Last week after naps, I gathered my tribe of small people to zip coats and buckle seat belts. While out running errands we shopped for nail polish and birthday party things (my sweet Natalie has turned FIVE). I’ve never bought five bottles of nail polish before, but I suppose that’s what happens when you have two… [Read More]
What is your rhythm for self-care?
There’s a floral tray on my bedside table that holds my frequently reached-for items: a bobby pin to pin my hair back, peppermint chapstick, my eye glasses, a pen, my beloved perfume oil. They are simple tools, pretty tools, but I didn’t intentionally put together this collection of favorites. Rather, the rhythms of my life did…. [Read More]
Year 2: the beginning of our homeschool journey…
We’ve begun our second year of homeschooling, and it’s quite surprised me how well and how fast it’s skipping by. I absolutely love teaching my children, however this wasn’t something I considered for our family when I became a mom in 2013. As time as passed, as I’ve come to know my children and grow… [Read More]
What are you reading this summer?
Just yesterday the kids and I planted flowers in a variety of places around our home. We are outside a lot during the spring, summer and fall months, and I’m especially looking forward to the beauty flowers add to our daily life. In fact, I don’t mind the weeds growing in the cracks near the… [Read More]
How we paid off over $65,000 of debt in 3 years (debt freedom part two)
(click here to read PART ONE of our debt-free journey.) (Date night: Zack and I are celebrating our debt freedom) Are you ready for this amazing, achievable announcement? Zack and I made our final debt payment on March 27th, 2019 ~ we are finally debt free! We worked so hard for three years and paid… [Read More]
On seeing the small details…
Last week I sat outside with my older two children and read a book, which was very much not the plan I had envisioned for quiet time. Moments before I had been reading inside on the couch but soon I was invited outside to see their newly built fort. They had the beach umbrella set… [Read More]
Learn to sew your own clothes! (NEW online course)
Fellow creatives: the ever inspiring Elise Cripe has created an online sewing course focused around garment sewing. Can you even believe it? I’m personally thrilled for her newest creative endeavor. I mean, yes! Go Elise, go! For just $28 Elise will guide you through 13 written lessons, 6 step-by-step video tutorials of common techniques, and a… [Read More]
Look at those NEW Gussy ruffles!
Hello, hello! It’s really the greatest gift for me as a creative to make time for my interests. This is something I’ve had to work towards doing well, though, because as a creative I often get “lost” in the present. My husband Zack gently nudges me at just the right time, which is why I’m here… [Read More]
Exercising, getting out of the house, and how to stay calm with young children…
Before I answer your questions I want to know: have you heard the birds singing outside your window yet? I have, which means spring is near! As a Michigan dweller, this is very exciting. The birds that flutter outside our windows are precious to me. Their songs are a comfort after a long stretch of… [Read More]
Making time for myself as a mother of many, plus homeschooling…
One of my favorite things as a blogger is answering reader questions because it helps me feel like we’re sitting together as we enjoy good conversation. I have a long list of reader questions saved and will be sharing my answers with you through various blog posts. I’m really looking forward to sharing this series…. [Read More]
Thirteen thoughts in February…
Feeling really empowered lately by all the creating I’ve been doing. Setting aside this time to create, even subconsciously as I work with my calendar to preserve it is causing me to take notice. I feel different. I am still tired, often waking up 1-2x/night with one child or another, but it’s allowing me to… [Read More]
Here’s a GREAT resource for your handmade business!
Hey friends! An exciting announcement — a few years ago Elise Blaha Cripe and I co-authored an ebook called Building a Business. Inside this resourceful 37,000 word (!!!) book we share years and years of personal experience on our handmade businesses. This book is incredible. We broke down the content across six sections and have… [Read More]
Do you need to grow deeper roots?
This post is written to you today while I sit at the library. I really love being here when I write because it’s a quiet space. My winter scarf is next to me on the desk, and at my feet are two plants double wrapped in brown paper. Oh yes, you read that correctly. I brought… [Read More]
they’re back: Limited Edition Gussy Sews pouches are now in the shop!
