How to Protect Your Marriage from One of the Most Common Causes of Divorce

No one gets married thinking about divorce, but we know it happens to so many couples. If we could figure out what causes it, would we try to avoid it? OF COURSE WE WOULD. We’re not dumb. There it is in black and white, on every list of the most common causes of divorce: money and financial issues. Here’s the thing – it isn’t a lack of money that makes the list. It’s the issues that come from not being on the same page financially with your spouse – not seeing eye to eye about money. Maybe one spouse is a spender while the other is a saver, or one insists on controlling every aspect of the finances without letting the other have a say. What is comes down to is that if you aren’t on the same page, with the same vision of your financial future as your spouse, there will be issues. So, how do you get on the same page?

How to Protect Your Marriage from One of the Most Common Causes of Divorce

(more…)

Easy Easter Pudding Cup Dessert Ideas

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SnackPackMixins #CollectiveBias

Easy Easter Pudding Cup Dessert Ideas #SnackPackMixins #CollectiveBias #ad

Hoppy Easter! We are getting in to the spirit at our house with these sweet little Easter pudding cup desserts. They are super easy to whip up, and give awesome Easter flair to afternoon snack time or after dinner dessert. Everyone in our family loves a Snack Pack, so this was a huge hit with my kids and husband. I’ll show you how to make them in less than five minutes to surprise your family with a special treat.

(more…)

Eight Natural Bathroom Cleaning Hacks

In our quest for a green lifestyle, we’ve tried lots of different things. Some worked for us, some didn’t. We love cloth diapers, but as hard as I tried I just couldn’t get used to a menstrual cup. We switched almost entirely over to reusable microfiber cleaning cloths, but I just can’t make the switch to using cloth baby wipes. Getting started with essential oils has opened up a whole new world of natural solutions for our home, and I know I’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg so far. Today I’m sharing eight super easy and eco-friendly cleaning hacks to help get your bathroom sparkling clean without using harsh chemicals or creating waste. I’m joining my amazing team of Oil Explorers to share our favorite tips for spring cleaning using natural products.

8 Great Natural Bathroom Cleaning Hacks

(more…)

Kid Art: Painted Mason Jar Scented Oil Reed Diffuser DIY

Kid Art DIY Painted Mason Jar Scented Oil Reed Diffuser

If you’ve been following along on our journey through The Jesus Storybook Bible during Lent, welcome back. Today I’m sharing how the Bear painted a mason jar to create a reed diffuser diy to help us better understand the story of the sinful woman anointing Jesus, “Washed with Tears” (Mark 14/Luke 7/John 12). Read on to find out how to create your own scented oil reed diffuser with your kids. It was a fun interactive art project for the Bear, and now he gets to enjoy the essential oils diffusing in his room. Mason jar reed diffusers make a fabulous child made gift for mother’s day or grandparents.

(more…)

Pottery Barn Inspired Tulle Tutu Easter Basket DIY Tutorial {Fabulously Frugal}

DIY Pottery Barn Inspired Tulle Tutu Easter Basket

Last spring I fell in love with a gorgeous white Easter basket from Pottery Barn Kids that came with a pink tulle skirt around it. I was *this close* to paying way too much money for it, justifying the purchase with thoughts of the Pearl Girl’s first Easter holiday. Thankfully I came to my senses and decided to make one myself. It was so easy to put together and cost less than $10 to make. Read on to find out how to make your own tutu Easter basket DIY and be sure to link up your latest frugal post to our Fabulously Frugal Link Party.

(more…)

Four Sweet and Simple Easter Traditions to Start with Your Family

Starting Sweet and Simple Easter Traditions with Your Family

Easter is one of my favorite holidays. I love the joy and the promise of new life that comes each spring, and I love dressing my kids in cute outfits and hunting for Easter eggs. As a young family with little kids, starting new traditions for our little family can be a challenge as we unite those of our families of origin with what we want for the future. My goals for our family Easter traditions are that they would be three things: memorable, special, and simple. I don’t want to add stress to an already hectic time of year, and I don’t want to get caught up in trying to make things too perfect while forgetting about what is really important. Today I’m sharing four simple Easter traditions we’ve started with our family to make the holiday special while keeping it stress free.

(more…)

Teaching Kids to Give

Giving our money, time, and love to others is an outpouring of God’s love for us. Teaching our kids to have giving hearts is important to us, because it will enrich their lives and help them to be people of gratitude rather than entitlement. Teaching kids to give can be a challenge, but it is worth it. We talk about giving, model service in front of them, give them opportunities to serve with us and each other, and try to lead by example. This week I got the kids involved in a giving project for my very favorite non-profit outreach ministry (YoungLives – a Christian outreach to teen moms & their babies), and tied it in to a story from The Jesus Storybook Bible.

A Lesson on Giving with Easter Eggs

(more…)

DIY Resurrection Eggs for Toddlers and Preschool Kids

DIY Resurrection Eggs for Teaching Toddlers and Preschoolers about Easter - Made to Go with the Jesus Storybook BibleEaster is one of my favorite holidays, bringing a joyful celebration of faith to our family every year. Though the holiday itself is filled with joy, the season of Lent reminds us of the suffering of Christ and is difficult to teach to young children. While teaching about Christmas is easy, because babies are fun and easy to celebrate, the Cross and Easter are a bit of a challenge. I created a set of DIY Resurrection Eggs for toddlers and preschoolers and paired them with stories from The Jesus Storybook Bible to help us teach our kids about the real meaning of the holiday. We still celebrate with bunnies and chocolate and cute Easter outfits, but this activity is simple to create and really explains it in a way kids can understand. Be sure to check out our other fun ideas for Easter here.

(more…)

Taste Safe Strawberry Lemonade Sparkle Sensory Play Dough

Easy Disney Photo Booth Backdrop + Our #DisneySide Party

Easy Disney Photo Backdrop

We are a Disney loving family and love to celebrate. We recently hosted a #DisneySide play date recently for some of our sweet friends and today I’m sharing a few easy tips to help you throw your own. I set up an easy Disney photo booth backdrop to take keepsake photos of the mamas and kids, made tasty Mickey Mouse inspired treats, and had a blast. We were so thrilled to be chosen to host a #DisneySide party again this year, thanks to the folks at Disney Parks. For more easy tips and activities to help you show your Disney Side, visit Disney Side Celebrations.

(more…)