Nothing about their birthday is Pinterest worthy. If anyone dropped in they would probably think it the complete opposite honestly lol.

It’s full of cheap Walmart decorations, air filled balloons (because who has the money in this economy to blow on a $50+ tank of helium), ugly (yet delicious) birthday cakes, and homemade, simple dinners.

I remember when my older two daughters were first born I felt so much pressure to give them Pinterest perfect birthdays. Ones that you felt proud to post pictures of. Ones that ended up costing me an arm and a leg. And being a young mom with a lot of debt and limited income… birthdays felt overwhelming to say the least. But that time should have felt nothing but special!

I slowly started to create traditions that ended up sticking and my girls LOVE them and look forward to them all year. They tell everyone about them and recently as they were going on to someone about “all the cool things mom does on their birthday” I realized, I’ve somehow created the most magical birthday traditions by being so basic and that it’s the time and effort, not the money spent that makes it special for them.

So here are the four traditions I have somehow accidentally created that my kids think I’m super mom for.

1. Waking Up to a Room Full of Birthday Balloons 🎈
2. A Special (Sometimes Slightly Chaotic) Birthday Breakfast 🥞
3. The “You Pick” Birthday Dinner 🍝
4. The Infamous Sleeping Beauty Cake 🎂😂

These things seemed so small and honestly.. some of them were created with me sitting on the floor crying because I felt like I should be doing more. I felt like they deserved the Pinterest birthdays with the expensive decorations and the expensive bakery made cake with the icky fondant (personal opinion I’m sorry if I offend lol).

But the way my girls react…
the way they look at me and laugh, eyes full of joy..
the hugs, the “thank you’s”..

the “you are the best mom EVER”

Ugh. It brings tears to my eyes as I write this. I would give them the world if I could… but I’m learning that all of me is already more than enough for them.

So let me go into detail for you on each birthday “tradition” in case you’re trying to find some more magic to add to your kiddos birthday.

Simple, fun magic that they’ll remember and talk about for the rest of their lives (and probably carry on with their kids one day.)

Waking Up to a Room Full of Birthday Balloons 🎈

This one is so fun to start the day with! Either the night before or super early the morning of, I spend FOREVER blowing up so many balloons and carrying them in laundry baskets to their room to dump on their floor. I have a hand pump balloon thing that I normally use, but last year.. last year I stepped it up and splurged (like $20 lol) on an electric balloon air-er upper. This bad boy has changed the game and saved my arms lol. It is loud though, so I don’t recommend using this one early in the morning.

The kids wake up and hop out of bed immediately needing to wade through an absurd amount of balloons to get out of their room. I love sitting on the couch with my coffee and hearing their giggles as soon as they wake up.

different year, same balloon chaos

A Special (Sometimes Slightly Chaotic) Birthday Breakfast 🥞

Okay this one is always different. Sometimes I truly feel like super mom and I’m on top of my game. I’ll mix up pancake batter and use whipped cream and fruit to make it look like a unicorn or an ice cream cone, sometimes I’ll just add food coloring and sprinkles and call it a day. But something else I started doing that they LOVE (and shocker – is the easiest breakfast ever) is I get canned cinnamon rolls and lay them out on a baking sheet into the shape of the number they turned. So easy. (Do you see I have a theme here?)

Another “special” idea is I will take their cup and dip the rim in frosting and roll it in sprinkles and then fill it with milk. Literally shapes and sprinkles will elevate anything “normal” and make it special for the day lol.

Sometimes we’re thriving.. sometimes we’re just doing canned cinnamon rolls

The “You Pick” Birthday Dinner 🍝

The birthday kid gets to tell me their FAVORITE dinner of the year and that’s what we have. There’s no special reservations made, no fancy steakhouse, no big bills at the end of the night that makes us eat pb&js for the rest of the week. Sometimes it’s spaghetti, sometimes it is a little pricy because they request steak and mashed potatoes with extra butter, last night it was shrimp and Asian cucumber salad (weird combo but we rolled with it.) Whatever it is, it’s THEIR dinner of the year. And they love having that choice in that.

The Infamous Sleeping Beauty Cake 🎂😂

Now I know there is some major talent out there and I LOVE seeing the themed cakes people make for their birthdays. I’ve already shared my opinion on the taste on fondant, so I won’t restate it… so you can put your pitch forks down..

Instead I ask the girls what cake flavor and frosting combo they would like. And I go to Walmart and get the good ole, dye filled (I assume), sugared out, boxed cake mix and Betty Crocker frosting lol. (Special days don’t count. We give ourselves grace.)

Instead of dumping it into a 9×13 Pyrex and keeping life simple, I decided to do two round pans and attempt a layered, bakery style cake. Every year it’s a total fail.. but that’s the best part. It’ll be uneven, lined to one side, a chunk missing from where the frosting stuck to the cake and ripped it apart, crumbs mixed into the frosting, absolutely terrible. Ugliest cake you’ll ever see 😂. My family likes to tell me my cakes look like the Sleeping Beauty cake that the poor green fairy tried to make lol. But I think it’s safe to say the mom’s ugly cake is the highlight to their whole day.

I also put their age on the top of the cake in sprinkles. I do this very professionally by cutting a stencil out of printer paper and laying it on the cake, pouring sprinkles on top, and removing the paper, taking chunks of frosting with it 😂.

These traditions have become so fun for us, and honestly.. the laughter throughout the day is what makes it feel so special.

