Just 5 Things: Wynne Elder.

After some weird scheduling things with some of my guests, I had to put this series on hold for a few weeks. But we're back and there's a full month of great guests ahead for July. This month, we're hearing from some amazing women involved with Noonday Collection. I know I talk about it a lot, and that is because Noonday Collection truly is amazing. Amazing mission, amazing products, amazing leaders, and amazing community of people involved who support, encourage, and love each other really well!

So that's what I aim to share with you this month- the behind the scenes goodness of the Noonday community. We're kicking it off by hearing from Wynne Elder- one of Noonday's first ever ambassadors. Wynne was my Noonday secret sister this spring (I told you this community was amazing!) and it was so much fun to bless and surprise her every month. But she was also one of the big influences for me joining Noonday Collection. I have been following her blog for a long time and her words about making a difference and having fun as an ambassador played a big part in me deciding to do the same! With a heart for adoption, supporting others through infertility, and a seriously awesome sense of fashion- you will love hearing from her today.

Make sure, if nothing else, you read her response to number 4. And let's take her reminder to not feel guilty for letting others do things we think we're 'supposed' to do in order for us to do different things!

1. Give us your elevator speech. What's your go-to way to introduce yourself? 

My name is Wynne Elder + I’ve been married to my college sweetheart, Stephen, for almost 10 years. Together, we have two 4 year olds, Camp + Asher, whom we adopted from Ethiopia in 2012. I am a mama, creative, small business owner, passionate about community and creating spaces of connection + belonging for women!  

2. What has surprised you the most about being a Noonday Ambassador? 

The life long friends I’ve met for sure!  I started as an ambassador when I met Jessica + Joe at an adoption conference in 2010, and was excited about it being an opportunity to raise funds for our adoption and educate people on how their purchases really do matter - but in the process, I’ve developed so much as a person through the amazing friends I’ve met.  I also didn’t think I would have the opportunity to travel to meet our artisans in our African countries and see so much growth over the years in their lives and businesses. It’s all just been so fun and such a huge part of my story!   

3. What is one thing you say 'no' to (or hire out!) in order to say 'yes' to better things? 

Oh man, I am such an advocate of self care and saying NO to things that would take you away from things you want to always say YES to. So, I have someone come and clean my house twice a month - honestly, it saves so much time and also is giving someone else a job ;)  I think as women, we feel guilty for letting someone else do the things we “are supposed to do”, but there is great wisdom in asking for help!  Thanks to our founder, Jessica, encouragement - I also have a college girl who picks up my daughter from school once a week and stays for a few hours so I can have a full work day!  It’s hard to let go of those few hours of time, but I know I can be a better mom because of it! 

4. What would you tell your 10 year younger self? 

Oh goodness, I just actually spoke to a group of college girls about this very thing!  I told them they need to take advantage and take more naps! ha, but seriously - I wish I would have started to learn these “boundaries” better back then - letting my yes be yes, and no be no.  I told them something I learned from my friend Jen, when trying to discern if an opportunity is the right one - “if it’s not a hell yes, it’s a no”.  I would tell myself that I can be everyone I want to be, just not at the same time - so enjoy the present moment, and don’t always be looking to the future!  You will miss these days! 

5. If you could only wear one Noonday Collection piece forever, what would it be? 

You are just getting me where it hurts- ONE piece forever….well, I do hold onto a lot of “vintage”pieces, and so I think I would have to say my annies feather earrings! they are a classic and I won’t ever let them go! 

Wynne, you are the best. Thank you so much for joining in this week!

Hear more from Wynne:

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Just 5 Things: Shannan Martin.

  It's June- and a new month means a new focus for the Just 5 Things series! Because of some scheduling glitches with last month's kitchen focus, we'll pick that back up in the fall with some of my favorites. This month we're hearing from writers and you will love it. 

  What better way to start than with Shannan Martin?? Formerly Flower Patch Farm Girl, Shannan is probably my favorite person to follow on Instagram. I'm really intentional about keeping my feeding positive, encouraging, and following accounts that spur me on towards Christ. Whoosh. Shannan's account does that so well. She doesn't veer from hard things or tricky topics and instead encourages us all to wrestle with those gray areas. I love her story of going from a pretty typical middle America life to being flipped upside down and inside out and challenged in so many ways and redefining what she thought the Gospel looked like. 

  Girlfriend is so real. If you haven't read her blog, do it. And do yourself a favor by pre-ordering her book. I am SO excited to read it/really nervous about how it will challenge all my comfortable ways. You'll love her answers to the questions!

