restful productivity to live deliberately & avoid overwhelm 

Practical Tips for a Hard Season

Practical Tips for a Hard Season

Life is hard. Sometimes it just sucks. I’m sorry to be blunt but it’s true. I have had some hard seasons lately that have rocked me and stopped me in my tracks. But, I have learned beautiful things in the midst of hard circumstances too. Today I want to be extra practical for those of…

Tips for Clarity when Juggling Multiple Roles

Tips for Clarity when Juggling Multiple Roles

This life is a complicated balancing act. We each have different roles we play, things we manage, and jobs we do. The more responsibilities you have the more complicated your life gets. So how do we move forward and not get stuck? How do we keep going? There are unfinished lists, unhappy people, and a…

Navigating Friendship – the Key to Finding Connection

Navigating Friendship – the Key to Finding Connection

Okay, you did it. You got past the schedules, you found a place, and found some people. Awesome! You are headed toward a new goal of creating friendships. You showed up and talked with people. You made some connections. You have a few class members and acquaintances that you want to get to know better.…

Navigating Friendship – 4 Ideas for Where to Start

Navigating Friendship – 4 Ideas for Where to Start

We all long to be deeply understood and known. That is truly the heart cry of humans. It’s why kids spill out long stories and complicated details when they feel comfortable. It is why movies with deep friendships move us and cause us to feel something. Wouldn’t it be great to jump into a TV…

Celebrating the End of the School Year

Celebrating the End of the School Year

What does Summer Break mean to you? How do you separate that time from the rest of the school year? As a homeschool mom, I have the added challenge of making that time feel different to the kids than the rest of the school year. Sure, we take a break from our school work, and…

Practical Meal Planning #2 (the How)

Practical Meal Planning #2 (the How)

I am often frustrated by the meal planning systems created by others. They often assume that everything is “just peachy”. Most meal planning that I have found is based on having lots of time, strange fresh ingredients, or chef-style cooking skills. I usually don’t have that kind of evening cooking environment. I am a mom…

Easy Family Routines: The Monday Meeting

Easy Family Routines: The Monday Meeting

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…

Tackling Meal Planning #1 (the Why)

Tackling Meal Planning #1 (the Why)

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…