They don’t cost a lot.
They’re definitely not “Pinterest worthy.”
And half the time they’re a little chaotic and thrown together.

But to my kids? They’re everything.

They wake up excited. They laugh all day. They feel seen and celebrated in a way that no perfectly decorated party ever could.

And I think that’s what I’ve learned through all of this…

Our kids don’t need the most expensive decorations, or the most aesthetic cake, or a party that impresses other people.

They just need us.

Our time.
Our effort.
Our silly, imperfect, trying our best kind of love.

Because somehow.. that’s the part that turns into magic.

And if I’ve learned anything –
it’s that the sillier, the simpler, and the more “us” it is…

the more they love it. 🤍

Looking back through these photos…
the balloons change, the cakes don’t get any prettier 😂
but the joy?
it never changes.

And somehow.. it’s become one of those things that marks time for us.
Another year older, another layered cake, another room full of balloons.

The post Simple Birthday Traditions My Kids Love (No Pinterest Party Required) appeared first on Milk & Honey.

Well, reality was my husband this time.

Every year my sweet husband buys me hydrangeas and lavender because they’re my two favorite plants. And every year… they simply do not survive and thrive under my care.

I end up sending them off to my mother-in-law’s house so she can nurse them back to health. (She truly has a magical touch. Especially with the state some of those poor plants arrived in.)

If you saw her house, you would literally laugh. She has beautiful hydrangeas lining the entire front of her home and down her walkway, with little spots of lavender throughout her yard. And I don’t think this woman has ever actually bought a single hydrangea in her life.

Meanwhile… I can’t keep one alive.

The Reality Check (aka My Husband Keeping it Real)

So this year, when I told my husband all of my goals and dreams of having a big garden.. he slightly laughed.

Then he kindly reminded me of my track record.

After we both acknowledged that it would be slightly inconvenient to haul an entire planter box to my mother-in-law’s house for rehab.. we came to a compromise.

We decided I would start with four indoor herbs and see how it goes.

If I can prove I’ll actually be able to take care of those… then we can slowly add more fruits and veggies.

Fair enough.

Why Herbs Felt Like the Move

I chose herbs for a couple of reasons:

1. They’ll sit on my counter and stare me in the face every day.. so there’s no “oops I forgot about you”
2. I already buy organic dried herbs and those things are pricey
3. Spending half the price on a live plant that (hopefully) keeps on giving? Say less

Also.. it just feels so cozy. Like little cottage-core vibes happening right on my kitchen counter.

And wait until you see the pots I found at Walmart.. I love.

Choosing My Starter Herbs (No Drama Allowed)

When it came to picking herbs, I made a very serious, very official plan:

-> What do I actually use?
-> Which ones are least likely to be dramatic?

Because we are not starting this journey with high-maintenance plants. I know myself.

I narrowed it down to:

• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Parsley
• Oregano

I use a lot of Italian seasoning, so this felt like the move. And rosemary goes on basically all of our meat, so she had to make the cut.

My Favorite Part… POTS

Now THIS is where I thrive.

I learned that:

• Rosemart & thyme prefer terracotta
• Parsley & oregano prefer ceramic

(Yes I did research. I will not be proving my husband right this time around.)

I had my eye on some dream pots from Amazon. So cute. So unique. So unnecessary for where I’m currently at in life.

Because right now?

We are ballin’ on a budget.

But listen… Walmart has stepped it UP. Between My Texas House, Mainstays and Better Homes & Gardens, there were actually so many cute affordable options.

Like.. cute cute.

Wait until you see the ones I found at Walmart.. I put everything I grabbed for my herb setup right here if you want to see.

I also added a few things I didn’t end up buying (yet) but have my eye on.. so it’s a mix of what I’m actually using + my little herb garden wishlist 🤍

The Goal (Not Pinterest Perfection)

Here’s the vibe:

We are not aiming for Pinterest perfection.

We are aiming for:

• Alive plants
• A few cute pots
• Learning as we go

That’s it.

We can romanticize it later. Right now we’re just trying to keep something green alive in this house.

My Secret Weapon (This is Actually Genius)

Okay this might be my best idea yet.

If you don’t know already, I have three young girls. So I’m assigning each of them a plant.

It’s now their job to:

• Check the soil
• Help water it

And honestly.. this is a win for everyone!

1. They learn something I was never taught
2. They get a little responsibility
3. They see how taking care of something helps it grow
4. And most importantly.. they help me keep these plants alive when I forget lol

Starting Small, But Starting

So this time, I’m trying to be a little smarter.

I am:

• Starting small (indoor herb garden vs full blown fruit & veggie garden that realistically wouldn’t survive)
• Not overbuying (I’m really good at this so this is huge for me)
• Actually researching and making a plan (not just watering willy nilly)

Maybe this is how my dream garden begins.

Not with a full backyard transformation.. but with a few little herbs sitting on my counter.

And honestly? I’m so excited.

Want to Start an Herb Garden too?

If an herb garden is something that sounds fun for you too, I put together a simple list of everything I’m getting + the steps I’m following to get started.

If you want it, I can send it straight to your email so you don’t have to come back and find this post later.

👉🏻 Grab it here if you want it 🤍

I’ll Keep you Posted…

We’ll see how this goes.

Pray for the herbs.
And for me.

The post My Herb Garden Era Begins… Once I Actually Start appeared first on Milk & Honey.

