Fall Coffee Date, 2026
Hi Friend! We are waaay past due…
I hate to admit that it’s been more than a YEAR since my last Coffee Date post.
2026 has been a doozy. Not all bad, but it has required a whole lotta…me. 🥹
If you’re newer around here, my Coffee Date posts are simply a time to share any news + updates (personal, writing, etc.), some favorite photos, and just catch up the way we would if we could meet for a real coffee date! (wouldn’t that be fun!?)
Then at the end, YOU get to comment with something from your end! (Because that’s what we’d do over coffee, right?) — And THAT enters you to win a really special GIVEAWAY! 🎁 (so if you’re in a hurry, scroll to the bottom and enter now!)
So– grab your favorite bevy, get cozy, and let’s do this!
It goes without saying that I will only scratch the surface here. If you’re following along on Instagram (and I hope you are) then hopefully you get to see my end-of-month photo updates and daily stories as I am able. But I’ll give some quick highlights on the major categories of life below. (and this is SO long, feel free to skim!😄)
What I’m writing…
You may recall that Dave and I signed a 3-book contract with Harvest House Publishers last winter. (insert soooo much happiness!) Here’s where we are in that process:
Book #1 has been written, and the major edits are done! 😮💨 Now we’re down to detail edits and the publishing process. Woohoo! This is “The Table Talk Family Devotional”, and we cannot WAIT to get into your hands. Stay tuned as I’ll share more, but release date is somewhere at the end of summer, 2027. (Sounds far away, but blink and we’ll be there!)
Book #2 is what I am working on now! This one is for Moms of all ages! I’ll be sharing a relatable and grounded (and hopefully inspiring) approach to health for moms in every stage! If you have a minute, I’d LOVE your input on this topic! Would you answer a few survey questions to help guide me in my writing!? 🙏🏼
Here’s the survey
And Book #3 will be back to Dave and I together – writing about raising healthy, strong kids. (With the added benefit of Dave’s medical perspective!) I am so excited!
PODCAST! Coming (back!) soon–
In case you didn’t know, I’ve been on a break from recording new episodes for over a year (!!), and I am so looking forward to a re-launch in the New Year. There will be an updated format, and some fine-tuning of my topics and focus. More on that soon. But meanwhile you might catch up on old episodes or find them on your favorite podcast app here.
Family life updates:
We said Goodbye (for now) to my Dad on April 21st. 🥹😭
Sometimes it still doesn’t seem real. The waves of grief hit me unexpectedly, as everyone warned me they would. What a great man I was blessed to call Dad. I continue to process his final weeks, which were a mix of emotions, but without a doubt, filled with God’s love and grace. There are some stories I hope to put into writing one day. But for now I remember him with gratitude, and know he is whole and happy in Heaven with His Savior!
PS: I don’t expect everyone to be interested, but this article in the Tacoma Bar Association journal was brilliantly written and a very true and honoring tribute to my Dad’s life. (Everything from crazy things he did in the courtroom, to his love of noontime basketball games, and his heart for family…it’s all in there!)
(Photo ^ taken exactly one month before Dad passed.)
Which brings us to…
JONAH and TAYLOR got married!
If you missed this post, it has a bunch of wedding photos and some favorite highlights from their incredible day! These two are loving married life in Ventura, California. They are thriving in their jobs (engineering for Jonah and Taylor is a behavioral specialist working with kids!), and plugged in and serving at their church. They visited us a couple weeks ago and it is just so fun to see them as a married couple!
Also, look!! I finally have a girl to love on! 💝
JOSIAH: Josiah is happy and thriving in Carpenteria, Ca. He has a job he loves, (building software for an infrared camera company). He ran two marathons in the last year, surfs often, and is one of the most well-rounded humans I know. He teaches Sunday School at his church, and hosts a surfer Bible study every week. He and Jonah recently did a bro-hiking adventure in Sequoia National Park.
AND he just released a new book!
Tales of Yimoa, a perfect read aloud for families with kids between 7-14. Get it here!
Also, his devotional for tweens and teens is SO GOOD — if you don’t have that yet, get it here!
Luke: Luke is currently in Brazil, surfing in the WSL Challenger Series. (The Challenger Series is made up of around 100 of the top surfers in the world, all vying for a spot on the world tour. It’s tough, to say the least…🙃) Portugal is next on the tour. Then back to Hawaii for fall/winter contests. He is also enrolled at Grand Canyon University online, slowly making his way through college. 🙂 His girlfriend, Malia, is finishing college here on island, and she is a true rock and great support to him.
(They’re a little bit cute together. 😉)
Luke also keeps busy leading Bible studies, and has done a few speaking engagements! He even gave his first sermon at our church last winter! (It was good!)
He is also doing a great job with his YouTube channel and Instagram feed. Your support means so much to him!
