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Life Lessons in Christmas Activities

December 16, 2018 by Jaimi Erickson 1 Comment

{Post by Lisa Brown} Life Lesson: Viewing Christmas Lights Viewing Christmas lights is one of our family’s favorite activities to partake in during the Holidays. I love bundling up in warm clothes with a big hot mug of flavored peppermint coffee.  I’m moved by each little light that twinkles so bright and the delightful sighs my children express.   Christmas lights are … [Read more...]

Trusting God When Things Don’t Go As Planned in Motherhood

June 24, 2018 by Jaimi Erickson 2 Comments

Trusting God when things don't go as planned in motherhood takes a focus on what really matters.

{Guest Post by Lauren Gaines} At our daughter’s 3 year well visit her pediatrician mentioned they had a new technology that could check children’s vision. They asked if we wanted to have the screening done and warned me it may not be covered by insurance. I said sure, thinking it would be a good idea. But I was not fully prepared for the result. Soon after the nurse … [Read more...]

In My Rocking Chair

June 10, 2018 by Jaimi Erickson Leave a Comment

In my rocking chair: memories of motherhood.

{Post by Lisa} I find comfort and rest in my eight-year-old rocking chair that sits in my living room now. It wasn’t always in this place. At first it was used to rock my baby girl to sleep in her room before I put her in her crib for a cozy night sleep. I nursed her in this chair, sang her lullabies, and read her stories. A sweet family sold me this lovely rocking … [Read more...]

Stay at Home Mom, Find Balance and Be Joyful

May 25, 2018 by Jaimi Erickson 15 Comments

Find balance and be joyful in motherhood. Focus on faith.

Motherhood can make us feel that we are in a juggling act. We try to seek balance and be joyful, but kids, husband, house, our needs and wants all pull us in different directions. We worry that if we drop one ball they all will come crashing down! We are busy and yet not feeling productive many days as the line between needs and wants become blurred. Attempting to keep it … [Read more...]

Fighting Depression as a Mom

May 20, 2018 by Jaimi Erickson Leave a Comment

Fighting depression in motherhood does not mean you have to fight alone.

  {Post by Lisa} Our four-day hospital stay with our first born was spent holding our happy infant almost every minute. That filled our time with peace. We were so content to just rest together. My husband and I were glad to go home, of course, but on the way out of the hospital door we both became aware that we were alone without the support of caring … [Read more...]

Finding Peace in the Busy Seasons

April 29, 2018 by Jaimi Erickson Leave a Comment

Finding peace in the busy seasons of motherhood is not easy. Focusing on a few facts and taking this one action will help.

{Guest Post by Lauren} Have you ever felt like you are drowning in your to-do list? Finding peace in the busy seasons is something I am currently struggling with. We recently got back from vacation, which was wonderful! I feel so grateful we could find time to get away with our family. Yet somehow my feelings of joy are mixed in with anxiety and stress! Who knew you could … [Read more...]

Surviving, Then Thriving

April 22, 2018 by Jaimi Erickson 2 Comments

How do you get to thriving in motherhood? First surviving, then thriving with a gameplan.

{Post by Lisa} It seemed like every time I moved forward there was a brick wall to get past. I felt suspicious that something was going on. I wondered if I had made the wrong decision. I tried to settle in, pray hard, and do my part. My efforts were ignored or not good enough. Making a change didn’t seem like the right thing to do. Surely, I will be seen for who I am … [Read more...]

The Treasures We Teach Our Children

March 18, 2018 by Jaimi Erickson 1 Comment

The treasures we teach our children are really what is most important each day. Why are we so hard on ourselves? Do we want to leave our children in stress and worry or love and faith?

{Post by Lisa} Why do we focus so much on our failures? Seriously, though. How have feelings of guilt and shame served us? They don’t. Instead they hold us down like a heavy weight and makes us feel defeated. Focusing on the treasures we teach our children can help. Every day we set an example. Parenting is not about doing everything right all the time. We will … [Read more...]

