Big Adventure Fam

08/06/2019

After 10 years of being a stay at home mom, I am jumping back into my career. I want to completely enjoy this next chapter of life, but realized I couldn't fully do it without first celebrating the time I was able to spend with my kids (thanks to my amazing husband).

My heart is so full of gratitude!

How to make a healthy and smooth transition from a stay at home mom to a working mom as seen from the perspective of a mom returning to work after 10 years.

08/05/2019

The kids wanted to dive back into the van after a short, but hot hike. I suggested we sit and enjoy the scene for just one minute. ☀️ The conversation for that one minute was irreplaceable as one of the boys testified that the Lord doesn’t ask us to do easy things, but He also doesn’t ask that we do it without Him. ❤️ Chad captures this pic.

08/04/2019

That smile says it all! Date night with sister and mom and dad was a success! Thanks for a great night

07/16/2019

We had honestly one of the best family adventures just floating the Elk River in southern Missouri. It was relaxing enough for parents and warm enough and exciting enough for toddlers! The teenagers enjoyed it when we hit little rapids. We truly just enjoyed being together! The only fight happened when McCoy got his suit stuck on a branch and his older brothers called him names for it and hurt his feelings. Seriously, that’s mild in our house.

07/12/2019

“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”⠀
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Since I’m raising 5 boys (and 1 girl), sometimes I do get frustrated with so many girl groups popping up like coding for girls or project beautiful. My boys have asked why they can’t attend these groups, and I do get their perspective. ⠀
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But it has had to be this way to make the headway for women and girls over the past 40 years. We had to empower girls at a young age that anything was possible! We had to teach that whatever is available for boys is also accessible for girls. And now it is sinking in! ⠀
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I was raised by some incredible parents who empowered me to reach for whatever I wanted and I have a super supportive husband that truly makes me believe I can do anything. ⠀
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Boy or girl, they can and will move mountains. ....Taken at

07/04/2019

“Joy is a decision, a really brave one, about how you will respond to life.” |.

06/30/2019

18 years ago today, we were married in Portland, Oregon. It was a beautiful summer day and we were nervous and excited and all the feelings! 💕 How crazy it was then to even try to imagine how great the next 18 years would be. We have an incredible family with some amazing things to rejoice in together and some hard things to weather together. Thankfully, we have always had each other and truly loved each other through it all. Happy Anniversary!

06/26/2019

Selfless perseverance. Visiting the national monument of George Washington Carver was inspiring! A boy whose mother was taken by the K*K could have turned into someone completely different. Instead, he chose knowledge and lifting others, no matter how belittled he was because of prejudices. The man who is known for creating peanut butter is so much more than that. I strive to be just a little like him! @ George Washington Carver National Monument

06/24/2019

When the snow cone truck comes to the beach, my kids get out of the water! 💦 All other times, they can be found playing in the waves. 🌊

06/20/2019

“Dream higher than the sky and deeper than the ocean.” | @ Crystal Beach, Texas

06/17/2019

She was headed out the door to see the new Aladdin and decided that she needed “Jasmine hair.” She was so proud that her hair was getting long after it being so short for a very long time as a baby. Let’s be honest, I was pretty excited too. I mean, seriously, I have 5 boys and then her!! But she decided she wanted to play hairdresser and get a new style. It could’ve been worse, especially since Chad fixed it so well that she referenced having “Rapunzel hair” when Finn sliced it off in Tangled. Ha! Good times!! | @ Bentonville, Arkansas

06/02/2019

I love these moments when I get to spend one on one time. Azure and I rode this coaster and he was way more brave then I was. He was so pumped when he got off and then he made his way from roller coaster to roller coaster throughout 🎢 I happily cheered. Motion sickness comes quickly for me, but I sure did enjoy his laughs and excitement on this one.😄❤️