“And it’s a great day to be alive, I know the sun’s still shining, When I close my eyes, There’s some hard times in the neighborhood, But why can’t every day be just this good!” – Travis Tritt
These lyrics keep ringing in my head, it speaks so much truth right now! We are all quarantined at home, but that doesn’t mean the sun isn’t going to shine! Each day is what you make of it! Try to stay positive and stay healthy! Stay home, but get outside and soak it up! Fresh air and sunshine is so good for our minds and body! Your kids and pets will thank you!
We take Casual Fridays very serious around here! Whether you are working from home or homeschooling, take it outside! (weather permitting of course) The change in scenery will do so much good, fresh air, a little sunshine and some outdoor activity is good for the body, mind, and soul! You can easily set up activities for your kids, here are some ideas:
Tape stained glass patterns with tape in your driveway, color in with chalk and remove the tape for gorgeous patterns!
Set up a large tic tac toe board with chalk for your kids (and you) to play
Set up an obstacle course, use slides, trampolines, buckets, balls, whatever sporting goods or things your kids play with, make it as hard or easy depending on your child’s age.
Have your kids use a jump rope and do small sprints up and down the driveway, my kids love it and like to compete on many they can do!
Send them on a scavenger hunt and teach them about the kinds of plants, birds, whatever is in your back yard!
The possibilities for outdoor activities and learning are pretty much endless, be creative and have fun with them!
Of course, make sure to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen!
Throwback Thursday to my favorite vacation with my husband! Koh Samui, Thailand! This pic reminds me of such a peaceful time, granted it was before I had kids so obviously more peaceful! Lol! It also brings back memories of kindness and generosity. It’s amazing the things we have been taking for granted, travel, social interaction, and the ability to explore other cultures. I am so ready to take my kids on adventures in other countries, not being able to, makes me realize all of the missed opportunities. Most of us live in our bubbles going about our same day to day actions, and that’s ok, but it’s also ok to want more! Want more for ourselves and our children! My husband and I were planning our trip to Paris this summer for just us, which has obviously been cancelled, but I’m honestly glad we didn’t get to go as planned. I want to take our kids with us on our next big trip! I want to show them the world and let them explore, we are not promised tomorrow, why wait?! I always said we will take them when they’re older, but why? Why wait? Live and love each day to the fullest! Only god knows how much time we have and moments like the one we are in now is hopefully temporary and we can move on to our next moment soon. I say moment, because in the grand scheme of our lifetime, this is just another fleeting moment, enjoy it while we can. Enjoy the time we have with our kids home, working from home, our spouses home, wave to your neighbors from afar, call and check in on your loved ones! We’re all in this together and this too shall pass friends! Hang in there! What are you doing to check in on loved ones? Plans for travel when this is over? Let me know in the comments!
So, just like many of you, I’m entering the world of homeschooling and have no idea what I’m doing. Yesterday was our first day since we actually had our spring break last week. We went to our lake house which was a pretty perfect spot to quarantine for a while, we were pretty secluded. It was nice to get away from the noise and chaos going on in the world even if just for a week. It gave us time to reflect and decide what we are going to do next as a family. School has been postponed for a couple of weeks for now, but it could be till the end of the year, we just don’t know. So like many other moms, my homeschool journey has begun! Yesterday I started out the day with reading time, breakfast, writing skills, exercise(my kids hung with me for a 30 minute HIIT workout!) and other skills throughout the day. I tried not to get bogged down with the stress of having to teach my kids and tried to just enjoy seeing my kids eyes light up when they conquered the skill presented! Today, I’m working on the same skill for myself, one skill at a time, little accomplishments!
We need to hang on to our faith & know that the Lord our God will be our strength. It’s ok to be scared, it’s ok to feel lost, it’s ok if you don’t have all the answers when your kids are asking why they can’t play with their friends or return to school. We are all in this together and need to be united in our strength with God and heed his words and impress them on our children’s hearts. They are our future and how we behave in times of crisis shows them we can either be kind, generous and compassionate or we can teach them to be stonehearted, greedy and insensitive. Let’s be considerate of each other, stay inside, do our part to prevent the spread. Even if you are not worried for yourself, think of the ones who have immune deficiencies & the elderly. Hold steadfast in the Lord, for with his strength, we can endure all things. Spread kindness, spread love, spread joy. . . Just from a minimum of 6ft!
There are so many resources available to help you with homeschooling, I am linking some below that have schedules available and free printable which are such a blessing!