My mind is quiet.

A few months ago, I deleted social media. Not in some dramatic, life altering moment.. just in the middle of a really full season.

But somehow, that small decision has made one of the biggest impacts on my life and my mental health.

Why I Deleted Social Media

At the time, I was in one of the busiest seasons of my career. I had three escrows of my own and two for my broker, and my brain felt completely maxed out.

I remember sitting down one night to “just scroll for a minute”… and then looking up an hour later wondering where the time went.

That was the moment it hit me.

I didn’t have time to be giving my attention away like that anymore.

And when I really sat with it, I realized it wasn’t just about time.

I had been quietly keeping a running list in the back of my mind of all the ways social media was draining me.

It had started to feel like a third arm.. always there, always within reach.

I would pick it up without thinking. While cooking, while sitting, while being with my kids. It was just.. constant.

And because I’m a really empathetic person, the things I saw didn’t just stay on the screen. If I saw something sad, I carried it. I would spiral, overthink, and suddenly feel this need to control everything in my own life.

Other times, I would see people doing incredible things. And I truly was happy for them.. but there was always this quiet questioning underneath it:

Am I behind? Am I doing enough? Why can I not get there?

And don’t even get me started on how easily I’m influenced.. I was constantly buying things I didn’t need. Convinced that they would somehow make my life better, prettier, more put together.

But the biggest thing I realized was this:

The time I was spending watching everyone else’s life was time I wasn’t fully living in my own.

And in real estate, I’m already on my phone all day. Calls, texts, emails.. it never really stops. So adding mindless scrolling on top of that? It meant that all my girls were really seeing was me with my nose in my phone. And I had this moment where I thought…

Is this what I want them to remember?

Because I don’t.

The Quiet Felt Uncomfortable

At first, the quiet felt uncomfortable.

It was like my brain kept reaching for noise that wasn’t there anymore. I would pick up my phone automatically without even thinking. It was like it was a part of my routine that my body was used to.

My mind was expecting something.. stimulation, distraction, anything.

Now, I wish I could tell you that I deleted social media and instantly became Wonder Woman. That I cleaned my entire house, picked up new hobbies, became mom of the year..

But not quite.

Instead, I read an unhinged amount of fantasy books. And when I say unhinged, I mean I read like seven books in thirty days. It was honestly a little ridiculous… but I’ve just been giving myself grace and calling it my “detox phase.”

But then something interesting started to happen.

Those loud shouts slowly turned into quiet whispers.

That pressure social media creates.. the constant feeling that you need to make more money, work harder, take more trips, look prettier, buy more things.. It started to fade.

I hadn’t realized how invested I had become in everyone else’s lives. And I didn’t realize that comparison was draining me.. making me feel behind, like I wasn’t doing enough, wasn’t pretty enough, wasn’t productive enough.

Side note… I did keep Pinterest, and I have to mention that. But Pinterest feels different. It inspires creativity. It makes me want to do things, not compare myself.

Instagram, TikTok, Facebook… those left me feeling drained more often than not.

And once that loudness started to fade, I found myself reaching for different things.

Things that filled my cup up instead of taking from it.

I kept Reading my fantasy books, because apparently the only stories my brain wants right now involves fae, wings, swords and bat boys,

I started dreaming again. About cottage life. Slow, beautiful, intentional days.

I planned out an herb garden… a little prematurely since the herbs haven’t even hit the market yet, but that’s okay. I’m ready when they are.

I started researching berry plants and flowers with the girls so we can finally build the fairy garden we’ve talked about for years.

I’ve been spending more time outside with them, playing games or just sitting and watching them practice softball. (I’m the artistic parent, not the athletic one… so it’s best I stay on the sidelines and cheer them on.)

At night, I rest. I curl up on the couch and watch our girls play or perform little dances for us.. instead of scrolling, laughing at reels and going to bed with a mind that feels completely full and somehow empty at the same time.

I Started Noticing My Life Again

Somewhere along the way, I stopped reaching for my phone.. and started noticing my life again.

Not in some big, life changing way. Just in small, ordinary moments that I think I had been missing before.

The way my girls play together in the living room, creating entire little worlds out of nothing.

The way the house feels in the late afternoon when the light starts to shifts and everything slows down just a little. Or earlier in the day when the sun filters into the house and we have all the windows open and can feel the fresh air.

The sound of them laughing outside, or practicing softball in the yard, or asking me to come watch something they’re proud of.

Before, those moments were happening around me.. but I don’t know if I was fully in them.

Now I am.

I’ve noticed the seasons changing again. The way the air feels a little softer, the way spring is starting to show up, gently making its way back.

I’ve found myself opening windows more, letting fresh air in, wanting to be outside instead of inside looking at a screen.

And it’s funny.. nothing about my life has drastically changed. I’m still a busy mom. I’m still running to practices, making dinner, managing a home, figuring things out as I go.

But it feels different.

Slower. Fuller. More present.

Like I’m actually here for it this time.

The Life I Actually Want

And in the quiet… I started to realize what I actually want my life to look like.

I want to wear what makes me feel good.

I want my home to feel warm and welcoming.. like us. Not a perfectly curated, cookie cutter version of what I think it’s supposed to look like.

I want my kids’ artwork framed on the walls. Art that we made together. Not because it’s perfect, but because of the memories behind it—the laughing, the mess, the time spent together.

