Welcome to Episode #23 with Mellanee Harmon!!  She is a Personal Trainer, Health/PE Teacher, Holistic and Wellness Instructor, Wife, and a Mom to a newly graduated son! This is the perfect episode to listen to as we gear up for the summer season! Mellanee has great tips and encouragement for mothers of busy families! She shares with us her personal journey to better health! She is here to help and support us with practical ways to create a new, healthy lifestyle with small changes! Reminding us that the decision to change a routine we've had for so long is tough, but its critical to a healthy life, long term!

I love that Mellanee can create a fitness plan that fits your specific goals and a nutrition program that encompasses four BIG issues determining the state of our physical, mental, and spiritual health!!  Visit her website, for health tips, recipes, at-home workouts, and healthy inspiration! She is so encouraging and will make a plan that feeds your needs and goals!! Definitely check out her 28-day program http://www.teamradiantlifeintl.com/28-day-program/, it is such a great plan with great resources!

I loved chatting with Mellanne about her son's recent graduation from high school! Her perspective on raising her son is such an encouragement to all mothers! You'll love her outlook on his life and embracing the change ahead!!

Mellanne writes, "Face your personal journey like a warrior with a kind heart, fierce mind, and brave spirit. Each time you face a challenge and you want to rebel or run and hide don't. You'll get stronger each time you go around!"

Check out http://www.mellaneeharmon.com/ and on Instagram @mellanee_harmon

If you would like to learn more about Happy Playces you can visit us at www.happyplayces.com or on Instagram @happyplayces

Thanks for listening!

Welcome to episode #22 with Amber, a writer, blogger, and creative designer! She is married to her favorite pastor and mom to two darling littles! She lives and loves the great state of Texas, where she and her husband have embraced the sense of community through their church and two coffee shops ~ called Coffee Waves! Amber is passionate about writing and creating, inspiring others to live life to its fullest, even after a great loss! She says, "Life with Jesus is an adventure!"

Amber opens up and shares her story of loss so openly and how she experienced a supernatural peace in the midst of tragedy! She says she is willing to write and share about her story in order to help others who are struggling with loss! Loving the scripture,"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9)!

Amber and I talk about daily life as a mom, she has such a great view of the reality of living a life with purpose, finding joy and peace in all that we undertake! We talk about what her constants are and what makes her HAPPY!  

You'll definitely want to check out her blog https://edengrace.life/where she is an inspiration to all to create and live life to its fullest!! Her pictures on Instagram give us a glimpse into her heart where she can be found at @amberbendett

If you would like to learn more about Happy Playces you can visit us at www.happyplayces.com or on Instagram @happyplayces

Thank you for listening!

My guest for episode #21 is Sarah Koontz, she is a Christian writer, speaker, hope-giver, coffee lover, blogger, chicken mama living on 13 acres with her family. She is pursuing her dreams and it was such a treat to chat with her about her story; exploring the beauty of God's design!

This is such a special episode leading up to Mother's Day! We talk about our relationships with our moms and our role as mother's. Sarah opens up about her relationship with her mother, sharing with us her own struggles with her mother and how she is working through those struggles. Check out her blog post on this particular subject, it's a great read! Beauty for Ashes: How God Redeemed My Mother-Daughter Story

Definitely check out her blog at Sarahkoontz.com she has an amazing gift of writing about faith, family, friendship, and inspiration!  Her gift to us is a free online bible study  Psalm 119 Bible Study.This is full of the beautiful truths of Psalm 119 and will teach us how to live our life without regrets, being single-minded in our pursuit of God, fully satisfied in God alone, and living a life in-step with God's word!

She is inspiring women to explore the beauty of God's design and says that she writes so that others may have hope. Sarah is encouraging us that through writing we are sharing something we wish we could hide, giving others comfort in our words!!

Make sure to follow Sarah on Instagram @sarahekoontz

I hope you enjoy our conversation and have a blessed Mother's Day! Celebrate our gift of being a mom, as well as loving the one's around us (our mom's, mother-in-laws, grandmothers, friends, and mentors) that teach us well how to be a mom!

If you would like to learn more about Happy Playces please visit us at www.happyplayces.com or on Instagram @happyplayces

Thank You for listening.

Welcome to Episode #20 with Gabrielle of Inspiring Honey!! Gabrielle is a 19-year-old entrepreneur, blogger, public speaker, philanthropist, childhood cancer survivor, student, co-founder of the Frosting Company, and founder of Inspiring Honey Productions!

I had such an amazing time chatting with Gabrielle about for her life story! She was diagnosed at a young age with cancer and went through 2 1/2 years of chemotherapy! She opens up about relying fully on God during this time, trusting in Him and believing it was all going to be okay! She shares heart wrenching stories of the way she was treated by her peers during her time of cancer and instead of letting it get her down she chose to forgive and always had a positive perspective on life! Gabrielle talks about the gifts that God has given her and how she strives to be who God is calling her to be!!

I am truly amazed at everything this young girl has accomplished in such a short period of time of her life! When I asked her what her plans were for her future she said I'm excited to go where God takes me!!

I hope you enjoying listening!! I can't wait for you to hear about their giving back program, her two podcasts, AND her great Instagram pictures!! 

Definitely check out Gabrielle at www.inspiringhoney.com, follow her on Instagram @inspiringhoney, and check out her podcasts on iTunes under the Inspiring Honey Show and The Gab Show.

