Going through a season of worry? Read on to find my favorite Bible verses to get me through times of worry. A Season of Worry I first wrote this post when I was 11 weeks pregnant with Micah, my fifth born child. I decided to bring it to the front of my blog today because of the current state of the world and uncertainty looming over everyone. I am worried about people I love getting sick, worried about the death toll in America, and unsure of the economic/financial repercussions of shutting … [Read more...]
How I get EVERYTHING Done with 5 Kids
Almost every day I get comments and emails from people telling me I am a supermom. They seem to think that I get everything done every day and my life is just perfect. So, I get asked often for advice about what I give my kids to eat, how I keep my house clean all the time, and how I cook 3 meals a day from scratch. Read on to learn a little bit more about the day-to-day in our farmhouse. The Question I get all the time On a daily basis, I receive tons of questions from moms who want to know … [Read more...]
Touring the Playhouse | MEAL PREPPING | Busy DITL
Today is a super busy day at the farmhouse. We have a gymnastics class to get to, meals to prepare, and a playhouse to tour. Come along with us as we go through our day! Touring the Playhouse | MEAL PREPPING | Busy Day at the Farmhouse Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXthTG-cjKs Highlights and links from our day Today, we made sourdough pancakes for breakfast. After breakfast, Ruth, Johanna, and Eli gave me a tour of the cottage they set up as a playhouse. Then, I took … [Read more...]
5 Rainy Day Activities for Kids
With the coming Spring, we are having a lot of rain showers, so today I am sharing 5 of our favorite activities for the kids to do while they are stuck inside. If you are experiencing rainy showers, these activities are sure to keep the kids occupied for hours. Stuck Inside for the Day? Spring has come early this year and with that has come all kinds of rainy days. I was so excited for the warmer weather, but it turns out that every time it is warm here, it rains. Because of all … [Read more...]
Why we Aren’t Doing a Minimalist Christmas This Year
A few weeks ago I went with my sister and a friend to knock out all my Christmas shopping in one day. Last year I only bought a few nice thins, but let me tell you why we aren't doing a minimalist Christmas this year. I have had a lot of requests this year for minimalist, simple living friendly, gifts for kids. I hate to disappoint but you all, but I actually did things quite a bit differently this year. Normally, I would be your go-to gal for how to get as few toys as possible for your … [Read more...]
Organic Pesticide Free Play Areas
Why is it important to have organic pesticide free play areas? Did you know that your skin is the body's largest organ? Learn why it’s important that we keep the chemicals away from our kids play areas and big thank you to Stonyfield Organic for sponsoring this post. The organic movement You've definitely grappled with it in some form. Maybe you're into it, and nothing non-organic ever passes your kids' lips. You make all your own shampoo and toilet bowl cleaner, and never let your kids touch … [Read more...]
Top Three Essential Oil Diffuser Blends for Kids
I invited my sister Laura over to the farmhouse to share her top three essential oil diffuser blends for kids. Diffusing oils can be helpful to promote cheerfulness, restful sleep and concentration. Grab my FREE essential oils class HERE. Make sure to scroll all the way to the end for the free printable recipe cards! You all know that I love using natural solutions in my home. Whether if be for cleaning, immune support or to sooth my kiddos when they have a bee sting, scrape or bug … [Read more...]
Easy Girls Dress Sewing Tutorial- Bow in the Back Summer Dress
This easy girls dress sewing tutorial includes written and video instructions. It has all the measurements for making this, for any size from 2T to a girls 10. This post contains affiliate links. See my full disclosure here. Easy Girls Dress Sewing Tutorial Video https://youtu.be/yz2RXwEzVrY Shop the fabrics Mustard Polka Dot Floral Fabric Pink Polka Dot This dress is simple to make, even for beginners. It looks cute in the original length and also a little shorter with leggings, as your … [Read more...]
How to Get Stuff Done with Kids
I get asked this question all the time. "How do you get stuff done with kids?" I don't know if I can really answer that question perfectly, but I will at least share with you all a few tips that I feel have helped me get more done with five kids around. How to Get Stuff Done with Kids Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpgv_crgF08 I probably get this question in my email, IG or Youtube once or twice every week. In fact, I literally just clicked over to Youtube for a minute to upload … [Read more...]
Minimalist Baby Essentials- Baby Checklist
Get my minimalist baby essentials for the mom who doesn't like to fill her house with all the baby gear. This minimal mom baby checklist includes only the essentials. Minimalist Baby Essentials I don't usually call myself a minimalist, but when I read the criterion of one, I guess I should call it how I see it. I definitely tend towards minimalism in my home. Clutter stresses me out and I don't see the point of keeping things you aren't using. As a mama of four, I have been through … [Read more...]
How to Make a Dress
Learn how to make a dress by copying clothes you already have. This can be adapted to make a DIY maternity dress and non-maternity as well. In this video tutorial I share how to make a dress without a pattern. I made a DIY maternity dress, but you can use this tutorial to make any shape dress. I show you how to trace clothes to make your own dress pattern. Photo Cred I don't want to get too far into this post before I give credit where credit is due. My awesome photographer sister, … [Read more...]
The Arrival of Jude- A Birth Story
I guest posted this story at Modern Alternative Pregnancy.I was eight days past my due date on a mild evening last August when I had my first real contraction. Although I was "overdue" I was still enjoying the pregnancy and wasn't overly anxious for it to be over. I had fully planned on going at least a week past my due date, because that is when my babies seem to want to naturally come. It was a Wednesday evening, so we had our kids all loaded in the van to head to our … [Read more...]
Homeschooling
A mom of 4 weighs in on the benefits of homeschooling. Our family is new to the homeschooling scene. Our oldest child is only 7, so I don't claim to have this whole education thing all figured out. Also, I know there is more than one way to accomplish the same end all parents seek, a successful, happy, productive member of society. Homeschooling is natural We are currently in our second year of "officially" homeschooling. But, interestingly, not a whole lot has changed since our oldest child … [Read more...]
Baby in the Van Story- Eli’s exciting Arrival!
Read the story of my third child's exciting arrival in the backseat of our van going 75 miles per hour! I was 41 + 1 weeks on March 12, 2013 and so very ready to meet my baby. We had decided to not find out the gender of this new little one and, with two girls already, I just could not wait to find out if I was carrying my first baby boy. The first contraction After lunch, I had my first actual contraction, not a braxton hick one like I had been having, but a real true contraction. I was so … [Read more...]