Momsanity

The Christmas season can be a potpourri of emotions, right? We realize that you may not feel very festive this month and THAT IS OKAY! You may be dealing with a lot, and we'd be glad to pray for you. Just comment below and we'll pray!

-Debbie

What are your favorite Advent devotionals? We have really enjoyed this one this year because it's very applicable for all ages! -Emily

Brag on God: what's He been up to in your life lately? Comment below!

-Debbie

This recipe is SO good and contains NO sugar. I got dye-free sprinkles at Trader Joe's too!- Emily

HELP: what are you getting your man for Christmas? Comment below so we can all get ideas!

-Debbie

Now THIS my friends is a salad! Please stop calling plain chicken and lettuce a meal )- Emily

🌈 Don't rainbows take your breath away? I always pause and happily sigh when I see one. I always thank the Lord for such a beautiful reminder of His faithfulness.

God has been blowing my mind as He increases my faith lately.

He has reinforced that He hears prayers, that He cares, in ways that only He could do.

How has He demonstrated His faithfulness to YOU recently?

-Debbie

I love turning chores into games! "How fast can you work together to put all the dishes away? Ready go!"- Emily

🤣 The internet is wild, isn't it? 😅

-Debbie

My sweet husband encouraged me to go on a walk when we had a fussy baby and I happily obliged. This is what I came home to. I told him there was nothing more attractive than a man exercising while baby wearing. Who agrees?- Emily

I choose to be pretty unfiltered in what I share on social media. That tends to invite plenty of criticism and opinion. 🤣 I prefer people who are transparent and open; just me?

Anyway, someone recently asked if I'd changed the color of my eyes. 👀 My eyes have never been brown, and my eyes are also not blue. They've always been a blue-green hazel. 🤷‍♀️

Seriously though, do you prefer my posts be more private and less controversial?

-Debbie

This Advent season is extra special! How does your family celebrate Advent? My favorites coming soon!- Emily

Marriage is not always easy. It can reveal our own weaknesses and shortcomings, right? Our goal is to selflessly serve the other, putting their needs above our own. And, no, that doesn't mean being a doormat who's treated like trash. Our culture screams me, me, me -- let's do things God's way instead!

Let's see a photo of your spouse!

-Debbie

"Mom, can I get the rest of the powder out of the Crave container before I throw it away?". Sure son! It's that good!- Emily

SLOW over GO - who's with me? I loathe being rushed and pressured; it makes me so anxious. For me, I often have to say "no" to things in order to push back against the hustle mentality. That, and waking up a few minutes earlier helps too (which means going to bed earlier instead of watching another episode on TV).

How do you slow down?

-Debbie

Where did my newborn baby go? She is 6 weeks old and I know she'll be 6 years old before I know it!- Emily

Thank you so much for supporting our small business! You mean so much to us and we are forever grateful for your support, words of encouragement and for cheering us on for almost 11 years!- Emily

More Jesus less individualism and consumerism!- Emily

No bake chocolate cookies (or balls) made by Bryce by himself! Who wants the simple recipe for fast breakfasts and snacks?- Emily

My hands are super full much of the time lately. My big boys have taken over some of our morning Bible study. I LOVE this study called Listen Up which takes a dive into the parables and is appropriate for kids ages 5 to 12. - Emily

I tweaked my back recently, yet again. Sigh. That meant skipped workouts so I could rest it. The silver linings: a renewed appreciation for an able body that can exercise, a longing for heaven when pain doesn't exist, and extra free time to do other things. Keep those back remedies coming my way!

-Debbie

There will never be too much pink for this little nugget! It's like dressing a baby doll )- Emily

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte - CLEANED UP!
I swapped cow's milk for oat milk (which reduces inflammation), reduced syrup pumps from 4 to 1 (which saves a ton of sugar), removed whipped cream (which reduces inflammation and sugar), and added extra pumpkin spice. It tastes SO GOOD!

-Debbie

A great reminder in the overwhelm of the holiday season!- Emily

Having my son home for Thanksgiving was glorious! I hadn't seen him for 3 MONTHS! Watching my fraternity bond and laugh made my heart content! I know that they will all move out one day, but for now I am cherishing all the testosterone!

-Debbie

I don't love rewarding with food but we often enjoy smoothies made with Mom fuel or crave hot cocoa after school as a treat. My boys love to drink it out of a metal straw which is so odd to me! As the weather grows cooler and hot chocolate becomes more prevalent, I can't encourage you to swap it out for crave more! Free from sugar and all of the added junk and full of flavor! We add many marshmallows and sometimes whipped cream for an extra treat. Emily

You. Are. Already. A. Great. Mom.
Let's not cave to the pressures of social media. Let's savor the season in ways that are most significant. And let's make sure self-preservation is in full effect so that we don't feel ragged and run-down.

-Debbie

I love that my boys can decorate our tree all by themselves. It's so fun to watch and coach them (I was breastfeeding of course) and they did a great job. I'm back to having a tiny baby, but want to encourage you moms that it all really does go SO fast and that screaming toddler will be 10 in no time. I would NEVER tell anyone to "enjoy every moment" (what a farce), but know that the seasons both easy and hard all go fairly fast and seeing God's fruit in their lives is literally the best. - Emily

Starting December 1 (that's Friday), read one chapter of Luke each day!! Do this with your kids!

-Debbie

More things I forgot after 8 years since having a baby.

#3- Everything takes forever!

I took Naomi to my hair appointment and it took me over an hour to feed her and get all the things ready for us to leave the house. Wow!

New moms need grace and gratitude just for showing up. It's exhausting to leave the house (especially with other kids). When a mom shows up to everything, celebrate her no matter how late and disheveled she might be. It's a big deal!- Emily

I cried a lot last Sunday at church. As we sang, I repeatedly thanked God for answering 7 YEARS of prayers for my son's salvation. Him accepting Christ as His savior has been one of life's greatest gifts! Prayer works! God listens and is active! How sweet of the Lord that this was communion Sunday. For my years my son would pass the plate and I would ache inside. This Sunday, he participated! If you look closely, you see him holding the cup while PRAYING! How faithful Jesus is to pardon us from eternal condemnation!

-Debbie

Have you:

A. Started Decorating
B. Finished Weeks Ago
C. Nope.

???- Emily

Charcuterie: yum or yuck?

-Debbie

Reminder for loving new moms #2: More things I forgot.

Her hands are always full. Literally always. This is how I accomplish most of my household and work tasks these days (either like this or nursing). There are many things that are hard to do one handed which means they have to wait. Want to help out? Offer to hold the baby and/or complete the task.

I totally forgot how much harder the brain has to work with juggling carriers, pumps, bottles, diapers, and the regular demands of life (like eating and drinking). Just remember that new moms already have very full plates. Keep expectations low- especially during the holidays. Know that she is completely poured out and has nothing extra to offer. - Emily