The Horrible News of this World

February 18, 2018 by Jaimi Erickson Leave a Comment

The horrible news of this worls doesn't stop! How can we teach our children to look for the good with all the tragedy around? There is a hope that they need to know.

{Post by Lisa} Today another shooting and the killer is still on the run. The horrible news of this world is so scary that I am literally shaking from the inside out and my mind is filled with vain imaginations. Anxiousness gets the best of me and my head fills up with worry that something bad will happen to me or my kids. Most of my day is consumed with fear. I make … [Read more...]

Embrace the Quiet, Let Go of Busy

January 22, 2018 by Jaimi Erickson 2 Comments

I used to wonder if it was me. If I couldn't make friends because of something wrong with me. Sometimes seasons of life are quiet. Friends need quiet and so do we. Embrace the quiet, let go of busy and let God lead.

{Post by Lisa} Sometimes there are no friends around to call and that can be a good thing. I know that this is a strange thing to write. Hang on though and let me explain what I mean. Friends can be too busy or need space or they moved on without us. Or they are tired of waiting for us to call them and catch up. Caring Moms tend to think that they did something wrong. … [Read more...]

31 Scriptures to Pray Away Fear

January 1, 2018 by Jaimi Erickson 2 Comments

Free printable 31 scriptures to pray away fear.

{Post by Lauren} With the start of a New Year I always like to look back and reflect. What did I learn last year? How did I grow? What can I do better moving forward? That being said, I've never been a big fan of New Year's Resolutions. I guess I was just never good at keeping them. It also feels somewhat corny and disingenuous to me. So the past few years I've done a … [Read more...]

The One True Gift of Christmas

December 17, 2017 by Jaimi Erickson Leave a Comment

My journey today as a Mom, is filled with trial and concerns, yet I will not fret. I feel that my greatest Christmas gift I can give to my children is the story of Jesus. He is our love story after all.

Welcome to Mom Motivation Mondays where weekly contributing writers share their motherhood experiences to encourage you to find the joy in being a mom. {This week: Post by Lisa} My first manger scene was a little ornament, I was five years old. I remember holding this fragile manger made of straw and plastic in the palm of my hand. Being a little girl in love with baby … [Read more...]

Letting Go of Shame

December 3, 2017 by Jaimi Erickson Leave a Comment

Living a lie just wears you down. But, how can you let go of shame that keeps your truth hidden?

Beaming with a smile and tears in her eyes, she quietly whispers to me, “I found myself.” I give her my full attention. She tells me that for years she had stopped doing the things that she loved and now she feels, once again, a passion for it. When she was a younger lady she had a fire in her bones to pray for others and visit the poor. She loved prayer meetings and … [Read more...]

Encouraging Kids to be Thankful

November 16, 2017 by Jaimi Erickson Leave a Comment

Creative ways you can be encouraging kids to be thankful every day. We think of thankfulness at Thanksgiving, but kids can learn gratitude every day.

Our family has a tradition of sharing the favorite part of our day with each other. We usually share while we are all together eating dinner. It is one of the ways we are encouraging kids to be thankful every day. Even on nights when daddy is away the girls will make it a point to ask him over the phone what his favorite moment was. With so much negativity surrounding … [Read more...]

Balancing Life as Mom and Missionary

August 16, 2017 by Jaimi Erickson Leave a Comment

What do you do when God calls you to the mission field while you are a mom of young children? How does balancing the life of mom and missionary work? Donate to Kat and Burton's mission to Japan to spread the love of Jesus!

Sometimes moms do not ask for this role. They don't ask or even want to be stay at home moms. Other times, moms may feel that home and children is their calling. They feel it is their life work to focus on caring for their children and home. What about being called to do more than the role of 'mom'. What about balancing life as mom and missionary? There is missionary work in … [Read more...]

