Birth stories are the best stories, in my opinion. They are magical and wonderful and a feat of strength to be shown in this world. My last two labors were quite similar in their progression but each special in their own right. I have so many intimate moments with Rowans birth, and I wanted to share.
Read morenaming.
A year later, I am getting around to sharing more of Rowan’s story. This part is very intimate to me and may not mean much to anyone else, but I wanted to share how we chose the lovely name of Rowan June for our dear girl.
Read moregrowing.
Being pregnant with Rowan is something that I will cherish, even though it came with its own struggles. Thankfully Greg was entirely thrilled, just like me, which came by my surprise. He said that the idea of having another child had been growing in him for a while.
Read morethe Rowan diaries.
When Kent was born, it was a great joy but also a great sadness for me. We had agreed we were done having children but my heart was not fully ready. Each first and last of his was a mourning in me. I wanted to hold on so badly but time kept going and he kept growing. The last time I nursed him I cried believing I’d never be that close to a babe again. I had accepted it but was grieving too. A deep longing in me remained and in the past couple years, it only grew stronger.
Read morefools rush in.
How do you say no to something you really want, even when you could easily say yes? Would saying yes would require hard work? Of course, but aren’t dreams worth it?
It’s honestly heartbreaking to let go of a dream, like letting go of a handkerchief in the wind and watching it float away, wherever the breeze takes it. You could have held on, but instead you let go.
Read morehomemade lunch.
We at the end of a very big week. Three of my four kids went back to school, and one for the first time. My sweet and spunky Autumn girl started Kindergarten, and to say I was a wreck is an understatement.
Read morebaguettes and beginnings.
“See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.”
For the past several years, I’ve been wanting to write consistently. Just to share thoughts and fun things and deep things too. I’ve always seemed to have roadblocks, whether outside circumstances prevented me or my own mind and fears. I’ve just felt held back in one way or another. I put a lot of pressure on myself, and I feel like if I can’t do something the way I envision it, there is no point in doing it at all. I basically want to start out perfect and not have to go through the disciplines, the failures, and the learning it takes to actually be good at something…even something like writing a blog once a week. I know that I suck at consistency. I have no idea how to design things to make them pretty. I also feel like I have nothing to say when I actually sit down to produce something. I basically already know I’m going to fail, or not live up to my expectations, so why start anyway?
I trust/believe myself more than anything or anyone to a fault. If I don’t think I can do something, I can’t. If I believe I can, I can. What I think about myself is what matters most to me, which I know produces wounds in my own heart. I have some deep rooted wrong beliefs, even about the Lord’s kindness and graciousness to me. I have a hard time believing His truths and promises over my life. It’s also one of the reasons why compliments are hard for me. If I don’t believe what you are saying for myself, I am inclined to think people are just being nice instead of genuine. What a weird, self-deprecating pride, to dismiss kindness, generosity, and love because I believe I’m the only one who can be right about who I am. I’ve been asking the Lord to soften my heart recently. Soften it to Him, to others speaking His truth to me, and to myself.
So anyways, this blog is a step in being vulnerable, opening myself up to weakness, a way to trust God over myself. What I want for this space is a weekly newsletter of sorts. I’ll be sharing thoughts I’ve been mulling over, scripture that the Lord is teaching me through, favorite recipes and products. Maybe even some funny memes…I have a pretty weird/great sense of humor that doesn’t come out that often. So I hope you find comfort and encouragement here.
-Kate
I met with a friend, Jess, for a date night last week; and yes, you can have a date with your bestie. We had not spent time together just the two of us in a while and really needed that community. When she asked if we could hang out, my first response was, “Can I bring bread?” Jess is my friend that loves food as much as me. We are always sharing recipes and talking about things we want to try. Anytime I make something new, I gotta give some to Jess to get her feedback. So food is always involved when we get together. I’ve been making lots of breads lately and recently saw a recipe for whipped feta that I knew would go great with a baguette. So I made baguettes, whipped some feta, and roasted some tomatoes, and we enjoyed a fancy charcuterie board with wine outside on her balcony and talked for hours. And both the conversation and the food were good for the soul.
Whipped Feta:
Feta block
1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
drizzle of olive oil
salt and pepper
1 drop Lemon oil
fresh rosemary - for garnish
Combine all ingredients in a food processor and whip until combined.