Levi is a Junior in high school! (WHAT!?) He is going strong with Enlightium Academy online. (more about the switch from traditional homeschool to that in this post.) Enlightium has worked out well, and we recommend it if you are looking for an online academy-style school. I confess, I do miss our traditional homeschooling days (choosing our curriculum topic by topic,) but this has been a great fit for Levi. He is still golfing a lot, but rounding out his time with a new Apologetics + Speech and Debate class (with NCFCA), leading a Bible study, and playing soccer and tennis in his free time (because there is not enough time in the day for all the sports he loves to do! — anyone have a kid like that?).
Oh, he’s also grown about a foot in the last year. 😅
And he finally got his permit. 🚗
Speaking of sports!….
If you are a Sports Parent, Dave and I have something new for you!
I have been sharing Instagram posts each weekend for Christian parents raising young athletes (from little league to the big time). And we recently created a new free printable on THIS PAGE! Stay tuned for more sports parenting encouragement ahead!
Dave and I celebrated our 30th anniversary last April.
One day we will take a proper vacation somewhere magical (wait, I think I said that on our 20th and 25th…haha) , but until then we are so blessed with lots of quality time together — mostly over morning runs with our dog, Thor, occasional date nights, and lots of book-writing bonding! (not for the faint of heart!)
Ok, that was a lot! 😮💨.
Now, this is when we refill our beverages, and pull out the phones to swap more photos!
Clearly — I can’t share a year of photos in one coffee date, but I’ll share a few favorites from the last season(s) next!
From family time with big boys visiting, to weighted vest walks, to our wonderful crop of dragonfruit, family tennis love, Luke surfing professionally, a surprise spring snow while visiting Gig Harbor, Wa., Dad’s last dance (at Jonah and Taylor’s wedding), and good times in California with Mom last summer.
WHAT’S NEXT!?
Before we wrap up our coffee date, we must quickly share what is coming up for our fall and winter time!
JOIN ME FOR WALKTOBER! 👟🍁 I’m so excited to get out and walk EVERY SINGLE DAY of October! A little or a lot– I hope you can do it (virtually) with me! (I’ll be checking in via my weekly emails and on social media too!)
In just over a week I’m headed back to Gig Harbor, Wa. to celebrate my Mom’s 85th birthday! (We’re sneaking away to beautiful Leavenworth to celebrate✨) From there I get to fly to Colorado Springs for another visit to Focus on the Family for a chat (alongside my dear friend Rhonda Stoppe) about raising boys! (and my BOY MOM book! 💙)
🗓️ MARK YOUR CALENDAR! — > The Character Training Course will open for ONE WEEK, beginning November 2nd! There will be a fall sale and you don’t want to miss it!
**Get a beautiful free guidebook packed with resources, fun facts, and practical parenting tips when you put your name on the waitlist, HERE!)
I have to pause here to make sure you know that EVERY WEDNESDAY I send out a short email with a word of encouragement, + great links (from book rec’s or parenting articles, to clothes or beauty products I find on sale, or a funny Youtube video!…anything goes). If you don’t get my weekly email yet, I hope you’ll sign up to get it, HERE!
A little variety of links from some of my emails…
- 🎶 the worship band Levi discovered and I can’t quit listening to.
- 🧴the self-tanning mouse (that almost makes me look like I live in Hawaii. ☺️)
- 🎃 Pumpkin baked oatmeal recipe
- 💛 My favorite menopause supplement stack (use code: MONICA for 15% off your first order)
- 🫧 The skincare line I’ve been using for over a year — that is ALL organic and feels like a spa on the daily! Use code: MONICA for 20% off — and see giveaway below! 🤩🥳🥰
- 🎥 My favorite movie of the summer
- 🕯️the fall candle I have enjoyed for at least 20 years.
- 🤓 3 (older) parenting posts that continue to get the most visits: (enjoy the old photos of my boys in there!)
“What a Teenage Boy Meeds most from His Mom” (my forever most-popular post!)
What Middle Children Need Most from their parents. (I ❤️ talking birth-order!)
When your Kid argues about everything (5 Tips) - 🎧The podcast episode that rocked my world (and inspired my next book)
And a Proverbs printable + links to 3 podcast episodes with my sons talking about WISDOM!
AGAIN — many more links every week in my email! (sign up here!)
GIVEAWAY TIME!
I am thrilled to be teaming up with my friend Meg, founder of GOOD BEAUTY for a giveaway!
Good Beauty is 100% organic, and so wonderful on your skin. It is unique from anything I’ve ever tried, and makes me feel like I’m visiting the spa every morning and evening!
GOOD NEWS: Use THIS LINK and code: MONICA for 20% off everything at the Good Beauty website!.
And then leave a comment below to be entered to win a GOOD BEAUTY BUNDLE!
Simply comment below responding to ANY-or ALL of these questions:
1. Share a movie/book/product you love and think everyone should experience!
2. Share a happy memory from the last season (year?) that you never want to forget.
3. Share what you’re looking forward to/trusting God with in the season ahead!
I can’t wait to read your comments! And I’ll choose a winner and announce on Wednesday, October 7th! 🍁
Thank you so much for being along for the journey here! I thank God for all of you and I pray that my work and the resources I share support your family in a special way. I always love to hear from you. I can’t reply to every message, but I read every one — on social media, email, and in comments here. Thank you!