1. Give us your elevator speech. What's your go-to way to introduce yourself?

My name is Shannan Martin. 17 years ago I married a suit-and-tie political staffer who is now the bearded chaplain of our county jail. When I daydreamed about our future kiddos, they all looked like him (think blue eyes, but no beard). No one was more surprised than me when my family was built, instead, through the stunning gift of adoption. One of my life goals was to live a farmgirl existence on a piece of land. We did that for a while, then God relocated us to a shabby, easily overlooked neighborhood on the far edge of a city. What I'm telling you is, I got it all wrong and I'll never recover from my gratitude. God rescued me from what I thought I wanted and offered me the actual life he created me to live. 

2. What has surprised you the most about being a writer?

Aside from the shock of signing a book contract after seven years of writing for free, the most surprising thing to me is that I never feel like I've figured it all out. Writing is a tricky beast and sometimes even a frenemy. It causes me untold amounts of angst and is one of my greatest joys. It ebbs and flows. It keeps my humility in check and reminds me of my humanity every single day.

3. What is one thing you say 'no' to (or hire out!) in order to say 'yes' to better things?

Despite the fact that I've been blogging for almost eight years, I am the very worst when it comes to anything techy. I work around this in various ways (my blog is still hosted on Blogger, which makes all other seasoned bloggers gasp) but most recently, I've begun to hire out necessary tech-related enhancements. Part of me has felt a certain degree of embarrassment over the fact that I can't just FIGURE STUFF OUT, but a larger part of me now feels relieved that I don't have to. I can pay someone and go cook an elaborate dinner, instead.

4. What would you tell your 10 year younger self?

I would tell her that in exactly ten years, she will realize one evening that all three of her children showered on the same night with zero help from her. Those days of assisting small people with every little thing eventually do come to an end. She will feel a tiny bit wistful and nostalgic when it happens, but she'll also cheer! From the couch. While she reads a good book.

5. If you could only read one thing or from one author, who/what would it be?

I don't typically re-read books or re-watch movies. BUT, I have now read Tattoos on the Heart by Gregory Boyle three times, and I guard my inked-up, underlined copy like the hope diamond.

Thank you thank you thank you for joining in the series, Shannan! And thank you for being obedient and honest and sharing all the God is teaching you!

Read more from Shannan:

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Just 5 Things: Mandy Osborne. (Milk & Honey Tees)

  Taking a break from the Kitchen focus this month to share one of my all time favorite creatives, Mandy from Milk & Honey Tees. I own 5 of her gorgeous tees (one of each of these for the boys, this, this, and my absolute favorite- this one!) so you could almost call me obsessed. Her hand printed tees are crazy soft, have a great message, AND help to give back to people in need. Amazing, right? Mandy does all of this and runs her shop out of her home and it has been so neat to watch how God has taken her business and grown it like crazy in the last year. She is such a great encouragement to me for being obedient and faithful in the dreams God gives us. 

  With a booming business and absolutely gorgeous products, it would be easy to get caught up in the desire to grow and grow and create loose boundaries in the meantime. But Mandy sets a great example for doing what she loves while still protecting her time as a mom and wife. So unlike many hustling business, she shuts down her Etsy shop each weekend to focus on the other good parts of her life. I love that! 

  I sort of feel a comraderie with Mandy. As a mom of little boys and with a milestone birthday coming up this year (35 for her, 30 for me), and a heart for making a difference- I think we would be friends if Arkansas and Indiana were a bit closer! Her answer to number is SO good for us all to hear and remember. "God is in control, that He doesn't waste a single thing, and to enjoy every season." YES. He doesn't waste a single thing, even the hard or boring or confusing things we think we could do without!

Just 5 Things

1. Give us your elevator speech. What's your go-to way to introduce yourself? 

I'm a wife, a mom to 3 young boys, and an accidental business owner. I started my t-shirt busines, Milk and Honey Tees, on a whim almost 4 years ago and have watched God grow it slowly but surely every since. I work out of a little bitty office behind my kitchen, but somehow I manage to design, print, and ship all Milk and Honey products in this space. My life is a whirlwind of baseball games, dirty dishes, and light saber fights mixed in with running and marketing my little business. 