I want a garden that actually thrives.. because I’m outside tending to it, watering it, taking care of something slowly instead of rushing through everything.

I want my creativity to come back to life. I want to create more than I consume.

And more than anything.. I want my girls to grow up remembering that I was there. Not distracted. Not half listening. But looking them in the eyes, laughing with them, fully in the moment.

I Don’t Miss It

And the truth is.. I don’t miss it.

If I’m being completely honest (always), I didn’t delete social media with some long-term plan in mind. I just needed zero distractions during one of the busiest seasons of my life. There was no room for mistakes and work needed my full attention.

I fully planned on downloading everything again once the deals closed. But that was months ago and the thought hasn’t even crossed my mind. I love where my mind is now. I love where my life is now.

Sometimes I think about it and it almost feels silly.. that something so small, such a tiny decision, could create such a big shift.

But here I am.

Feeling present.
Feeling peaceful.

Feeling like my life is my own again.

And as I sit here on the couch, watching my girls play…

I don’t feel like I’m missing anything anymore.

The post What Happened When I Deleted Social Media (And Why I Don’t Miss It) appeared first on Milk & Honey.

Every year, I find myself leaning more and more into the magic of a traditional Christmas.
Warm lights over LED.
Cozy over chaotic.
Simple over sensory overload.
Just the kind of Christmas that settles your heart instead of overwhelms it.

And this year? My staircase became the main character.
So today, I’m finally sharing how I decorated it — everything I used, the pieces I loved, and the little things that made it feel magical.

🎄 Our Christmas Tree Story (because she deserves a moment)

Before we get to the staircase, I have to tell you about our tree.

Our old tree — the very first tree J and I bought together for our first home — finally started dying over the last couple years. We nursed her through last Christmas by wrapping her with store-bought lights like a Christmas ER situation 😅. Ten years though… honestly… a win.

So this year, we upgraded to the My Texas House Twinkle Light Tree from Walmart, and I LOVE it.

• the warm, soft twinkle
• the “mini” style lights
• the endless settings
• and the fact that the girls can turn on Alexa, set the tree to color flash mode and have a dance party🤣

Did it hurt to move away from my flocked tree? A little.
But adding frosted ornaments and whites helped keep the dreamy, snowy vibe I love.

And the best part? We didn’t let our old tree go to waste.

I pulled out the bottom section to shorten it… put it in the girls’ room… and suddenly?
THE WHOLE THING LIT UP AGAIN.
Apparently the short was in the bottom section 😂

So now the girls have their own tree — with a full Christmas Candyland theme — and they are pumped. Honestly it’s adorable.

But let’s move to the real star…

✨ My Cozy, Traditional Christmas Staircase

She truly gives main character energy.

This year, I traded in the prelit Walmart garland (because why do I spend so much on prelit garland just for it to die in one season??) and went back to the basics:

• realistic cedar garland
• battery-operated warm twinkle lights
• dark red velvet ribbon
• brass bells hanging from the bottom

Classic.
Magical.
Cozy.
Timeless.

Exactly what I wanted.

I draped the cedar garland naturally — letting it swoop gently instead of fighting it into a perfect shape — and the texture is everything. The twinkle lights soften the whole staircase, and the velvet ribbon brings in that deep, rich traditional red that just feels like Christmas. One of my favorite little touches this year is the brass Christmas bells hanging at the bottom of our staircase. They’re such a simple addition, but the warm brass tones instantly make the space feel more nostalgic and inviting. Between the glow of the garland lights and the soft shine of the bells, the whole staircase has this cozy, quiet-Christmas-morning feel — exactly the atmosphere I want our home to have in December (and probably most of January too).

To me, a staircase sets the tone for a home at Christmas.
It’s one of the first things you see when you walk in, and it creates the whole atmosphere.
This year, mine feels like a warm invitation:
slow down, breathe, enjoy this season.

❤️ If you want to recreate the look

(Here are the exact items I used – Amazon links + my Walmart tree)

– Realistic Cedar Garland
– Battery Twinkle Lights
– Dark Red Velvet Ribbon
– Frosted Ornaments (for the tree)
– Twinkle Light Christmas Tree

I did buy two different garlands to compare, but once they came in I couldn’t even tell the difference. So I would get whatever is cheapest at the moment because with Amazon prices seem to fluctuate. I also linked the velcro I used to attach the garland to the staircase — game changer — along with the pack of batteries I always get because they are so cheap!

✨ Final Thoughts

There’s something healing about decorating for Christmas after a long season of survival.
It reminds you that beauty still matters.
Warmth still matters.
Magic still matters.

And sometimes… decorating your staircase is how you find your breath again.

The post My Cozy Christmas Staircase (The Magical, Traditional Vibes I Wait for All Year) appeared first on Milk & Honey.

And honestly? I’m not apologizing for it. I’m just inviting you into it.

Why Survival Seasons Aren’t Failure

I’ve felt like I totally dropped the ball on the blog. Most days I was just going step by step, doing the next thing that needed to be done. But when I zoom out, I realize the last few months have been full of really good things.

I got to celebrate my oldest turning a year older.
I stood next to my sister as her Matron of Honor and celebrated her new family.
I represented buyers and sellers and gave them my all.
I fed my girls all their meals, taught them from the comfort of our home, and watched them grow in real time.

It wasn’t a lesser season — just a different one.

