April Edwards – Page 13 – Embracing Home

4 Helpful Steps for Planning Summer Break

By the time April & May show up on the calendar I am ready to start my summer planning. If I am NOT the one deciding what my summer looks like then it gets decided FOR me. I stumble into August completely exhausted and worn out. I have no energy to start the school year…

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Finding Inspiration in the Midst of Ordinary Moments of Spring

April EdwardsHomemaking

Today I will just make a simple post. This time of year is so busy with many things pulling me in different directions. I am sure you feel it too.I have found these to be helpful. I hope they bring assurance and uplift you in this season. Spring Inspiration #1 – video devotionals Leah Boden…

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Easy Family Routines: The Monday Meeting

April EdwardsMom Life

It’s a Monday morning. We are all moving slow. The kids would rather play computer games and I would love to sit on the couch with a good book. The weekend was very busy with household tasks, catching up on laundry, activities with cousins, farm chores, shopping, and church. Now we must move into our…

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Tackling Meal Planning #1 (the Why)

April EdwardsHomemaking

This week I will make 15 meals for my family. Lunches, dinners, and a few fancy breakfasts. I will hand wash dishes at least 10 times and spend several hours in prep. In a month, I will spend 68 hours on meal prep and feeding my household. How much time do you spend in the…

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Practical Questions for Spring Reflection & Planning

April EdwardsMom Life, Seasonal Planning

[Here is a favorite from the archive. I hope it helps you as we move through this season.] It is spring. The Palo Verde trees are blooming and it is heating up during the day. As I rummage for my flip-flops in my closet, I begin to think about our summer plans. What will this…

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What does Sabbath Mean? What is it?

April EdwardsSabbath Living

I have been reading about and studying Sabbath for a few years now. This whole idea is so countercultural and radically different from what our society holds as important. The rebel in me loves to be a bit different and do something that most people consider odd. I also love doing a deep dive into…

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When Spring Feels Exhausting

April EdwardsSeasonal Planning

Most of what I see on Instagram or Pinterest is about how Spring is a beautiful time of year. I do not agree. Spring is hard for me. If I am being completely honest, spring is a lot of work. It is finishing the school year well, deep cleaning the house, organizing my home (and…

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Maintaining Healthy Habits on Trips

April EdwardsTravel with Kids

A problem that we can run into is making good habits stick when we are on vacation. How do I keep moving forward in my health goals when I am in a different environment? What is the best way to plan for relaxation but not slide into old patterns? Decide the healthy choices that you…

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Life-Giving Routines – Printable Guide

April EdwardsPrintables

We all have areas in our lives where we want to get things done quickly or “get in the zone” faster. Routines are the effortless solution. When we automate pieces of our lives with routines we: remove decision fatigue, we become more efficient, and we can relax into the rhythm of the tasks ahead of…

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My Weekly Review & Bullet Journal Lists

April EdwardsProductivity

This process keeps me focused on what needs to get done. My weekly review helps me see the white space areas of my week. (Or of lack space.) I am able to make margin or say no to things that are crowding me in. Q: How do I organize my week so that it…

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