Music, Christianity, and The Tragically Hip

"Mommy, is this song Christian?" my daughter often asks.  Much of the music we listen to is by Christian artists, even if it doesn't necessarily fit the "Christian" genre.  Sometimes we'll be listening to an artist that identifies as Christian but the lyrics are not overtly religious, and so she'll ask.  And I always respond to her that God created us for joy, and that even if an artist or a song isn't necessarily Christian, if it moves our hearts and brings us happiness then it is indeed Christian, because Christ is in beauty - in it our hearts are drawn to Him.

Fitness Goals and the Post-Baby Body

My secret guilty pleasure is the celebrity babies section of People Magazine.  Whenever I have a few minutes here and there I like to pop onto their website and read about the newest celebrity baby.  Reading their adventures in parenthood is always fun for me as a parent, because it's one way I feel like I can relate.  And I mean, come on - babies!

Teach Me To Pray

This past week has been really grace-filled for me.  In terms of activities we were booked solid and I was on the go more than usual. And yet within that busyness God seemed to provide opportunity after opportunity for me to meet Him in prayer, which was surprising because I always think I don't have time.  I always have the best intentions, and yet far too often the end of the day comes and I realize that I really haven't taken any quiet time with the Lord.  So I rattle off a few prayers as I drift off to sleep, and hope to do better the next day.

Life Hacks for Big Families

I was hanging out with friends the other day when one of them asked me what some of my best life hacks were.  I was like a deer in headlights, frozen in front of this woman who was looking for pointers from me.  Clearly she has the wrong idea about me, haha!  I am not organized, my house is in constant disarray...I have nothing to offer in the area of home maintenance! And yet so many times since that day as I go about my daily life, I realize that I have picked up a few tricks over the years that have helped me to manage my home somewhat better.  Don't get me wrong, my home is always cluttered and things are very disorganized!  But in case it is helpful to anyone else, here are a few things that help keep us from the brink of disaster (at least some of the time!)