Summer always feels like long hours, long days, and big checks meant for chipping away debt and filling our savings. But fall and winter? They’re quieter. Rainy. Slower. They bring Justyn home more. They give us family time we don’t take for granted. It’s like my soul goes into a gentle hibernation, and this year, I welcomed that shift.

How Creativity Found Its Way Back to Me

I know I shared little bits of drawing and painting this summer, but somewhere in all of it, the spark got a whole lot bigger.

My sister has always been one of my biggest cheerleaders when it comes to my art. So when she gave me birthday money and told me to “go buy art stuff and paint,” I took it seriously. I bought a huge 4ft x 3ft canvas and black-and-white artist-grade paint and decided to turn one of her engagement photos into a painting.

It ended up being one of the most grounding, life-giving things I’ve done in years. It was like the weight I’d been carrying slowly melted off with every brush stroke. Something in me woke up — something that had been gently stirring for months.

After I finished it, Justyn convinced me to turn our extra storage/toy room upstairs into a little art studio for myself. It took SO much decluttering and cleaning (like… so much), but I finally did it. And now I’ve already started a new piece — smaller, colorful, and just as soul-settling.

And then, of course… Christmas.

If you know me, you know I come fully alive this time of year. I’m basically the Christmas Freak of my hometown, and people send me every Christmas reel and TikTok they come across (please don’t stop — I love it). This season feels like creativity, peace, Jesus, warmth, and joy all wrapped together. It settles me in a way nothing else does.

What Creative Seasons Can Look Like

Creativity isn’t always writing. Sometimes it’s paint. Sometimes it’s decorating. Sometimes it’s homemaking. And I’ve noticed that every season, I grab onto a different form of it.

For so long, I’d beat myself up for “dropping the ball” when I shifted into something new. But I’m learning to stop forcing things and just follow the spark instead. Nothing is wasted. Nothing is failure. It’s just seasons changing — and I’m learning to let that be okay.

Letting My Blog Shift With Me This Season

So instead of forcing myself back into a budgeting-heavy season, I’m letting this blog breathe with me.

I’ll still share money content when it feels right — I haven’t abandoned that part of my life. But for now, expect more:

• cozy home moments
• Christmas décor
• creative projects
• art
• and the slower, simpler side of life I’m learning to embrace

I’m in a creative, heart-full season, and I’m letting myself be a human being instead of a spreadsheet.

If You’re in a Survival Season Too…

I hope this post feels like a warm mug of something comforting. (I’m personally a peppermint hot cocoa or spiced tea type of gal around this time of year)

And if you’re in a creative one?

Well… that’s where I am right now, and I’m so excited to bring you with me.

The post Learning to Breathe Again After a Season of Survival appeared first on Milk & Honey.

Life happens. Income changes. Your kid grows out of all their clothes at once. PG&E decides it’s time for a glow-up. And suddenly that budget you were so proud of is sitting in a crumpled pile next to your iced coffee and stress tears.

Let’s talk about what to do when your budget isn’t perfect—and why that’s still real progress.

Our Real-Life Reality Check (a.k.a. Construction Paychecks & Chaos)

If you’ve read any of my previous money mindset posts, you’ve seen that my husband was making some wild paychecks recently. I’m talking $4k–$5k per week. The catch? He was working 14 to 16-hour days, seven days a week. It wasn’t sustainable, and definitely not what we want for our family long-term.

Now that job’s wrapped up, and he’s moved to a new site. Fewer hours, five days a week—and way less overtime. We love this version of life more, hands down. But a $1,000–$2,000 drop in weekly income? Yeah… we felt that.

We’d been throwing a minimum of $800/week at our debt, and I was so proud of us for it. No wild spending sprees, no vacations we couldn’t afford—just good, consistent progress. But when those big checks stopped coming, reality hit. And budgeting with fluctuating income is a different beast entirely.

When Things Go Off-Track (But You’re Still Winning)

Right as J switched job sites, we also had a brand new monthly payment hit, truck tags due, and a very enthusiastic summer PG&E bill. 🤪 And I noticed I was getting a little too snack-happy in my grocery hauls (whoops).

But here’s the win: we still paid every bill. We didn’t add to our credit card debt. We even put a few hundred dollars toward one of our cards. No, it wasn’t the massive snowball momentum we had going. But it was forward motion. And that counts.

(Also shoutout to my Money Tracker spreadsheet for helping me see that money was even there to work with—because let’s be real, otherwise it would’ve disappeared into the snack fund.)

Preview of my Money Tracker:

The “Perfect Month” Myth I Had to Break Up With

I used to think I’d get serious about money once things felt easier:

• When overtime kicked in
• When the tax refund landed
• When I had the mental bandwidth

Spoiler alert: that day never came. And while old me would’ve buried my head in the sand and hoped for the best, this version of me grabbed the Money Tracker, mixed up some fizz, and made a plan.

It wasn’t perfect, but it was real. And that’s what matters.

What Actually Moves the Needle (Spoiler: It’s Not Perfection)

Here’s what’s changed our financial life way more than any flawless budget plan ever could:

⭐ Weekly Money Check-Ins

Even if it’s just writing numbers on a sticky note, this is where the magic happens. You can’t manage what you’re avoiding. (And if you want a shortcut, I’ve literally built a free Money Tracker for you—grab it, plug in your numbers and see where you’re at.)

⭐ Zero-Based Planning

Even if the income fluctuates, knowing where every dollar is going gives you options. And finding even $10 hiding in your budget can make a difference.

