Pregnant with #3
Baby number 3 is on it’s way! Man things are different this time!
Read MoreSerena's March 2018 Debt Update
I don't know if I say it enough, but getting out of debt IS HARD WORK! Like really hard work. It's exhausting and emotionally taxing. But, it is worth it!
Read MoreSerena's February 2018 Debt Update
Ahh, we only paid $900 this month on student loans. Not. Good. But I have my reasons...
Read More12 Things I've Learned in my First 12 Weeks of Motherhood
Being a mom is fun! And hard! And exhausting! It's a full time job. It's a huge life change. Here are 12 things I've learned so far. A million more lessons to come.
Read MoreSerena's 6 Month Debt Update
Really good news! We have paid off $17,000 in 6 months!!!!!!!!! We drained our bank account, worked a ton, and prayed like crazy.
Read MoreSerena's November 2017 Debt Update
This month we had lots of "emergencies" that we cash flowed and lots of extra work.
Read MoreSerena's Home Birth Story
Aubree Jade was born on April 13, 2017 at 2:38 PM. She was 6.5 lbs and 19.5 inches long. She is beautiful and perfect. She was born at home.
Watch Serena's home birth story below. Her husband, Brenden, created this special documentary for school. It features honest opinions about home birth from her family, interviews with her midwife, and of course Aubree's birth.
Read MoreEmily's Birthing Center Consultation
Are you going to find out if it's a boy or a girl? What are you going to do for work? How are you feeling? Are you guys excited? What hospital will you deliver at? Do you have a bump yet? Have you been sick?
Read MoreHomemade Foundation
This is NOT a makeup tutorial :) Nope, the purpose of this video is to share my excitement about a recipe for a homemade foundation that I LOVE! It's natural, relatively inexpensive, and fun!
Read MoreBentonite Clay Face Mask
Bentonite clay binds with toxins to remove them from the body! And it works in our gut, skin, and mouth. When used on your skin as a mask, bentonite clay binds to your skin and extracts toxins from your pores. This helps to clear up blemishes, heal allergic reactions, and fight infections.
Read MoreDIY Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract contains only 2 ingredients--vanilla beans and vodka. It's super simple to make and tastes delicious. Pour it in a cute bottle and it makes a great gift!
Read MoreEmily's Debt Update - 5 Months
We are 5 months into our debt snowball. And now I really feel like snowball is the correct way to describe it. With each new payment my husband and I get a little more excited... which is the exact opposite way I expected to feel as I watched money leave my bank account as quickly as it goes in.
Read MoreCloth Diaper/Everything Spray
Healthy Kids on a Budget Tip #2
Make your own diaper spray. And better yet, this diaper spray made with Young Living’s Gentle Baby essential oil blend doubles as a good-for-everything spray for your baby. Plus, it only contains 4 drops of the oil, making it super affordable!
Read More2-Ingredient Dry Shampoo
Healthy Living on a Budget Tip #10
Make your own dry shampoo. Washing hair takes wayyy too much time. After you wash it you have to dry it, and then style it. Who has time for that every day? And then there’s also the fact that washing your hair too frequently can strip your hair of healthy protective oils. And store-bought dry shampoos contain all those chemicals that we work so hard to avoid. Good thing it’s incredibly easy to make your own!
Read MoreSage's Cloth Diaper Stash
Healthy Kids on a Budget Tip # 1
Use cloth diapers. They are better for your baby’s skin. They are environmentally friendly. They are significantly cheaper. And when you run out, all it takes is a load of laundry rather than a trip to the store.
Read MoreHomemade Toothpaste
Healthy Living on a Budget Tip #9
Make your own toothpaste. It can help remineralize your teeth and decrease sensitivity, it can whiten your teeth, and it can help balance pH to create a healthy mouth. And like always, making your own toothpaste allows you to control exactly what goes in it.
Read MorePreconception Lifestyle
Guess what!? My husband and I are kicking it into high gear and preparing our bodies for BABY #2! We are living a "preconception lifestyle," which means that we are working hard to create the best possible environment for a baby to develop. Ah, seriously so exciting!
Read MoreMy 8 Favorite Ingredients for Homemade Products
Healthy Living on a Budget Tip #8
Buy ingredients, not ready-made products… then make your own personal care products of course! Many homemade personal care products contain the same handful of ingredients. Making these products yourself is cheaper and allows you to control exactly what goes in them.
Read MorePregnancy and Infant Safe Bug Repellent
Healthy Living on a Budget Tip #7
Make your own baby-safe bug repellent. There’s nothing better than being outdoors. But if bugs like you, it can be miserable! Make sure you add a homemade bug repellent to your camping or hiking supplies so you can go explore without the red bumps to prove it.
Read MoreEssential Oil & Aloe Juice Toner
Healthy Living on a Budget Tip #6
Make your own facial toner. It’s important to use healthy and natural ingredients in your skin care products. What you put on your skin matters (we just can’t say it enough)! Try a natural facial toner that contains only a few ingredients to brighten and balance your skin.
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