This is THE BEST pumpkin bread. It does fall apart when you don’t wait until it cools… so, eat with a fork! Seriously, it’s so BRIGHT! The orange peel is perfection with the ginger, nutmeg, and pecans. Ok, enough, here’s the recipe!

Fall Events in NWA! Hope you get to enjoy one of these events with your friends or family! 🍁🎃

It’s National Chocolate Day, a great day to celebrate chocolate with a super easy marbled cookie bark recipe! Serve as an after school treat today, add to a charcuterie board for Halloween evening, or make double and share with neighbors or teachers. Spread the love!

I get to keep the house dark and romantic (to me), burn alllll the candles I like, and all my big kids come home to keep a fire pit burning out front in the circle drive with their friends and hand out (and eat) candy.

I decided to gift some great moms with balloons, happy notes, and pizza! I loved that I had moms who tagged OTHER great moms-our mom friends need to know we see them and their daily sacrifices-and they are rocking parenthood. Heck, we all need a little happy and frequent encouragement in our lives.

Ahh..care packages! Those sweet little gifts from home that kids love to get (and we love to send!) that show them we care. Here are some things my kids love to get (and I love to gift!)

I see the big kids less and less (they just go out and get their own lives..what are they thinking?), so I know how fast it will go. I’m looking back over Facebook memories, and I’m a little sentimental today. I am praying to remember each and every little moment as important. Even the ones I’ve yet to experience. Here’s to the end of summer and intentional time with each of them this year.

I literally hate being in a deadly meal crunch and binge eating chips and dip trying to pick a recipe at the last minute. It is a nightmare. I feel the weight on my shoulders at meal time. I don’t know why (society’s expectations? a southern thing? no idea.) But when my kids’ tummies are rumbling, I have to put a plan together or die trying.

I am so thankful that the thing I feared was not the end of my girl. We know it is most dangerous for those with heart and lung problems . . and diabetes.

Read the texts though they come few and far between, respond gently, encourage, and be available if there are two minutes to talk before they fall asleep.

When I am on top of things (hahahaha!), here are some of our favorite easy-to-prepare breakfasts:

We knew we wouldn’t have them forever, and it was time to let them go.

Don’t stress over the little things. If I’ve learned anything . . I know my kids will call or text me if they really need something.

There are a few things I wish I’d known with the first child that I slowly figured out after the first couple practice kids.

When I budget funds for babysitting and date night expenses, when I allot the time and put a date on the calendar, and when I work to find babysitters who love to play with my kids (and my kids can’t wait to hang out with!), it demonstrates to my husband and family that I believe my marriage is alive and valuable.

I hope I am able to encourage and serve others, to make their lives better, and to help families thrive together.