I’m 33 weeks today and feeling large and in charge. I’m also feeling like, “Whoa, this baby’s almost here!” Nesting urges have certainly set in, and I’m working on a few organizational and design things around the house that I want done before baby, but I realized the other day that preparing my heart and body…
Continue ReadingOur Triple-Decker, Aussie-Style, Not-So-Blind First Date {God and Mountains, Part 10}
Before I take you along on my first date with Jeremy, I need to give you some background so you understand its unusual nature. There were four people who’d been intricately involved in our lives from the very beginning and who played large and appreciated roles in our getting together. A little background may…
Continue ReadingHumpty Dumpty Ponders a Great Fall {God and Mountains, Part 9}
As I tell the next chapter of our love story, I’m at a loss as to how to accurately paint the extreme emotions that were rushing along beneath both me and Jeremy’s calm demeanor those first few weeks. One moment I was euphoric that I’d actually officially begun a relationship with someone, and that that…
Continue Reading“Tell him yes.” {God and Mountains, Part 8}
April 17th is a special day for me–it’s my birthday! Ten years ago today, I celebrated my 23rd birthday as a single gal, living at home, completely unattached. But all that was about to change… In honor of our upcoming 10th wedding anniversary, I’m sharing our love story, chapter by chapter, on the blog. Get…
Continue ReadingThe Quiet Man {Of God and Mountains, Part 7}
This year Jeremy and I will celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary, which means that it was 10 years ago this month that we started dating. In celebration of this momentous anniversary, I’ve dusted off a popular series here on the blog and am finally adding a few new chapters! If you haven’t yet read the…
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That Time We Went to Teach Them Diligently Homeschool Conference
Last month we headed up to Nashville for the year’s first Teach Them Diligently Homeschool Conference. I had never been to one of their conferences, and was seriously wondering whether it was worth all the effort to get me, my babies, my pregnant body, and everything we needed for a three day stay four hours…
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#YouCanFindMeOnInstagram
Hey, ya’ll! Long time, no talk! I promise I haven’t given up on blogging, I just have not been in a season in which I can sit down at the computer long enough to compose a blog post. We know as moms that seasons change–sometimes week by week. No sooner do we find a rhythm…
Continue ReadingWhy Relapse, Failure, and “No” are a Good Thing
I relapsed this month. Why am I telling you this? Usually one tries to hide and minimize failure, and here I am pointing a spotlight on it! It’s because I’ve found a bright side to failure. It’s not all it’s shamed to be. Failure has a poor reputation. We think it’s to be avoided, hidden,…
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Reforming Social Media: A Challenge and a Blessing
I have a love/hate relationship with social media. As an extrovert, I love how social media allows me to communicate with people 24/7. But as a wife, mother, and writer, I’m constantly challenged to find the balance between my love for social media and the very real need to get the dishes done. I’ve asked myself more…
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Healthy Snacks for Road Trips {Plus my favorite energy bar recipe!}
In a few days we will be leaving on a quick trip to points North (eeek!). Whenever planning a road trip, my mind immediately focuses on food. And I’m claiming that as a good thing, because the more forethought you put into food, the less you settle for junk, right? I’m also in that season…
Continue ReadingCollecting No’s
I’ve collected a wide variety of things over the years. My early collections were begun for the sake of collecting, because I thought everyone who was cool had a collection. I looked around me and saw the stickers on the bananas we were having for breakfast, and decided to collect banana stickers. Cool. In the…
Continue Reading11 reasons to start your fitness journey in the middle
The other day I arrived at a friend’s house, unloaded my 4 kids, pulled my backpack onto my back, and lifted a heavy picnic basket of lunch out of the trunk–all without pain. I felt strong. Such a contrast with last fall, when my back was so messed up I couldn’t lift 1 year old…
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In Which We Unlurk and Get to Know Each Other
It’s kinda funny. Y’all join me here every week–hundreds, sometimes thousands of you if my stats don’t lie–but it’s as if I’m on a blindingly lit stage, and you all are invisible to me in the audience. I don’t really know you’re there unless you make a noise. I personally don’t like the feeling of being on a…
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Thoughts on Balancing Motherhood and Writing
I love when other bloggers have cool ideas and then ask me to come along for the ride! Such was the case last fall when Emily Gardner invited me to be a part of a series on her blog about balancing motherhood and writing. I was grateful for a chance to explore the subject of…
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Coconut Oil Pulling For Beginners {Step-by-Step Guide}
I’ve been coconut oil pulling for 8 years now. It’s been one of the smallest yet most significant habits I’ve added to my health routine, and one I love to share with others. With a regular habit of coconut oil pulling, I and my husband have: Whitened teeth and gotten rid of stains Reduced sensitivity…
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Happy New Year From the Holdens
Happy New Year, friends! The New Year represents to me not just a fresh start, but one more legitimate chance to give the family update that other people seem to get done before Christmas. I suspect in the future I could be the one credited with starting the tradition of sending out a Family Newsletter…
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