It’s 2023. We spent NYE quietly at home, and that’s just how we wanted it. This Christmas season was good, but it did us in. . Several people told me that the second year after losing your spouse is harder than the first. I couldn’t imagine how that was possible and didn’t …

“If I fits, I sits.” Emmitt channels his inner cat any time there’s a box available. He’s killing my productivity, but he sure is cute. #EmmittUpdate

🏆 THE PUBLISHER AWARD The Good Book Company UK win this award for a second time, having published 6 books with more than 1 endorsement per 10 pages 🎉 -Write it on Their Hearts -Unwavering Pastor -Embracing Complementarianism -I Forgive You -A Jesus Easter -Ultimate Christmas Wishlist

Y’all. When we took off for Christmas, we kinda dropped off the grid. I’m not mad about it, but I missed getting to share this podcast release! . I had the privilege to talk with @carolmcleod_ about discipling our kids, and it was such a great conversation! I love her perspe…

Who else starts January with great plans and then gets derailed by life? 🙋🏻‍♀️ It happens over and over… our rhythm gets knocked out of sync and it’s hard to stay on track with lots of things. Discipling our kids is far more important than a workout plan or diet. Use our FREE mo…

My kid is in there somewhere. A big class last night meant lots of good rolls. . Parents, don’t involve your kid in sports just to keep them busy. Help them find something they love, then help them maintain healthy boundaries. If you sacrifice your family on the altar of bu…

Stalker. #EmmittUpdate

Sometimes I need to be reminded of things. Let’s be honest. A lot of times, I need to be reminded of a lot of things. I love using these lock screens to help me remember our focus for the week. . This is Scripture week at our house. Our schedule this week kind of got out of …

In case you missed this, Write It On Their Hearts by WITH the Swains, is a wonderful book from The Good Book Company UK aimed at those with children in their lives, and who want to draw them closer to God. A book written with love and care. 📝 Read my review here: buff.ly/3TyAvFY

Today, the kids and I leave the warm, sunny place we’ve been for the past few days and return home to freezing temperatures and dicy weather. This little escape was much-needed for all of us. The sun, the fun, and the time together was good for our hearts. . I’ve learned ov…

Our schedule is out of control this week. Things rescheduled from last week due to weather, a couple of monthly appointments, and a dentist appointment I forgot about all falling in the same week make for the perfect storm. And this is supposed to be our week focused on rest…

“Mom sat down?! Assume the position!” Emmitt is definitely a lover, not a fighter. And he loves you so much, he’s going to make sure you know it. All the time. Except for when he’s napping. But all the other times. #EmmittUpdate

God is the source of love, and he gives us the capacity to express love in many different ways that honor and glorify him. Love Languages, as taught by Dr. Gary Chapman, are not just for grown ups. . I’ve found that knowing my kids’ love language (and them knowing mine) hel…

Do we treat prayer as a conversation with God or more like a wish list? Conversation is both speaking and listening. We all know what it’s like to talk with a good conversationalist who knows how to ask the best questions to get deep into the heart of things vs. someone who …

It happens a lot - I run into someone I haven’t seen or spoken to in a while and they ask, “How are you doing? How are the kids?” . I truly appreciate the question, and I’m not trying to be vague when I answer with, “We’re good, thanks for asking.” But there’s not time or sp…

Does anyone know where I can get my hands on some Dr. Pepper Peeps? I don’t want to say why, but I think you know. #SwainFamilyFoodChallenge

This is connection week at our house, & we’ll have a few days when the schedule will be really full. But that doesn’t mean we can’t connect. One of the things on my radar for this week is a game of “Ask me anything!” . This is a game where I give the kids the freedom to ask …

This is a photo of my daughter’s d-group. It was taken by a friend who sees them meeting at the same coffee shop every week. What I didn’t know is that the girls often invite my friend’s five-year-old daughter to join them. . She said it means so much to her daughter to hav…

Happy 2nd birthday, Emmitt. He’s the therapy dog we didn’t know we’d need, the clown that keeps us on our toes, and the stubborn lug who drives us crazy. He’s the best. #EmmittUpdate

Rest. Sometimes it looks like clearing your schedule. And sometimes it looks like family game night and a spontaneous ice cream run. . Rest is so much more than slowing down your physical body. It’s taking time to laugh with your people, reading the book that’s been on your…