⭐ Paying Something

Even $5 matters. Some weeks I’ll tweak our gas or grocery spending just to put something toward debt. It’s not about the size—it’s about the habit. The moment you allow yourself to skip a week, you start allowing it more and more—trust me.. I’ve been there, done that.

⭐ Embracing the Fluctuations

Having irregular income is tough. But because we’ve spent the past couple years building smart habits and a small cushion, these hiccups don’t wreck us anymore. That’s freedom.

⭐ Tracking Without Shame

Listen, not every choice is going to be a gold star. We got a fishing boat this year… yep, with a personal loan. And it added to our debt. But the family memories? Worth it. Because I still look at our numbers every week. I knew what we could afford. That’s what intentional living looks like. Not perfect—intentional.

How to Budget During the Messy Months

• I keep a $1–2k cushion in our account at all times. That’s my version of “zero.”
• I pause savings temporarily to make sure I’m focusing on debt, because the less debt we have the less winter savings we actually need.
• I review our subscriptions and cut what we’re not using.
• I plan fewer trips to town to save on gas.
• And I let go of guilt for using that cushion when it’s needed. That’s what it’s for.

If You’re in the Middle of a Budget Spiral, Read This:

You are not behind.
Messy months still count.
Small payments are still progress.
You’re not failing if you’re aware and trying.
Progress over perfection. Always.
And if you need help? I’ve got you.

💻 Grab the Free Money Tracker

If you’re ready to stop guessing and start making small but mighty moves, download my free Money Tracker. It’s the exact spreadsheet I use every week to stay ahead of our finances—even when things feel messy.

The post Why You Don’t Need a “Perfect Month” to Be Successful With Money appeared first on Milk & Honey.

If you’re here, you’re probably wondering:

Should I homeschool my child?

You’re not alone. More and more families are asking this question, and it’s not always an easy one to answer.

I still remember how overwhelmed I felt when I decided to pull my daughter out of public school. She made it exactly three weeks into kindergarten before I said, nope, absolutely not.

Everyone has their reasons—some similar, some totally different.

Why You Might Be Considering Homeschooling

Maybe you see your child struggling, or maybe you’re just craving a simpler, safer way to learn.

Here are a few common reasons families explore homeschooling:

• You don’t agree with the school’s curriculum.
• Your child is having social issues.
• They’re falling behind developmentally or academically.
• You feel your child is overlooked because of large class sizes.
• You don’t view the school as a safe space (bullying, violence, etc.).
• You travel frequently as a family.
• You have different health or vaccination beliefs.

Honestly, the list could go on and on.

For us, it came down to a few core values:

• We didn’t want our kids spending most of their childhood away from us, under someone else’s control.
• We wanted to know exactly what was being taught.
• We love to travel.
• We wanted our kids to discover who they are—without peer pressure pushing them to be someone else.

Homeschooling vs. Independent Study—What’s the Difference?

Yes—there’s a big difference between the two.

Both options keep your kids learning at home, but they’re not the same. It really comes down to who’s in charge of their education—and where your curriculum comes from.

Think of it this way:

• Homeschooling = You are the school.
• Independent Study = The school provides oversight and curriculum, but you’re the facilitator at home.

Neither requires you to be a “professional,” but they do feel very different day to day.

What Is Homeschooling?

Homeschooling means you are your child’s teacher, principal, and whole school system rolled into one.

This is often called a home-based private school.

You choose the curriculum.

You can piece it together yourself or purchase a pre-made program. But ultimately, you’re responsible for everything.

Homeschool Requirements in California

(If you live elsewhere, double-check your own state’s requirements.)

• File an annual private school affidavit.
• Keep an attendance register.
• Be capable of teaching your children.
• Provide instruction in core subjects (language arts, math, science, social studies, health, and driver training).
• Maintain immunization records or a personal beliefs exemption.
• Keep a list of courses of study.
• Maintain a list of instructors with addresses and qualifications.

Who Is Homeschooling For?

This path is perfect if you want the ball fully in your court.

You’ll have complete control over your child’s academic life. The state requires you to show you’re providing an education, but otherwise, you wear all the hats.

What Is Independent Study?

Independent study is an alternative to classroom instruction. Technically, your kids remain enrolled in the public school system—but they do all their work at home.

This is the path we’re currently on. At first, I thought it would be temporary, but honestly, I’m loving it (and so are my kids).

How It Works

• Your kids get assigned a teacher through the district.
• You meet weekly to review work and get new lesson plans.
• You have flexibility, but the curriculum is provided.
• You can request adjustments or opt out of specific lessons.

I really enjoy this approach because:

• It removes the headache of piecing together curriculum from scratch.
• I still have input about what my kids are learning.
• The lesson plans are tailored to my children.

I’ve noticed my kids are thriving academically. While many of their peers spend 40 hours a week in a classroom, we’re doing 6–10 hours a week—and they’re still testing ahead.

They also get social time through weekly classes (art, cooking, maker space) and seasonal activities like gardening.

And when I get stuck teaching something (hello, math), I have help. I can bring them in for in-person support or hop on Zoom with their teacher.

Why We Choose Independent Study

Here are a few reasons it works so well for our family:

• No stress about building a curriculum from scratch.
• Flexibility to adjust lessons to our values and beliefs.
• Consistent social activities without daily classroom pressures.
• Less time sitting at a desk, more time as a family.
• Support from teachers when I need it.

