Joyfully Thriving

Grace-Filled Frugal Living

When Going to Church with Kids Feels Pointless

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 Know When It’s Time to Adjust Your Grocery Budget

Spending more or less on groceries isn't an easy decision. This has some great ways to know for how to know when it is time to adjust your grocery budget. #savingmoney

At the beginning of every new year, I take a long and detailed look at our grocery budget. We actually adjust our whole budget every year after we file our taxes, so the grocery budget is a natural part of that. Since we filed our taxes last week, I've been pouring over all the categories in our budget. I spent the most time wondering if it was time to adjust our grocery budget again.  My grocery budget is low. I know that. We are now a family of five - my husband and myself, a 5 year old boy, a 3 year old girl and a 1 year old. My grocery budget covers food, diapers, toiletries, … Read More...

How to Do a Whole 30 on a Budget

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

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...

When Your To Do List is Never Done

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...

Easy Taco Soup Recipe You Can Fix and Forget

This easy taco soup recipe is so delicious! I love that I can make this crockpot taco soup in only minutes! #easyrecipe

I think I have an obsession with easy recipes. I love to cook for my family but I love it even more when I am cooking an easy recipe that everyone loves. Almost all of the recipes I share on blog are easy recipes. They are recipes any one can make, with regular ingredients and very little prep. When I made my Aunt Renee's easy taco soup recipe last month, I knew it was past time to share it on the blog. This easy taco soup is exactly what the title says. You can assemble in a matter of minutes, simmer in the crock pot, and enjoy a delicious dinner whenever you are ready! One of my … Read More...

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