2. What has surprised you the most about having your own creative business? 

I've been surprised by just about everything God has done with this business! With my husband's encouragement, I started this whole thing without much planning at all. I thought it would just be a way to enjoy a hobby while earning a little pocket change to fund my fountain Diet Coke addiction, but it has grown into so much more! I never knew I would learn so much about business and marketing (which I actually did for a living before kids), that I would enjoy designing and creating as much as I do, OR that God would ask me and equip me to use my knowledge and talents to bless others. We have been able to raise awareness and donate money to so many worthy kingdom causes through Milk and Honey; and in a few short months I am traveling to Rwanda to visit & serve women who are learning a trade so they can get jobs to support their families, or even start businesses themselves. If you had told me any of that when Milk and Honey started in August 2012, I don't think I would have believed you!

3. What is one thing you say 'no' to (or hire out!) in order to say 'yes' to better things?

I have learned to say no to a lot of things, and to get help wherever I need it! I have help cleaning my house and even folding my laundry some weeks. I also recently started hiring out help for some of the most draining and time-consuming parts of my work. As a recovering control freak, this was HUGE for me--it's easy for me to allow myself to get completely overwhelmed because I'm afraid to ask for help or to let go of control. As far as my business, one the main things I say no to is plugged-in weekends. Several month ago I started signing off of Instagram on the weekends and also completely closing the online shop every weekend. This is pretty against the grain for a small business, but shutting down the shop and signing off of social media helps me to say yes to the BEST things--time with my family, and rest! 

4. What would you tell your 10 year younger self?

Wow, 10 years ago I was a young wife preparing to temporarily move away to a far-away state because my husband had just decided to pursue yet another degree after graduating law school. We had been married for 3 years (baby bride over here) and he had been in school our entire marriage. Our married friends were buying houses and some were starting families, and I just remember being SO ready to get on with life. I was working at a job I didn't love and all I wanted was to have babies and be a stay-at-home mom. Ten years later, I would like to remind that little 20-something wife that God is in control, that He doesn't waste a single thing, and to enjoy every season. My life now is more than I could have asked or imagined during those newlywed years, and looking back I can see so clearly how every experience I had and every season I went through has prepared me for where I am now. And I know that where I am now is preparing me for whatever He has for me in the future! I'm turning 35 in a few months, which for some reason feels like a milestone to me, and I feel like I am just finally learning some of these lessons. There are so many times that it is tempting to look ahead and wish for the next season, but I am learning to enjoy where He has me right now. 

5. If you could only make or have one piece of art in your home, what would it be?

Definitely photos of my sweet boys! I'm fortunate to know several photographers who are just incredible artists, and I am always so amazed at the images they capture of my kids. I love filling my walls with their beautiful photos!

Thank you thank you THANK YOU, Mandy! I love your tees and am so thankful you joined in the series. 

Hear more from Mandy::

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ps. need a cute gift idea? We LOVE these cute tees and always get compliments from strangers when the boys wear them!

Just 5 Things: Kristin Porter {Iowa Girl Eats}

  Phew! Things have been a little crazy around here lately and I'm really excited to get back into the swing of the Just 5 Things series. We're shifting focus this month and will be hearing from different bakers, cooks, and chefs! I love that we've heard from moms, creatives, and now women are amazingly talented in the kitchen. A little bit of everything! In June we'll hear from writers and authors, so if you know one or have someone in mind that you would love to hear from- let me know.

  I feel like I don't even need to introduce today's guest, Kristin from Iowa Girl Eats. If you haven't read her blog, you have surely made on of her amazing recipes. She has become my go-to girl for salad recipes and I loveLoveLOVE her Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese. She has SO many yummy recipes, with a focus on gluten-free and healthier living. And she's definitely my kind of girl, because she lives by the 70/30 rule – 70% healthy living, 30% sanity-saving splurges!

  I think you'll love what Kristin has to say today- especially what she would tell her 10 year younger self. Let's all do a little better at living in the moment! 

Just 5 Things

1. Give us your elevator speech. What's your go-to way to introduce yourself?

My name is Kristin Porter – a mama, wife, sister, daughter, friend, and food blogger from central Iowa. I love summer, eating, mojitos, traveling, eating, girl time, and did I mention eating? It’s no wonder I’m a food blogger! My son is 2-1/2 years old, and six months after he was born I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, which was likely triggered by a really bad labor and delivery. The diagnosis came with a “prescription” to live and eat gluten-free, which I now write about on my blog Iowa Girl Eats. Living gluten-free is still incredibly challenging even 2-1/2 years after my diagnosis, but I love helping people new to the lifestyle live and eat safely and deliciously.