Who Is Independent Study For?

Independent study is perfect for families who feel in between.

Maybe you want your kids home but feel overwhelmed by the idea of homeschooling alone. Maybe your child has an IEP or learning challenges that need more one-on-one support.

Or maybe you simply want to protect their learning path from the stress, peer pressure, and overcrowding of public schools.

Final Thoughts: You Know Your Child Best

At the end of the day, only you know what’s best for your family.

Whether that’s public school, homeschool, independent study, or another path—like a PSP or private tutoring—just know you have options.

Most parents don’t realize how many choices there really are.

I hope this helped ease your mind and gave you some clarity about your decision. If you have personal experiences or advice, I’d love for you to share it in the comments below.

We’re all figuring this out together. 💛

✨ P.S. If you’d like more cozy encouragement and tips, you can subscribe below—I’d love to stay in touch.

The post Homeschool vs. Independent Study: Which Is Best for Your Family? appeared first on Milk & Honey.

Today, I want to share how I finally started making real progress, one small habit at a time.

debt.

yuck.

Okay, if you’re new here, welcome to my Finance Journey.

We are getting out of the rat race, finding financial freedom, and slowly learning to steward our money well. We’re investing, we’re saving, we’re eating good food, and—one day soon—we’ll be traveling the world together as a family.

But first, we have to tackle that debt, friend.

Listen—your number? It can’t shock me. Because let me tell you, I became a credit card girly.

I turned 18, got approved for my very first credit card, and felt unstoppable.

Growing up, my mom never had credit cards. She could never get approved, and it always seemed like such a luxury—like something for the rich and famous.

So when I finally got approved, I felt on top of the world.

What did I do after that?

I got 17 more.

Yup, you read that right.

I opened up 17 credit cards.

So again, your number can’t scare me—because as you can probably imagine, my number is high.

But that’s okay.

Because we’re paying all of that off—one payment, one budget, one month at a time.

All the debt that makes you feel yuck.

First things first—you have to know where all your money is going.

It’s time to build a healthier relationship with your money. We’re going to treat it like any other relationship we value and want to grow.

We’re going to spend time with it, thank God for it, respect it, and take care of it.

By understanding it fully, we’ll know what’s leftover (if anything—some of us may need to fine-tune and redirect before we get the ball rolling).

To do this, we need to create a zero-based budget.

I don’t love the word budget, so I call mine my Money Tracker.

You can easily make one on a piece of paper each week—that’s actually how I started—or you can make it on Excel if you’d rather.

If you’d like, you can even use mine. Just drop your email below, and I’ll send it straight to you.

How to Use the Money Tracker

First, we’re going to list out all of our bills—and I mean all of them, even that little $.99 bill to Apple for extra storage.

I went through two months of bank statements and wrote down everything that came out regularly so I wouldn’t miss a thing.

Next, we’re going to add in our income.

All the money coming in for that pay period, even small amounts you might make from selling things, side jobs, or little extra gigs.

Now we’re going to subtract all of the bills from our income.

This includes all your regular, recurring bills—like your phone, internet, utilities.

If your power or gas bill fluctuates, just average it out (I like to round up a little, just to be safe).

We’re not done.

Whatever’s left after the bills are paid is what you’ll use to create your zero-based budget.

Zero-Based Budget

We’re going to take whatever is left, split it up, and give it a job.

Budget how much you’ll need for:

• food
• gas
• pet food
• diapers, wipes, etc.
• kids’ sports fees
• extra add-ons

Extras can be birthdays, holidays, or any unexpected expenses. I always build in a little buffer so if something pops up, we’re not stressed. If you don’t end up using it, you can tuck it away for next time.

Then, whatever is left becomes your debt money.

That’s the money you’ll use to start paying this stuff down.

I like to sit down with my Money Tracker once a week. It keeps me accountable, helps me stay on track, and if I overspend a little, I have time to course-correct.

Now, I do want to say something.

I can’t recommend having some kind of savings enough.

That amount is personal—some people feel good with $1,000, some might need more.

Having it means if an emergency comes up, you don’t have to turn around and rack the debt back up again.

Any “extra” I didn’t end up using, I put toward savings. It’s usually not a lot, but it’s something—and it feels good to see it grow.

If you haven’t read Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover, I highly recommend it. It’s free on Kindle Unlimited right now. I don’t personally vibe with every part of it, but it’s an eye-opener, and it will definitely motivate you to take charge of your finances.

He explains debt, zero-based budgeting, and his “baby steps” in detail. You’ll get a feel for how you want your journey to look by reading it.

I got the book from my sister-in-law, passed it to my cousin, and she passed it to a friend—and all our journeys looked a little different.

So I’d encourage you to check it out if you’re ready to say goodbye to debt and start building freedom.

Well, now you have your handy-dandy Money Tracker ready to go.

Once you knock out your first debt, meet me here for the next step: the debt snowball method—so we can start picking up speed and finally be free of this mess.

Debt doesn’t get the final say over your story. Every small choice you make—every budget meeting, every payment, every moment you decide not to give up—is moving you closer to freedom. I’m cheering you on, and I’m so glad we’re in this together.

Ready to take control of your finances? Save this post so you’ve got it when you’re ready to start. 💪🏼

The post Step 1. No Debt appeared first on Milk & Honey.