Roasted cherry tomatoes:
1 pint cheery tomatoes
drizzle of olive oil
salt and pepper
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tsp fresh rosemary
Preheat oven to 400. Combine all ingredients in a small oven safe dish, where the tomatoes are just barely in one layer. Roast for about 25 minutes, until bubbly and soft.
Grab a baguette, slice it up, top with feta then tomatoes for a delectable treat.
One product I have been LOVING lately, is CBD Beauty Boost. This soothing combination of CBD, rose essential oil, tamanu oil, and grapeseed oil works to maintain an even skin tone and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I love adding it to my DIY Glow Serum (with blue tansy and frankincense). It is super moisturizing and has even helped with sunburns. I literally cannot get enough of it. It smells heavenly and makes my skin look and feel so much better.
Check out the lush ingredients that makes up this beauty:
CBD: Pure, potent CBD adds an element of luxury and calm to this blend. As always, our CBD products have 0.0% THC.
Rose essential oil: The queen of floral essential oils provides a calming aroma and moisturizes the skin. You’ll feel as fresh as a bud in May!
Tamanu oil: This smooth, luxurious oil is rich in fatty acids. It has skin-conditioning agents to help you pamper your complexion. Nothing complex about that!
Grapeseed oil: This luxuriant oil is rich in omega-6 fatty acids and antioxidants. Grapeseed oil absorbs quickly without leaving skin feeling greasy. Say hello to moisture!
Grab a bottle for $84.95 and I'll send you a facial roller to go with it. Just shoot me an email at katesconcepts@gmail.com and I’ll help you order!
And finally, here’s this gem. Because you know I’m watching Twilight. #teamedward
Jesus, My Beloved, Anointed at Bethany.
Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
Read moreHalloween 2020.
We did all the normal things this Halloween. I know that might sound crazy to some but to me, what was crazy was keeping my kids from experiencing another part of life this year. My kids have had to give up so much. They still haven’t met their 1st grade teachers. They haven’t played with more than a couple close friends from church since March. They didn’t get to do any normal summer activities. We decided we aren’t keeping them from things anymore. The mental, emotional, social, and physical health of my kids is extremely important to me. We are holistic people, and we are going to live like it.
So we did Halloween. And I actually think there were MORE houses open for trick-or-treating this year than last. There were lots of clever ways of handing out candy safely (lots of candy chutes!), which I figured would be the case. Honestly, it was so much more fun than the regular ring-the-doorbell way. We still have a ton of candy, and I have no idea how we are going to be able to eat it all!
Here’s a fun gallery of us all dressed up. And by all, I mean ALL, parents included!
Costumes are as follows:
Jack: SWAT team, Traeh: spooky witch, Autumn: snow fairy, Kent: skeleton, Greg: skeleton, Me: witch
hope.
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Romans 5:3-5
Read morebirthday.
My husband says I’m hard to encourage. And he’s right. I honestly just do not believe people when they say kind things to me. It’s not because I think they are lying or anything like that. It’s because if I don’t believe it about myself, or if I see myself differently, I think, “If they really knew me they wouldn’t think those things.” It’s like, “That’s nice and all, but I know the truth. You’re just biased or seeing me through some faulty lens that makes me appear better than I actually am. I’m really not that good. I’m actually kind of terrible.”
Read morebaking bread: a mediation for Lent
Baking Bread, a mediation for Lent:
Find a bread recipe and use the mediation below as you go to turn your bread making experience into a meeting with the Father.
Gather your ingredients: Jesus came to gather his children to himself. As you get the ingredients think of his purpose to bring others into himself. He first gathered His disciples with the plan to bring us all in to an eternal life with Him.
Measure: The plan has been laid out from the beginning. Jesus knew what his purpose was. He was in communication with the Father for every decision, every miracle, every word. Just like a recipe guides the baker, communication through the Holy Spirit guides our every day life.
Mix: Jesus lived a real life and encountered real people. Think of his physical life, the steps he took, by really feeling the dough as it mixes through your fingers. We also take steps every day, interacting and speaking on His behalf. We go through ups and downs, but where we are going He has gone before.
Kneading: As we approach Good Friday, remember His punishment with every knead. The punishment He took for us, for our sin, so we would not have to endure such anguish. Then His physical body died on a cross and he was placed in a tomb.