Also, Webster’s Pages has really beautiful planners and notebooks to help keep you organized and prepared! https://websterspages.com/
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Let’s talk Friendships and Grace for a moment! Friendships are such a gift, we get the chance to build a family out of mutual respect and love for each other, not just based on who we’re born with! Friends are the ones we go to with our highs and lows, we look to for advice and we reach out to for a shoulder to lean on. Some friendships can go years without talking and when you do, pick up like no time has past. Others take a day to day effort and a kind of “check in” with each other status. Either way, it’s ok!! Even if you forget to check in or go even longer than planned, remember to extend a little Grace to yourself and your friend!! We all have things that come up, some of us have a family with kids, others don’t, either way, remember that you are friends and giving and receiving Grace can make even the smallest obstacle a little easier. We are all saved by Grace, we have been extended the greatest gift of Grace by our creator, be his instrument here on Earth. We are only here for a short time, be present and enjoy it. Social Media has a way of pitting women against each other, we are always comparing ourselves and trying to live up to unattainable expectations. I for one can admit I am living in daily chaos, my house may or may not be perfectly clean everyday, I love my kids, but my gosh they can drive me insane! I know at the end of the day, my real friends will not judge and just give me Grace and let me know I am doing alright!
This is a tough time especially right now, people are acting crazy out of fear for the unknown. Let’s be patient with one another and be kind. If you’re a mom who stays home normally, it’s ok to hide in your closet for a few moments! If you’re a working mom who is now having to stay home for a while, don’t feel guilty if you are unhappy about it, you’re not alone! Just remember to wash your hands properly!
“I will walk by faith even when I cannot see.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
This is the Bible verse I try to Lead and Live by every day.
I try to center myself and Lead by God’s Grace, which is why the name of my blog is LuxewithGrace. Everything I have in this life is a Luxury and it’s all because of God’s Grace and the path that I have chosen to follow based on my Faith.
Faith is a huge part of what makes me me, I am 100% transparent in everything I do. I am who I am, and I am perfect in my Creator’s eyes. I spent much of my life trying to be perfect for me and everyone else around me, once I put all of that aside and focused on my Faith and my family’s relationship with God, is when I became full in my heart! I strive to walk in God’s Light everyday and be a light for those who may be struggling with their own paths. Walking by Faith will lead us to his Light, you just have to take the step!
I don’t know about y’all, but this girl is ready for Spring!! I know a lot of ladies’ favorite season is fall, basically for the fashion, but I am all about Spring!! Bring on the twirly dresses, fun skirts, t-shirts and florals!! I can’t get enough! I feel so much joy when I see all the gorgeous flowers blooming and of course my favorite as a native Texan, our amazing Bluebonnets! I feel like Spring 2020 is going to be full of surprises and happiness! One big surprise I have in store is a collaboration with a dear friend of mine, we will be working together to bring “a little southern grace” your way! Such an exciting time of year!!
This was posted on my instagram on Friday, February 14, but just now getting it up on the blog!
Happy Valentine’s Day! This is a serious #flashbackfriday❤️our first Valentine’s Day together, 17 years ago! It wasn’t actual Valentine’s Day, but a wedding around that time and since we didn’t live in the same city, we celebrated it anyway!! I loved him then & I love him still! Forever and always I have my Valentine! We don’t go all out and celebrate really anymore, it’s about the kids now, but he still makes my heart flutter! Regardless if you are Taken or Single AF, have the best day and do what ever it is you love to do!!
“A single rose can be my garden… a single friend, my world.” – Leo Buscaglia . . I have never been the girl with a gazillion best friends, I always have acquaintances and friends on the surface. I of course have my husband, my forever into heaven partner in life and love! But, every girl needs their one girl person, and this is my dearest and truest friend, the one who is there for me no matter what, no matter how silly the tears are or how minor the accomplishment. @lisasassygirl you are my ride or die and I am so happy we found our way to each other. Happy Galentine’s to all of you and know you are loved, even if you have felt alone or left out this valentine’s season. Remember your worth and know you are far more precious than jewels in the Lord’s heart!
.
Be the friend you want to have, be there for each other, stay loyal, and laugh a lot! Help with each other’s kids if you’re at that stage of life, ask for help from your friend and say yes when the help is asked. Be still with each other and seek the Lord together. Inspire each other and lift others up with your Grace! When you have that kind of friendship, all others pale in comparison. My dear friend does all this and more, her heart is pure Gold and she shines brighter than any rare Diamond in the World!
This week has been tough, but so rewarding. Being away from my husband and kids is always difficult, but sometimes it’s so nice to be able to visit family and truly be there just to support them. I was able to support my sister during her hardest week, and having the love of my family and knowing my husband can handle the Homefront without me is so relieving! It’s amazing how much you can miss your kids and husband when not with them! Sometimes as a mom, I retreat to find some solace and “me” time, but when away, all you want is to be back in the midst of mom life and in the thralls of chaos. When in someone else’s chaos, your chaos merely seems like a little background noise! I wouldn’t wish the stress my sister had on her the last 3 years of her life on anyone, but seeing her truly happy and lifted by God’s Grace as somehow made it all worth it. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in Spirit.” Psalm 34:18
The Lord takes our weaknesses and our broken hearts and if we allow and trust in him, our hearts and selves will be stronger and healed. I thank you Lord for being my strength and my savior. I thank you Lord for being my sister’s support and her guide. In her moments of ultimate fear and feeling worthless, you never let go and made her whole again. You have healed her heart and she can finally move on. Thank you Lord for your Grace and Light!
Traveling in God’s Grace with my daily devotional and Bible
melandchanel.com 