Author: Mackayla Turley

First off, let me preface this with the fact that our family isn’t religious. We do Easter in the fun-joy holiday sense, not for anything deeper. Our traditions would probably be different if that was different, but I’m typing this out in the hopes that some mama out there is able to get an idea or two to make her family’s Easter a bit more easygoing and enjoyable – religious or not. I have three young kiddos (7, 5, & 3 years old). Each will get an Easter basket from the Easter Bunny, but they won’t look anything like the…

We’ve all heard it… you’re out having a perfectly good moment with your kids are someone feels the need to interject with a sly “just wait ’til…”. I’m here to loudly, rudely interrupt that with a flat out no. Not a timid laugh and shrug, not a polite “oh, we’ll see”, not even a thank you tacked onto the no. A dead-eyed stare, flat out glare of a no. What exactly am I supposed to being waiting ’til? My youngest is old enough to sleep through the night and therefore so do I? All three of my kiddos are competent…

I’m not going to add to the endless parade of horrific facts in your feed. I think it’s safe to say that at this point, we’ve all heard enough to hesitate before handing our kiddos another piece of candy or drive-thru burger. However, knowing there’s danger in most processed food doesn’t answer the questions moms face everyday. What food am I going to feed my family and how am I going to have time to make that food? At first glance, switching to a mainly whole food diet seems daunting. It sounds overwhelming, time-consuming, and expensive, but it doesn’t have…

The concept of absence has been rolling around in the back of my mind lately. My thoughts on it are still a bit abstract, and heavens knows my mind has 90’s pop hits blaring and useless to-do lists getting in the way. Essentially, my theory is in a world full of more, more, more, absence is the secret ingredient to a happier, more fulfilling life. I’m not talking about just things, either. I mean, yes, clearing out the junk drawer and all your unneeded stuff is a hot topic for me. And obviously, if you can curb your consumption, you…

Find yourself wishing you had a friend that does a specific thing? Oh happy day, great news, shout it from the rooftops, you can BE that friend! Wish someone would invite you to events? Get to planning and inviting – if you’re hosting, you’re automatically invited. Can’t think of what you’d like to attend but want community and connection? Start by browsing low-key party ideas on Pinterest. Or think of something enjoyable you already like to do and invite some friends to join. It doesn’t have to be big – a bonfire, a walk to the duck pond, a trip…

 False spring gets me every year. The sun pops out for a week or two mid-January and I will whole-heartedly believe this is the lucky year spring has arrived early. My naivety makes for a great couple sunny weeks, but the gloom when winter returns is rough. Over the years I’ve started finding small, non-clutter ways to add some cozy to our home during the winter. I try to keep fresh flowers in the kitchen. Nothing fancy, just a plain-jane store bought bouquet to brighten my mood for a couple weeks. It costs less than a coffee run, and is…

 All three of my children clambered into my bed at 5:45 this morning. It was entirely too early – the sun hadn’t come up yet and I was still groggy. As the three of them tussled like playful puppies, I tried to cajole them into going back to their own beds without having to get out the covers myself. A futile task, really. My middle kiddo piped up “but this is my favorite place!” and it stopped me mid-sentence. This is her favorite place. Not the Princess Breakfast at Disneyland. Not the shark tunnel at the aquarium. Not her best…

The concept is simple: out-love everyone you love. Don’t track it, don’t worry about if it’s reciprocated equally, don’t weigh up the risk of looking weird. This can be applied in some way or shape to everyone you love. How do you out-love your spouse? Throw a towel in the dryer to warm up when they hop in the shower. Make their favorite dinner on a  Tuesday just to see them smile. Put toothpaste on their brush when you do your own. Be the first to say “hey, you’re my best friend” in the middle of an argument. Genuinely ask…

I’m a bit of a control freak. That’s weird to put on the internet, but if you know me in person – especially well enough to have been in my home – it’s pretty obvious. I like my kitchen towels folded a particular way, the beds made a specific way, the walls an intentionally chosen color. I have a method for wiping down the kitchen, resetting the living spaces, and even the fridge. Don’t get me started on the proper way to load a dishwasher. My books, clothes, and aprons are organized by color. My drawers are in order, our…

Seven years into this parenting thing, and I’m just now learning how much easier loving is when you’re not tracking. I’m not talking about tracking the basics. Go ahead and keep tracking who needs to eat a snack before they get hangry, which kiddo needs the next size shoes, the newest veggie they’ll actually eat, where you’re at on teaching them to read, which friends have birthday parties coming up, and all the other day-to-day comings and goings. What you can (& should) stop tracking is the emotional score. Stop counting how many weeks you’ve gone without a full night’s…