25 Life-Lessons I’ve Learned from my Mom

In honor of my mom’s birthday this week, I thought it would only be fitting to share some of the wisdom I’ve collected from her over the years.

Empowerment, MotherhoodAlyssa BellJune 21, 2019 Comments

Making These Years Count

I’ll be turning 57 in a few days. Sounds dangerously close to 60. What scares me about this is not so much the getting older. It’s the ever-lingering question, am I doing enough?

Spirituality, EmpowermentJana SchmittJune 14, 2019Comment

To Be A Life-Giving Woman

I’m sorry. I just have too much on my plate right now. How many times have I heard (or spoken) those words recently? It’s the mantra of the American woman

EmpowermentJana SchmittMay 24, 2019rest, relaxation, life-giver, women, faithComment

Summers at the Lake: A Tribute to my Childhood

Years ago, before I knew fear, I spent weeks out of the summer jumping off the diving board of my grandparents lake house dock — my feet leading me deeper into murky, cool water as the mandatory life-preserver always shot me back to the surface.

TravelAlyssa BellMay 17, 2019 Comments

How To Love A Foster Mom

Not everyone is in a place in their lives where they can be a foster family. This does not mean that there is nothing else you can do. There are SO many ways you can get involved.

Motherhood, FosteringAmber WhiteMay 10, 2019fostering, foster mom, foster care, adoption, motherhood, parentingComment

Knowing Your Season

As I sat on those steps, I could feel a shift in the air. The seasons were changing, and it made me wonder if the same could be true for my own.

Spirituality, EmpowermentAlyssa BellApril 19, 2019motherhood, Easter, growth, flourish, beauty, hardship, graceComment

Your Right Conditions

Every year I get to take a barren piece of land and turn it into something that is beautiful and provides for my family and friends. I watch as a tiny, dormant seed sprouts, grows, and blossoms.

Spirituality, FosteringAmber WhiteApril 12, 2019Comment

Room For One More Voice?

Unwarranted opinions clutter our feeds and our inboxes on a daily basis. Let’s face it; we are a generation of activists,

EmpowermentAlyssa BellApril 5, 2019 Comment

When You're Feeling Restless

Anyone else feeling a bit restless lately? Like there’s something more you’re supposed to be doing but you can’t quite get past all the have-to’s of the day to the thing that’s calling out to you?

EmpowermentJana SchmittMarch 29, 2019 Comment

Allowing Myself to Hope

I have been struggling to find the balance of life these days. One of my main goals this year was to allow myself to hope, to dream a little bigger, not be afraid to expect the impossible.

Spirituality, FosteringAmber WhiteFebruary 8, 2019Comment

When You Start To Lose Your Wonder

Hope is a risky thing. Expectation, when life has taught us time and time again that it is a foolish endeavor, well sometimes it feels downright ridiculous.

Motherhood, SpiritualityAlyssa BellFebruary 1, 2019Comment

Seeking Out Beauty

It strikes me just how quickly the excitement over New Year’s plans and dreams can fade.

EmpowermentJana SchmittJanuary 19, 2019Comment

The Meaning Behind My Tattoo

“Are you nervous?” He gave me a sideways glance as he looked up from his needle.

“No . . .Should I be?” I retorted confidently, with a hint of sass. I’m sure I was not what he was expecting to walk through the doors of the tattoo parlor.

Spirituality, EmpowermentAlyssa BellJanuary 4, 2019tattoos, faith, seek, mustard plant, flower, design Comments

What I've Learned in 15 Years of Marriage

Does anyone else stop and just say, “Wow, this is my life. This is my husband and these are my kids. This is my house, these are my things, this is my life.”

MarriageAmber WhiteDecember 21, 2018 Comment

Finding Peace in the Wreckage

6:30 p.m... the phone rings. It’s Jarod. “Mom? Hey, so we’re both ok, everyone’s fine… but we were in a wreck…”

SpiritualityJana SchmittDecember 7, 2018peace, fear, worry, anxiety, Christmas, holidays, wreck, beauty, Christmas decor, home renovation Comments

Getting Back on Track

I have a confession. I haven’t been been living up to my own words.

HomeAlyssa BellNovember 16, 2018 Comment

Fostering The Little Things

Some days I forget to breath until I finally lay my head on the pillow, realizing that I’ve eaten a handful of Frosted Flakes and an on-the-go dinner.

Out of Balance

Do you ever feel like your life has somehow gotten out of balance? Sort of like a tire that’s worn thin on one side, causing it to wobble and screech and no longer perform its job very well.

WellnessJana SchmittOctober 13, 2018 Comment