THE BLOG

Back-to-school season means getting back into routines, packing lunches, and, most importantly, making sure everyone has something easy and delicious to eat before heading out the door! One of our back-to-school essentials? Eggs! When we run out of eggs from our girls, we head to the store to grab Eggland’s Best. I love the taste, and knowing that they’re packed with nutrients makes them an easy choice for our family. Eggland’s Best eggs come from hens that are fed a unique,

Getting out the door with two kids is no joke. Whether we're heading to school, the grocery store, church, sports practice, a doctor's appointment, or a fun day at the park, it seems like someone always needs a last-minute snack, can't find a shoe, or suddenly has to use the bathroom. I've learned that the key isn't rushing faster; it's preparing earlier. The more I can do ahead of time, the calmer I feel, the happier my kids are, and the smoother our day starts, no matter wh

If you're looking for an easy way to keep little hands busy while encouraging creativity and learning, sensory bins are one of my favorite activities. My kids can spend so much time scooping, pouring, sorting, pretending, and exploring. One thing I've noticed is that when my kids have too much TV time, they tend to be a little more moody and restless. Sensory play gives them a chance to slow down, use their imaginations, and enjoy simple, hands-on fun. Whether you have a dedi

Motherhood is one of the greatest blessings, but let's be honest, it can also be one of the hardest callings. Some days are filled with laughter and sweet snuggles. Other days feel like endless tantrums, overflowing laundry, never-ending dishes, and wondering if you're doing enough. When those hard days come, I've learned that nothing brings me more peace than opening my Bible. God's Word has a way of calming my anxious heart, reminding me I'm not alone, and giving me the str

You have your baby, and all you want to do is stay in that newborn bubble, the sweet little newborn bliss where nothing else seems to matter. Then one day, you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror. 11 Months After Olivia I wish I could say I looked at my body with nothing but gratitude for what it had accomplished. Instead, I was overwhelmed by how different I looked. Growing up athletic and always feeling fit, I wasn't used to not feeling lean or toned. My body no longe

We are so excited for our first Disney trip as a family of four in September! This trip feels extra special because it will be the very first time for both Bradley and Olivia to experience the magic of Disney. We got park hopper tickets so we can see as much as possible, experience all the different parks, and soak in every little magical moment together. One of the things we wanted to do before our trip was help the kids get familiar with the Disney magic, characters, and st

As a mom, I know how easy it can be to rely on screens when you need a few minutes to get something done. And while we aren't completely screen-free in our home, I've found that some of our best days happen when we unplug and focus on simple activities together. The good news? Kids don't need expensive toys or elaborate setups to stay entertained. Some of the activities my kids love most are also the simplest. Coloring Books and Crayons A coloring book, sheets of blank paper,

If you're anything like me, there are days when you hear "I'm bored!" before you've even finished your morning coffee. While I love having activities planned, sometimes the simplest ideas end up being the biggest hit. One of our favorite screen-free activities is a toddler scavenger hunt. It gets little ones moving, encourages them to observe the world around them, and turns an ordinary walk or afternoon in the backyard into an adventure. Best of all, it requires almost no pr

The first week of school is exciting, but let's be honest, it can also feel overwhelming. New schedules, early mornings, packing lunches, homework, and trying to remember where everyone's shoes disappeared to can make the transition a little chaotic. Over the years, I've learned that a little preparation goes a long way. Here are the things that help our family have smoother mornings and calmer evenings during the first week of school. 1. Create a Backpack Drop Zone Choose on

Packing lunches can quickly become repetitive, especially when you're trying to balance convenience, nutrition, and what your preschooler will actually eat. The good news? It doesn't have to be complicated. A little planning goes a long way, and having a few go-to meals can make busy mornings much less stressful. These are some of our family's favorite preschool-friendly lunches, breakfasts, and snacks that are simple to prepare, easy for little hands to eat, and perfect for

If you've followed us for a while, you know we love finding places that help us slow down and soak up quality family time. After visiting St. George Island for the past few years, I think we've officially decided it's going to be our yearly vacation spot. If you're looking for a quiet beach town without the crowds, this might just become your favorite place too. The Drive From our home, it takes about 6 hours to get there, which makes it an easy road trip with kids. One thing

There’s a saying we’ve all heard before: “It takes a village to raise a child.” When I first became a mom, I thought that meant having a group of people who would help with the hard parts, someone to watch the kids, someone to bring a meal, someone to step in when I needed a break. And while those things are absolutely beautiful gifts, I’ve learned that a village is so much more than that. A village is the people who remind you that you’re not alone. It’s the friend you can t

Teachers pour so much love, patience, and energy into our children every single day. While no gift can truly express our gratitude, a small, thoughtful gesture can brighten their week and remind them how appreciated they are. The best teacher gifts don't have to be expensive; they need to be practical, useful, and heartfelt. One thing that has helped me choose gifts is having both my mom and sister work in the school system. I get to see firsthand just how hard teachers work

In a world that seems to move faster every day, it's easy to wonder what will shape our children's hearts the most. Will it be their friends? Social media? School? The culture around them? While all of those things will influence them, I believe a child's character and morals begin at home. Long before our children step into a classroom or scroll through a screen, they are watching us. They are learning from the way we speak to our spouses, how we respond when we're frustrate

I’m a person whose brain is always going. Sometimes it’s anxiety. Sometimes it’s creativity and ideas bursting out of the seams. Most of the time, it’s a mix of both. I struggle to hold it all in my head, which is why lists and my blog have become my best friends. Writing helps me release the swirl of thoughts instead of letting them pile up inside me. My to-do list calms my anxiety because it gives everything a place, out of my mind and onto paper, in an order that feels man

Mom life can be so fun and full of beautiful moments… but there is also a lot to it. And honestly, until you are in it, you don’t fully understand just how demanding and hard it can be. There are days that feel magical, and there are days that feel like pure survival. Sometimes, breakfast for you is just iced coffee and a protein bar. Not because you want it to be, but because you're busy making sure everyone else is fed first… not to mention all the distractions. The laundry

There’s a question that gets asked more often than it should: “What does a stay-at-home mom actually do all day?” And while it might sound simple, the answer is anything but. Whenever someone asks, I want to say, "What don't we do?" Being a stay-at-home mom isn’t one job; it’s many . It’s a role that shifts by the hour, sometimes by the minute. It’s beautiful, exhausting, fulfilling, and overwhelming all at once. So if you’ve ever felt like what you do goes unseen… this is fo

There’s something so special about holidays as a mom. What once felt magical as a child now becomes even more meaningful when you get to create that same magic for your own kids. And for me, Easter is one of the sweetest opportunities to do just that, blending fun traditions with a deeper purpose. If you’re looking to be a little more intentional this year while still keeping things simple and fun, here’s exactly what Easter looks like in our home. Our Easter Traditions at Ho

Flying with a toddler can feel overwhelming… but it doesn’t have to be. We recently flew with Bradley & Olivia, so I’m sharing exactly what helped, what I packed, and what I’d do differently, big sis style. 1. Before You Fly ✔ Book Smart Nap time flights? Great.Early morning flights? Also great (yes, even the 4 a.m. leave-the-house kind, we did it and it worked). Window seat = built-in entertainment Early boarding for less stress! This is a must if you can Give yourself more

Before I had kids, I thought parenting was a formula. Feed them. Love them. Teach them. Repeat. Then I had my first baby… and I quietly started building a mental checklist of what “normal” looked like. When they smiled. When they rolled over. When they crawled. When they talked. When they slept. Without even realizing it, I created a timeline in my head. A little invisible chart of milestones that felt like the standard for how babies grow. And then I had my second child. And