2. What has surprised you the most about having your own cooking business (blog, ebook, etc)?

Just how much work running your own business is! As the CEO of IGE not only am I responsible for creating content, but heading up sales, marketing, technology, R&D, accounting…I think you get the picture. It always surprises people when I tell them that the actual act of cooking and writing a blog post takes the least amount of time of anything I do for the business.

3. What is one thing you say 'no' to (or hire out!) in order to say 'yes' to better things?

Social media. As a small business owner with no other full time employees, and only so many work hours in a day, I’m constantly asking myself – does this particular task require a skill set that only I possess? Activities like scheduling pins, Facebook posts, tweets, etc take a ton of time, but don’t necessarily require me, Kristin Porter, to physically do them. These are easy tasks to delegate and, as a result, I’m left with more time to grow my business through product planning and development, and furthering business relationships. 

4. What would you tell your 10 year younger self?

Enjoy today. Stop planning tomorrow and be in the moment right now. I think having our son really helped me with this. Prior to him coming along I was always planning our next vacation, researching our next house, etc. but he’s really taught me (whether he knows it or not!) to savor today because life moves so incredibly fast.

5. If you could only eat one thing or use one kitchen tool forever, what would it be?

Oh man, the million-dollar question! If I could only eat one thing for the rest of my life it would probably be…pizza. Really original, right?! Preferably a Neapolitan-style Pizza Margherita with an entire bouquet of fresh basil on top. Ohhh, I can taste it now. ;)

Thank you, Kristin!! I'm SO honored you joined in the fun of this series (is it crazy obvious I'm a bit of a fan girl??) 

Hear more from Kristin::

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Just 5 Things: Tara Lowry.

  Ok, this series is officially the best thing I've ever done for this blog. If for no other reason than how much I'm learning and being encouraged myself! If you haven't yet, go back and read the others in this series. So many amazing, real life women sharing real and simple bits of wisdom. 
  This month we're hearing from different creatives, and I knew I wanted to ask Tara to join in. Tara, along with her husband, create really truly beautiful wooden signs. I have been loving them for years, and after a really generous giftcard from friends this fall, I finally snagged this one for Tyler's nursery. It means a lot to me and is a piece of art that our family will have forever. Actually, I have been following Tara's blog since I was a newlywed 7 years ago- I think before she even opened her handmade sign shop, Between You & Me Signs. Whether she was writing about parenting or marriage or recipes or decorating her home, I love how rooted in Christ she was (still is!). And after reading her answers to the question, I'm thinking of all the ways I can end up in Georgia just to schedule a coffee date with her. Tara, I can't thank you enough for joining in this series! As a mom of littles and still in the earlier years of marriage, I'm tucking away every bit of your encouragement and honesty. Hearing from women like you a few steps ahead of me in life is something to be thankful for!

{note her answer to number three! I'm seeing a trend on this one...}

Just 5 Things

1. Give us your elevator speech. What's your go-to way to introduce yourself?

This elevator ride is gonna be long{ish}.

I'm a child of God. It sounds a little Christianese, but it took me too many years to realize that this role in my life makes all of my other roles possible. Apart from Him, I am nothing! John 15:5

I'm Andy's wife. We met in college one spring afternoon, and he's been my jam ever since.  We'll celebrate 20 years this coming summer, and I'm telling you, it gets better and better and better. Hang in there! Do the hard work! Fight for oneness! Go to counseling! Forgive often! Believe the best for your spouse and your marriage!  Go on dates! Go away for just one night, as often as you can! Do whatever you have to do to have the most amazing marriage you can have.  You'll never regret it.  The oneness is truly out of this world.

I'm mama to three. Two teen boys (Luke, 16 and Seth 13) and one daughter (Lydia, 9).  Parenting has turned me inside out. It's been one of my greatest teachers.  As I am raising them, they are raising me.  When they were little, I had so many goals for them.  Now, I want them to leave our home knowing just a few things:

+ I want them to know that the love of Jesus is free and cannot be earned. 

+ I want them to know that our love is forever, no matter what.  Their sin should never surprise us, and God works in all things.  

+ I want them to know themselves because people who have self-awareness are easier to live with.

+ I want them to want to come home for visits when they leave. I want HOME to always represent love, joy, peace, and belonging.

I'm a business owner.  It still surprises me to say it.  Six years ago, I made a wooden sign for our home and it turned into a successful online business.  I've always been a words girl--recognizing that words have the power to bless and bring life.  