I don’t know about you, but I am exhausted by the rat race.
Tired of working so hard to keep up with the Joneses—only to realize they’re probably in debt too.

Let’s just say, we didn’t exactly tiptoe into debt. We did a full-on cannonball.

How We Got Here

On paper, my husband has a great-paying job. In reality, over $3,500 of his paycheck disappears every month just to make the minimum payments on our debt. (Not household bills, not food, not gas—debt.) That’s more than $42,000 a year to basically rent our past mistakes. Iconic, right?

And honestly—was any of it worth it?
The car payment? Meh.
The name-brand shoes? Cute, but not that cute.
The random Amazon orders at 11 p.m.? Definitely not.

All those purchases we thought would make life easier? They’ve only made us feel stuck.

What We Want Instead

But here’s the thing—I want more.
More time with my husband instead of trading hours for interest payments.
More memories with our kids while they’re still little.
More freedom to travel, to give, to invest, to just breathe without feeling like the next bill will knock us down again.

I’m craving the simple life.
The one where money feels like a tool to build something beautiful—not something that controls us.

Our Plan For Financial Freedom

So—welcome to my finance journey.

We are paying off debt.
We are growing our savings.
We are investing—big and small.
We are truly learning to enjoy our money.
We are eating good food.
We are traveling the world and making memories as a family.
We are finding freedom.

That’s the plan.

I’ll be sharing every little detail here—step by step, mistake by mistake, victory by victory. Because you can’t fix what you’re afraid to look at, and we’re done pretending it’s not a problem.

If you’re sitting there nodding your head thinking, Same girl. Same.—you’re in good company.

It doesn’t matter what our friends think.
It doesn’t matter what our family thinks.
We’re not following their rules. We’re making our own.

Cheers to freedom. And to not having to decline collect calls all day. ♡

—S

[ Ready to start? Here’s Step 1: No Debt → ]

You can get my personal money tracker that I have spent years putting together—for free. Just go to the post linked above & you’ll find it there!

✨P.S. If you’d like to get little updates on our journey to financial freedom and some of my favorite tools for budgeting and paying off debt, you can join my email list here. No spam—just real life and a little encouragement.

Trying to steward your finances well? Pin this so you can revisit it when you need some peace and a plan.

The post My Finance Journey appeared first on Milk & Honey.

Happy to be lost in something.
Happy to remember what it feels like to want to stay up late.
Happy to have something that’s just mine.

Want to know a sad little secret? I tossed and turned one night because I couldn’t get into a deep sleep—all because I was wondering what was going to happen next in the book. So, like any insane person would do, I woke up at 1:30 a.m. and read until 4:08 a.m.

I know, I know. I have a problem.

A Little ACOTAR Obsession Never Hurt Anyone… Right?

I’m going to be honest…I know this book has been out for a while and there’s been a lot of hype about it. But I was convinced there was no way I could get into a book about fairies. So I went into it with little faith I would enjoy it. But I was sick, laid up in bed, and very, very desperate.

Boy, was I wrong.

I started reading A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR, if you’re on TikTok) because I’d heard the hype. What I didn’t expect was to be so swept up in a world that I’d be updating my oldest daughter on every plot twist—PG version, don’t worry.

She was so into it, she’d literally tell me, “Mom, why don’t you go read your book? I really want to know what happens next.”
(She didn’t have to tell me twice.)

We’d sit together and look at fan art and sweatshirts. I found the perfect Velaris crew neck, and she insisted I buy it, not tell Dad, and let her wrap it for my birthday so we could watch the confusion on his face. That’s my girl.

Meanwhile, J has had to endure me asking if I can start calling him “my bat boy.” He declined. Rude.

The Part That Surprised Me Most With ACOTAR

Before I was J’s wife and the girls’ mom…I was an artist. It feels so weird to say that out loud, honestly. But I’m starting to realize it was true.

I forgot about that part of me as I started a family.

I still look at the world the way I did back then. I still can’t not look at the sky at sunset and imagine how much blue I’d mix to get the color I need—how I’d blend it with my brush.

There’s this thread in the story—Feyre sees the world in color and wants to paint it all. The way she describes mixing pigments and imagining canvases cracked something open in me. Because that’s how I see the world too. I’ve just been shoving it down under motherhood and chores and budgets.

But reading about her reminded me that maybe I shouldn’t ignore that part.
Maybe it matters.

It’s a little rough, but it truly feels so good to get back into drawing and painting. I’m ready to get back to that part of myself.🎨🖌️

So Here’s to the Little Escapes

Whether it’s fantasy books, a show you binge, or painting the sunset in your head, I think we all need something that’s ours. A little portal out of the overwhelm and into something that feels like magic.

If You’ve Been Feeling Burnt Out…

Maybe this is your sign to pick up something that lights you up again. Even if it’s just for a few minutes a day. Even if it feels like a silly obsession.

And if you’ve read ACOTAR…tell me I’m not alone in this.

🤍 Leave me a comment with what you’ve been escaping into lately—I’d love to hear.

PS: If you’re about to binge 2,896 pages too, you’ll need a soft place to land. Here are all the cozy things I love for snuggling up with a book (and maybe ignoring my to-do list).
[See My Cozy Bedroom Must-Haves →]

Want to come back to this later? Just tap the image to save it to your Pinterest board ⭐

The post ACOTAR: The Fantasy Series That Made Me Remember My Own Magic appeared first on Milk & Honey.