Do you have a large age gap among your kid and your wondering how to get it all done AND still spend quality time with the different ages and kids? Because I'm not equipped to answer this question at all, I have two wonderful ladies this week on the show to share some fabulous advice on how to handle this: 

Listen to the Podcast:

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And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast in iTunes.

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Amy Roberts from Raising Arrows

The first lady you will hear from is Amy from RaisingArrows.net. She is a mom of 9 kids ages 20 years old down to a 19 month old. She brings so much wisdom and grace to the discussion! You can check out her blog and her amazing podcast at Raising Arrows. 

Jennifer Ross from Confidently Called 

The second piece of advice comes from my friend Jennifer from Confidently Called. She is a mom of 11 kids age 27 down to 5 years old and I love her practical advice on the topic! You can check out her blog and her helpful podcast at Confidently Called.

The second half of 2017 and the first half of 2018 have been rough for me! I've been dealing with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and a host of hormonal imbalances that have left me utterly drained. It's been a long road to recovery (and I still have a ways to go) but I am thankfully doing a lot better! Listen in to here's what I learned this year (and what I'm still working on). 

Listen to the Podcast:

We also recorded this blog post as an audio podcast. If you want to listen in instead of reading, click play below or do a combination of both 

And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast in iTunes.

Right click here and save-as to download this episode to your computer. 

Links & Resources: 

Boosted Coffee which has become a MUST have! 

Adaptogenic herbs from Dr Axe

Adrenal Fatigue diet 

Thyroid problems from Dr Axe

Care/of Vitamins use coupon code HOME for 25% OFF your first order! 

Purple use coupon code HOME for 10% off

Getting into smooth and predictable routines can feel so wonderful. But what happens when we are suddenly thrown out of those routines and there are other factors that we can't control (i.e. work or a boss, school schedules, chronic illnesses or more)? How do we connect with the Lord when things feel so out of our control and out of the ordinary? Listen in today as we discuss this problem: 

Listen to the Podcast:

We also recorded this blog post as an audio podcast. If you want to listen in instead of reading, click play below or do a combination of both 

And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast in iTunes.

Right click here and save-as to download this episode to your computer. 

Developing a routine when it's impossible to have a routine

"I have a question that I hope you (or one of your contributors) will be able to address. I'm the sort of person who thrives with routine and predictability, meaning the most challenging aspect of parenting has often been the UNpredictability and ever-changing seasons of life! For the past several months, my 2.5 year old has gotten up at approximately the same time everyday and I've been able to develop a really strong morning routine before she wakes. I found my days felt so much better (at the encouragement of your podcasts!) when I could start my day with prayer/study, some light exercise, and getting ready for work. BUT suddenly the past few weeks my daughter has started waking a solid hour earlier, usually between 5:45 and 6am. Suddenly my precious morning routine has flown out the window and I am struggling to adjust! I just don't know how to find a new equilibrium now that I've gotten so used to having that time to myself. I do realize I could wake up another hour earlier but I was doing good to get my tired self out of bed at 6am, I truly cannot fathom getting up at 5am. On your podcast you've suggested finding ways to incorporate these things (reading the bible, etc.) in other parts of my day, but I honestly think that only works for women who don't work outside the home. Anyways, I would really appreciate some input into how I can adjust, both my actual routine but also (and maybe more importantly) my attitude and expectations." 

Parenting is continually adapting to each new season

Oh Megan, I can so identify. You work hard and are diligent about setting up a new routine and it works so smoothly for a while but then your schedule, season of life, or child changes and WHAM, that smooth routine not longer works very smoothly. 

In my very limited experience so far as a mom, that's one thing that I've learned over and over: there is no normal routine that stays established very long with young kids. Each new week or month can bring with it a new nap time, a teething toddler, waking up in the middle of the night, etc. 

A real life look at family photos ?

And for those listening who don't have young kids, there are so many different circumstances we can find ourselves in that do the same thing: chronic illnesses, a sick or aging parent, difficulty with schooling or homeschool, a difficult boss, a changing work season, a spouse who travels for work, etc. The list could go on and on. 

God knows and sees the season you are currently in

God knows and he sees the toddler who is waking up bright and early! He knows the routine is getting thrown off and maybe he's asking you to adapt to that and pivot. Maybe he's asking you to bring that toddler into the morning routine (and possibly simplify it). And ultimately, he's asking you to trust Him in the process. 

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

So as tough as it is (and I'm telling this to myself) when the routines and seasons are not going the way we want,

I started a blog almost 9 years ago and I quickly fell in love with it! It started off as a hobby and a creative outlet and as time went on, I played with it more and more, and as of December 2015 this is our family's full time income. So whether you want to start a new hobby, invest in your writing skills, or make a little side income for your family...a blog can be a terrific way to do any of those (or all of them)! Here's my beginner's guide to blogging: 

Listen to the Podcast:

We also recorded this blog post as an audio podcast. If you want to listen in instead of reading, click play below or do a combination of both 

And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast in iTunes.

Right click here and save-as to download this episode to your computer. 

