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Helpful Thanksgiving Goodies: Reducing Family Stress & Increasing Peace with New Games, Decor & Gifts
Happy Turkey Month! I love Thanksgiving. Also, I know it can feel a tad stressful when you’re in charge of too many spinning plates. For some people, spending a little more money on premade items reduces the stress of having to make everything. If that’s you, go for it. For others, being on a tight budget might mean that making things from scratch is the least stressful way to approach Thanksgiving. Whichever camp you fall into, I think we can all agree on one thing: soggy overcooked green beans are gross. Here’s my curated list of Amazon goodies to make your Thanksgiving more fun and less stressful. Hostess Gifts If…
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3 Things I Learned About Myself While Saving Money in Vegas Last Week
When your husband signs you up for a free four-night, five-day trip in exchange for listening to a two-hour timeshare presentation, you pack your bags and go. If that sounds like a cringy-but-totally-worth-it trip, read on to see how we also saved tons of money on food and Ubers. But if you timidly opened this because you’re slightly horrified that two Christians even went to Las Vegas, this post is probably not for you. Feel free to close it, judge us quietly, and move on with your day. Haha. Just because it’s called the City of Sin doesn’t mean it’s a sin to go there. On the other hand, my…
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Yellow Lights, Red Flags: Warning Signs That Help Keep Our Noisy Lives in Check
I ran a big fat yellow light this week. Actually, if you must know, it looked a tad orange. How a human brain can go back and forth that many times in a matter of 1.8 seconds is beyond me, but there I was: Slow down. Punch it. I’m good. This isn’t good. Cops? No cops. I got this. I don’t got this. Gahhh! Don’t judge. I’m guessing you’ve been in an orange light situation at some point, yes? Those split-second decisions don’t exactly give me time to wrangle my best drawl, sing Jesus Take the Wheel and then wait for Him to move. Most of the time I’m relying…
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15 Favorite Family-Friendly Flicks to Watch at Home With the Kids This Weekend
There are tons of great animated movies that we adults can love right alongside the littles, but this is a list of our family’s favorite real-life flicks when our kids were in elementary and middle school. Depending on your strict meter, most of these are for ages 8/10 and up, and they’re all rated G or PG. Even when I got a movie recommendation from a friend, I still jumped on a review site to double-check how appropriate it was for our kids. My favorite is pluggedin.com from Focus on the Family, but crosswalk.com, movieguide.org and kids-in-mind.com are also great. In alphabetical order, so no one gets their feelings hurt……
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All I Want for Christmas This Year is a Book. And Star Wars Baby Yoda.
If Christmas prep has you clicking your orders more than shopping in stores, this post is for you. Check out these popular, high-ranking books for everyone on your mostly-always-nice list. Or buy them for yourself and call it a day. Merry Christmas to you! (Happy Reminder: when you purchase from my links, Amazon throws me a modest kickback, but it costs you nothing. Gracias and Merry Everything!) This is the Way: Star Wars: The Mandalorian Even though I’ve never been a die-hard Star Wars fan, this new series got me ploppin’ on the couch and cuddlin’ up with my guys every Friday night for the newest episode. And who doesn’t…
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Simple Family Thanksgiving Ideas: Goodies & Gifts to Keep it Basic This Year
Raise your hand if you’re tired. Same here. And yet, most of us want a cozy space and a fun Turkey Day, so we press on. Here are a few items to bring the Thanksgiving spirit, help you keep the kids out of the kitchen while the goodness cooks, and usher in rad memories. Click the pics for Amazon ease and order today for quick delivery! First up, it’s time to decorate the wee ones. No need for a busy outfit though—just plop this knit beanie on any baby and snap those pics. I love this pumpkin, but the yellow shirt is my fave! Grab one for yourself and one…
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Fun Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
Besides the fact that Mother’s Day is definitely not canceled this year, most moms I know need a little boost. From more cooking and creativity to more discipline and boredom busters, quarantine fatigue is real, y’all. But just because our great-grandmas might have wanted rose perfume and lace aprons doesn’t mean we do. Fun gifts to the rescue! Click the pics for the easiest shopping trip ever. Pink Queen Women’s Mama Bear Shirt Almost 2,100 happy reviewers can’t be wrong—this super cute crew neck comes in 10 colors and boasts elbow patches and pockets! Perfect for the soon-to-be mom. Or the young mom. Or the midlife mom. * Knock Knock Vouchers…
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Favorite Books & Music of 2019
Don’t you just love a good list that you don’t have to come up with yourself? I’ve compiled my favorites for ya, fat-free and full of flavor, so all you have to do is click the pics and join me. Great books are the gifts that keep on giving through this new month, year and decade. Feliz Año Nuevo, Amigos! Books 1. Braving the Wilderness, by Brené Brown The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone I mostly feel like I belong, and I feel fairly courageous, so I didn’t think I needed this book. #wrong So. Many. Great. Points. 2. The President is Missing, by James…
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Thanksgiving Hacks to Keep You Grateful. And Sane.
Just like these funky pumpkins I found in Santa Cruz, I’ve got some funky goodies for ya. No boring twine and brine ideas here. I dug deeper, scoured the sites and compiled a list to make your turkey day a tad easier. Some of these items I own, some I’m buying, and some I’m loving from a distance, but they are definitely mother-in-law approved. Most of us are about to host or join a gathering that begs for planning, cooking and manners, but fear not. You still have time to order these helpful goodies from Amazon and get them way before Aunt Norma pushes your buttons doorbell. * For the Kitchen &…
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3 Books, 2 Shows & a Podcast
I’ve always believed items and experiences of significance should be shared, not hoarded. So here ya go… six things I’m currently loving and think you will too. * 3 Books 1. Braving the Wilderness – Brené Brown Her subtitle explains it well: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone. Umm, yes please. Whether we realize it or are willing to admit it, most of us yearn for true belonging. Cultivating it in our communities, organizations and culture sounds taxing to me… and fantastic. The courage to stand alone isn’t simple, but this book is on its way to my hammock chair and I’m ready to dive…
