblical – so just try and argue with me. 😉

What happens if I decide to take the day off because “I just don’t feel like it?” Well kids, I know I should wash your underwear and fix some lunch…but yeah, I’m just not feeling it. So, whatever. I’m gonna lay here and watch The Young and the Restless while you play in the street – because I’m done being responsible and all that jazz. It’s just not for me.

I’m done with adulting.

*Blank stares from children followed by the question: “What’s for lunch?”*
[Read more…]

Faith-Based Health Sharing Plans versus Traditional Health Insurance

Health insurance has become a hot topic of discussion around these parts lately. One of the things that has come up more and more for those fed up with traditional health insurance is the concept of health sharing plans in lieu of traditional health insurance. The idea isn’t new – faith-based “health sharing arrangements” have been around since the early 80’s as an alternative to standard health insurance plans.

The thing I’ve long hailed is that no matter what your lot in life, health insurance is a necessity. I believe you take too big a risk of sinking your financial ship if you do not carry at least basic major medical coverage of some sort, and I even dedicated a portion of my book to that very notion. [Read more…]

How I FINALLY Helped My Kids Sleep Better

I’ve mentioned several times on this blog how my children aren’t exactly good sleepers. Barry and I joke around that we haven’t really slept in almost 6 years. My Annie didn’t sleep through the night until she was over 4 years old. Four. Years. Old. FOUR. YEARS. OLD. I hated getting all the “does she sleep all night” questions…because really it made me want to lash out irrationally and poke someone’s eyeballs out. I’m just sayin’.

I read every. single. book out there. Really. Every single one. I thought each one would be a magic pill for me. Guess what? There is no magic pill.

For every single child in the world, there should be a sleep book – because each child is different. And there isn’t a box you can put your kids into…because they bust out of there – I’ve tried. Even with duct tape. Okay, that was a joke (for those of you who are way too serious and were dialing the police).

Annie would have nightmares – she would wake up randomly – she would get up to pee – she would sing – she would talk in her sleep – she would walk in her sleep. It was as though she was afraid that by being asleep she would miss some great world event.
[Read more…]

Getting Braces as an Adult {my story}

Hi, my name is Stacy. I’m an adult. And I just had braces “installed.” At least it feels like an installation.

Why?

I have long felt self-conscious about my smile, after having been told I would be “pretty, if not for your teeth.” While I know that’s something you should forget, I also know that sometimes words can change you forever. And that was what happened to me.

I don’t ever show my smile with teeth – and when laughing I usually try to cover my mouth with my hand.

I don’t want my kids to remember me this way. 
[Read more…]

How to Downsize the Mommy Purse

I used to carry these cute little purses before I had kids. Man – they were all sorts of patterns and shapes. They were just stinking cute!

Then, I had stinkin’ cuties…and something happened. With each child, my purse seemed to enlarge. How big can you go, baby!?

And then Eli came along (#3) and my purse was super big and heavy and I wondered if when we had #4 down the road, would I need to start toting around a small carry-on? A roller suitcase?  A wagon? A VW van? [Read more…]

Why We Didn’t Buy Our Child an American Girl Doll

First off, let’s talk about what this post is NOT, before I get all sorts of nasty emails.

  1. This post is not why American Girl dolls are bad, ugly, too expensive, or the downfall of society.
  2. This post is NOT about why parents shouldn’t buy expensive things for their children.
  3. This post is not about why I hate shrimp, or why I keep procreating children who like to play in the toilet when I forget to close the lid.

About a year ago, Annie saw a family member with her American Girl doll. And she decided that she wanted one too.

So, Barry and I were cool with that – but we knew the expense of the dolls and the difficulty at finding them used for a good price (because the instant one is posted, people jump on that sucker like white on rice…it’s like Black Friday or something). [Read more…]

A Minimalist Child’s Wardrobe

When we KonMari-ed our entire house and I switched to a Capsule Wardrobe, it only made sense for me to do the same for the kids’ clothes. This is where my love for a minimalist child’s wardrobe was born.

Please raise your hand if your kids have too many clothes. Oh me! Pick me! Pick me!

It’s really easy to buy clothes for your kids, especially if you shop consignment sales like I do….especially for Annie because I could not resist buying “one more cute dress!” It’s only $3!!

I found that Annie might only wear an outfit two times because she had so much! Confession time – half my attic is full of Annie clothes. From birth to size 5T winter. If I was to show you, you wouldn’t believe it. Would. Not. Believe. It. But, I felt like it was okay because I didn’t pay much of anything for those clothes.

But why should we spend money on something we might only wear one or two times? Isn’t it a better use of our money to buy a few things and get the wear out of them? I think so.  [Read more…]

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