How to get started blogging

Here's the question I got: "I cannot tell you how often I look to your blog and podcast for inspiration and reinforcement in my motherhood, marriage, and homemaking. You and your creativity have inspired me to want to start my own blog also talking about homemaking. With that, I have many questions. Not all of which I will bombard you with, but for starters, how did you start your blog? How did you come up with the idea for your first post? Where did you draw your inspiration from?  Thank you for what you do for your fellow mothers and wives. You're truly a light in God's world."

I have two huge passions that I love teaching people about - homemaking for God's glory and blogging and online marketing!! I don't get to talk about my passion for blogging, marketing, and product ideas very often so this is fun for me! 

First thing I want to tell you about: Jason and I do have another side business that is sitting in our back pocket that we WILL one day get back to. It's called Our Work at Home Life and it's where we started to, and want to get back to, helping women and families build a blog or business for ministry and/or as a side or full income. 

If you are listening to this and you've toyed with starting a blog but haven't started yet, then I want to direct you to our guide How to Launch Your Blog for Under $100! We also have a free course you can go through on launching your own blog or business where we go more in depth! 

So when I started my blog, I was just writing about Jason and I and what we were up to. I would share pictures from our weekend, what I made for dinner, etc. It was basically like my online diary and it was purely a hobby. But when I started realizing that I like writing recipes and sharing my latest meal planning tip.

Slowly, I realized that my love of teaching was marrying perfectly with this new online platform. And slowly, I started realizing my true passions within homemaking. It was little by little and still to this day, my writing changes and evolves with the years. 

So don't feel like you have to have the perfectly polished idea to start off with immediately. It can change and grow, as it should as you change and grow! 

What is your passion?

The very best place to start is with something you are passionate about. Starting a business takes a TON of time, energy, and love. You will spend hours and years building this thing - make sure it's something you are passionate about! Otherwise, you will quickly get burnt-out.

Feel free to think outside the box! My main blog, Young Wife's Guide, is not something you would classically think of as a business. My blog focuses on Gospel-Centered Homemaking and encourages women to live for God! It's a VERY small niche and is more ministry than business.

I started writing about Gospel-Centered Homemaking because it's a passion of mine. I have spent 5 years so far deep in the trenches writing about it, developing products around it,

Last week, I interviewed Mary K. Mohler all about growing in gratitude and how to live this out in everyday life. The discussion was based on her new book Growing in Gratitude. As I've been reading through her book and meditating upon the interview with her, I've resolved to change some things in my own life when it comes to gratitude.

Listen to the Podcast:

We also recorded this blog post as an audio podcast. If you want to listen in instead of reading, click play below or do a combination of both 

And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast in iTunes.

Right click here and save-as to download this episode to your computer.

Cultivating Gratitude in Everyday Life

1) Gratitude in Difficult Times

This is perhaps the hardest time to cultivate gratitude in our lives. I know there have been difficult times and times of grieving where it can hard to know how to turn my heart to thanksgiving. But I know that even in those difficult times, God is calling me to praise His name and give thanks. 

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"I love spring flowers. They are some of the most beautiful parts of God’s creation. If money was no object, I would place vases filled with multi-colored bouquets all over the house. Roses are among the most beautiful and fragrant. We have no problem thanking the Lord for the beauty of every rose he allows us to enjoy, each one delicately created by our Creator in vibrant color. Yet I cannot recall even one time when I thanked the Lord for placing sharp thorns along the stems of those beautiful flowers, and I’m guessing you can’t either. There is nothing beautiful about those thorns, yet they are not there by accident. God chose to place them there—probably to protect the blooms from animals who may want to eat them." - Growing in Gratitude, Chapter 7.

She goes on to quote: 

"My God, I have never thanked thee for my thorns. I have thanked thee a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorns. Teach me the glory of the cross I bear; teach me the value of my thorns. Show me that I have climbed closer to thee along the path of pain. Show me that, through my tears, the colors of your rainbow look much more brilliant.'

How stunning it is for a blind man to speak of the brilliant colors of the rainbow! Oh that we would learn to thank the Lord for our suffering in specific ways as Matheson did. He asked the Lord to teach him four things: the glory of the cross he bore, the value of the thorns, the closeness to the Lord they brought him, and the brilliance of the Lord in the process. Perhaps this would be a good exercise for us as we test our sincerity to grow in gratitude."

And finally Mary sums up this chapter by saying, 

"This leads us to believe there must be a value in the thorn because, otherwise, God would not allow it to exist. He makes no mistakes. He is never mean-spirited or unkind. He sent his only Son to purchase our redemption. We are his! So, as Spurgeon wisely said, we go with that. We trust the heart of our all-knowing, all-loving, all-powerful God even when we don’t understand his purposes. We must trust him and keep praying, even with groans."

Recognizing that the "thorn" may have nothing to do with me except for God's Glory. 

2) Expressing gratitude to my husband (and kids) more 

This has been a growing conviction in my heart lately. We've had some battle of wills in our house lately with some disciplining and discipling we've been doing with the kids. This of course leaves me feeling discouraged, tired, and yelling some days. This also can cause Jason and I to be exasperated with each other.