If you would like to learn more about Happy Playces you can check out our site at www.happyplayces.com or on Instagram @happyplayces

Welcome to episode #19 of the Happy Playces Podcast! On this episode I circle back with Jake, while Dannie took care of their daughter Lisa! Jake and Dannie were on the Happy Playces Podcast episode #8.  And if you haven't listen to their episode I strongly encourage you to go back and listen to their story! They are two photographers traveling the world for a year with their daughter Lisa! Jake and I catch up while they are in Kotor about to head to Rome. We talk about their travels, photography, accommodations, and parenting! I loved listening to Jake compliment Dannie on tackling her fear of heights and her determination! He talks about how they are growing as photographers and working on adding drama to their pictures! He also touches on the idea of "home" feeling at home even abroad! 

I think my favorite part about this conversation was listening to a Daddy talk about his little girl! I know you'll love hearing him talk about exploring the world together as a family! Definitely check out their website at www.jakeanddannie.com and their Instagram account @jakeanddannie you'll fall in love with their absolutely beautiful pictures! 

I hope you enjoy the show and thanks so much for listening!

If you want to learn more about Happy Playces, you can find us at our website happyplayces.com or on Instagram @happyplayces

My guest for episode #18 is Brooke Lynn, a writer, speaker, nurse, and health and wellness enthusiast. In our conversation Brooke Lynn opens up about her life experiences, struggles and triumphs with abuse, poverty, marital demise, parenting, and eating disorders. She is an amazing women striving to become and accomplish all God wants her to be!

We talk about her book Raised by Strangers, the powerful true story of her life and will to survive. She says, "God snatched me from the enemy's hand and saved my life!" Her story is amazing and definitely one you want to hear.  I honestly couldn't believe what happened to her as a child, and her strength through it all!

Brooke Lynn looks at the hardships and dark times in her life, as ways that God is leading her to help others find the courage and strength for healing! Strength, Hope, and Trust are some key words that I take away from our conversation. She encourages us to take life one choice at a time! My eyes and spirit were so touched by talking with Brooke Lynn and I can't wait to share it with you! Such a great episode for you to listen to during this week leading up to Easter!

Make sure to check out her website at www.brookelynnbooks.com and for some daily inspiration follow her on Instagram @brooke_lynn_writer

You can learn more about Happy Playces at www.happyplayces.com or on Instagram @happyplayces

Thanks for listening!

I had so much fun talking with Nikol @beachseakers about motherhood, traveling, and what makes us happy! Nikol, is a wife, mom, traveler, and beachseaker who lives with her family in Manhattan beach! Nikol talks about falling in love with traveling at a young age and continuing that love into adult life and motherhood. We talk about our husband's love for traveling and how traveling partners whether they be friends, kids, or husbands; brings out the best in us and make traveling a whole new experience.

Nikol and her family have been on some amazing trips from Europe, Hawaii, Greece, China, the French Polynesia, and many more!! You'll definitely want to hear their upcoming travel list! We talk about traveling with kids and she shares some great insight and tips! I love that she says she is a more present parent when traveling with her kids!

Pura Vida!!! Coincidentally our families enjoyed the same fantastic trip to Costa Rica and even did the same zip lining tour!

Check out their Instagram page @beachseakers you'll love their amazing pictures of day to day life, as well as their wonderful travels!!

You can learn more about Happy Playces at www.happyplayces.com or on Instagram @happyplayces

I had so much fun talking with Sarah Blount. She lives in Oklahoma City with her husband and 3 darling kids! She feels her time with their ministry at New Song Church, motherhood, and marriage!

Sarah has an amazing story of opening herself up to live a life with and through Christ; following the plan that is laid out for us! We talk about being still and quiet so we can hear God's voice! The word FIGHT is so apparent in her life; the sad parts of her life story have lead to such happy parts of her life!

Sarah's blog is composed of wonderful posts filled with inspiration, encouragement, and wisdom! The story of why she started her blog will definitely cause you to grab a kleenex!

We close out with a list of fun stuff about her that is so entertaining to read and makes me want to make my own list!

Make sure to check out her blog at www.sarahblount.com as well as her photos on Instagram!  You can follow her @sarah_blount

If you would like to learn more about Happy Playces you can visit www.happyplayces.com or check us out on Instagram @happyplayces

Thanks for listening!

I had so much fun talking with Melissa, from Thrifty Family Travels. She lives in Australia with her family.  I loved hearing her talk about traveling with her daughter and seeing traveling through her eyes!! She hopes her daughter grows up knowing no difference in the people in the world around her, as a strong confident little girl!

She has a great family travel blog full of wonderful resources, itineraries, tips, all on a practical budget, with the best value in mind! Paying close attention to location, amenities, and embracing in the local experience. Melissa has such an adventurous spirit and she has been on some amazing trips. We talk about their most recent trip to Vietnam, as well as their upcoming trip to Indonesia!

You'll definitely want to check out her blog at www.thriftyfamilytravels.com as well as her photos on Instagram @thriftyfamilytravels

If you would like to learn more about Happy Playces you can visit www.happyplayces.com or check us out on Instagram @happyplayces

Thanks for listening!

I was so excited to chat with Jessica from @davis_family_adventures_abroad! Jessica and her family sold everything and moved from Canada to New Zealand! We had so much fun talking about her adventures in New Zealand and how this experience has opened her eyes to the amazing world around her. She is a very hopeful person with such a positive outlook on life! You'll love her story of being a dreamer and her encouragement for us to be present in the moment!! Definitely check out her Instagram @davis_family_adventures_abroad you'll love all of their amazing pictures!

You can learn more about Happy Playces at www.happyplayces.com or check us out on Instagram @happyplayces