Do The Can Can

“Well, I have a lotta years of fit throwing under my belt. Rarely works in my favor.”

-My friend, Jenny

Fostering, MotherhoodAmber WhiteSeptember 21, 2017 Comments

Managing Fall Stress

I love Fall. It’s my favorite time of year. But it also tends to be the season where I take on WAYYYY more than I should. Maybe the excitement of the cooler weather and

WellnessAlyssa BellSeptember 14, 2017 Comment

What Harvey Couldn't Have Predicted

Nothing like a hurricane to put things into perspective. I’ve been drawn into the news stories, the visual images forever stamped on my brain.

SpiritualityJana SchmittSeptember 7, 2017harvey, hurricane, hope, community, serveComment

Death Of The Great Idea

“When you're having a great idea every two minutes, maybe it’s time to raise your standards.”

Jeff Weathers

SpiritualityAmber WhiteAugust 31, 2017 Comments

What You Were Not Created For

When I was a little girl, I had this (completely rational) fear of gingivitis. I know, it’s super embarrassing to admit, but I literally couldn’t eat a piece of candy without having to mentally overcome this battle of getting “the most common gum disease.”

SpiritualityAlyssa BellAugust 24, 2017fear, anxiety, worry, peace, faith, victory, God Comments

Putting On the Running Shoes

I used to be a pretty good runner. Like, I genuinely enjoyed it. But that was back in high school-- the better part of a decade ago, when my body was a tiny, lean mass of muscle and I had never given birth.

WellnessAlyssa BellAugust 17, 2017run, motherhood, goals, healthComment

Tending To Your Soul

What is it about Sundays lately that makes me feel sad? I know – because I tell people all the time – that you have to listen to what your emotions are telling you.

WellnessJana SchmittAugust 10, 2017soul, nourish, rest, refresh, garden, summer, heat, drought, community, God, faith Comment

We Can't Forget Ourselves

This summer has been a beating, emotionally and otherwise. I’m learning how to be a foster parent, how to love someone else’s kid that is becoming like my own, and how to say goodbye when the time comes. I have felt emotions I didn’t know existed.

WellnessAmber WhiteAugust 3, 2017wellness, beach, rest, grace Comment

World's Okayest Mom

Let me begin with the disclaimer that I'm not writing this for affirmation or fishing for compliments. This is for the fellow moms who might feel the same way I do from time to time. I hope you can be encouraged to know there are others of us. With that said…

MotherhoodAlyssa BellJuly 27, 2017motherhood, imperfect, mom, parenting, community, faithComment

When Fear Creeps In

Ever notice how fear and worry can creep into your thoughts and ruin a perfectly good day? Not long ago I was having one of those days.

SpiritualityJana SchmittJuly 20, 2017fear, anxiety, peace, truth, lies, community, counselorComment

Fostering Hard Things

There are cheerios on every surface, bottles to be cleaned, diapers to be changed. I have dishes to be done and floors to vacuum, and laundry, I’m weeks behind. These past few weeks have been nothing short of adventurous.

FosteringAmber WhiteJuly 13, 2017Comment

On Being A Musician's Wife

Matt and I don’t have your run of the mill romance story. I was 17 and he was 24 when we met. He was too old for me at the time, but it was a moot point because

MarriageAlyssa BellJuly 5, 2017musician, wife, dream, create, pursue, community, music Comments

Finding Your Tribe

I’m not a huge fan of the empty nest. Most of the time, I much prefer a full house. Empty, dark & quiet is NOT my thing. I want my home to be light, open, alive. I love hearing laughter & conversation drifting from the other room.

HomeJana SchmittJune 29, 2017community, tribe, family, friendship, gather, table Comments

Fostering A Butterfly

The hard things in life are always the most worthwhile.

A chrysalis doesn't look like much on the outside, and what happens on the inside is a miracle. A transformation that is spectacular. This is the gift we have been given.

FosteringAmber WhiteJune 22, 2017 Comments

Finding Joy in This Season

The other day, Matt walked into the kitchen and saw me holding one of Cyrus's tiny shoes in my hand. He asked what I was doing and I told him

HomeAlyssa BellJune 15, 2017 Comment

Take Off Your Shoes

“Shoes in a brook are only for the overcautious, for those who would not dare to risk..."

SpiritualityJana SchmittJune 8, 2017Comment

Foster Patience in the Waiting

How many occasions have we had to practice patience in the waiting? If you are like me, you find yourself doing a lot of waiting in life. Maybe you're

FosteringAmber WhiteJune 1, 2017foster, adoption, waiting, patience, motherhood Comment

The Audacity to Hope

Six weeks ago, the dog I've had since I was fifteen ran away. Worried and heart-broken, we hung flyers, knocked on every door on the block, and posted to all the forums. For a long time, we would

SpiritualityAlyssa BellMay 25, 2017Comment