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Want free homeschool curriculum or summer learning Want free homeschool curriculum or summer learning activities? Grab a book from the library! 📚 🌟 

Within a few minutes of skimming this one book I found at least a few weeks’ worth of learning activities for our unit on the middle ages. Best part is they are hands-on, cover all subjects and it was free!

It is not expensive to homeschool or supplement your child’s learning at home. I am loving what we are learning now. 

What are your children learning about right now?

#free #freecurriculumresource #librarybooks #welovethelibrary #freelearning #homeschoolresource #learningathome #homeeducator #schoolonabudget #firstgrade #fourthgrade #seventhgrade #thematicunit #middleages #medieval #wholegrouplearning #multiagelearning #homeschooling #homeschoolideas #eastnclife #eastnckids #eastncschools
“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” - Audrey Hepburn

I spotted her just looking at our little seedlings. The peace of doing with our hands what we have learned with our mind is so satisfying. 

Tomorrow we can plant our first seeds in the outdoor garden beds. I am so excited for the simple task.

#gardenathome #athomegardening #athomefarm #homesteaddreams #learningtogarden #growingagreenthumb #hope #quote #quoteoftheday #familytime #outdoorswithkids #unschooling #learningaswego #peace #peaceathome #children #homeschool #homeschoolmom #homeschoolkids
Focus for art + dirty finger nails from playing in Focus for art + dirty finger nails from playing in the woods. 🎨 🌲 

 #wellrounded #myboys #boymom #raisingboys #momofsons #momof4 #homeschoolingboys #homeschoolingmom #artforkids #playtime #outdoorlife #outdoorkids
What are your plans for the weekend? #friyay We What are your plans for the weekend? #friyay 

We are having a few neighbors over tonight. (Obviously not locked down here. 👌) 

I am thankful for like minded people. 

I am thankful too for friends that are not always on the same page. 

I am thankful for God’s word that teaches us to create and build community in love. 

I am thankful for Fridays. 💗💗💗

What are you thankful for today? 

#gratitude #twoworlds #fridaynight #fridaywithfriends #fridayplans #livinglife #atpeace #gratitudepractice #momlife #momsintheneighborhood #eastnc #faithoverfear #faithlovehope
Today’s schooling looked a bit like this. 💕 L Today’s schooling looked a bit like this. 💕 Library, reading, painting the toy that came in the kids meal, reading time, and calm. 

When I think about my homeschool style (aka structure) it has definitely evolved over the years. I never really researched a style until today actually. 😂 What I found was, we started as Traditional - workbook-based learning. Then I added Unit Studies to our Traditional structure. Now we naturally have shifted to a more Charlotte Mason + Unit Study approach for some subjects and Traditional approach for a few subjects (math most specifically). 

Flexibility keeps our interest. Plus learning never stops.

Today our day began with a visit to our library. When we got home the kids all found a spot and were so quietly reading I did not want to shift gears! So I didn’t. 

There was reading, eating, drawing, painting, and so much quiet you guys I just had to let the kids go with this. My brain was soaking in the peacefulness.

When I started homeschooling, I would have never thought that a day like this would make me feel successful. It feels so good to have reached this point. 

When days happen like today, it feels pretty much like magic. 

What is your style if you homeschool? If not, what style would most appeal to your family?
#homeschoollife #homeschoolmom #homeschooljoy #homeschoollearning #homeschoolday #perfectday #homeschoolinglife #homeschoolingmom #homeschoolingmoms #homeschoolingstyle #kidslearningathome #charlottemason #unitstudy #traditionalhome #stayathomemom #momsathome #homeschoolreallife #eastnc #readingwithkids #learningtoread #librarytime #peacefulday #moms #momswhopray
You know what’s funny? I took this pic not even You know what’s funny? I took this pic not even noticing what random things were out of place. 😅 Perfect for this post today. 👇

Motherhood is a juggling act. We try to seek balance and be joyful, but kids, husband, house, our needs and wants all pull us in different directions.

We worry that if we drop one ball they all will come crashing down! We are busy, yet not feeling productive many days. The line between needs and wants become blurred.

