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“When you arise in the morning think of what a p

“When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love…”
– Marcus Aurelius

Monday morning Bible reading with the best foot warmer cuddled up nearby. This week is going to be good.

#mondaymorning #getstarted #startthedaywithpeace #readingtruth #mindset #faithmamas #faithmama #faithmamastribe #mom2020 #mondaymoments #newstart #motivation #motivationquotes #momswhostudyscripture #momswhoread #focusontruth

I want to do a BIG shoutout to a key person who ma

I want to do a BIG shoutout to a key person who makes my work life balance possible.

@moneymakinmama_jennathomasson is truly an amazing Virtual Assistant and it has been an absolute dream having her working on the social media scheduling side of being an entrepreneur.

Jenna schedules posts on my The Stay-at-Home Mom Survival Guide Facebook page and makes sure Pinterest gets a good supply of posts from my blog. I do not do it all because she is a key member of my business team.

God blessed my family and me 10 years ago when I started my blog. It is a ministry, an income source, and an outlet all rolled into one. In order to grow in today’s online world, social media is a key marketing tool. It takes time and my free time/work time dwindled when homeschooling became a thing for our family.

Jenna has been a dream to work with. She is professional, detail oriented and extremely personable. I really like that she maintains regular check ins and is always looking out for my best interests as far as growing my online businesses. Her creativity and drive are an asset to my business goals and it feels like a team effort because she is so diligent.

I highly recommend her to anyone - especially moms working at home - because she can relate 100% to the efforts required to maintain the work-home-life balance.

To my blogger friends, YL friends, online entrepreneur/momtrepreneur friends, if your social media marketing strategy needs some consistency, you have my recommendation. I am so grateful! #gratitude #workingathomeinbalance #wahmlifestyle #wahmom #wahmlife #wahmbusiness #blogger #bloggerlife #bloggermom #momblogger #mombloggers #mombloggersofinstagram #onlinebusinessmarketing #onlinebusinesstips #marketingdigital #marketingstrategy #marketingtips

So this was ironic. I was so determined to go to t

So this was ironic. I was so determined to go to the beach today despite rain, and especially after our beach trip was cancelled for rain last week. I wore this shirt. I declared we were going to the beach today by coordinating my wardrobe. 😆😆

If you have viewed my slides today in my story you know how funny this really is!

After a sort of spontaneous planned trip to the beach (that is a thing-when it is planned but you should cancel but you don’t and go anyway 🤪) that was supposed to be short we were stuck on the island for hours. Actually trapped there.

As we were headed home the lineup of cars to go over the bridge suggested a boat may have been going through the waterway. Turned out the bridge was broken!

We had no info - a guy in the convenience store told me the news and then we confirmed via the beach Facebook page - so we had zero idea how long the wait would be. I had packed zero snacks. I did have kleenex and paper towels in the van...good thing too because the beach restroom had zero tp. 😳

The verse that had been on repeat in my mind all week was what I focused on.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12

I kept it as my mindset during this unknown challenge. We bought snacks and water at the convenience store, a neighbor who I had met once before happened to see me post on social about being stuck and she was there too had parked right near us, so we all went back out to the beach to spend the time soaking up more water, sand, wind and even found some shark teeth.

If you are going to be stranded somewhere, it is pretty convenient to be at the beach (that has a convenience store) with a great neighbor! 😅

I got to chat with a new friend, the kids got more time to play and after 4 hours of waiting our patience in affliction led to the blessing of the bridge being operable again!! 🙌🙌

Oh man, friends! It was stressful and yet God was all over it from the new friend I made who loves natural living too, to my kids who were great the ENTIRE time, to my shirt...🙃 God has a sense of humor. #shirtmatchedmymood #momsatthebeach #atthebeachwithkids #whatwasthisday #Godinitall #faithmama #faithmamas

How many of you have walked a storm that made you

How many of you have walked a storm that made you hold fast to God so tightly that it caused people to step away from you? When we focus on gripping God’s word and His promises rather than clambering for human approval, we become offensive.

Strange, right?

The rules of the world and the guidelines for living a successful Christian life are opposing forces many times-not always, but often.

"I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Phil 4:13

That is my life verse. As much as I want to love everyone, that means disconnecting from their approval and sticking to God’s message. Hold fast is actually comforting.

