We fostered and then adopted a sibling group of five in 2017. There are a few things we learned along the way that we wish we had known when we got started. Hopefully, they can help you!

Let’s face it, homeschooling is hard! After our first year homeschooling last year, I knew I needed to put what I learned to good use to make this year a bit easier. Maybe this will help you too!!

This year, during the Lent season, I decided to do something I’ve never done before…participate in a Daniel Fast.

One of the main reasons I wanted to document this journey is to share an accurate picture of what this looks like for a person like myself. I'm a 40-something, overweight mom of 5, and I hate to cook. I know I'm not the only one like me reading Daniel Fast articles written by fit people who love to cook and are expert nutritionists or in fitness.

I knew that giving up caffeine, sugar, and processed foods would be tough. I actually quit consuming these 3 weeks ago.

Even though in many ways I’ve already begun my Daniel Fast that I had planned for Lent, I’ve not been as strict about things like lean meats and prepared salad dressings. We’re still eating out at our favorite places, I’m just choosing different items. My stomach doesn’t miss the sugars, processed foods, and caffeine at all! But…my heart does.

I am a notorious over-planner. I thought that I needed to have everything planned out for this journey. Meal plans for me and the rest of the family, grocery lists, recipes, etc. In reality, I need to focus on God. After all, that is what this is all about.

This idea of participating in Lent this year came to me several months ago. I had just quit my job to stay home and homeschool my kids. Though homeschooling was never on our radar, being a stay-at-home mom always was a dream of mine.