Healthy. Wholesome. Family. Life.
Our blog emphasizes healthy, wholesome, family-friendly, life-giving choices.
I don’t know about you, but I want to have deep, meaningful relationships with people. Deep, meaningful relationships aren’t possible, though, without both parties showing love, being truthful, and being authentic — not curating a persona that isn’t real.
Read MoreThis is a story I shared last Friday on Facebook:
Many years ago, while living on Guam, Mom (Anicia) would call and loved checking up on us and hearing our stories.
Read MoreEvery couple of weeks, he surprises me with a lovely plant or fresh bouquet. Earlier this week I was trying my best to process some new information that we got and prayed about. On top of that, I started missing my mom and wishing she was still alive.
Read MoreDo you have anyone in your life that you wish you could be more like? I sure do. There’s one particular person in my life that is so incredibly sweet and loving. They’re actually the sweetest, most-loving person I have ever known or even heard of.
Read MoreHave you ever done something because other people expected you to do it rather than because you believed it was right or because it was something you wanted to do? Sometimes, we all do things because we think that it’s what others expect of us. That’s not always a bad thing, but, in some cases, it could be a bad thing. On our wedding day, doing what I thought people expected of me would’ve kept me from sharing a sweet memory with my precious bride, Franicia.
Read MoreLast week, I was thrilled to have the honor and privilege of being the guest speaker for the graduation of Chattanooga Police Department's Police Academy Class 2017-1. It was wonderful to be back in Chattanooga, but it was really special to be in the presence of some of my favorite and most highly esteemed people on the planet.
Read MoreI was 18 when I saw Franicia for the first time and 19 when I had the opportunity to talk to her. I never guessed that she was the woman that I would marry and have the privilege of bringing 7 children into the world with. It's now 18 years since we first spoke, 14 and a half years since we were married, and now we have 7 children!
Read MoreBeing a mother must be awesome. The power that mothers have to affect change in society really is huge! The saying that, "the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world" pretty accurately describes the power that mothers have (although God is sovereign and is the One that truly rules the world).
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I wrote this on Instagram and thought to share it here. This is from our play time outside yesterday. :)
Tomorrow it will be 2 years since Mom died. 💐God was so kind to give me a baby who has eyes and a nose like her! 💕
Priscilla was almost born on her birthday too. When she looks at me, I see so much love and in some ways...a glimpse of Mom. 🙏
Sometimes it makes me cry and reminds me that she's gone, but mostly I am happy and at peace that I get to see her in Heaven one day! The precious and amazing gift from Jesus cannot compare to anything in this world. We are so grateful to the Lord for that! ❤️
Have you ever been so embarrassed about how you behaved publicly? I sure have. The last time that I was really embarrased wasn’t that long ago either. As painful as it is, I’ll tell you the story.
Read MoreFranicia, second only to saving faith, you are God's greatest gift to me!
Read MoreFourteen years ago Tim flew to my little island and proposed to me on the sands of Saipan.
Read MoreWhen Franicia and I were courting and then when we were newlyweds, we would kid around with each other from time to time. Personally, I figured that I was showing my love to Franicia when I would kid around like I showed my love to my brothers growing up. Something interesting would happen when we would joke with one another, though -- often, one of us would get our feelings hurt.
Read MoreI've always enjoyed buying designer clothing ever since I learned that many of them use high quality fabric and materials and in general last much longer than their inexpensive counterparts.
Read MoreIt has always been our goal to be open and honest with one another. As husband and wife, I think it’s most people’s dream to be married to your best friend. Best friends share everything — their goals, their dreams, their hurts, their pains….even their chocolate (thank you, Sweetie for sharing that Dove bar with me 13 years ago).
Read MoreCommunication is so important. But just communicating alone is not good enough. We need to communicate with love, wisdom, and discernment. We also need to communicate openly with our loved ones and give our expectations of what our loved ones will do to God.
Read MoreIn the first week of October, we were home after church service was over.
Shiloh came up to me and started singing Amazing Grace. She loves to "sing" various hymns and songs in her own childlike way, but this was one of the first times she was really singing that hymn.
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I smiled at Noah and Daniel and wondered what they were enjoying with friends.
Noah looked at me seriously and assuringly and said, "Mommy, this is not cow cheese. It's grilled cheese."
Mom in Saipan used to sing this to us as little children at times. I miss her.
The past couple of months I've been greeting our children this way before we start our day and when I'm out of my room. If Tim and I are up early we'll greet our children together.
I still get my snuggles and kisses in bed when the early ones come to me in the morning, but this is something I can tell they really enjoy hearing every day even in the midst of challenging times.
Good morning! Good morning!
Good morning! How are you?
Good morning! Good morning!
I'm fine. Thank you!
(repeat twice)
Someone forgot to tell the little boys to clean up their mess before they could eat their lunch today. That was me.
Read MoreOur mission is to encourage people to love the Lord and please Him in all that they do. We also love delicious, wholesome food, and enjoy life together as a family. Here you'll find encouragement and tools to help you on your journey to a healthy, wholesome life with your family.
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