When rooted in faith, we can hold fast. Be who God guides you to be.

Morning walk view. 💕 After the storms we walk with Him he provides such a beautiful journey.

#faithmama #morningwalk #morningthoughts #devotionaltime #devotionmom #devotionmoment #faithledwoman #proverbs31woman #phil413 #lifeverse #motherhoodjourney #journeyoflife #momsoffaith

We all know - or will learn eventually - that bala

We all know - or will learn eventually - that balance never equals perfect. Yet it is the perfect spot to end up each day: seeing balance in your life.

I have had seasons that felt out of balance. Usually it happens when I get my priorities out of order. This season, though, of balance every day, feels good!

I am sure it comes from being able and willing to let the small stuff go, getting the kids to help out more, and looking at the setting of boundaries to preserve the balance in our home as sacred. They are.

I have focused on slower mornings because from the time we start school until the kids go to bed the day feels full. Their after school activities have started up, we are preparing for my husband to leave for a few weeks for work, and I am prioritizing a good balanced routine so it is in place no matter if I am parenting solo in this #militarywifelife or if he is home.

So my mornings are quiet. I enjoy my coffee before the kids wake up. They have free time while I read my Bible and watch the news, and then the work of the day starts. But we are a team and that is how we will maintain balance here.

My coffee of choice to start my day is @firedeptcoffee . Veteran and first responder-owned businesses have my heart as we know as a military family first hand the sacrifices made. Plus, I love how those who served look for ways that they can continue giving back after their uniformed days are complete.

Fire Department Coffee donates 10% of proceeds to helping #veterans and #firstresponders injured on the job. Companies who work giving into their mission are always the ones I want to support.

Do you feel like life is in balance for you right now? Have you made that a priority?

#giveback #coffeeforacause #militarywife #fitmoms #morningcup #coffeeisessential #faithmama #militarysupporter #supportfirstresponders #inmykitchen #momsknow #balanceisthegoal #naturallivingmama #onedayatatime

Do you have a child that resists learning but is s

Do you have a child that resists learning but is super smart?

Me too.

Last year we kept clashing because she wanted to learn on her terms and I as the teacher had objectives I wanted her to meet. I started stressing it but ultimately she showed glimmers of having retained the info even though she did not want to display it as often as I wanted.

The solution ended up being that I relaxed. I kept teaching but I adjusted how much repetition I was requesting. I chose to have faith that she was learning even if I was not getting acknowledgment of it every day.

Then we started school this year and I was so surprised! It is as if the retention of information was greater with our more relaxed approach.

In homeschooling we get to adjust. It is the absolute best aspect of it. So many kids will be assumed to have a learning disability or defiant behavior and yet they may just need you to understand their learning is even greater than you realize. Slow down, mama.

#wholeheartedlybelievethis #lessdiagnosis #givekidsabreak #homeschoolingmom #homeschoolinglife #homeschoolingideas #homeschoolingfamily #homeschoolingmama #homeschoolingishard #homeschoolingisablessing #slowdownmama #bepresentinthemoment #fitmamas #militarywife #naturallivingmama #momtruths

What kids activities and events are open in your a

What kids activities and events are open in your area? I am getting creative and making a list of field trip options now that some museums are opening up around here.

The hardest part of the quarantine back in the spring was feeling so homebound in homeschooling. That probably sounds odd to anyone who has not homeschooled. We used to fit in a field trip/event per week and felt so hemmed in when we had to stop. Truly we need to get out of the house to survive homeschooling. 😅

Our cross country road trip was supposed to have many stops too to see the sights but we canceled all that.

I am very ready for more field trip options to open back up!

#fieldtripplanning #eastnc #easternnorthcarolina #crystalcoast #localnc #homeschooling2020 #homeschoolingideas #homeschoolingmom #fitmamas #homeschoolinglife #outdoorlearning #ncfieldtrips #parentinggoals

Their laughter while playing games together feels

Their laughter while playing games together feels like stress relief. There is no better bonus that I receive as a mom than seeing my kids having fun together. 😍

Home decor tip from a mom with a lot of kids: outdoor rugs in areas where kids spill a lot are so easy. Just hose them off outdoors and you can even scrub them with your Thieves dish soap and then rinse as needed. So easy. I have an outdoor rug in my kitchen for this reason too.