SURPRISE! The Gussy shop is re-stocked with limited edition medium zip pouches! Would you look at the gorgeous fabric, ruffled fronts, and wooden buttons! ;) For many years I ran a handmade business called Gussy Sews. It began soon after teaching myself how to sew in the winter of 2008, when my husband and I… [Read More]
Sitting with a very dear friend…
Greetings to you, brand new 2019 year! I’ll just jump right in here. I’m not one to set lofty January 1st resolutions or find a wild new path to follow, however I am someone who enjoys sitting with my emotions and writing them down. Since I can remember I have thrived over the reality of… [Read More]
Need a baby shower gift idea?
A lot of time is spent in my children’s bedrooms, particularly the nursery which Marigold and Landon share. Since we’re talking about him, when did he turn 6 months old? Wasn’t he just born? Landon is such a happy baby. I love my children’s bedrooms because they’re filled with their found treasures, favorite craft projects,… [Read More]
Two of my devotionals: inside the NEW (in)courage Bible!
I’m really, really happy to share with you my latest devotional writing opportunity… Two of my devotionals for women have been published inside the NEW (in)courage Bible! And friends, the inside design is lovely. The color palette is encouraging, the gathered content is full of beautiful details, and because it’s the written Word of God the language… [Read More]
Three books I want you to read in 2019.
Reading is one of my favorite past times since becoming a mother, partly because it means the house has slowed to a quiet but mostly because it’s a chance for me to sit down and learn, laugh, lament. Do you know some of the most important things I’ve learned are from books? Topics like how to… [Read More]
Embroidering Madeline’s house!
As you can imagine, we are in a season of life where we read a lot of books on a couch, on a bed, in the hallway on the floor. I love to read, as does my husband, so this activity brings all of us a lot of joy. Its actually what encouraged us to… [Read More]
20 recipes perfect for fall!
The fall season has been here for a couple of weeks now, although in Michigan we’ve had some beautifully warm days. We are loving it! The kids and I have been able to play outside together a lot more, and yesterday I surprised the kids by walking to the park. We have spent a lot… [Read More]
Welcome to the world baby Landon!
Our family grew by one little person in June, and our hearts grew by one thousand! On Thursday, June 14th at 3:51 am we welcomed Landon Craig David (named after both grandfathers) into our family. He was my second biggest baby, weighing 8 lbs 13 oz and measuring 21 inches. All four of my children… [Read More]
Surviving (thriving!) as a one-car family…
We’ve definitely spent a lot of time at home this year. If you remember, Zack was in a scary car accident in January which left us AMAZED at the protection of God. Even though his car went under a semi truck while traveling on the freeway, Zack walked away with just a small cut on… [Read More]
Thirteen thoughts in May…
Feeling so so happy for Maxwell and his new running shoes. Our sweet boy loves to climb and run and ride his bike all over the neighborhood, and the night we picked out a new pair of running shoes he could NOT stop telling me how much he loves them. This is real joy ~… [Read More]
“A day away” to fill up our love tanks.
We have been in need of some mega family time! So many of Zack and my conversations seem to be focused around the kids and our home, chores and projects, and where we are with our debt payoff goals ~ all wonderful, great things, but also wonderfully, greatly adult ;) Last month our family… [Read More]
Life around here.
Birds singing (loud & proud) in the morning. Breakfast eaten outside. Morning school: story time, coloring, art projects. Windows open. Toddler time outs. Rinsing dishes; just one more cup of coffee. Attending a birthday party for a friend. Sweaters in the morning; barefoot in the evening. Braided pigtails. The quiet of naptime. Extra snuggles on… [Read More]
Baby countdown: 6 weeks to go!
How are we already at this point, about six weeks to go and then we’ll meet our FOURTH baby!!! It’s incredible to think my body has grown and carried four little ones, such a blessing especially because prior to Maxwell we struggled for over a year to get pregnant. Zack and I took a huge… [Read More]
A new Gussy wallet for the cash envelope system!
Thank you once more to the many of you who supported me in February when I announced I was putting my Gussy Sews handmade shop on yet another maternity leave ;) I was humbled over your generous support and wanted to make sure I shared my appreciation. The baby countdown is on: about 6 weeks… [Read More]
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