SEASONS featuring Horacio Printing

I love how each season brings something new & exciting to look forward to! Once spring hits, I always look forward to peonies blooming.  Peonies are my absolute favorite flower and sometimes I wish they would grow all throughout the year--but having them only grow for a short season, makes them all the more special. When the Christmas season comes around I'm always so excited for the songs, decorations, and everything about the season. But once January hits, I'm ready to put those decorations away. Since every season only lasts for a certain amount of time, it makes it that much more exciting. There is a time for every season, and God created seasons for a reason. Just like the seasons of the year, there are so many "seasons" in life. If you're going through a good season, embrace it and enjoy it to its fullest. If you're going through a tough season, know that it will not last forever. God has a plan for every season & His timing is perfect.

I absolutely LOVE this devotional/Bible study from Horacio Printing. It contains five different seasons--finding purpose, seeking wisdom, transition, anxiety, and joy. Througout life, you may find yourself going through any one season, or a few at once! The best way to navigate through those seasons is to turn to God and His Word. The Seasons of Soap devotional provides the perfect Bible verses for each season, and has helped me so much. Oh, and not only does Horacio Printing make amazing devotionals, but they also have beautiful planners/organizers. You can visit their website here.

"All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship"

                                          Hillsong Worship

Finding Balance

Life can get so busy. Ever feel like you're being pulled in different directions? There have been times where I've had a hard time finding balance, especially as a wife and mom, and I've learned that I do best when I prioritize. When I pin down what is a priority each day and each week, I find it so much easier to find balance. 

One thing that I've learned to balance and prioritize over the last couple of years are my health & fitness goals. During the pregnancy with my twins, I craved & ate Cinnabon cinnamon rolls on a regular basis, and ended up gaining over 70 pounds (well, it wasn't ALL due to the cinnamon rolls!). Once the twins were about 6 months old, I decided it was time to whip myself back into shape. I started a subscription to Shape magazine, signed up for some fitness classes, and cut back on the sweets. But, something didn't feel quite right...I had little energy, and was feeling nauseous during the nights. After about a month of feeling that way I told my husband I was going to go visit the doctor. Long story short, we found out we we were expecting another baby!  Although I was determined to eat healthier during the second pregnancy, fitness wasn't a huge priority, and it took awhile afterward to get back on track. I've come to realize that it takes time, and to not be so hard on myself! I've also learned that if I am too hard on myself (basically cutting out all sugar and carbs 100% of the time), it ends up backfiring. Instead, I focus on eating healthy 80% of the time, but still enjoying treats. A couple other health priorities have been to drink A LOT more water, and to set an hour aside each day for exercise. Some days the exercise has been as simple as a walk with the kids, and other days it's something a lot more high intensity. Some of my best advice is to figure out what works best for you, and stick with it!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

Activewear outfit is by Ellie Activewear .

All photos by Swolfe Photo.

Joy in the Simple

Yesterday afternoon the kids and I ran through the sprinkler, and played in the back yard for hours and hours. I watched the kids all hold hands, and jump over the sprayer as it spun in circles. We brought a blanket out, and enjoyed a lunch picnic on the yard. At one point in the afternoon, both my boys sat on my lap on the grass, and we giggled and squealed every time the sprinkler passed over us. It's the simple moments like these that really make me grateful for all that I have. We had nothing on the agenda all day, and it was the most perfect, yet ordinary afternoon. I definitely want to strive to have more "slow" days like that. 

A simple life is a less complicated life. Life isn't always going to be stress free, BUT living simply helps to ease stresses and enjoy life to its fullest. Too often schedules can get overly cluttered, and life can feel too rushed. There's something to be said about a simple, slow way of life. I think some of life's best moments happen, when we put away any distractions and just BE. 

Having a simple way of life, has also helped with our finances. We've been able to become completely debt free, just by using our money wisely and living a more minimal lifestyle. So much of our world is material focused. Don't get me wrong, I love trying new products, wearing new clothes, and all the cute home decor, but being wise with spending has made me even more grateful for what we already own. By living more minimally, we've been able to have a more stress free way of life. 

Living simply makes life more enjoyable. It makes you able to live life to the absolute fullest. 


 "A pretentious, showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life."
Proverbs 13:7

"A simple life in the Fear-of-God is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches. "

Proverbs 15:16