7 quick takes vol. 34

linking up with Kelly for some quick takes. 

//1//

Alex and I share a holy hour Monday evenings. This week was my turn to go, and I hit the holy hour jackpot. The holy hour jackpot is when our organist is practicing during our hour. It's the best. Not only do I get to spend some quality time with Jesus, but I get a beautiful soundtrack to go along with it.

Thanks Rory!

//2//

I finally tried the craze that is LulaRoe. People go banana's for this stuff, and I've been curious for a while about why that is. So when the opportunity to get some at a discount came my way I thought, sure! Why not?

When I was asking around about sizing people said everything was pretty forgiving. So I got my Lula and tried it on and, People. Now I understand.

Pretty forgiving was an understatement. How about very forgiving? How about grace upon grace forgiving? How about perfect-for-moms-who-don't-have-time-to-work-out forgiving? How about elbow length sleeves to cover up less-than-toned arms? How about busy patterns to disguise postpartum lumpiness? How about something other than a wrapped v-neck dress for nursing? Yes please!

I was so thrilled with my loot that I busted out my selfie stick and got myself in front of my mostly white shower curtain so that I could show you all what I got.

No. 1: Nicole Dress. If it's warm enough, I'll wear this to Mass this weekend. Super flattering. Super easy to nurse in.


No. 2: The famed LulaRoe leggings. I've worn a lot of leggings over the last few years, and these are probably the most comfortable. Definitely the cutest pattern.


No. 3: Cassie Skirt. It's your standard stretchy pencil skirt, but with a totally unique pattern. Love it.


No. 4. Julie Dress. Love this silhouette. It is stretchy enough to nurse in, but I feel like I shouldn't pull it down too often or I might ruin the neckline.


I especially liked this photo ^ ^ ^ ^ because you can see a bit of my toilet in the bottom right corner. We try to keep things classy around here.

And in this one it looks like I'm gunna bust a move. Still trying to perfect my selfie stick technique. So, I hope that cheers you up if you're feeling down today.


//3//

I've been hitting a lot of jackpots lately. This morning I hit the perfect-car-ride jackpot. I took the kids on a little drive to pick up my aforementioned LulaRoe items. I had discovered an ancient Caribou gift card in my wallet the night before so we swung by the drive through for a cold press. It was a beautiful sunny day. Our car ride coincided perfectly with Kerri Miller's Friday Round Table. AND she was doing a book discussion ABOUT books that have been made into movies! It. Was. Perfect.

//4//

One of the silver linings of living in a place where it is winter 6 months out of the year is that when spring finally comes and you're finally able to bring your spring shoes down from the attic, they feel like brand new shoes! I was able to bust these beauties out this past week.


Hello old friends.

Then it snowed yesterday. Go figure. Hoping to be able to wear them for the weekend!

//5//


Have you heard of Ultimate Bundles? I've been hearing about them for a while and FINALLY decided to check out The Ultimate Home Making Bundle.

This year’s edition of the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle includes 50 ebooks, 21 eCourses, 14 printables, 2 videos, 2 audios, 2 summits, and 1 membership site.

It's a crazy-ton amount of stuff. But the thing that's really crazy about these bundles is the discount. You get all these incredible resources at 97% off! That's almost $2000 worth of products....for less than $30.

Yup. LESS THAN $30!


Here are some of the topics included in this bundle:


  • Cook up wholesome recipes for your family
  • Build stronger relationships with your kids (even your teens)
  • Discover speedy cleaning routines for the toughest messes
  • Rekindle the romance in your marriage
  • Put self-care back into your life
  • Finally enjoy homemaking.
  • Capture better photos of your family


  • I'm really looking forward to learning about that last one mentioned.

