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Simple as That

Making Everyday Beautiful

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  • Dear Moms: Self-care is the greatest gift you can give your kids. ⁣ ⁣ It’s what they want and what they need.⁣ ⁣ They want and need a mom who is happy. A mom who understands her value. A mom who loves herself and loves her life even if it’s not perfect (especially when it’s not perfect).⁣ ⁣ This will impact your kids in ways not much else can. Taking care of yourself isn’t just a nice idea for someday when you have time; I’d assert that it’s your responsibility.⁣ ⁣ You can do good in your home, your life, and your community when you take care of yourself first and foremost.⁣ ⁣ I recently took a quick weekend getaway to one of my favorite places on Earth (@banff_lakelouise ) with my mom and sister. Was it fun? Yes. More than that it was a chance to reconnect and take some time out for myself – get a massage – and come back to my family refreshed and renewed. ⁣ ⁣ It was a wonderful weekend but self-care doesn’t have to look like a girls trip or a spa day. I think the best self-care practices are the ones you fit into your days on a regular basis. Reading a book, going for a walk, painting your nails or my personal favorite – taking a nap!⁣ ⁣ What is one simple self-care habit that you try to prioritize in your life? I’d love to hear! 🙌🏼
  • Use This One-Step Formula for a Simple, Joy-Filled Christmas: 🎄 It’s the simplest thing you’ll do all season. All it takes is one word out of your mouth, and you’ll find yourself with more time and capacity for the JOY you’re looking for. Unfortunately, “easy” and “simple” don’t always go hand in hand, because this formula—although effective—isn’t always easily acted on. For a Christmas season with so much less stress and overwhelm: Say no. Say no to activities that take space on your calendar but hold little space in your heart. Say a gentle no to commitments that take you away from the people you want to be with or the frame of mind you want to be in.
  • Travel experiences are a priority for our family, but the value they hold for us doesn’t come from exploring exotic locations or whisking away to far-off places. The value comes from time spent together and the opportunity to build connections with each other. ⁣ As I think back to some of our most memorable family travel adventures, they weren’t exotic island getaways – it’s the close-to-home jaunts or spontaneous road trips that hold the most room in our hearts. Can you recall a favorite family trip like this that always brings a smile to your face?⁣ ⁣ Last week I had the chance to visit Bentonville, AR and I’m so excited to have found another beautiful backdrop to collect a few more family moments! Nestled in the foothills of the Ozark mountains this charming small town is definitely a hidden gem. ⁣ ⁣ I had the chance to walk some of the nature trails around the Crystal Bridges American Art Museum, experience a taste of the incredible OZ trails mountain biking trail system and I ate some of the most amazing food while I was in Bentonville!⁣ ⁣ I want to tell you all about it! I saved my stories from the trip in my highlights if you want to take a peek. I’ll be sharing all the reasons why I can’t wait to bring my family back to Bentonville with me next time in a blog post very soon! When it comes to planning a family trip what details do YOU most want to know about a destination? If you have any questions for me about the trip or about Bentonville in general just ask away. ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #hosted #visitbentonville #tasteandtravelbentonville #bikebentonville @crystalbridgesmuseum @visitbentonville @oztrailsnwa
  • In 2010 my husband decided to leave his chiropractic practice and go back to school. We took a huge leap of faith on what would turn out to be the adventure of a lifetime. ⁣ ⁣ We sold our newly-built home and most of our possessions and moved our family of six to a tiny island in the middle of the Caribbean Ocean. This decision was only the beginning of many changes for our family—⁣ ⁣ Certainly a change in location…⁣ ⁣ A change in culture…⁣ ⁣ And ultimately a change in perspective that would shape our life decisions moving forward in more ways than we could have ever anticipated.⁣ ⁣ On the island, we may not have had hot water in the kitchen or access to many of the conveniences of home, but we had the makings of a million memories, and we learned to collect moments instead of things.⁣ ⁣ In particular, our first Christmas there was “small” in every way compared to what we were used to. A bedraggled little tree, a paltry pile of Christmas gifts, a dozen paper snowflakes as our only decorations. But it was then that we realized how little you really need to make a Christmas you’ll never forget.⁣ ⁣ We may not have set out with the goal to simplify, but we experienced the benefits firsthand, and now, years later, we could never turn back.⁣ ⁣ Living with less — in our home and on our calendar — is a way of life we’ve tried so hard to hold on to since returning from the island.⁣
  • As women and mothers, much of the Christmas magic-making falls on our shoulders and when it comes to creating the holiday season we envision for our family, it’s so necessary to hone in on our priorities this time of year.⁣ ⁣ It's not about DOING ALL THE THINGS; it's about doing the most important things. ⁣ ⁣ What falls on that list of “most important things” for you this time of year? What things are you choosing to let go?⁣ ⁣ This year I’ve decided we aren’t going to get out all of the decorations. We’re going to keep things to a minimum, leave some things in their boxes and just decorate with our absolute favorite items. Less to decorate (and put away) feels like more room to focus on the spirit of giving and service as a family. @thegivingmanger
  • We celebrated this boy’s 14th birthday over the weekend. Don’t even get me started on how I feel about THAT! 😪 ⁣⁣⁣⁣ I wanted to share a few thoughts that were sparked by a conversation with my boy one evening when dropping him off for basketball practice.⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ I don’t know if he even remembers the conversation – it was brief – but it has stayed with me and caused me to reflect often on the things I want and DON’T want for my children.⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ What I want more than anything for them is a calm, modest life filled with love and a little adventure—but most of all, an appreciation for the ordinariness of it all.⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ Less striving for excellence. More time to exhale and take in all the beauty that life is.⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ Less competing. More completing.⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ Less seeking applause. More putting your arm around someone who’s lonely.⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ Less loud. More quiet. ⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ Less needing to be heard. More time to listen.⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ Less “I’m better than you.” More “how can I be a better me?”⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ Less striving. More silence.⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ Less running. More reflection. ⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ Less emphasis on grades. More focus on gratitude.⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ Less stress. More laughter.⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Less pushing. More patience—with others and yourself.⁣⁣⁣⁣