We recently headed out to take family photos. We’ve captured some less-than-ideal photos when we’ve done this in the past, so I wanted to do everything I could to make sure we got great shots this time. Based on my experience, there are a number of pretty simple things we can do to increase the chances that our family photo sessions are … [Read more...] about 6 Tips for Having a Successful Family Photo Shoot
organized living
Dare to Prepare: Finding Supplies Before a Storm When Store Shelves are Bare
I wasn’t going to write another Dare to Prepare post this September. However, as I write this, I’m watching news coverage of Hurricane Harvey as it advances towards the Texas coast. We live on the Texas Gulf Coast and, though we’re not in Harvey’s direct line of fire, we will receive significant rainfall (and likely floods) from this … [Read more...] about Dare to Prepare: Finding Supplies Before a Storm When Store Shelves are Bare
Comprehensive List of Life Skills for Ages 2-18
I hear a lot of talk these days about teaching life skills to children. I’m pretty sure my grandparents, great-grandparents, and the scores of generations that came before them never used the term “life skills.” They taught children the sort of things that we refer to as life skills because these are the things people needed to know in order … [Read more...] about Comprehensive List of Life Skills for Ages 2-18
Dare to Prepare: What You Really Need in a First Aid Kit
It is National Preparedness Month again, so individuals all across the country are taking steps to get their homes and communities ready for potential disasters. As I’ve done for the last several years, I’ll be joining in by taking a straightforward look at a disaster preparedness topic. First aid kits are an essential component of … [Read more...] about Dare to Prepare: What You Really Need in a First Aid Kit
4 Ways to Embrace Inconvenience
I don’t like being inconvenienced. When I’ve got my 3-year-old by the hand, the diaper bag on my back, my 14-month-old on my hip, and we’re headed out the door, I don’t like having to stop and reverse because my younger girl just pooped in her diaper. I don’t like when we’re poised to arrive at an appointment in the nick of time, but then … [Read more...] about 4 Ways to Embrace Inconvenience
6 Routines for Doing the Laundry
Laundry is one of the most frustrating homemaking tasks because you’re never truly done. Even if you wash all of your laundry, within hours you have more clothes that need washed! I’ve never had a formal system for completing my family’s laundry. We use cloth diapers, so I usually need to wash these every other day. On the days in … [Read more...] about 6 Routines for Doing the Laundry
Printable Kitchen Staples Checklist
It’s super frustrating to be in the middle of preparing a recipe and realize that you’re missing some common ingredient needed to complete the dish. This happens to me on occasion and it’s probably happened to you, too. Christine, one of my readers, recently asked if I had ever created a pantry checklist—a tool that could reduce how often … [Read more...] about Printable Kitchen Staples Checklist
Can Busy Moms Really Find Time to Spend with God? (Part 2)
Last week I was joined by two other moms—Michele of Living Our Days and Elizabeth of Guilty Chocoholic Mama—as we discussed how we find time to spend with the Lord. Today we are going to examine two related topics: How motherhood impacts a mom’s devotional time and what practical tools are helpful for facilitating time with God. Be … [Read more...] about Can Busy Moms Really Find Time to Spend with God? (Part 2)