    Plus, it comes with over $290 worth of bonus offers from companies you’ll love (this is one of my favorite parts).
    • $15 store credit from Cultivate What Matters (international shipping available)
    • Free 1 month subscription from Kiwi Crate, $20 value ($15 off $50 shop purchase for existing customers, shipping available to U.S. & Canada)
    • Free 1 month MightyFix shipment from Mighty Nest, $17 value ($15 store credit toward next add-on order for existing MightyFix subscribers, international shipping available)
    • One project box from Detox Project Box, $25 value (shipping available to U.S. & Canada)
    • Free 1 month subscription from Bookroo, $18 value (box of past favorites for existing customers, international shipping available)
    • $15 store credit from Orglamix (international shipping available)
    • $15 store credit from Strawesome (international shipping available)
    • Digital download of the 2017 Hope Ink Calendar, $20+ value -or- $15 credit + 3 art prints from Hope Ink, $99 value (international shipping available)
    • Homeowner Lifetime Membership from HomeBinder, $120 value (digital)
    • Free 1 year annual membership from MollyGreen.com, $29 value (digital)
    Here's how it all works:
    1. Visit their website, take a quick look at all the goodness that comes in this package, then click the “Get my copy now!” button to go through their simple and secure 3-step checkout process.
    2. You’ll receive an email with a login to their online access portal, where you’ll begin downloading your eBooks, signing up for your eCourses, and redeeming your free bonus offers.
    3. Use their Getting Started Guide to pick the topic you want to tackle first and start your stress-less homemaking journey!
    This bundle is only available through May 1st, so if you want it, you need to get on it fast. If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, click HERE to check it out.  


    //6//

    We've got a new show! Detectorists! Jacqui recommended this one to me a few months ago, and as always it takes me a while to get on the bandwagon for things, so we just started it last weekend.


    When I heard the title and that it was British I thought it was going to be about female British detectives in the late 19th century.

    And boy was I wrong.

    It's about a couple dudes who use metal detectors and is set in the present day. But it is so so good. It has everything I want in a show, beautiful scenery, dry humor, sweet moments, great characters who draw you in and, despite their very odd looks, become so lovable. I have literally been smiling the entire time we're watching.

    //7//

    I'll leave you with a something else to read. My friend Susanna wrote this piece drawing parallels between Jane Austen and Natural Family Planning. Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors and NFP is one of my favorite things to talk about! It's a great read, and really affirmed for me why I believe so strongly in NFP. Thanks Susanna!

    Have a great weekend everyone! 

    //

    ultimate homemaking bundle links are affiliate. that means if you follow the link and make a purchase I get a percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. thanks for supporting this blog! 

    A Mother's Act of Contrition

    Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for all the yelling I did today,
    For losing my patience more times that I can remember,
    For rolling my eyes, and slamming doors,
    And forgetting that they're just babies, and they don't know any better.

    I'm sorry for failing to be a good partner to my husband,
    For blaming him when my day is difficult,
    As if his day spent with other adults is somehow responsible for my children's terrible naps.
    And for forgetting that we are in this parenting thing together.

    I'm sorry for choosing to do bad, and failing to do good.
    For being selfish instead of serving,
    For trying to escape instead of being present,
    For seeking earthly comfort instead of Heavenly treasure.

    I know that these things grieve Your heart, and I know that I don't deserve Your mercy.

    But I know that You still love me.
    Because after my child threw the most epic of tantrums,
    And after he spent three minutes in the time-out chair,
    I wanted nothing more than to pull him into my arms and say I love you.

    In these moments I can see what it must be like for You to love me through all my faults and failings.
    Nothing my child could do could make me love him any less,
    Even though sometimes he makes me want to pull my hair out.
    I'm so grateful that this is only a shadow of what Your love for me must be like.

    Help me, with Your grace, to start again, O Lord.
    Help me, with Your grace, to see every hardship as an opportunity to share Your cross.
    Help me, with Your grace, to remember my children are the sheep You have asked me to feed, the mission field you have placed me in.
    Help me, with Your grace, to give myself to my family, even as You gave Yourself for us.
    Help me, with Your grace, to love the way You love me.

    Amen