I’ve been saving links for months with the intention of writing one of these posts!  What things have you been loving on the internet these days?   

#FBF // It sometimes feels taboo to admit that I love my epidurals.  I have so much respect for the ladies who choose the natural route, but Blythe’s experience was so similar to mine…every single time.  No stress or fear, just lots of relaxing and chatting it up with the nurses.  Happy to see a medicated birth told in such a positive, non-scary way.

Oven-Puffed Pancake with Blueberries // Adding this recipe to my list to try soon.  Looks so delicious! 


5 Surprising Ways Reading Fiction Benefits your Mental Health // I can vouch for #4, although I think pregnancy may have a role in that too.


Love and Loss Ring Pair // “Love makes our hearts whole, loss leaves an emptiness. Somehow we hold these opposing things together. The joy of love, the pain of loss conincide in our hearts. We wouldn’t change it–this beautiful paradox. It makes us better and braver and more tender.”  Loved the story behind this ring and thought it was perfect for my friends who may have lost babies to miscarriage.


Why I Decided to Stop Writing about my Children // Thought provoking.


These 3 Numbers in Google Analytics Will Help You Make Better Content // While helpful for blogs, I really appreciated tip #3 in terms of my shop.   


Sometimes you need to dance to the beat of your OWN drum. //  The woman in the gray sweatshirt = what I look like when trying to follow any type of dancing (Zumba, I’m looking at you).  This video had me laughing.  

Kitchen Sink Missionaries //  With all the horrible things in the news these days, I often feel helpless.  This is just one small example that we can do something, right where we are. 

Crash Course Kids  //  A gem of a Youtube channel, featuring science topics for kids.  I’ll definitely be adding these to our lessons.

Postpartum Depression is like the Ocean // This one was incredibly powerful and brought back a lot of painful memories of my own postpartum depression.  A good reminder that is okay and even admirable to get the help you need.


A Teenager’s View on Social Media // In short…I’m old.

The Crayon Initiative // Recycling unwanted crayons into unlimited possibilities.  I love this.

Reading Out Loud // I love the idea that the kids can flip through and reminisce about their favorites.  Definitely starting a book of our own soon. 

• Truth from Jim Gaffigan: “Big families are like waterbed stores; they used to be everywhere, and now they’re just weird.”

• 240 mornings: “On average there are 260 weekdays a year, counting holidays and vacations. If you take away those, you’re left with 240 mornings to get things done. 240 mornings to do your most important tasks. That is only 20 large, creative tasks a month.”

• Forever Notes Highlight Journal: “The Forever Notes Journal is a family journal designed for the modern mother, the mother that wants to capture memories and keepsake children’s artwork, but doesn’t have the time to manage multiple journals, baby books, and art boxes.”
• 6 Things the Happiest Families All Have in Common: “Research shows whether a kid knows their family history was the number one predictor of a child’s emotional well-being.”
• The 7 Rules of Compliment Club: “First rule of Compliment Club (yes… we can talk about Compliment Club): Look for the positive in other people.  This is imperative.  You can’t offer a sincere compliment if you aren’t looking for the beauty in the people around you.”  

Introducing a new series!    

• I’m just getting a taste of this with my five.  Good long-term perspective: Don’t Blink
• Humility for Bloggers was good food for thought.
• Jennifer at Little Silly Goose was laid off and has recently embarked on a different career path!  If you live in the Orange County area (specifically, North and Central Orange County and Southern LA County), be sure to check out her laundry services (or spread the word…I’m sure she’d appreciate the marketing help!)
• Loved this list of 15 Most Beloved Children’s Books…I always appreciate recommendations! 
• Just discovered this wonderful community for single ladies discerning their vocation: the Not Alone Series
• Embracing the Season: “I know that in a couple of decades from now, my house will probably look a little less Fisher Price and a little more Pottery Barn, but that’s not the season of life we’re in now.”
• An older post, but always a good reminder about kindness: Negativity Online

What great things have you read lately?  Share ’em in the comments!

There is just so much goodness around the internet lately.  Here are a few links I’ve found for your Monday reading:

• I love the idea of Thank You Thursdays (found over at Tabitha’s blog, Team Studer).  I think I want to do a similar idea with handwritten letters to family, friends and even that blog/Instagram friend I’ve never met.  The wheels are turning!
• I wished I lived closer to Atlanta so I could check out this amazing store that Anna found.  Looks so cool.
• Love these baskets and I’m tempted to pick up a few for my closet office.
• This post about self care was really great.  Winter seems to be the time of year when I tend to fall into a rut, so I’m making a simple list of things I’d like to work on.
• These Raw Oatmeal Cookie Bites look easy and delicious.
• Did you read this post: How to Keep the Toys from Taking Over?  WOW.  Just the inspiration I need as I work on revamping our playroom to work better for us.

