March 23, 2026This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission on purchases made. Thank you! Happy March, Reader! I don't talk about it much on Instagram anymore because it feels like a lifetime ago, but for the first 4 years that I was a mom, I was a short order cook. I was making non-kid friendly dinners where I followed a recipe exactly, then frustrated when my very young kids wouldn't eat it. I would then feel like I had to feed them something so I would make grilled cheese,...
2 months ago • 6 min read
March 9, 2026This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission on purchases made. Thank you! Happy March, Reader! Dare I say we've made it through the majority of winter?! Spring officially starts in just 11 days and our 10 day forecast includes one day in the 70s! Now while I'm dreaming of open windows, short sleeve shirts and outside play... we just wrapped up our kids' big Christmas experience gift: Tickets to see Ben Rector in his Symphonies Across America tour. The closest...
3 months ago • 7 min read
February 9, 2026This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission on purchases made. Thank you! hey there, Reader! This week's newsletter is oddly specific and I hope you're here for it: All Things Powdered Tide. Yes, the laundry detergent. I first learned that powdered Tide could be used for more than laundry from Go Clean Co. She uses it to mop, wash walls, scrub toys, etc. What I was immediately drawn to: minimizing the number of products I needed to use to keep my home and...
3 months ago • 6 min read
January 20, 2026This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission on purchases made. Thank you! Hi, Reader! Minivans are a much-debated topic in the mom car world and my first thought when I hear a mom say they'd never drive a minivan is: "Have you put all your kids in there, your groceries, your stroller, your multiple beverages, turned on a DVD that linked to wireless headphones so you didn't have to hear it, and cruised down the highway without ever worrying that your kids...
4 months ago • 9 min read
December 9, 2025 Hi, Reader! Happy December! If you’re like me, you feel like we’re in the heart of the holiday season chaos. So many of us want to create magical memories for our kids, yet it can feel like no matter how much we do, there’s always “one more thing” we’re supposed to add. But here’s the truth: the most treasured memories rarely come from big budgets or perfect planning. They come from the way the season feels. And the easiest, coziest way to create that feeling? Engage all five...
6 months ago • 4 min read
November 24, 2025this post contains affiliate links Hi, Reader! Today's newsletter is something new, but highly requested: a realistic review of two gadgets our family has been using for a while: The Gabb Watch for kids and the Skylight Family Calendar. If you've followed me on instagram for a while, you have seen me talk about how we aren't a low-tech family but we do have a lot of boundaries and precautions around the tech we use and don't simply upgrade or add gadgets to our lives because...
6 months ago • 9 min read
November 10, 2025 Hi, Reader! The holiday season has completely snuck up on me - and I know I say that every year. But this year in central Illinois the 90 degree heat stuck around until early October and yesterday we had our first snow dusting with some of it still on the ground this morning. Which makes our true season of fall-feeling weather approximately 4 weeks long. 🧐 I started setting money aside for Christmas last pay period. I use my savings account in Ally bank that can be divided...
6 months ago • 3 min read
Hi, Reader! I don't know about you, but in the middle of Illinois it took a lot longer for fall to arrive - our temps stayed in the upper 80s until October 8th and our family schedule didn't really slow down until then either. Flag football season is over and it was a good one! Our second son who is 8.5 years old played on an in-house flag football team for the very first time this year and absolutely loved it. He was asked by a neighbor to join their team and it was a fantastic way to meet...
7 months ago • 3 min read
September 29, 2025 Hi, Reader! As I type this, we are less than 48 hours away from October 2025 - the final quarter of the year! Think back to January 2025. What goals did you set for your money? And where are you at in achieving those goals? If you're making great progress and on track to achieve or exceed your goals, I'm applauding you right now! Stay the course, you're almost there. Today I want to write to those of you who feel behind - especially those of you who feel so far behind that...
8 months ago • 3 min read