Attempting to keep it all organized is overwhelming. 

We tend to define balance with images in magazines, snapshots of other moms who are
having a together day when we are not, or elaborate spring cleaning tasks that sound great and get pinned but ultimately leave us feeling even deeper in frustration when we do not complete them.

*****
Balance is not a place where you go and never ever again feel a bump in the road.

Balance is an on-going, always changing, never finished job. 

*****

If you feel out of balance today, you are just in the process of working your way back to it. 

If today was a great day, prepare yourself now because the scale may tilt and things may feel out of your control tomorrow. #reallife

It is not easy to cut things from our calendars or limit our focus each day. I feel that struggle so much. My whole family needs and deserves my time and attention. I am constantly in a state of re-balance, and making attempts to re-organize, as I attempt to balance four children and a husband.

That requires a lot of humility, prayers for God’s peace in my life, and relieving myself of any guilt for not doing it all every day.

Do you see the items out of place in this pic or are you focused on the beauty within it? 😉💕

#motherhoodinspired #motherhoodthroughinstagram #mothersunite #mamahood #grow #momtribe #momsunite #womensupportingwomen #motherhood #mamassupportingmamas #momlife #motherhoodrising #realmotherhood #motherhoodjourney #motherhoodunited #mommymoments #lifeasamama #honestmommin #motherhoodisdarling #simplymamahood #thatmomlife #motherhoodunfiltered #momstofollow #motherhoodunplugged #honestmotherhood
#homeschooling
#homeschoolinglife
#AD Today was hard! School took longer than expect #AD Today was hard! School took longer than expected, grocery shopping got pushed back, and I am soaking up my time to get quiet and pray it all away. 

I have discovered simple, quick ways to feel refreshed staying at home. With four kids, homeschooling and military life I can not just get a break when I feel I need it. 

These ideas have helped me feel rejuvenated in small moments even when I can not get out of the house to have a break.

One of the simplest ways to recharge is with a good old hot shower. I think it pretty much cures mom overwhelm and stress. I always planned my showers around the kids’ quiet times. That way I could take my time.

Choosing hair care products that are really special make it even better. @hairmayraki has natural repairing shampoos, hair growth kits and weightless moisture shampoo that feeds moisture into your hair so it feels and looks amazing even if you have to air dry!

**Use code JAIMI20 to save 20% on your Mayraki hair care products!**

As we get older our hormones shift, so hair loss can be a problem. Just like after having a baby!

Using Mayraki Hair growth and anti hair loss products helps me maintain full, healthy hair. It smells so nice and makes my hair feel moisturized and completely clean.

I put together a helpful list of ways to help us moms feel refreshed.

They are simple actions we can take to care for ourselves each day. I even have some ideas from my friends here on Instagram too! 

Check out the tips from my friends on the blog (via link in bio):

@thewholeparenting

@brandyintheatl 

@joqueen_and_family 

@coffeechaosandcuddles 

@pnicole_05 

What are your favorite hair, skin or spa products to make your pamper time feel special?

#momtime #goodhairday #selfcare #metime #quiettime #naturalhaircare #quiettimeformoms #momneedsabreak #mommytimealone #mommytimenow #momsgetabreaktoo #haircare #reenergizeyourbody #mentalbreak #momlife #mommylife #sahmlife #sahmproblems #sahmlifestyle #sahmmom #sahm #moms #blogger #momblogger
I spy two creatures who naturally love nature, wat I spy two creatures who naturally love nature, water and most of all dirt. 😍

Are your kids the outdoorsy, adventurous types? Anyone just over having clean floors with all the wet boots and feet going in and out like me? 🙋‍♀️🤦‍♀️

I can handle dirty floors for all this nature play without a doubt. 

#outdoorkids #freerangekids #natureplay #natureschool #siblingplay #siblinglove #kidled #kidlearning #homeschoollife #letthembelittle #freeplay #instakids #saturday
#AD Yesterday we had some talks. Things got a litt #AD Yesterday we had some talks. Things got a little tense. There were tears because she was embarrassed about what she did and said. 

