Over a hamburger and salad, I listened to a friend of mine talk about her son. She is a single mother, and her son’s father lives very far away. As I listened to her, it struck me how hard it must be for her to balance everything. Discipline and provision. Meals and snuggles. Field trip signatures and transportation. She is overwhelmed, and she admitted that sometimes things just don’t go well. But one of the things that was clear is that she and her son have a very special relationship. Even ... [keep reading]
Finding Meaning in the Mundane
Nobody warned me about the mundaneness of being a stay-at-home mom. Before you have kids, you read all the books on what to expect, and when you are pregnant, everybody loves to chime in with their advice to help prepare you for what’s to come. And while some of the advice might be the calming reassurance you may need in a moment of chaos, no one prepares you for the mundaneness of motherhood. I think we all know it doesn’t look like the perfectly painted images we see on Pinterest. But even ... [keep reading]
How to Thrive When Your Child Is Sick
We’re almost to the end of flu season, and thankfully my family has survived unscathed this year. But I’ve seen friends’ horror stories on social media about weeklong stomach bugs, fevers, and respiratory flu—the kind of days when motherhood isn’t such a joy. Even though flu season is almost over, germs can creep into our homes any time of the year, putting Mom in the driver’s seat when it comes to keeping it all together. No matter what kind of sickness hits our families, we’re supposed to ... [keep reading]
Seven Simple Steps to Raising a Hopeful Child
(Pt. 1 of 2) You can raise a hopeful child, no matter what their circumstances. Last month you learned that teaching your child to think and behave hopefully becomes an anchor, holding them steady in times of challenge. Easier said than done. Especially when you have a child like Axel who is literally dredging his feet into the floor, held down by the roots of “I can’t.” There’s nothing more frustrating than knowing he can but not knowing how to help him get there. Although those ... [keep reading]
Making the Connection Between Food, Health, and Your Child’s Emotions
Nearly 30 years ago, when I was first diagnosed with hypothyroidism and adrenal failure, my naturopathic doctor explained that the systems in my body were being worn down by stress and the toxic overload of products I had brought into my home. Say what? I was in my early twenties and trying to take care of myself, or so I thought. Wasn’t I too young to be worn down? It was an eye-opening and sobering revelation. About a decade later, when our now nearly 19-year-old son was a little over a ... [keep reading]
Embrace the You That God Created You to Be
Can I tell you how happy I am to meet you? I’m KariAnne. I wear yoga pants and messy buns and purple nail polish and currently own almost every shade of red lipstick on the planet. I watch Hallmark movie marathons and I have hands that wave when I talk and oddly long toes and I spend my days trying to find homes for abandoned furniture. I’ve been decorating since my first Barbie house, and I love a DIY, and for seven years, I’ve written a blog called Thistlewood Farms. I still remember ... [keep reading]
Could Cleanliness Truly Be Next to Godliness?
“That’s it! Starting next week I’m going to keep my room clean for the whole week,” my daughter exclaimed just after we finished cleaning her room. “Starting next week?” my husband asked. “Why not start now?” She laughed at his silly notion, but for my daughter to keep her room clean for a week would be like running a marathon. Heck, even keeping her room clean for one day would be like running a 5k. Sure, to some it’s totally doable, but not for my sweet and loving eight-year-old. She is ... [keep reading]
Why Healthy Grief is a Good Thing for Your Child
On Christmas day, my friend’s grandma died. This wasn’t just any grandma, this was my friend’s rock, support, friend, caregiver, and encourager. She was the type of woman who loved deeply, extravagantly shared what she had, and made those around her feel special. I didn’t know my friend’s grandma personally, but her absence in our community was felt immediately. I am the mom of eight children, six of whom are still living at home. Many of my children have special needs. Typical everyday tasks ... [keep reading]
Is Your Favorite Hobby Something God Can Use?
Joy. That’s the word that comes to mind when I think about @Reagandoodle, the Instagram account that features my labradoodle, Reagan. When I first started it, I had no idea that it would turn into something so big that it would be featured worldwide. At first, it was simply a way to showcase my love of photography and show off my uber cute puppy. It wasn’t until someone asked me why we got Reagan in the first place, that I realized his Instagram account could have a bigger purpose than ... [keep reading]
3 Prayers for a Healthy Marriage
Let’s face it, moms. Marriage is hard. And thriving in marriage is even harder with kids in the home. The past few months have been particularly stressful in my household. Between holidays, school breaks, financial pressure, and the ongoing stress of running our own business, my husband and I haven’t always modeled a loving marriage. But we’ve remained committed to making it the best it can be, in good times and bad. No matter what life throws at us, the one action that never returns void ... [keep reading]
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