Six months ago in April, our family made some big decisions. Decisions that were sure to be unsettling at first, but we trusted God and allowed Him to guide us into the next chapter of our lives.

I gave up my teaching job after 5 years and we moved a few miles away into the same home we lived in when Jordan and I first got married. The same home that Jordan and his parents moved us into before our wedding day so we could spend our first night as a married couple in our first home.

Relocating to a new city, to a home that has more room for less money, provided me with an opportunity to stay home. A stay at home wife. What I had once dreamed of, God provided me with.

Although I was in a stable position that allowed me to have the perfect work schedule, the opportunity to continue my education, holidays and weekends off, paid sick time, and always the opportunity to excel in my career, His timing is always perfect. Sometimes He has this bigger and better plan for your life, just when you thought you had things planned out.

These last few months have been full of laundry, cleaning, potty training, cooking, grocery shopping, errands, but has granted me lots of time with my kids.

Right now our schedule is chaotic because Kylan has football 5 days a week, Klara has ballet, we have church two days a week, and there are sure to be appointments, errands, and homework in between.

A typical weekday for me looks something like this:

Jordan and I wake up at 5 a.m. and I start a pot of coffee and pack his lunch while he gets ready. We pray together and he leaves for work at 5:30. We talk on the phone until he makes it to work at 6 o’clock.

The next thing I do is bible study and make my to-do list for the day. Around 7 o’clock I wake up the boys, if they aren’t already awake, and they have breakfast. I pack lunches, help Koby pick out his clothes, and help Kylan style his hair. Their bus picks them up at 8 o’clock and I watch the Today Show until Klara wakes up. Sipping coffee in my sweatpants while watching the Today Show was always what my working-mama dreams were made of and now it’s really happening.

Klara and I always have breakfast together; that has been one of the sweetest memories I have made while being home with her. After breakfast we color, paint, or read a story before she wants to watch one of her favorite cartoons. While she watches a show, I get ready for the day. We are usually having lunch by 11:30 and then we go downstairs to wash and fold laundry, which is Klara’s favorite! There isn’t much that she doesn’t enjoy doing. She loves folding clothes, putting them away, dusting the living room tables with furniture polish, and vacuuming the area rug.

Because of football practice and ballet, we aren’t able to eat dinner at a reasonable time. I’m usually starting on dinner by 3 o’clock so the boys can eat, unwind, and finish their homework before we have to go. Football practice is from 6 to 8 so as soon as we make it home, Kylan takes a shower while Koby and Klara brush their teeth and lay down.

Bedtime is at 8 o’clock because I know how important those 11 hours of sleep are for the kids- and how important it is for Jordan and I to lay together on the couch, his head on my lap, while we share a Diet Coke and watch The Blacklist.

I also want to tell you all how important it is for you to have uninterrupted time to read your bible. I open my bible and do my bible study before any of the kids are awake so I have no distractions. Spending quality time with my God before the day begins is so very important.

Six months ago I also gave up social media. It has been one of the best decisions I could have ever made. It has allowed myself time for both personal and spiritual growth. The Holy Spirit can help us to adjust our lifestyle so that we can live in alignment with His ways. Of course I miss being connected with everyone and seeing their photos, but you see, my relationship with God, my husband, and my children is thriving. Rather than scrolling through Instagram when I have a minute to spare, I open my bible instead. Rather than posting photos of my children on Facebook, I am being present in this moment with them, giving them my undivided attention, and that, my friends, is something we can never get back. One day there will be a time and a place for Instagram, but for right now, I am living out the life God has graciously given me.

With only one income, we aren’t focused on material things as much. We can’t be. Don’t get me wrong- I will forever daydream about owning everything from Magnolia Market and designing our home to look like one of my Pinterest boards, but we don’t have money to just “spend” like we used to. A year ago I was at Target twice a week, buying iced coffee every morning on my way to work, and always buying for my kids. Now, we are learning (and teaching our kids) how to live simple. Simplicity, y’all. It’s so beautiful. We’re learning that our three babies love Friday night movie night with mom and dad so much more than the “things” I would bring them from Target. In the words of my all-time favorite, Joanna Gaines:

“Remember, this journey of love and motherhood isn’t an immediate gratification deal. It is a diligent step of purpose and grace everyday. It’s not standing still and letting the day pass you by. It is getting off of our phones and off our butts, pushing our kids forward and continuing to teach them.“

She related all of those meaningless, materialistic things to a verse in Ecclesiastes. That’s all that this world and the things in it are, you guys. Meaningless. I’m reminded of just that when we stroll through TJ Maxx or an antique shop and my inner Joanna Gaines stumbles across the most perfect, vintage, farmhouse decor. I may walk out of there empty handed, but my heart has never been so full.

Giving my all, my undivided attention, to the five most important people in my life (God, Jordan, and my babies) is the most fulfilling thing in this life. I plan to go back to work one day, but for now, I will praise God and enjoy this season of my life with the ones I love the most.

I challenge you all to take a moment to recharge. To open your bibles and say a prayer. Even if you are in a season of life that you never imagined you would be, praise be to Him. His plan is far better than yours or mine.

Today, let your children see you open your bible instead of the Facebook app or Instagram. Surround yourself with those you love and together let’s give Him the glory that He deserves.