Our eldest son turns twenty four in two days and then next month, we usher him into a new season of married life. It’s been a joy to have him living at home for the last six months, but we’re […]
The Talk: Say the Right Thing, Even When Your Child Says the Wrong
Nov28
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MOM JOY! I haven’t laughed this much in a LONG TIME!!
Jul13
A few months ago, the crazy fashion world dipped their toe into social media land to see if viewers would name the male romper friend or foe. A few entrepreneurial guys wanted to start a fashion revolution through their new brand “ROMPHIM.” They […]
To Mothers, Women, Mentors: My Important Reminder
May12
It all matters!! I’m finishing up a 60K word book manuscript this weekend. I’m exhausted. I’ve written about our home and hospitality and mothering with more words than I ever thought in me. I’ll share more soon because I have a […]
Easter, The Bunny, and My Thoughts: Should We Mix the Two?
Mar21
How is it that Easter is right around the corner? I have so many fun traditions, recipes and decor ideas in the archives if you’re looking for more ideas, check here. As a young mom, with four babies in five […]
Lessons Learned From My Daughter: Teens & Social Media
Mar17
I’ve been so quiet over here, but not on Instagram (jenschmidt_beautyandbedlam) where I post almost daily (including video stories). Over the next few months, I’ll get back to my Mentor Mom series , but my book manuscript is due soon and then I hope to […]
Life in Season: Celebrate the Moments that Fill Your Heart and Home
Nov29
I remember Vanessa pulling me to the side of the room. Her eyes got big, her smile widened and I could feel her passion as she told me about a potential opportunity to share her heart through the pages of a book. […]
Let’s Start Making Beauty in the Bedlam
Sep26
I used to make beautiful meals… before I learned the fine art of the chicken nugget. With a toddler and a baby brother, and a belly full of another, I stopped reading Bon Appetite Magazine. And the china took up […]
The Importance of Fighting For Those Moments
Mar1
I’m coming back from my longest blogging break ever. I never intended to stop posting, but if felt so good. Taking a step back gave me time to think, refresh and refocus (although I’m still in process on that ;)). I’ve […]
One Little Perspective Change Altered How I Mother
Feb17
With a song in her heart, my mom’s sweet little voice sang out. Relishing in the joy that music brings to the soul of a young child, her heart filled and was satisfied. Then the words came. Words that changed […]
The One Word Vocabulary Shift That Profoundly Changed Me
Nov8
Our eyes glimpsed the deer grazing across the pond. Birds sang, ducks swam, and a cacophony of crickets serenaded. As the sun set on our outdoor conversation, a more serene backdrop couldn’t be envisioned, yet our hearts’ cry was anything but. […]
When God’s Voice Sounds a lot like Twila Paris
Jul16
“Honey, go home. You haven’t slept more than a few hours in five days. I’ll stay with him. Surgery is scheduled for 8 am. You need to sleep when you can,” murmured my husband. Tipping the newborn scales at 10.5 […]
Are you naturally beautiful? (The answer is YES.)
Jul9
Hi folks! Katie here. I am attracted to inner beauty, just as Jen wrote about here in her post on Meaningful beauty that came from glimpses of poverty. Sometimes, it’s so easy to let ourselves get distracted by the way people look […]
Raising a Band of Brothers – Part 1
Apr15
Last week, our family was all together again. It was divine. For this mother’s heart, I never realized just how much I would miss my big boys when they were gone and now the moments we have together are priceless. It’s just […]
Shy, Tired or Rude? How do we encourage that child?
Apr9
Grasping my skirt like a lifeline, our young daughter refused to let go. “Say ‘hi’ to Mr. Smith, honey. He’s been daddy’s friend since he was a little boy. Just give a quick hello.” I could feel her fingers clench […]
Magical Memories: Best Inside Forts + Reading
Oct10
I can’t even begin to tell you the joy these pictures bring me. Since our children were young enough to page through picture books, building forts and then reading for hours have gone hand in hand with magic time. The […]
