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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
  • A Christmas Coffee Date with Big News, and a holiday giveaway!

    Friends!! Isn’t this just so typical!? Coffee dates are my absolute favorite and yet somehow they get pushed behind all of the other things. Yet,…

    Read More A Christmas Coffee Date with Big News, and a holiday giveaway!Continue

  • Gratitude-Inspiring Ideas, Quotes, and Verses
    Encouragement and faith | Miscellaneous | Parenting and Family

    Gratitude-Inspiring Ideas, Quotes, and Verses

    Happy Thanksgiving! I’m sharing some gratitude-inspiring ideas, quotes and Bible verses! I love Thanksgiving! I love the simplicity of a holiday focused on gratitude, family,…

    Read More Gratitude-Inspiring Ideas, Quotes, and VersesContinue

  • 55 Life Lessons from my 55 Years of Life
    Encouragement and faith | Miscellaneous | Parenting and Family

    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…

    Read More 55 Life Lessons from my 55 Years of LifeContinue

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

    A Goodbye Letter to the Simple Years

    Dear Simple Years, Yes, you… The years of having kids mostly home, most of the time. Whether they went to school or not, our house…

    Read More A Goodbye Letter to the Simple YearsContinue

  • 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…

    Read More Summer Coffee Date, 2025Continue

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

    Kids & Influences: Superpower or Kryptonite?

    The Power of Influences in your Kids’ Lives. I’ve shared the story before, but it played such a role in shaping my parenting (not to…

    Read More Kids & Influences: Superpower or Kryptonite?Continue

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Since the new year, I’ve been sharing one post a w Since the new year, I’ve been sharing one post a week from my “What Moms Need Most” series. 💕 This week it seems fitting that the post is about nurturing your marriage in the busy season of raising children. 🥹

I think most of us would agree, it isn’t easy. There are so many stressors in life and marriage can tend to take a backseat to all of the other priorities, including (especially?) children. 🙃🤷‍♀️

But with some intentionality, I do think it’s possible for a marriage to not only survive but thrive in this season. 👍🏼 it’s taken Dave and I some work, but 30 years in I think we’ve learned a few things! 

Comment: MARRIAGE and I will send you a DM with a link to the blog post 

In it, you’ll find seven tips for nurturing your marriage while raising kids. I think you’ll be encouraged. ❤️🙏
I know there are a lot of opinions about halftime I know there are a lot of opinions about halftime of the Super Bowl, but our crew had no complaints. (except a minor finger injury 😜) 

- 🥶 Also this is the coldest I’ve ever been in Hawaii (and I’m not complaining.). So much rain, wind and chilly temps!! 
- They even canceled all public schools and government offices for Monday. 

I guess if we can’t have snow days we can have rain days.!?🤷‍♀️☺️

BTW- It’s been a while since I’ve done a weather round-up here. Tell me your temp or what’s going on with the weather where you live. (and be sure to say where you live.)! 🙏
As my boys grow into young adulthood, I recognize As my boys grow into young adulthood, I recognize certain things we did when they were young that have either paid off, or maybe weren’t that important after all. 😊 🤷‍♀️

Three things that have stood out to me recently that I’m so glad we prioritized:

1. DELAYED GRATIFICATION: Teaching kids to say no to their flesh. To wait. To work hard and earn things. These are game-changing character qualities in the young adult years 👍🏼🙏

2.  CONTENTMENT: Giving kids a simple life without too many bells and whistles means they learned to be content without constantly being entertained or amused. This inspires creativity and imagination. And it paves the way to a settled, peaceful life in young adulthood. 💕🙌🏼

3. SELF DISCIPLINE: Helping kids develop a disciplined lifestyle when they are young forges habits that last a lifetime. From finishing schoolwork on time to making their beds to writing a thank you note- The simple things that take a little time but lead to rhythms for a healthy life. 👏🏼❤️

Of course there are more, but these three stand out to me right now. Want to add to my list? What’s some thing you’ve done with your kids in the early years that you’ve seen fruit of later? I’d love to hear! 

And…if you love the idea of raising character- rich kids, be sure to get my awesome (currently free!) guidebook,“Training Up Your Child: What to Expect in each stage” of raising kids. With developmental milestones, book suggestions, fun facts, encouraging Bible verses, and more! 

Comment KIDS and I’ll send you a link to grab it now! 💕
January seemed to last forever but end abruptly! 😜 January seemed to last forever but end abruptly! 😜🤷‍♀️
- here’s my recap for the record books (no hard feelings if you don’t scroll thru all! ☺️) 

Highlights in order— 
@lukeswanson_ with a cool spread in @freesurfmag 
A torrential downpour golf tournament. 😊
Chickens and oranges. 🐓🍊(and the best OJ!) 
Who’s that with a marriage certificate ready to roll!?💕😲
My mom too cute for her age. 😎
My college friend still making me laugh so hard 😁 
Kids doing dishes (without being asked) 😉 - 
-and having fun at grandparent’s condo. 
Time in Ca with Jonah and (soon-to-be-daughter in law!) Taylor. - Bridal@shower 💕
And Josiah 😊 
Our current Brazilian brother @samuel_pupo 🤩
@themissionns women’s retreat Honolulu. 🌺
Pipeline contest crew. 🥳🙌🏼❤️
And my very favorite surfer 😎❤️

Common denominator: Monica’s @zsupply Christmas-gift cardigan which apparently I wore most of the month 😁🤷‍♀️ (thx Mom!) 

Here’s to all that is ahead in February! ❤️🌺💕

“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?  My hope is in you.” - Psalm 39:7
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  • Start Here
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