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Monica Swanson
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Monica Swanson
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parenting+ marriage

I love to help you build strong families, beginning with a healthy marriage, and purposeful parenting.

faith

Every good thing comes from God and healthy families are built on a firm foundation of faith.

homeschool

After 15+ years of homeschooling, my family agrees it’s the best choice we have made!

healthy mind+body

With a background in sports medicine and fitness, I am passionate to encourage women to embrace a healthy mindset and lifestyle.

Latest bit of encouragement
  • 55 Life Lessons from my 55 Years of Life

    55 Life Lessons on my birthday week! This week I turned 55 and (gulp!) that still sounds weird for me to hear! I decided this…

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  • A Goodbye Letter to the Simple Years
    Encouragement and faith | Miscellaneous | Parenting and Family

    A Goodbye Letter to the Simple Years

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  • Summer Coffee Date, 2025
    Encouragement and faith | Health/Fitness | Miscellaneous | Parenting and Family

    Summer Coffee Date, 2025

    Hi Friend! I’m back with one of my favorite things: A quarterly Coffee Date! This is where I pretend we’re catching up over coffee—sharing family…

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  • Kids & Influences: Superpower or Kryptonite?
    Encouragement and faith | Parenting and Family

    Kids & Influences: Superpower or Kryptonite?

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  • Why Board Games are so good for kids💥, and a list of our favorites! (with a giveaway!)
    Miscellaneous | Parenting and Family

    Why Board Games are so good for kids💥, and a list of our favorites! (with a giveaway!)

    How board games benefit kids and some of our favorites for all ages! –See bottom for a chance to win a gift card for your…

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  • A MEMORY JAR: The Best Father’s Day Gift (Low cost, High Meaning!)
    Encouragement and faith | Miscellaneous | Parenting and Family

    A MEMORY JAR: The Best Father’s Day Gift (Low cost, High Meaning!)

    How to put together a Memory Jar for the best gift for the men in your life! I think we can all agree: Men are…

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Nothing spookie here- 🤗 Just documenting some m Nothing spookie here- 🤗 Just documenting some moments I don’t want to forget from an extra-special October. 🍁

The first week of the month we were in Portugal, (so might be duplicating some previous photos)… then, spent a few days in my hometown of Gig Harbor, Washington. 🗻🚣‍♂️

✂️ Chopped some inches off my hair, spent time w/ friends and family, frolicked in the fall leaves ☺️🍃🍂…then returned home for a significant birthday 🥹 and Hawaii’s version of fall. 🌊😍

Seems like we packed a whole lot into 31 days and God has been so faithful. Again. 🙌🏼

Looking forward to November! Lots of surf, school, writing, and holidays ahead!  Also- opening the character training course from November 10 to the 17th! 🥳👍🏼

I’d love to hear a memorable moment from your October or what you’re looking forward to next month! 😊- also, if you comment, I’d love to hear where you live. And how’s your weather right now? 🙏 (I might kind-of-sort-of live vicariously this time of the year!! 😜)
Quick - Quit scrolling and name 3 things you are t Quick - Quit scrolling and name 3 things you are thankful for. 🥰🙌🏼
Leave one in the comments if you’re willing! 🙏🥰

I’ll start:  1. October! 🍃🍂 (the best month of the year!). 2. A fridge full from yesterday’s Costco haul. 🛒 And 3. A hot shower! 🚿 (I literally thank God for a hot shower every day! What a gift 👏🏼❤️)
I’ve had the chance to check out some really goo I’ve had the chance to check out some really good and important books this fall! 🤓🍂🍃 I highly recommend all of these…

• Come on Home: A Grace-filled Guide to Raising a Family Who Loves (and Likes) Each Other.  by @jessica.smartt. So practical, funny, inspiring, and real. 💥
 
• Is Your Daughter Ready? 10 Ways to EmpowerYour Girl for an Age of New Challenges. by @karikampakis 
🌸Kari knows girls! Learn from her amazing up-to-date experience (+ research!) 

• Helping Your Kids Know God’s Good Design: 40 Questions & Answers on Sexuality & Gender, by @foundation_worldview (Elizabeth Urbanowicz) 
🙏 One of the most important topics parents can prepare for today!  Read this!!! 

• Any Given Moment: 52 Devotions to Feel the Goodness of God. By @modernfarmhousefamily (Sarah Molitor) 
🙌🏼 Sarah has been doing Sunday night prayers on IG stories for 5 years!! Now you can read them anytime! 👏🏼👏🏼

• The Way of the Wildflower: Gospel Meditations to Unburden Your Anxious Soul. By @ruthchousimons 
🎨 Ruth has a way with words and art. Each page will refresh your faith. 

What have you been reading!? Any category!  #Comment and share!! 
XO
So, I had a little (big! 😅) birthday this week, So, I had a little (big! 😅) birthday this week, and thought I would share a couple “life lessons” here. But when I sat down to write them, I just couldn’t stop. ✍🏼🤓🤷‍♀️

I finally cut myself off at 55 and realized they wouldn’t fit on Instagram 😂

So, I have a fun list over on my blog that I’d love to share with you! Some of the lessons are heartfelt, faith filled…important. ❤️ Others are silly or funny or just really practical. 💥🙌🏼

Comment : 55 and I will DM you a link to the blog post. I hope you’ll comment over there with some of your own life lessons or by telling me which of mine you resonate with the most! ☺️

Thank you for helping me celebrate my birthday in this special way. I feel so blessed with love and support. I’m humbly aware of how little I still know 😉, and I’m overwhelmed that God would use me to encourage some of you in the work I do.🙏

Comment 55! 

(And it’d be great if you can LIKE this post and share it with friends 🥰)
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  • Start Here
    • About
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    • Homeschooling
    • Raising Kids of Character
    • Women’s Wellness
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    • Women’s Wellness
    • Encouragement and faith
    • Home School
    • Surf
  • Recipes
    • Breakfasts
    • Snacks and Smoothies
    • Lunches and Dinners
    • Desserts
    • Gluten Free
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    • Becoming Homeschoolers
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    • Boy Mom
    • The Secret of Your Naturally Skinny Friends
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