Fostering Thankfulness

Halloween is now over and Thanksgiving is upon us! I love November and all it brings with it. I love the food, I love the weather,

Spirituality, FosteringAmber WhiteNovember 2, 2017fall, foster, foster care, adoption, thankful, thanksgiving, homeschool, homestead Comment

These Days

These days are not what I expected they would be. They are both harder and better. More chaotic and more satisfying. I thought the tired-eyed, fuzzy-headed, new mom thing would have worn off by now, but it hasn’t.

Home, MotherhoodAlyssa BellOctober 26, 2017community, simplicity, motherhood, hardship, beauty, life, wife, God, faith, graceComment

An Open Invitation

Fall made its opening debut early this week, enticing us with crisp, clear mornings and crystal blue skies. They say fall is a southerner’s reward for surviving the summer.

Spirituality, HomeJana SchmittOctober 19, 2017Comment

Fostering A Sparrow

I have sat here and thought about what to write. Twice now, I’ve written about our foster babies.

Fostering, MotherhoodAmber WhiteOctober 12, 2017foster, adoption, foster care, love, community, home, natural Comment

The Cost of Convenience

When I heard that malls are starting to die off, I wasn’t initially bothered because I could practically count on one hand the number of times I’ve been to a mall since I graduated high school (the better part of a decade ago). But I’m realizing

Home, MotherhoodAlyssa BellOctober 5, 2017 Comments

My Friend, Bev

Have you ever had a close friendship with someone whom you never actually met? That’s kind of weird, right? But then again, maybe not

SpiritualityJana SchmittSeptember 28, 2017 Comments

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