I'm a student. Two years ago, I decided to start on my master's degree in professional counseling.  It's my passion. I've always wanted to pursue this, and the timing finally worked.  I am set to graduate next May, and I can't wait to DANCE across that stage.  It feels good to have almost accomplished this huge task!  

2. What has surprised you the most about having your own creative business?

So many things have surprised me!  It surprises me that a DIY sign that we made for our home and posted to my blog turned into a business.  It surprises me, in the best possible way, that God would use something that means so much to me (WORDS of LIFE!) and create a thriving business out of it.  It surprises me that God has taken all of my strengths and all of my husband's strengths and allowed us to creatively work together. The whole thing--all of it---surprises me!  

3. What is one thing you say 'no' to (or hire out!) in order to say 'yes' to better things?

I've become gifted at saying NO over the past 5 or 6 years, in order to say YES to better things, like my husband and my kids and my sanity!  But, I'd have to say the biggest thing that I've done---that took me WAY too long to do, because apparently, I'm an overachieving crazy woman--- was FINALLY hire housecleaners to come in one time per month.  

It's the very best day of every single month, when those two precious, amazing, life-saving women show up to clean my house.  Our whole family gets giddy on housecleaning day!

For years, I got my druthers from keeping my house tidy and organized, but, with older kids and a thriving business and my husband's full time job at our church and me deciding to start my graduate program, it was time to let something go!  I wish I had done it sooner!!

4. What would you tell your 10 year younger self?

Ten years ago, I was 32.  I had been married for 10 years.  We had two boys, 4 & 6.  We were in the middle of an international adoption to China, for our little girl.  Our house blew up with sewage and we were displaced for 5 months. Fun times.

I'd tell that younger girl that God is always at work, even when it doesn't look like it.  I'd tell her to quit trusting so easily in her own strength and surrender to her need for God.  I'd tell her that the hard work she's doing now in marriage and on herself will pay off!!  Freedom and healing are coming!  

I'd tell her that the days with little ones are long, but the years are way too short.  Play more and clean up later. Stop worrying about how they'll turn out and stop being so easily embarrassed when they pull their shorts down and pee at the park for all to see.  I'd promise her that one day she'll laugh about all of it and see that so many of those things she is stressing about just won't matter.  I'd tell her not to lose sight of herself in being a wife and a mother because her husband and kids will be inspired by her living out of her passions. It'll inspire them to figure out what they're passionate about.

I'd tell her to bask in God's love for her and let it reach down deep into those hurting places and make her whole.  I'd tell her that those darkest parts of her story will be the very things God uses to lead her deeper into His grace. 

5. If you could only make or have one piece of art in your home, what would it be?

The easiest answer would be one of our signs, but there are honestly too many to be able to choose.  

I'd say it's a toss up between two pieces of art that I have.

One is a white church that my dear friend Jackie painted for me, and the other is a painting of Jesus that a local artist made for me.  They literally take my breath away each time I see them.  They both remind me of what matters most in this life.

And now you just want to go have a coffee date with Tara, right? Such words of wisdom! See more from her here:

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Just 5 Things: Caitlin Bristow

  So, we're a month into this series. What do you think so far? I'm not sure what I expected, but I was blown away by how much I was challenged and encouraged by hearing different answers to the same 5 questions. Being a mom is such a unique job, one that I think starts before you even conceive and never really ends after that. 

  And now-it's a new month! That means a new focus for the Just 5 Things series! All month long we'll be hearing from different creative women and their answers to the 5 questions. I love this focus because I wouldn't necessarily categorize myself as a 'creative'. I don't own a handmade shop or use my creativity to make a living. BUT. I love hearing from women who do those things well! 

  And what better way to kick off this month than with one of my real life favorite creative women?? I met Caitlin {the lady behind Lettered Life Shop} three years ago when we found ourselves starting a cooking club together. All I knew of her from our first meeting was that she had the most fun curly hair, bubbly personality, and ran a little Etsy shop out of her home. Ha! Her shop is actually huge and crazy successful and that is 100% accredited to Caitlin's talent, humility, and most of all- her trusting God with her business. 

  I love this girl. She's about to be a mama soon and, even though she ditched Indy for North Carolina {we forgive you} I love the once a year visits we're able to have! Caitlin goes out of her way to encourage and speak truth to all of her friends- and I hope you hear that in her answers today.

