Today’s episode is part 2 of the heartfelt Mom to Mom conversation I had with my dear friend Bonnie Caldwell all about the raw, honest realities of adoption, surrender, and answered prayers. Bonnie vulnerably shares her family’s adoption journey, from the overwhelming paperwork and waiting process to navigating open adoption, unmet expectations, and learning to trust the Lord one step at a time.

This episode is such a beautiful reminder that even when life feels uncertain, God is still faithful. Whether you’re walking through infertility, considering adoption, struggling to surrender your plans, or simply feeling overwhelmed in motherhood, I pray this conversation encourages you to stay in the ring with Jesus and trust Him with the story He’s writing.

In this episode, we talk about:

* Bonnie’s domestic adoption journey

* The realities and misconceptions surrounding adoption

* Open adoption and learning to embrace birth family relationships

* Walking through infertility and grief with honesty

* Trusting God in seasons of waiting and disappointment

* Surrendering the “normal” story we thought we’d have

* Finding gratitude and joy in motherhood after suffering

* Why staying connected to Jesus matters more than “doing it perfectly”

This episode is tender, honest, and full of hope for anyone navigating a hard season or learning to trust the Lord with unmet expectations. 💛

Referenced in this episode:

* Nightlight Christian Adoptions

* Bonnie’s blog: In With the Old

If this episode encouraged you, be sure to share it with a friend or leave a review for the podcast—it helps more moms find these conversations and feel a little less alone.

Today’s episode is SO near and dear to my heart. I am sharing a really tender and honest “Mom to Mom” conversation with my childhood friend Bonnie. 🤍

In this first part of our conversation, Bonnie shares her unexpected journey into motherhood, walking through infertility, grief, unanswered questions, and ultimately learning what it looked like to surrender every part of herself to the Lord.

We talk about the emotional and spiritual weight of infertility, the practices that helped ground her during seasons of grief, and how God met her there. Bonnie shares so beautifully about releasing control, staying close to Jesus when life doesn’t go the way you planned, and learning to be radically honest with Him.

If you’re in a season of waiting, disappointment, grief, or simply feeling stretched thin in motherhood, I pray this conversation feels like sitting across from a friend who gently points you back to Jesus.

In this episode, we talk about:

* Bonnie’s journey through infertility

* The emotional realities of waiting for motherhood

* Grieving expectations and surrendering control

* Practical rhythms that grounded her spiritually

* Staying close to Jesus in hard seasons

* Finding peace in surrender

* Trusting God with the stories He is writing for us

This conversation is full of honesty, hope, and encouragement for the mom who is learning to trust God in the middle of an unfinished story. 🤍

Marriage in the little kids years can feel really full and if I’m honest, sometimes really stretching.

In this episode, my husband and I sit down for a simple, honest conversation about what this season of marriage actually looks like for us right now.

No perfect systems. No polished answers. Just what’s been helping us stay connected, support each other, and keep Jesus at the center in the middle of busy days, tired nights, and everything in between.

We talk about:

* What this season has felt like for both of us

* What’s actually helping our marriage day-to-day

* Some of the harder parts we’ve had to walk through

* Encouragement for other couples in the thick of it

My hope is that this episode feels like you’re sitting at the table with us—and that you walk away feeling encouraged, seen, and reminded that you’re not alone in this season.

love,

The Raitz

In this episode, I’m walking you through the exact process I use when life starts to feel like too much—from the emotional and spiritual reset with the Lord to the simple, practical steps that help me get back on track.

This is not about perfection—it’s about peace, clarity, and taking your next step.

What we cover:

* Why you have to start with your heart (not your house)

* What I call “draining the sink” with the Lord

* How to do a brain dump that actually works

* The difference between tasks and projects

* How one hour of focused time can change everything

* The key areas in your home to reset for the biggest impact:

* Kitchen + food systems

* Fridge + pantry

* Car clean-out

* Kids clothes

* Toys (and why less is truly better)

Resources I mentioned:

* If you are drowning under your kids toys, watch this video ASAP—

* If you are wanting to find more structure and systems for your home- subscribe here—

In today’s episode, I’m sharing 10 (okay… 11) things I’m loving right now—from simple beauty products to tips and tricks and a couple parenting things that have blessed our family.

This episode is a little more laid-back and fun, but these are truly the kinds of things that are helping me feel more confident and present in this season of motherhood.

Some of these are tangible favorites you can try, and others are practices that are quietly shaping the way I show up for my kids.

Things Mentioned:

* CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen

* Saie Dew Blush in Lady

* Shiseido Eyelash Curler

* Nuuly clothing rental

* Maldon sea salt flakes

* The Heart Who Wanted to Lasso Thoughts Book

Simple Takeaways:

* Small things can shift the feel of your whole day

* Beauty doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive

* Your words carry weight in your home—especially with your kids

* Creating little rhythms (music, flowers, meals) makes life feel fuller

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend or send me a message—I always love hearing what’s resonating with you 🤍

This episode is a little more personal and honestly… a little more convicting.