1. These cookies are adorable and would be an awesome gift for the photography enthusiast in your life!

2. I loved this article: 10 Things I’ve Learned from Raising Girls.  My favorite was #6: Life is a miracle. “I knew this before I had girls. But I didn’t really KNOW this. My body co-knit their bodies with the divine. Their bodies might do the same someday. Their first breaths of air, their first blinks of light (moments that are honestly quite foggy in my memory), those don’t “just happen.” There is some mystery there that makes my soul want more of it.”  So beautiful.

3. We definitely won’t be accomplishing as much as we did last fall, but you know how much I love a list!  Katie Bower has some great ideas on her Fall Family Fun List that I want to add for next year.   

4. This DIY thumbprint pumpkin card is a darling idea for the grandparents. 

5. Did you hear about 30 Memories in 30 Days Challenge?  Such a great idea.

6. Next on my to-read list: The Shoemaker’s Wife: A Novel

7. I am on a cooking roll!  On my list to try: Buffalo Chicken Fingers, Bacon and Cheese Quiche and Baked Apple Donuts.

8. Ever read a blog post and felt like they were speaking just to you?  Or that you could have written the exact post yourself?  It just happened to me.  When I read this on Angie’s blog, I got goosebumps and a lump in my throat.  I desperately needed the reminder that I am beautiful, no matter what size I am.  Maybe you do too?   

1. Katie over at Blessed with Full Hands is sponsoring an amazing Virtual 5K Run to benefit sweet babies helped by the Little Flower Projects.  $25 (which is tax deductible, so double plus) and you are registered!    She has lots of fun giveaway items available for participants too…be sure to check it out!  The virtual run date is set for October 13th.

2. Chocolate Zucchini Cake, anyone?  Looks delicious!

3.  I’m really liking this grey and brown tote bag…the question is, can it hold all of my baby necessities?  Hmm…

4. One of the items on my 27 Goals list that I still need to accomplish is a silhouette of each of my kiddos.  I love that they capture a moment in time…these kids are growing too fast!  I recently came across this tutorial and it seems easy enough to do!  

5. I found this post over at Basic Ingredients incredibly interesting: Doomed to a Life of Dentist Bills…  What are your thoughts/experiences?  

6. Encouragement for fellow Mammas: The Hidden Life.  

7. Maybe it’s my weird sense of humor, but I found this Ice Cube Recipe hilarious.  The comments/reviews are even better.  

8. Do you read Ashley’s blog over at Under the Sycamore?  She is in the process of picking up her daughter in China…her post about their first meeting made me teary.  A must read.  

Since it’s Mamma Support Swap sign-up week, I thought it was only fitting to turn this week’s link list into a recipe box!  Check out these yummy meals and treats:

1. Janssen at Everyday Reading recently shared her favorite Banana Bread recipe, which sounds delicious.  Other must-try recipes on her blog: Green Calzones (a vegetarian meal) and Crockpot BBQ Chicken Sandwiches (a meal for the meat-eaters!).  

2. Jillian at Dear Emme brought over Strawberry Shortcake Muffins (using this recipe) to her neighbors…don’t you wish you lived next door?  🙂

3. Sarah at Clover Lane always has easy recipes that the whole family will eat.  On my to-try list: Tomato Parmesan Chicken, Garlic Roll-Ups, and Apple Bars.

4. I found these amazing Rolo Stuffed Snickerdoodles on Rachel’s blog.  I am dying to make a batch of these soon!  Other recipes I can’t wait to try: Better-than-Takeout Chicken Fried Rice and Cheesy Stuffed Meatball Sliders.

5. Joy at in so many wards finished the Whole30 Challenge this summer and shared this recipe for Paleo Mexican Meatballs.  I know my husband would love this meal!  

6. Have you heard of Skinnytaste?  Delicious meals that are healthy for you too?  I’ll take it!  I can’t wait to try the Egg, Tomato and Scallion Sandwich, Chicken Enchilada Stuffed Zucchini Boats, and Summer Vegetables with Sausage and Potatoes.

7. Maria and Josh over at Two Peas & their Pod have a treasure-trove of recipes on their blog!  The Grilled Ratatouille Pasta Salad looks perfect for a light end of summer dinner.  And Jalapeno Cheddar Grilled Chicken?  Oh yum.

Do you have a favorite recipe on your blog?  A tried and true family favorite or maybe something Pinterest-inspired that you just made for the first time?  Please feel free to link up and share!
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