Just 5 Things

1. Give us your elevator speech. What's your go-to way to introduce yourself?

I'm a hand-letterer and lover of all things creative business! I have a shop where I carry home decor and paper goods, and I also do lettering for special events and branding work.  Lately I have dipped into the world of licensing and am really enjoying that aspect of the business as well. My husband and I live in Charlotte and we're expecting our first baby in June. We love being outside, attempting new recipes together and trying to serve as best we can at our church. Fave meal is good turkey sandwich followed by a chocolate chip cookie. 

2. What has surprised you the most about having your own creative business?

How much I enjoy both the creative and strategy sides of the business.  I'm a "maker" through and through, but I actually studied business in college, and Lettered Life has become a mash-up of things I truly love.  A day doesn't go by that I'm not future planning, managing finances, setting up new projects, and then setting that aside to bust out all my pens and writing utensils to letter away! While there are tricky and sometimes stressful parts in both areas of the business, I don't think I realized how much I would love setting goals and going after them on both sides. 

Also, it has been a JOY and an honor to have my husband's support in the endeavor.  I did not anticipate how much fun we would have together working on the shop, as Austin has been vital in helping me run Lettered Life!  (On the strategy/technology side, not the lettering...we still have to work on that part! :)) It's blessed our marriage and I'm so thankful.

3. What is one thing you say 'no' to (or hire out!) in order to say 'yes' to better things?

I'm still working on this one, but I've had to learn to say no to taking on lots of custom projects in order to make sure I can still have time to run the shop, plan for future products, take on commercial projects, and do all the things I want to outside of work as well. It is so easy to wind up working every hour of the day when you work for yourself, so I've had to scale back on that part of the shop to make sure I'm keeping myself, my relationships and the shop healthy!  (Side Note: My book reccs in this arena are The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurst and Essentialism by Greg McKeown)

4. What would you tell your 10 year younger self?

His ways are so good. His plan is already set in motion and it's better than what you can plan for, so just keep following chasing after Him! Ten years ago, I'd never dream I'd live somewhere outside of Missouri, much less have lived in several different parts of the country by the time I was 28! Creating art for others was not on my radar, much less was running my own business, but The Lord sure was setting me up for it with His wonderful and sneaky ways. 

5. If you could only make or have one piece of art in your home, what would it be?

Gracious! This is a tough one! Lately I've been eyeing this collection by Erin Gregory after seeing Emily Thomas sharing a piece she recently received for her mantle. If I had to chose one, I think I'd start with "Efflorescence 8." (Lovely pic of it via A Beautiful Mess here!

Thank you, Caitlin! I can't wait to squeeze that baby next time I see you! {I'm still guessing boy!}
Want to hear more from Caitlin? You can find her here:
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Just 5 Things: Lauren Shepherd

  Have you been following along with this series? I promise, whether you're a mom or not, you will love hearing from these wise women. 
  When thinking about this series, it was really important to me that all kinds of women were included; big bloggers and shop owners, everyday moms and even some of my closest friends. So far, I've included three of my favorite bloggers and today I want to introduce you to one of my best friends. Lauren and I went college together and were roommates senior year. We were in each others weddings and have walked through moves, job changes, four pregnancies, and just so much life together. Between the two of us, we've had 4 boys (!!) in the last two years and it has been so sweet for me to have a friend to walk through these early years of mothering with.
  She's also one of those people that you just want to be around because you can feel how deeply rooted in Jesus she is and you always leave feeling a little wiser because of her. She also has a killer knack for creating beautiful spaces! (Help me convince her to re-start her blog to share her gorgeous farmhouse!) 
  Lauren's experience as a mom is a really beautiful and painful one, and maybe you can relate. This May will mark her son Oak's second birthday and will be followed shortly by Davy's first birthday- such a real mix of bittersweetness. Her answer to #5 will surely make you cry and I so love her answer to #4- there's nothing more important than Jesus and relationships with people you love. Yes. 

Just 5 Things

1. Give us your elevator speech. What's your go-to way to introduce yourself?

I'm Lauren - midwestern wife and mother, infrequent writer, follower of Jesus.

My husband, Mark, and I have been married almost seven years, but we've loved each other since we were 18. After getting married and graduating college, we spent some time in Indiana and then Colorado before landing in Grand Rapids, Michigan. While in Colorado, our first son, Oak Philip, was born still three days before his due date, changing our lives forever. Fourteen months later, our second son, Davy Wayne, joined us and has filled our hearts with deep joy and our home with laugher again. 

I used to work in nonprofit fundraising and marketing, but now I mainly spend my days with Davy and fixing up the old farmhouse we now call home. 

