Joyfully Thriving

Grace-Filled Frugal Living

Church Quiet Bag Ideas

Published July 13, 2020 Updated July 21, 2020 Leave a Comment

Church is important. Church with little ones is definitely challenging at times, but it is important. I grew up in the church (with a Pastor dad and organist mom). I was a church worker teacher (before I began staying at home) who is married to a church worker teacher. We firmly believe that we need to be in church, training our children, from the time they are small. Yes, there are many Sundays that I miss large parts of the sermon but we are there, by God's grace. (Here is some encouragement for when going to church with kids feels pointless.) I believe in modeling and … Read More...

When Mom Life Feels Exhausting

Published October 23, 2019 Updated October 23, 2019 1 Comment

I don't write this to take exhaustion lightly. If you struggle with exhaustion related to illness or depression, please seek help. If you are a mom struggling with occasional exhaustion from all the demands placed upon you, read on.  Sometimes...life is exhausting. You know who knows this fact better than anyone? Moms. Moms are the ones trying to keep a million balls in the area - for themselves, their husband, their kids and too many others. Moms are the ones mentally keeping to do lists of everything that needs to be done while cooking breakfast, holding a crying baby and … Read More...

When Going to Church with Kids Feels Pointless

Published March 11, 2019 6 Comments

Words of grace filled truth for every parent who struggles in the pew! It may be difficult and feel pointless at times but it is important. Here's what to remember when going to church with kids feels pointless. Written by a Lutheran mom who's right there with you!

Dear Mom with the Restless Little Ones in Church, I see you. I get it. I really do. Going to church with kids - especially little ones - is not easy. There are times when I honestly feel like going to church with kids is pointless. But here's the grace filled reality that I cling to. I am a mom who is sitting in the pews, just like you are, with a 5 year old, 3 year old and just turned 1 year old. This past Sunday was one of those Sundays that made me question my sanity. My son fought me about getting dressed for church and complained the whole drive to church about why we … Read More...

When Your To Do List is Never Done

Published February 18, 2019 Updated August 17, 2019 16 Comments

Love this! I feel this way SO many times. It's nice to have hope when your to do list is never done. #momlife

This is a topic that I keep coming back to day after busy day so I expanded upon an old post with some new thoughts. It's a constant challenge of mine, as a working from home wife and mom. I hope you find some encouragement in these honest musings of mine and realize that you are not alone. Because there is hope when your to do list is never done. The day started out well enough. I was full of good intentions and motivation. I woke up an hour before the kids (as has become my best new habit) and wrote a custom book on the couch, cozy under warm blankets. All the kids actually slept past … Read More...

When You Can’t Keep Seem to Keep Up

Published October 01, 2018 Updated November 11, 2018 1 Comment

Encouragement for those days when you feel overwhelmed and can't seem to keep up with life around you.

Anyone else feeling overwhelmed and like you can't seem to keep up with life? You too? Oh good. Because I am definitely overwhelmed with all there is to do right now. There is the never ending chore list, baskets of laundry, meals to prepare, grocery shopping to be done, children to care for, and work responsibilities to complete. I seem to be going from the moment I wake up each morning and as soon as I cross something off my list, I add two more things in its place. It's the beginning of a new month and so I made my monthly to do list. Here's a glance at my October List. (Please realize … Read More...

Encouragement As You Send Your Kids Off to School

Published August 20, 2018 Updated August 17, 2019 2 Comments

Dear Fellow Mom, This is it. This is the day you've known is coming. It's the day you've told been simultaneously anticipating and dreading. The first day of school. Whether you are sending your first child off to school for the first time (that's me!) or you are sending your last child off for the last time or anywhere in between - first days bring a lot of emotions for Moms. We have to let go. We have to entrust our child to another teacher. Now it is my job to entrust my son to another but it is not time to let go. Oh no! Mamas, we are always Mom! Remember this as you … Read More...

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