I am loving this brighter sage green in the dining room. Rug is from @overstock during their Labor Day sale. I had to jump on sale prices like that!

#siblinglove #mombonus #homedecorating #diningroominspo #newhouse #historichomes #baseliving #marinecorpsbaselife #momhack #cleaningtips

Do you get one on one time with your kids? It is a

Do you get one on one time with your kids? It is a rare occasion in our household so it feels very refreshing when it happens.

Miss E and I had about an hour to do a little Fall clothes shopping for her. We snuck in a little @dunkin treat too. It lifts her mood when we get time together. It lifts mine too.

What do you do with your kids when you get one on one time? I am going to make a list of ideas for future.

#homeschoolingmom #timewithkids #oneononetime #motherdaughtertime #faithmama #faithmamas #qualitytimewithkids #shoppi̇ngday #fallclothesshopping #kidsclothesshopping #fitmamas #sahms

Do you think the world is falling apart or at just

Do you think the world is falling apart or at just the point it needs to be to reach a balance beyond our wildest dreams?

Depending on who you talk to, listen to, or watch you will receive a different perspective.

Lately I have FINALLY been able to get my Bible study time in first thing in the morning. My kids are and always have been awake before me, so it took me some years to shift my study time to morning versus evening.

What I am finding is 1) World history repeats itself more often than we realize, 2) Human beings - all of us - are terribly emotionally driven and impatient so many times, and 3) God never changes. We can feel secure in that.

No matter the state of the world, “The Lord is my strength and shield.”

Focusing on what does not change is the only way we can feel at balance even as many in the world try to scare us into believing that they know best.

A huge shoutout to @light_and_lantern for making this gorgeous reminder of the eternal truth we can all hold fast to in any times. I love it and now the task of figuring out where to hang it. 💛

#clingtotruth #faithmama #faithmamas #christianinspiration #holdfast #truthistruth #clingtofaith #jesusismystrength #howdoesshedoit #nowyaknow #sharingtruth #momsoffaith #biblequotes #bibleverseoftheday #homedecorationideas #homedecor #homedecorart

Oh my goodness this boy. He volunteered to pick up

Oh my goodness this boy. He volunteered to pick up dog poop at 18 months old. He just wanted to do the dirty work.

He is a charmer, a comedian, totally sensitive and completely willing to stand up for himself.

Spending so much time with my kids has shown me so much about their personalities. This guy is not a pushover. I admire that.

Often traits in our children may seem tough to deal with now but you know as they grow it will serve them well as adults.

What traits in your kids challenge you but will serve them well?

#boymom #momofboys #charmer #strongwilled #parentingboys #appreciatingthelittlethings #familytimes #homeschoolingmom #fitmamas #militarykidslife

I was watching the Today show while eating breakfa

I was watching the Today show while eating breakfast before heading to class. The news abruptly shifted to live from a one hour delay due to us being in central time. The shot of one of the towers smoking never left my mind. I watched as the second tower got hit-live on national television. Shaking, tears, fear all washed over me almost immediately. It is coming back now. I felt paralyzed. How could I keep going with my daily “normal life” plan after this? Yet I saw first responders heading in to that fire. I saw people trying to sacrifice themselves to tackle the unknown and do what they could to save others. And that is the joyful part of that day. Humans loving others enough to set aside their personal comfort and in many cases their future hopes and dreams...their lives...

It is also a clear reminder that right and wrong exist.

It is a reminder that there are people that want to eliminate the livelihood of others. No one, no system, is perfect. We witnessed when total human understanding, love and grace was eliminated what kind of destruction happened. Yet it was wrong and doing wrong does not make things right.

So all I can do every day is try to teach my kids that they can live by standards. They can live confidently without feeling better than others. They can love while still speaking out against what is wrong. And ultimately no matter what, they have a safe space here when all is falling apart and a place here to celebrate when joys happen. #9/11 #september11 #september11attacks #whaticando #sacrificewasstrong #neverforget #patriotism #faithoverfear #godfirstaboveall #firstresponders #filledwithemotion #fullofgratitude #trueloveissacrifice #itsnotamething #itsaservicething #remember #love

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