2. What has surprised you the most about being a mom?

I was so surprised by how quickly Davy's personality and opinions started appearing! Even as a little newborn, it was clear what made him happy, annoyed, calm, etc. and so much of that has stayed the same as he's grown. The other thing that's really surprised me is how I suddenly felt this instant connection to other moms - even women that I otherwise have nothing in common with! There's something funny about motherhood that makes you want to talk for hours about things like sleep training, baby food recipes, and diaper brands. It's crazy!

3. What is one thing you say 'no' to (or hire out!) in order to say 'yes' to better things?

The main thing I've said "no" to in this season is full-time work. After Davy was born, I went back to a job that I loved for four months before deciding that I needed to create more space for health and balance in my life and our home. I loved my job, but after moving across the country, back-to-back pregnancies, and months of grief, we decided it was time to make some changes - the first being that I would become a stay-at-home mom. I've been home full time for two months now and it's been a really, really beautiful season for our family. I don't think it will be permanent (I love working!), but these days where I have plenty of margin to invest in my family, church, and community are so life-giving! 

4. What would you tell your 10 year younger self about being a mom (or life in general!)?

To take life one day at a time, and that there's nothing more important than Jesus and relationships with the people you love. 

5. If you could repeat one moment or part of being a mom over and over, what would it be?

My birthing experience with Davy was so redeeming after having a stillbirth the year before. Labor itself was similar with both boys, but the moments and days that followed Oak's birth/death were so terribly shocking and heartbreaking. When I heard Davy's first cries and finally got to meet him and see his eyes open, I felt joy like never before. The next few days in the hospital felt so surreal - we couldn't believe he was alive and that we got to take hime home! I'd relive those first days together again and again if I could. 

Lauren, THANK YOU for sharing this week! Wish I could give you the biggest hug and have a long coffee date with you!
Want to hear more from Lauren? You can find her here:
//instagram//
(but you should definitely leave a comment telling her to re-start her blog because she's an amazing writer!)

Just 5 Things: Jami Nato

Did you catch the last two weeks of the series? Gems.

And this week is no different! I reached out to Jami- on of my favorite bloggers and moms to hear from. You've surely heard of her and if not, do yourself a favor and hop over to her blog or instagram. She's one of those people who can speak hard truths while simultaneously being so funny that you almost wet yourself. That's a legit skill. With four kiddos and an awesome story of how God restored her marriage- I was so eager to hear her answers to the 5 questions. I LOVE how honest she is with them. Her answers to number 2 and 3 and 4 have me shaking my head and saying amen, sister.

  But seriously. Are you loving this series as much as me? I'm learning that I'm not the only mom who needs grace {duh} and that it absolutely ok to pay someone to clean my house so I can focus on other things. What's been your favorite take away so far? 

Just 5 Things

1. Give us your elevator speech. What's your go-to way to introduce yourself?

Hey. Do you like margaritas? Just kidding. Wait, I'm not.

I am a wife and mom ( to 4), an entrepreneur for an essential oils company, and I'm writing my first book, a marriage memoir coming out next year. Basically I have a ton of free time. 

2. What has surprised you the most about being a mom?

I think how much work it is. How tired I am. How I lost myself a little bit when I was at home for 10 years, just deep in it. No one really thinks about that stuff when they plan for a family. We romanticize the idea, but it is just so difficult when you're in it. It is well worth the sacrifice, I will say that. But it has surprised me, the process of giving up so much to be all in for the family. 

3. What is one thing you say 'no' to (or hire out!) in order to say 'yes' to better things?

I hire out a lot. I don't deep clean my house, I pay for that. I don't fold laundry either. I still try and cook 4 times a week, and the other times we scrounge or go out to eat. But I know that my time should be used in my gifts, and not in things that drain me so that I don't have time to operate in my gift set. My friend who is a genetic researcher said this to me once, "Not everyone can examine genes and do research for a cure for alzheimers. I hire out a lot of tasks, and get judged for it pretty hard, but I have to stay focused because I need to steward my gift well."  For me, It's not about whether I can clean or cook or whatever, It's about what is my calling and how do I foster that. That will touch on a lot of value and identity issues, though.  I want everyone to think I can do everything and be amazing, but the truth is, I can't. And I have to be able to admit that and be free from others expectations so that I can honor the gifts God gave me. 

