One of the most important goals for the first 5 years of my boys' lives has been teaching them how to cultivate obedient hearts. This goal takes a high priority over everything else - school, creative time, and playing. We provide the boys with tons of opportunities to enjoy playing, exploring, and spending time together. But, when it's necessary, we'll stop and prioritize moments for instruction and development.
Read MoreI can feel spring inching closer! I love opening up the windows and doors around the house with relaxing music playing as we come and go. I’ve really enjoyed listening to a mix of new jazz, classical, and lo-fi electronic / hip-hop - It really puts me in a happy place. I’ve put together a collection of some of my favorite songs in a playlist…
Read MoreKnowing what's most important for each moment is complex. As we think through what this looks like on this platform, we hope it helps guide your thinking and create good habits as you make the most of each moment. We're launching "make every moment count" as a place to externally process giving intention to each moment and how it impacts our lives.
Read MoreSometimes, we just need something good and savory to pair with our breakfast or to stand alone as an afternoon snack. These cheddar and chive biscuits are my favorite right now. They’re super easy to make and they only take about 25 minutes from start to pulling them out of the oven.
Read MoreTurning 5 is a big deal. Well, every birthday in the Payne home is a big deal. ;) As you know, around here we don't just have a birthday, we celebrate a birthday week. Last year we had a big party for Emet when he turned 4 and invited all of his friends to join him at the trampoline park. It was one of the last big social events that we've been a part of since COVID…
Read MoreWe love making slime together. The recipe is really easy, it’s fun to make, and you get to play with it when you’re done…
Read MoreGoals are a hot topic right now. Part of this is because it's the beginning of a new year, and it's customary to start the year by making resolutions and setting goals. Another reason goals are getting a lot of attention is because of 2020 and how so many of us were affected by it. Last year changed how many of us are thinking about goals in 2021, and now we're all very aware of how outside circumstances affect our ability to achieve them. For many people, goals feel unattainable, frustrating, and not worth the effort and disappointment that is sure to accompany them. This does not have to be the case…
Read MoreThe world feels especially heavy right now. It’s uncertain, overwhelming, shocking and at the same time much of what I’ve watched play out is not surprising. I desire to recognize that everyone processes this heaviness and pain differently. I want to take the time to step away and reflect on my heart and motivation between keeping myself informed. I want to pause before I react, I want to listen, I want to silence unnecessary noise, I want to be someone that unites, I want to communicate with clarity, but most of all I want to stand for what is right…
Read MoreNow that 2020 has come to end another year of blogging, I put together a list of "reader favorites" from the year. Here are 10 of the most read blog posts from 2020.
Thank you for sharing this year with me! Enjoy!
Read MoreChristmas 2020 was a sweet one. We worked really hard to get everything done and then we stopped. Just us. We put our phones down, stopped checking emails, and shared time with each other playing games, putting together legos, and eating way too much food…
Read MoreI always look forward to our annual Christmas photoshoot. I enjoy capturing photos from our days and take a lot of them. :) But it’s actually pretty uncommon for all of us to be in a photo together at the same time. I love that each season of life is documented in some way. Each year, our photo has a story to tell along with it. 2020 hit us hard like so many others, but our joy, closeness, and love for one another is fuller, stronger, and greater than it ever has been. I love seeing this captured in these photos…
Read MoreChristmas decor has a way of changing the whole feel of our living space. And when it comes to decorating for the holidays some years I’m more in the mood for decorating than others. But 2020 is by far the most I’ve ever looked forward to and anticipated the transformation. This was the most into decorating the boys have ever been as well. I let them do as many decorations as they wanted to. It was a joy to see the excitement and anticipation all over their little faces…
Read MoreA few years ago we began making a scrapbook of all the photos and videos from Christmas and putting them into collections here on the blog. It has been a really special practice that has turned into a tradition for us. Of course, the work is done mostly for us, but I hope that this glimpse into our family is encouraging to you in some way…
Read MoreFor me, so much of Halloween and Christmas are all the traditions that happen before the actual day. When I think of fall, I instantly think of Halloween. It all connects naturally in my mind. We wanted to make this Halloween extra special for the boys with it being 2020…
Read MoreHabits will form one way or the other, it's a matter of whether the right ones will be established. It's easy for poor habits to create themselves. Creating good habits requires intention and purpose.
Read MoreI put together a new collection of fun Christmas music to help put you in the spirit. It’s hard to listen to these songs and not feel nostalgic and full of anticipation for the season.
Read MoreIn spite of 2020 and all that has happened this year, there is so much to be thankful for. Yet, when our minds slow down during quiet moments the future can feel uncertain and scary. I hoped there would be moments of quiet and reflection over the Thanksgiving week. But in addition to finding ways to quiet our minds I wanted to provide opportunities for us to consider and enjoy all of the things we have to be thankful for…
Read MoreIn a world that can feel so hard, what are you grateful for? (A question we should be asking ourselves every day.) Today this is my list…
Read MoreEven though we basically do a form of school year-round we officially started our new year at the end of September. No matter what each year holds, I’m thankful for the time we have together. Learning alongside them is the most wonderful kind of hard. Deeply grateful for their lives…
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