The rise: As the dough rises, we wait. We hope all will turn out like it is supposed to, like the promise God gave us long ago, but we have to wait. Sit in that. Not knowing, yet hoping. Meditate here. Maybe there is something that you are hoping for from the Lord, meet Him here.
The bake: Anticipation grows as we see that he is still moving. The stone is gone. Could it be true? Could he have fulfilled our greatest hope? Look for signs of His work all around you, they are there even in a hard season. He is always at work, for the good of His people and for His glory.
The fresh baked bread: New life is upon us. He has risen just like He said. He is alive with us now, in the midst of all the chaos of the earth. He is here among us, not just to fill our bellies or meet our needs or take away the storm. Our prize is Him. His presence is the gift. Delight in who is He is, He is beautiful and He is for you.
Use this bread to share communion with those you love.
fear.
Whew. What a topic to be vulnerable about.
This year, I have been part of Go Teams by Go and Tell Gals and one of our coaching sessions was on fear.
Before this, I would not have considered myself a fearful person. Fear wouldn’t be something I would confess in a small group or ask for prayer over. Besides the fear of safety (city living, y’all) I didn’t know I was fearful.
I do, however, play it safe. And that is just another way to say fearful.
Read morethe battle in the calling.
The past week has really reminded me that we are in a battle. We are in a battle against the Enemy to pursue our calling. Yes, we have ultimate victory in Christ, but here on Earth, we have to fight for what is good and what is true.
Satan attacks you where your gifts are. He doesn’t want you using them. He either wants you distracted or doubting.
Read moreto the ones who made me a momma.
I have had many people ask if I regret having kids so young. And I think that is a question worth answering.
First, I believe God has a journey for each of us. And it was as clear as your two little heartbeats during that first ultrasound that this was mine. My journey of motherhood, my journey of who I am. He was in control the whole time. He wanted you here with me in that time. It is so apparent.
Read moreTop 10: Pregnancy Essentials
This will not be your average top 10 list of favorite products. Instead, I really wanted it to be a holistic look at pregnancy needs, not limited to the latest and greatest things on the market. Preparing for a baby is a lot of heart work, just like preparing for marriage is more than picking out the best silverware, so is preparing for motherhood.
Mom friends.
Find someone who’s been there before and will be upfront about all the insanity that is pregnancy and motherhood. For real, super crazy stuff happens. A lot of weird things you won’t find in a copy of “What to Expect When You’re Expecting.” You need to find someone who’s gonna tell you like it is, and a voice of solidarity when all that stuff is going down. Also, having a friend that is win the same stage is so comforting! You get to go through all the crazy together! Having a Mom Squad has been one of my favorite things about motherhood!Naps.
I do not nap. Ever. Except when I’m pregnant. Your body NEEDS it. Find some time to take naps. If you can’t take one daily, take one on the weekends or when you can. You may not feel like you’re doing much, but your body is hard at work and could use some extra rest. I also highly recommend a pregnancy pillow. It will save your belly and your back & hips once you are further along!Some good clothes.
You are going to want to be comfy. Find some versatile clothes that can transition through pregnancy. Old Navy and H&M have lots of great options for inexpensive basics. Going to a wedding or other special occasion: ASOS has some beautiful dresses! For the everyday, some athletic shorts or leggings (these Blanqi ones are AMAZE), t-shirts or tanks (even long length and not necessarily maternity work well too, then you can wear them post baby too!), and a comfy bra. Also, I highly recommend splurging on one outfit that just makes you feel good, beautiful, and sexy. You’re body goes through a lot and you’re doing an insanely hard work growing another human, you DESERVE to feel beautiful!Oils
You know I’m going there. I know some of you may not be into oils, but during pregnancy I feel like it’s a no-brainer. The list of meds you can’t take is a mile long and even the ones you can might not be the best for you little one. Pregnancy is the best time to get into oils, if only for the reason of limited options. Did you know that citrus and mint oils can help with nausea and other digestion issues? Lavender and Frankincense are amazing for that itchy, stretching baby bump. Joint pain and muscle aches, gotcha covered. My favorite is valor and copaiba together rubbed on problem spots, hello widening hips! Feeling emotional? Bergamot, White Angelica, and Stress Away can help. Ningxia and Super B can boost your energy, trust me, you need these. Total life changers. And there are so many more, give me a shout if you’d like to learn more or click here!Worship, Prayer, & Jesus Friends
I don’t know if you know Jesus, but I sure hope you do. Pregnancy can bring many unexpected things, and He personally led me through some pretty dark times. I had two high-risk pregnancies with many uncertainties. Knowing that no matter what, Jesus was in control gave me so much peace. And having a group of women to pray over me and hear me and speak truth into me gave strength to me when I wasn’t sure if I could go on.Pre-natal massage
Go ahead and pamper yourself. Especially in that third trimester when all the aches and pains are happening. A massage will feel wonderful on your body and on your mind as it helps you to relax. Find someone local who specializes in pre-natal massage and be upfront about your trouble spots!Nutrition.
