Moments 02.2024

Things I’m loving

Here are some things I’ve been loving lately…

• Mesh Laundry Bags. I am not someone who will take my clothes to the dry cleaners. Maybe I need to change – but for now – my friend told me about these laundry bags and they have been an absolute game changer. I wash my more delicate wardrobe pieces in these bags on the delicate or hand wash cycle and it works really well.
• Sheet cake pan. I use this for so many things in the kitchen! A great purchase for sure!
• Cake Face Kit. I use this to make unicorn cakes, bunny cakes, etc. I’ve had it for many years!
• Puppy chow. I made this recipe a ton this month!

Life Lately

This month was a fairly normal month for us! I went on a trip, Keilah turned 5, we plugged away at homeschool and went skiing!

K turns 5!

We kicked it off with another birthday (that’s 3 so far in 2024)! My sweet Keilah turned 5 and she had such a great day. She requested donuts for breakfast, mac and cheese for lunch and Shake Shack for dinner.

For her birthday cake she chose a chocolate cake and wanted it to be a “princess bunny.” Which totally fits her personality.

She was thoroughly celebrated and felt so special on her day! I’m so grateful for this little sweetheart.

Mexico Trip

A couple days after Keilah’s birthday I traveled solo to Mexico for work. It was absolutely wonderful to get away alone and get to spend a few days thinking about JoyFoodSunshine!

The best part of work trips is connecting with other website owners. Melissa from Modern Honey is my closest blogging friend! I have known her for almost 7 years and enjoyed spending time with her – she is as kind as she is beautiful, check out her site!

We stayed at a great resort right on the beach and it was so fun to get to dress up, be wined and dined and mingle with other amazing women business owners like these ladies from The Modern Proper and A Couple Cooks!

Skiing

We got back into our skiing rhythm and it has been so great. The weather has been a little warmer and less snowy than last year, but it’s still worked out for us to ski about once a week.

My kids get better every time we get up on the mountain, and I am feeling more confident as well. My absolute favorite is when we get to ski with friends. What a gift it is to live in such a beautiful place!

Ear Piercing

For her birthday, Bethany asked to get her ears double pierced with her friends. So, we all went out to brunch and then got our ears pierced. I am so grateful for the beautiful friends God has gifted to Bethany, and it was so fun getting to spend a day together.

The girls did amazing and went through with the piercing even though they were nervous. I even got my ears pierced for the first time at 38! 😉 Overall it was just such a fun day getting to celebrate Bethany with dear friends.

Life & Faith

I feel like the Lord showed me many things this month – too much to share here. But the biggest “aha!” moment in my heart came when I was meeting with a wiser sister who shared this with me, “Never use the Word of God without having the heart of God.”

This struck me to my core. The Word of God is a sword, and the condition of your heart determines if you use it to cut people down or fight for them (and there is an enormous difference).

I’ve seen what’s in man, I’ve been bludgeoned by those who use God’s word to tear down, destroy and puff themselves up. To hear these words from my sister were like balm to my soul. The enemy used God’s words in the Garden and in the wilderness to tempt, destroy and distract. The Pharisees used God’s word to burden people with the law while their hearts were far from Him.

Just because someone uses the bible does not mean God’s love rules and reigns in their hearts. Just because someone can win an argument, or appears to be a wealth of biblical knowledge – does not mean they have been transformed by the radical love and grace of Jesus.

I cannot express how much these simple words, “Never use the Word of God without having the heart of God.” helped begin healing parts of my heart that were so confused and broken. I’m so grateful for those who have jumped into the trenches to fight with me – with hearts overflowing with the love, grace, kindness, goodness and patience of the Lord.