I made sure to go to her room after things cooled down (where she was sent for her behavior) and ask why, talk about my reason why, and then she decided to come down and eat her dinner. (The whole issue was that dinner included a green vegetable...😅😂)

Everything returned to contentment. We all smiled. This is real life and real parenting. Our emotions clashed but calm logic brought things back in focus.

Today we can laugh and be silly thinking about it. 

What is the most recent heated or challenging moment you’ve experienced with your kids lately? Did things get resolved? 

***Sweatshirt: @choseninchrist 
Get it: Use code jaimi for 15% off...Link in bio.***

#realmotherhood #motherhood101 #logicalparenting #realisticmotherhood #motheranddaughter #kidsneedconsequences #learningtoobey #logicwins #greenvegetablesaregoodforyou #momwin #parentingtruths #parentinglife #stayathomemom #sahmlife #sahmgoals #raisingarrows #healthyeating #momblogger #bloggerlife #momlife
How have you been taking time to recharge while st How have you been taking time to recharge while staying at home? Making my list of favorite ways to refresh ‘cause moms with full schedules from morning to night need some simple ideas to get in quiet time. 👏 Do you need recharge time?

I like keeping it simple. 👌 Luxurious shampoo and body butter to maximize the spa feel after a hot shower, Bible study in the morning with my coffee, walking the dog solo are just a few of my break ideas. (I think hot showers are a cure all for a lot of stress! Time to think, feeling the strain wash away...all good things.) What do you think?

Since I have been a #stayathomemom for 13 years now, my kids have always been around and my time has been devoted to home and family. But I NEED time to have quiet and just be alone too. 

That means I have to squeeze in my recharge time in creative, simple ways. 

I am going to finish up this blog post and share it all with you. Share what you do too! I would love to give you a  mention you in the post. 👩🏼‍💻 💕

#inspiredmotherhood #foodforthought #bloggercommunity #instablogger #blogging #motherhoodinspired #motherhoodthroughinstagram #mothersunite #mamahood #connect #momtribe #momsunite #womensupportingwomen #motherhood #mamassupportingmamas #momlife #motherhoodrising #realmotherhood #motherhoodjourney #motherhoodunited #mommymoments #lifeasamama #honestmommin #simplymamahood #thatmomlife #motherhoodunfiltered #momstofollow #motherhoodunplugged #honestmotherhood
I just love this community! Come join me 👇👇👇

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When you really focus on fear, isn’t it pretty s When you really focus on fear, isn’t it pretty silly how much we let it run our lives? 

Anyone who knows my 7 year old daughter knows she has a “no fear” spirit. She can be a bit of an adrenaline junkie. She is always moving, seeking out fun and not intimidated by the unknown.

As a parent I both admire and cringe. 😅 

I find that I have to suppress my fear when it comes to her adventurous spirit so I do not diminish her true nature. I also have to be on the ball from a parenting perspective to talk through being smart while having fun. 

It is not as if we can ever see the results from the actions before we act though. 

Remembering myself how I truly only know what I see and what faith teaches me allows me to focus on eliminating fear from ruling.

For many years I was the opposite of my wild child. I was always thinking too far ahead to see what potential pain may come. That suppressed my nature. I see my kids so social, so eager to try new things and it energizes me to set that example too. 

Fear is not a worthwhile debate partner. 

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” ~Proverbs 31:25, NIV

Do you wrestle with fear in parenting and life in general or are you more of the no fear type?

#nofear #resistfear #faithandlogic #adventurousspirit #truenature #enneagram #enneagramparenting #personalitytypes #wildchild #wildandfreechildren #freerangeparenting #freerangeparents #instakids #instamom #instablogger #parentingmindset #goexplore #explorenature #natureschool #sahmsg #easternnc #eastnc #camplejeunelife #militarykids #militarylife #godledmotherhood #godledhomeschool #motherhoodsocial
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