Joyfully Thriving

Grace-Filled Frugal Living

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 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...

How to Do a Whole 30 on a Budget

Published February 27, 2019 Updated August 17, 2019 Leave a Comment

A lot of people do a Whole 30, but how many say they did it on a budget? Here are some money saving tips from a mom who completed a Whole 30 on a limited budget. Learn how to do a Whole 30 on a budget now! #whole30

I recently completed my first ever Whole 30. It was a difficult challenge but a very worthwhile one. You can read more about my Whole 30 experiences and all the lessons I learned here. Before I started, I admit my first thought was one of hesitation. Won't it be too expensive for us to do a Whole 30? Well, after successfully completing my Whole 30, I am here to show you that it doesn't have to be expensive to do a Whole 30. I want to share with you how to do a Whole 30 on a budget - just like we did.  This post may contain affiliate links. You can read more in my disclosure policy. Is it … Read More...

Whole 30 Resources, Tips and Recipes from My First Ever Whole 30

Published February 21, 2019 Updated August 17, 2019 7 Comments

Thinking of attempting a Whole 30? Here are some great Whole 30 resources, tips and favorite recipes from a busy mom of little ones who did the challenge too! #whole30

At the beginning of the year, my youngest sister shared that she was embarking on a Whole 30. I was intrigued and began researching it myself. A week later, my husband and I started our first ever Whole 30. It ended up becoming quite the long distance family affair as my other sister and her husband joined in, Andy's sister and her husband, my mother-in-law and my parents, all attempted Whole 30s. Some of us made it longer than others but we all embraced this challenge. I wanted to see if I could do this. I wanted to see if I could flatten my stomach after 3 babies. I wanted to cut … Read More...

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