I’ve been asking myself this question lately: How can I disciple my children if I am not a disciple???

Am I actually a disciple of Jesus… or do I just try to do the right things?

Because if I’m honest, a disciple isn’t just someone who believes or learns—it’s someone who follows. Someone whose life is actually being transformed.

And somewhere along the way, in the middle of motherhood and trying to do everything right, I think I’ve drifted into focusing more on being a “good mom” than being a surrendered follower.

In this episode, I share a conversation I had with a friend that reminded me how deeply our kids are shaped by the way we live. Motherhood is discipleship. We are showing them what matters every single day—through our words, our reactions, our habits.

And it led me to this hard but honest question:Is my life actually reflecting Jesus?

We talk about what it means to be a disciple—not perfectly, but with real transformation. And the one word I keep coming back to is surrender.

Letting go of the things we hold tightly.Even the small things.Even the things that feel harmless.

This isn’t about being extreme or legalistic—it’s about being open. About getting to a place where we can honestly tell the Lord:“You can have anything.”

Because what if the peace we’re craving… the joy we’re longing for… is on the other side of that kind of surrender?

I’m not sharing this from a place of having it all figured out. I’m right in the middle of this with you.

And my prayer is that this episode simply opens our hearts to ask:“Lord, what are You inviting me to lay down?”

xoxo,

Sunni

So often as moms, we feel overwhelmed by our homes and think, “this is just the season I’m in.”

But our environment matters. It shapes how we feel, how we function, and the atmosphere our families live in every day. Also, I believe stewarding what the lord has given us is one of the highest callings.

In this episode, I’m sharing a few simple ways to begin creating a home that feels more peaceful, calm, and life-giving—right where you are.

The nitty gritty

* Decluttering visual clutter (starting with your countertops)

* Creating “homebases” with trays to simplify spaces

* Using lamps instead of overhead lighting

* Finding your personal style (not Instagram’s)

* Decorating one room at a time

* Romanticizing your everyday life in small ways

Things Mentioned

* Myquillyn Smith – The Five Stages of Decorating

* Homeworthy YouTube Channel

Final Thought

Your home doesn’t have to be perfect to be peaceful.

Start small, be intentional, and create a space that blesses your family.

Thanks for reading Sunni Annelise! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Hey mama 🤍

If you’ve been feeling frustrated because your old rhythms just aren’t working anymore this episode is for you.

We’re talking about letting go of perfection and learning how to meet the Lord, love our husbands, show up for our kids, and stay connected to friends in the season we’re actually in — not the one we wish we were still in.

Things change.

Energy changes.

Schedules change.

And that’s okay.

You’re not failing.

You’re adapting.

Let’s release the picture in our heads and embrace what works right now.

He’s right there.

Links mentioned:

The Way of the Wildflower Book by Ruth Chou Simmons

Today I’m sharing the simple systems that have made feeding my family so much easier — from ditching the dish rack to storing leftovers in clear containers to keeping a master breakfast list.

These aren’t fancy hacks. They’re tiny shifts that reduce decision fatigue and help you care for your home without feeling buried under it.

Inside this episode:

* Why I got rid of my dish drying rack

* How storing glass containers with lids ON changed everything

* Why visibility in your fridge matters more than you think

* How to portion leftovers for grab-and-go lunches

* The power of a master breakfast + lunch list

* Taping recipes inside cabinet doors

* Creating a master grocery list that saves your sanity

You don’t need a bigger kitchen.

You need fewer decisions.

Let’s simplify so you can be right there.

—

If this episode blessed you, would you share it with a friend? That’s how this little podcast grows 🤍

Thanks for reading Sunni Annelise! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Hey mama,

In today’s episode, we’re talking about realistic goals for moms who feel discouraged by comparison and overwhelmed by the pressure to “do it all.” Using the picture of a garden, I share why small, faithful steps matter more than big, flashy routines—and how God uses ordinary, daily obedience to build a life of deep faith over time. If you’ve felt behind, this episode is a reminder that seeds always come before harvest.

References

* “Running one mile has more in common with running a marathon than sitting at home. Investing $100 has more in common with being a millionaire than being broke. Writing one sentence has more in common with writing a book than never writing one. It always feels small in the beginning and the big goals seem far away. It’s easy to talk yourself out of the early attempts because they feel kind of meaningless. But every race starts with one step. Every fortune starts with a small deposit. Every book begins as one sentence.

The real question is not “What is my current position?” but rather, “What is my current trajectory?” Doing nothing builds nothing. Put yourself on the path to something better. Start small, but make sure you start.”*- james clear

* Bible Recap (12-minute daily Bible plan)

* Daily Devo+

* Hymn Playlist

* One-line-a-day journal