Sometimes I feel like parenting would be a breeze if my kids would just get along. Can you relate? My husband and I, along with our three children, recently added a group of three siblings to our family through adoption. It has been a wonderful experience in many ways, but also a challenging one. On any given day, the boys are bickering with the girls, the older kids are fighting with the younger ones, or the sibling groups are at each others' throats. Blended families certainly pose extra challenges to sibling relationships, whether those families are a result of adoption or remarriage. But the truth is that ...Read More
Moms Guide to Choosing the Best Baby Ointment
My, how things have changed! 13 years ago when I had my first baby, I stocked up on all the baby standards for the bathroom cabinet. You know: the best (cheap) baby ointment a girl could find, baby shampoo, baby lotion, and don't forget the lanolin nipple cream. Fast forward 13 years, and I'm happy to say I've learned a thing or two (even if some of my friends think I've turned a little hippy dippy in the process). But just because I did things like wait a week after birth to give my baby his first bath doesn't mean I'm coo coo (no really...there's a good reason for that, you can read about it here). Special ...Read More
Foods Cheesy Bacon Lentil Stew
Full of comforting flavors, warmth, and packed with nutrition, this Cheesy Bacon Lentil Stew is a delicious meal the whole family will enjoy. Cheese + bacon = mom win. There are very few foods that my family doesn't like. Unfortunately, lentils are one of them. I say unfortunately because lentils are not only cheap, they're actually quite good for you. Thankfully, over the years I've been able to come up with a few lentil-containing recipes my family doesn't mind. This Cheesy Bacon Lentil Stew is one of their favorites! How could it not be, with cheese and bacon in it? I'm pretty sure my family would eat anything ...Read More
QUIZ: What’s your “angry mom” style?
I swore I'd never be that mom. You know the one... The mom who doesn't have to say a word, but if looks could kill... The one screaming at her kids in the middle of the grocery store... That mom that gets all snarky at her kids when they look at her cross-eyed... And I'd certainly never be the mom who tells her kids what a mess they are. I'd be the controlled, encouraging, loving mom. That's the mom I knew I'd be...before I had kids! Ah, the best laid plans... Unfortunately, since starting this mothering gig, I've had to relearn over and over...and over, that every time I freak out on my kids it's both ...Read More
52 Keto Super Bowl Party Foods
I don't like football, but I sure do like football parties! If you're looking for some low-carb, gluten-free, keto Super Bowl party foods, you've come to the right place. I've got the hook up for you. We've got dips, we've got crackers and chips for the dips. Low carb nachos? Check. And there's plenty of meatballs, wings, desserts, and more! Looking for gluten-free recipes and resources? This Everything Gluten Free page is a library of everything gluten free we’ve worked on. With all this good stuff, you won't even be tempted to sneak bites of the bad stuff (OK, I can't promise that, but you'll certainly ...Read More
Is My Child Really Saved?
I remember the day my firstborn made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ at age 4. It was a day of much rejoicing in our household, and in the households of grandparents and other extended family members as the news spread. But was my child really saved? Yet, in the midst of our joy and for many days afterward, my husband and I remained prayerful, very much aware of these sobering words spoken by Jesus: Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your ...Read More
Fiesta Cilantro Lime Wings
I'm not generally a huge chicken fan. But I love chicken wings. Why? I've determined it's because they're so nice and juicy and you can pack so much flavor into those tasty little guys (unlike chicken breasts—yuck). These Fiesta Cilantro Lime Wings are no exception! Looking for gluten-free recipes and resources? This Everything Gluten Free page is a library of everything gluten free we’ve worked on. While my husband favors the spicy zip of buffalo chicken wings or even buffalo chicken cauliflower (he'd probably drink the bottle of wing sauce if I'd let him), I personally prefer these. I'm a huge cilantro fan, so ...Read More
You Don’t Always Have to Be the Bad Guy (the discipline tools parents are missing)
My oldest son had a particularly busy end week with basketball games and practices. I reminded him at the beginning of the week: he needed to be sure to stay on top of his schoolwork and other responsibilities around the house early in the week so he didn't get behind and overwhelmed later in the week. Tuesday hit, and it all started to unravel. One bad day was all it took. One day where he was distracted. One day where he got behind on his work set him up for failure the rest of the week. When he got a call Friday afternoon from a friend, asking if he could spend the night after his basketball game, he had to ...Read More