Eat well, and often. Plus get a rockin’ prenatal. I know, from personal experience, that morning sickness may keep you from eating for a while, but as soon as you are able, try your best to eat nurtrient dense foods to fuel your body and your baby. I know pregnancy can be an excuse to eat all the junk food and sweets, but try to limit those (I definitely had a snow cone or two) and really give your body food that will make you feel good and not worse! Also finding a prenatal that is good is so important. Do some research and find one that will be best for you, here’s a hint, it’s probably not one from Walmart.Water
Water is EXTREMELY important during pregnancy. Get you a nice, big water bottle and carry it around with you everywhere. Hydration is so key and will help you feel so much better. It can help with headaches and muscle aches and much more!Exercise
Whether its walking around the block, or doing yoga in the living room, excercise will keep you and your baby healthy. It will also do wonders for your upcoming labor. Labor is like a long, very intense, work out. And taking care of your body during pregnancy will help give your body an edge during the labor process.A great OB/midwife
I can’t even stress how important it is to have a healthcare provider that you trust and that trusts you. Schedule a meeting before you pick a doctor. See if they are going to be on your side when it comes down to delivery. Remember they work for YOU! My first pregnancy was twins. I wanted the BEST twin doctor available because there are so many more risks with two babies. But I also wanted a vaginal delivery, I did not want a doctor that was going to automatically schedule me a c-section. I was so blessed to find my OB. He was completely on board with a medication-free, vaginal deliver of twins, and I DID IT! My next pregnancy was also high risk, and having a vaginal delivery would have likely killed one of us. I trusted him with my c-section and he even said, “I am going to do this with as little incision as possible because I know you want another vaginal delivery with your next babies.” Um, hello, amazing. And he kept his word and helped me through an unmedicated VBAC with my next child. I am forever grateful that he heard what I wanted and made sure to honor those wishes. Find a provider that is going to let you trust your body and help you make hard decisions!
leading littles into faith + the Tiny Truths Illustrated Bible review & GIVEAWAY.
Our goal as parents, as mothers and fathers, is to help our children uncover who they are in Christ and to lead them into a life of glorifying God. Our children will pursue their own paths, make their own mistakes, and accomplish huge victories, but my hope and prayer is that through it all, they are rooted in the One who made them and loves them more than I ever could.
So how do we lead our little ones into faith? I wanted to share some simple things that we love doing in our home, not only as parents, but also that our kids ask for and really enjoy. Plus I will review the new Tiny Truths Illustrated Bible and give you the opportunity to win your own copy!
Read morefinding mercy when motherhood isn't life-giving...
Frankly, many days I do not like being a mother. I feel so defeated. There is always whining, crying, fighting. I don’t like doing the dishes, or the laundry, or cleaning pee off the floor. I don’t like the disobedience and the reprimanding. I don’t like having to deal with the same thing over and over and over again. It’s so frustrating. I feel lost in the day to day life without room to pursue passions or dream or breathe. It wears me down. And I feel lifeless. Why don’t they listen? Why can’t there be peace? Why is it so hard? Why am I not happy?
Read morefamily ministry.
I have posted in the past about the uniqueness of living in vocational ministry. I’m sure many professions have their own unique struggles and hardships but I wanted to expand a little on life in ministry.
It’s easy to dive head first into ministry. There are so many needs around us. There is so much it takes to keep the local church running. Doing God’s work is all good right? Well, not necessarily.
Read morea SAHM's time audit.
Every few months, my husband does a "time audit" for work. Basically, it is a time log of everything you do each day for a week. The purpose is to see where your time is being spent and if that is the wisest use of your time. It's a useful tool for productivity…
I am a stay-at-home-mom. I do not have a boss to ask me to do a time audit. But I do often feel like I get NOTHING accomplished in a day…So I decided to time audit myself.
Read more