Joyfully Thriving

Grace-Filled Frugal Living

Summer Travels and Grocery Shopping

Published August 02, 2019 Leave a Comment

What a summer it has been in our household! I was amazed when I counted up the days from our various trips and realized we traveled 27 days out of the 61 in June and July. Needless to say, our family had a busy - and memorable - summer. It started when Andy and I took a cruise for our 10th anniversary to Alaska. For the first time ever, we took a trip without our kids! We had been saving since our wedding for a someday cruise to Alaska, and Andy convinced me that this was the year to do it. This allowed him to check off his 50th state - in his 40th year! We left the 3 kids with Andy's … Read More...

My Favorite Things Printable for Teachers

Published July 29, 2019 Updated November 19, 2019 2 Comments

15 years ago this August, I began my teaching career. I will always remember my first class of Kindergarteners at St. Mark's Lutheran School in Milford, Ohio. It was a small class, but they were so precious! The children and their parents made me feel so welcome. It wasn't usually the big gestures but it was the small ones I remember most. I remember a mom taking the time to ask me what kind of soda I liked and bringing me a drink at the beginning of my afternoon session. I remember homemade goodies appearing on my desk more than once. And I still have the handwritten notes of appreciation … Read More...

Free Printable Summer Bucket List for Kids

Published June 14, 2019 Updated November 19, 2019 Leave a Comment

With summer upon us, we are all looking for simple and fun ideas to do with our kids. This is one of the reasons I love bucket lists - especially printable summer bucket lists that are easy to use with kids of all ages! Last year, I shared a simple printable summer bucket list for families. You can download the free summer bucket list I created or download a blank checklist to create your own family summer bucket list. Both summer bucket lists are available in one download here. Now that Nathan is getting older (and starting Kindergarten in the fall), he has some definite ideas of what … Read More...

Free Summer Reading Programs

Published May 27, 2019 Updated May 27, 2020 2 Comments

It's that time of year! Summer is here and the kids are finishing up school. One of my favorite parts of summer as a kid was working through all the reading programs we could find. Free summer reading programs are a frugal source of fun while encouraging reading. Really, what's not to love about free summer reading programs? I love that so many of the free summer reading programs are available for babies and toddlers now because creating a good reader starts long before they enter school. As an avid reader myself, I am also glad that several of the book programs include adults now. Yes, the … Read More...

4 Birthdays in 3 Weeks – A Spring Update

Published April 08, 2019 4 Comments

After a busy and exciting March, it's time for a update on our family! Would you believe I now have a 5, 3 and 1 year old? I'm having trouble believing it myself. All of our kids have March birthdays, with my birthday following the beginning of April, so we celebrate 4 birthdays in 3 weeks in our family. Like I sad, it was a busy and exciting March! Lily started off the birthday celebrations with her 1st birthday. My Mom flew up from Texas, arriving on Lily's birthday, just in time for her party! We had our friends / her baptismal sponsors over for dinner with the grandparents. Lily was … 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...

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