New on the blog
Shifting Mother’s Days – thoughts from 2023
Levain Copycat Chocolate Cookies
categories
Parenting
One of the Greatest Gifts we can Give our Children
One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is to provide multiple opportunities for them glean the benefits of reading.
How to make a simple chore chart
One of my favorite parenting hacks to date involves how to make a simple chore chart. The thing I love most is that IT IS SO EASY, and seems to work wonders for my kids, even today, when they’re big. I love things that take the burden off the mom’s shoulders, and also helps kids learn some extra responsibility.
in the wake of having my “big” girls home
This whole last week has been filled right up. My girls were in town for my niece (their cousin)’s wedding….
motherhood
Shifting Mother’s Days – thoughts from 2023
Mother’s Days get more and more disjointed each year as kids grow up. But I think shifting Mother’s Days are pretty beautiful!
a Giant Wave of Gratitude for my Mother
A little over a week ago I was at the grocery store. I was trying to grab some things to make dinner for Max and Abby as they welcomed little Murphy into the story of their lives. And as I went from the produce to the dairy section I was hit, out of the blue, by a giant wave of gratitude for my mother. The mother who taught me to mother.
how to throw a sentimental “mother’s blessing” baby shower
Phew! We have had quite a week around here! The kids came home for spring break (and to work from…
faith
Claire is Heading out on a MISSION!
Claire has been preparing for something kind of quietly. But since it’s now been assigned, I’m here to say Claire is heading out on a mission!
the Value of Making Mistakes – Sunday Ponderings
Could making mistakes (or sin…a bigger and heavier word) actually be valuable? I believe it is!
changing church callings – this is tricky business!
The stake leaders asked me and Dave to come in for a meeting on Tuesday and they gave us the news that things were going to be switching up. And with that switching, Dave and I were going to be changing church callings.
recipes
Levain Copycat Chocolate Cookies
If you can’t go to NYC when you have a hankering for good cookies, here’s a fix. Let’s make some incredible Levain copycat chocolate cookies.
the best fancy sandwich recipe for bridal/baby showers
I’m always on the look-out for good ideas to whip up fancy food. I mean, sometimes you just want to…
mini empanadas and a teeny, tiny pie
Lucy has a love/hate relationship with her cooking class at school. She LOVES to learn how to cook. I mean,…
travel
The best way to spend Five days in Thailand!
Thailand is so filled up with beauty and goodness it’s hard to narrow down what to do. This is what we did with our five days in Thailand.
A Quick 15-hour Layover in Taiwan
Dave and Max both spent two years as missionaries in Taiwan, so we loved having a 15-hour layover there to explore.
how to make family travel work
As anyone who has been here for a while knows, I’m a huge sucker for family travel. So I’m here…
books
One of the Greatest Gifts we can Give our Children
One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is to provide multiple opportunities for them glean the benefits of reading.
two good books that sing to the glory of grit
You guys, I never wrote about West with Giraffes. And that’s not good because it was a good one. It…
The best way to parent young adults
My parents have always pointed out that there’s no instruction manual when you pack up that tiny newborn in that…
holidays
How easter went down in 2023
It seems like there were so many things swirling around Easter this year. So many things on my heart, but…
six things on my heart leading up to Easter
Phew! I am used to being here spilling my heart out around Easter. I’m so grateful for this space on…
connecting with love on Valentine’s Day
Let’s talk about connecting with love on Valentine’s Day…even when you’re far away from some of your valentines. Because I’m…
gift ideas
a sentimental birthday gift for women we love
We put together a sentimental birthday gift for the women in our ward. Love this “horseshoe” reminder that “everyone belongs.”
sentimental Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for the moms we love
Let’s talk for a minute about sentimental Mother’s Day gift ideas. The ones you can’t buy at the store. Things that really come from the heart. Because those are for sure my very favorite.
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for All Motherhood stages
Oh my goodness, Mother’s Day is around the very corner and we are here in the midst of brand new…
marriage
Anniversary Number 3 for two kids heading on a new adventure
First off, thanks for the continuing tips and advice as we’re still working on the blog design. Really hoping to…
Happy Valentine’s Day! Some questions/phrases to love better
Welp, our Valentine’s Days have gone from this: To this one remaining kid: But the sentiment is still the same:…
How do you put your husband first? — Valentine’s edition
This question has been asked over and over in a variety of different ways over the years on this blog….
home
how to decorate with pictures
…at least how I do it! How many thousands of pictures do we have clogging up our computers and phones?…
changes for Claire too
So, Claire’s room got a little “spruce-up” along with Lucy’s. Claire is it’s third occupant…went from Elle’s room where we…
the beauty of change
Lucy sometimes takes some cajoling when it comes to switching things up. We have to sweet-talk her like nobody’s business…
