As I was thinking about different quotes and song lyrics, phrases and thoughts about love, my mind remembered a verse that truly is the embodiment of how I want love to look for me and my family. To serve one another in love for our family means being kind and generous with our time, our…
thoughts
five things I learned in January
As I get older, I am trying to reflect more and more on my life, and especially, my soul. What things do I love? What gives me life? What makes me sad or tired or like I want to check out? By paying attention to my life, I’m hoping it helps me make good choices…
Updates to my #40by40 list (aka New Year Goals)
Last October, on my 39th birthday, I gave myself a list of 40 things I want to do before I turn 40. This list was started as a tool for me to practice defining what I want (because I am not very good at it) and has become such a motivating way for me to…
behind the scenes-ish
Fall is in full swing in the Pacific Northwest and I’m enjoying it this year more than ever. Here’s a peek at life this past month as seen on my Instagram feed. (sweatshirt from here) Last year at about this time we were moving into our new house and getting our old one ready to…
40 by 40
I turn 39 this week. My best friend growing up (who turned 39 in August) posted a picture on instagram earlier this summer about creating a list of 50 things she wanted to do before she turned 40. I loved the idea so much that I decided to follow her lead (but change it to…
Q + A day | In which you can ask any and every question
It’s been a super long time (like two years!) since I have done my annual Q+A day. Here’s how this works: Since I chat at you post after post, sometimes it’s fun to switch things up and find out what you want to talk about. For the next few days, I’ll be hanging out…
Currently | thoughts about life happening now
Every once in a while I like to play a game called CURRENTLY. I have done it in blog post form a handful of times throughout the years (here, here and here, for example). Basically, it’s just a list of categories and the first thing that pops into mind is how you answer. It is…
Sometimes life takes precedence in the work-life balance
The kids had mid-winter break last week which basically meant all things work flew right out the window. It’s okay, though. I think I needed a week off and I always strive to find that crazy balance between being an engaged mom and responsible business-owner. This week forced me into choosing and I went with…
The Best of JDC in 2016
With the start of a new year, it gives us a chance to look back at the previous 365 days. I love going through old posts and remembering what happened throughout the year. So here are the highlights and favorite posts from 2016: JANUARY The year started with an impromptu video house tour. This was…
#tired
When we look back at the year 2016, I think we are going to say, “Whew. That was a lot.” We road-tripped. We bought a house. We sold a house. We went to full-time self-employment. We created a new class and launched a new shop (well, as of next week :)). We parented four kids and…
37 Things (happy birthday to me)
1. Today is my birthday. 2. I am 37 years old. 3. Truth: I just typed that I was 38 and had to think real hard about how old I actually am only to realize that I aged myself by one year. 4. This is what happens when you start getting older. You can’t remember how…
Why Absolute Minimalism Will Never Feel Like Home
We often say that stuff doesn’t matter. And, yes, of course that is true. In the big scheme of things, stuff is meaningless. Absolutely. 100 percent. I always thought this was true, but now I can say that after living with very, very little, I believe it more than ever. It’s the people and the real life experiences that…
When putting on a swimsuit makes you crazy insecure
I’m about to do something crazy. Something every woman (except maybe professional athletes and models) would rather pull out their eyelashes one by one than do … Believe me, when I first shared this photo on instagram, I was a little freaked out. But I had a nudging feeling inside my heart and felt like this was…
a little bit of this and that (road trip edition)
Friends. We leave on our 3.5 month road trip in 9 days. I’m starting to freak out a little. As the date comes closer, our to-do list gets bigger. Our heads were beginning to bulge, so we taped up a laminated poster to a very visible door and have been adding tasks as we think of them. Things…
who am i?
I sat on the beach, tears streaming down my cheeks, asking the hardest question I could think to ask: WHO AM I? Towards the end of our trip to Hawaii last spring, I just needed a moment to myself. Just me. And God. On the beach. I get this way sometimes; it’s the true introvert in me. After…