4. What would you tell your 10 year younger self about being a mom (or life in general!)?

Girl. It won't be like this forever. But remember that you're a real person, like outside this momming and wifing. It's ok to believe that you have value in other places. Other than your husband, kids, and home. I know that feels really weird to believe that for yourself, but you are something valuable apart from this. 

5. If you could repeat one moment or part of being a mom over and over, what would it be?

Holding my babies for the first time in the hospital. Gosh. I just started crying. What a great moment. It is such a miracle and in that one moment, with that baby on my chest, I felt like everything was going to be ok. The world is all the sudden not as dark and hard. 

Can't thank you enough, Jami! You're answers are so encouraging and challenging!

Want to hear more from Jami? Find her here: 

instagram// blog// twitter// 

Just 5 Things: Paige Knudsen.

Week two of my favorite new series! You have to go back and read last week's if you missed it- I loved hearing from Kate. And guys, this week is just as good. I reached out to a mama I've admired from afar- one who is lots of steps ahead of me and finds so much joy in her kids.   Paige is a mom to 4 girls and it is so neat to see how she is transitioning into a season of parenting teens and young adults! Her answers to this weeks questions had me tearing up and taking notes. My biggest takeaways? Pray big prayers for my babies starting now, find freedom in saying 'no' to things, seek out/be a mentor, and make my husband #1 always. So, I'm basically taking away all of her tips. That tip about finding and being a mentor? Yes! We should all be cheering each other and passing on wisdom and encouragement. Thank you so much, Paige, for joining me in this series!! just5things  1. Give us your elevator speech. What's your go-to way to introduce yourself? My name is Paige Knudsen. My husband Dan & I are in the exciting, yet sometimes bittersweet stage of parenting young adults & teenagers. Our oldest will marry this summer, we have one senior at georgia state, one freshman at UGA and one freshman in high school. Four girls, each with completely different personalities! I’m a former pediatric nurse who essentially redefined my career path a few years ago, launching a photography business and representing Noonday Collection, both within a few weeks of each other. The opportunities the Lord has blessed me with in both these fields have been priceless! 2. What has surprised you the most about being a mom? When I was in my young 20’s i told one of my best friends at the time that wanted to have four little girls…raise modern day little women. Sure enough I have four daughters & I have loved parenting…the highs & the lows truthfully. No other area of my life has shown me more about God’s love for us then when I relate to my girls. I think what has pleasantly surprised me is when they were little, in the hair bow, mary janes & smocked dress stage, I dreaded the teen years. I can honestly tell you that stage has actually been my favorite. I love seeing my girls each develop into their true selves. I love seeing the choices they’ve made for school, career, & even silly things like fashion. I feel strongly that we “older” mamas need to encourage the younger mamas & help encourage them that each stage of parenting is a gift, even with trials, it’s a gift. 3. What is one thing you say 'no' to (or hire out!) in order to say 'yes' to better things? Hmmm. That’s a tough one. Personally I tend to think I can get more done in a day than I realistically can. Often times my own personal discouragement isn’t hid as well as I’d like…meaning my girls have seen me frustrated usually as a result of saying yes to too many things. Honestly, I think it’s a delicate balance how we give of our time & when we say yes and when we feel freedom to say no. It’s different for everyone but I encourage young mamas to really search their heart when opportunities arise and choose the best yes. Yes to your family might mean no to chairing a banquet. And freedom from guilt is a gift we should give each other as we’re really all doing the best we can! 4. What would you tell your 10 year younger self about being a mom (or life in general!)? Give yourself grace. I think we’re hard on ourselves as mamas. Just the other day I felt sad that i probably had let one daughter down with a decision I made about time. And pray. Pray for those babies. Pray for their future spouses. Pray for joy to overflow in your home. Pray for protection of your marriage and make him the #1. Not your kiddos. I know that’s tough, but try very hard to make him realize how awesome he is! 5. If you could repeat one moment or part of being a mom over and over, what would it be? Goodness Katie these are all such great questions. I think the days where my girls are joyful & loving what they’re doing, whether it’s a sport or they feel all pretty dressed up for prom, I love seeing joy & laughter spill out from my girls! Our home is far from perfect. I’ve been a far-from-perfect mama, but I pray that my girls know deep in their hearts how much I love them & cheer them on! And even more so, that they know the love of Jesus and that nothing will separate them from HIS love! I have no greater joy than being able to say all my girls love & follow Jesus! Thank you, Paige! I'm so thankful to have you as a guest in this new series! Want to hear more from Paige? Find her here:  instagram// blog// facebook// pinterest//