With hugs and love….
Always lovely to see how God is building and keeping you and your ohana in so many beautiful ways! I’m trusting God in this season to give me wisdom on how to approach and help my kids to continue processing their dad’s passing a couple of years ago (they are now 8 and 13). I know, heavy topic but it’s definitely a reality for all of us eventually (the loss and grief part; my condolences about your father’s passing). I have been inspired by words and wisdom from therapist and author of grief: Francis Weller.
I just finished reading ” the body teaches the soul” and really enjoyed it.
I took the girls trip with my 10-year-old daughter to Lancaster, Pennsylvania a few weekends ago and it was so fun spending time one-on-one with her and seeing her grow into a sweet, godly young lady.
trusting God to give me the grace, wisdom and patience in this season of homeschooling, child training, and being involved with our local church as a youth leader.
Everyone should read: “Good morning Holy Spirit!” by Benni Hinn, such a fire inducing book!!!
This summer we had the blessed experience of watching our son dedicate his life to Jesus, in the baptism water. Such a joyful day!!
We are trusting God to help my husband find a job and to watch each of our children give their life to the Lord 🙂
I don’t think my answer got posted for some reason.
A Happy Memory:
I teach at a small Christian school on Maui and my son is blessed to be able to attend that school also. He received the Beginner’s Bible as a PS graduation gift. This last spring (as a kindergartener), he decided that he wanted to read the WHOLE Bible from cover to cover. He started over spring break and accomplished his goal in a few short weeks. He would get up in the morning and reach for his Beginner’s Bible because “reading God’s Word is the most important!” (out of the mouths of babes). He wants to read Mommy’s Bible next. I don’t think he’s quite there yet as a first grader, but I won’t stop him if he tries. It was/IS an incredible blessing to witness my son desire to KNOW God’s Word and watch his love for the Lord grow. Thank you, Lord for such an incredible blessing!
Gladys, wow what a precious boy!! Can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for him! xo
Thanks, Monica! Me too! Praying that He continues to desire to know God and learn who God created him to be! 🙏🏽💝 xo
A new product I am loving is the New Homeschool Devotional by Ashlee Williams its called “Facing each Day with Grace and Grit”. It has 3 cycles so you can look ba c k and see where God has answered prayers and where you are growing/still waiting.
Something great in the last year (this is barely squeezing in) last October we adopted our 3 children! Its been a long 4 year journey and we are so thankful for our family!
I’m looking forward to our children’s growth in their businesses through Kids Market. Each of them are learning new skills about running a business, finances, budgeting, communication with adults. It has been amazing watching them grow and seeing how now, they are giving back to others through it.
I love seeing my boys play and do projects together, currently building San Francisco scean out of Legos, looking forward to seeing how God uses them and how they use their gifts, jr high high school 5th and third grades in this house currently.
1. Share a movie/book/product you love and think everyone should experience!
A book I have been loving is Theo of Golden. It is an absolutely beautiful book, that makes you want to do good things for others. It also restores your faith in humanity!
2. Share a happy memory from the last season (year?) that you never want to forget.
A memory I never want to forget is my 30th birthday. We are missionaries in Mexico, which means we live away from family. I lost my Dad a few years ago, and it has made me miss family so much more. This year, my amazing husband made me feel so special. He, and my 4 children celebrated me so well. One of my besties from Dallas also flew in to surprise me for the weekend. My hubby also organized a pajama party/karaoke night for me with my girlfriends at our home. It was just so much fun!
3. Share what you’re looking forward to/trusting God with in the season ahead!
I am looking forward to being more intentional as a homeschool mom of 4. I feel like this is the first year where homeschool is “harder.” I have a 9 year old, 8 year old, and 2 toddlers (Irish twins 4 & 3.) I have had to put a lot of boundaries in place in this season to protect our homeschool time and really be intentional with my family. It hasn’t been easy, as I am a people person and want to say “yes” to everything. I am already seeing so much fruit in this obedience. I am excited to see how God continues to grow us as a family, grow me as a wife/mom/friend, and how God will continue to be more than enough for me. I am praying my friendships blossom even as I’ve had to step back!
1. daily grace Co has a number of spectacular mother’s daily devotion.
2. starting letter school with my 3 almost 4 year old. beginning the homeschool adventure
3. we will be moving to a new city and living in an RV for a time with 3 small children. praying for God’s wisdom as we homeschool and live life in a much smaller space but on our own land.
thank you for your mothering influence in this young mamas life. 💕
SOOOOO much smiling reading this update!!!!!! 🙂
OK question #1. Share a movie/book/product you love and think everyone should experience…. People Skills by Debra Fileta and Redeeming Your Goals by Jordan Raynor 🙂
The Fall Coffee Date is the best way to spend a great time with the family and friends.
I teach at a small Christian school on Maui, and I am blessed to be able to have my son go to school there too. I want to share a happy memory that I never want to forget. This last March my kindergarten son (5 years old-youngest in his class), decided he wanted to read the Bible from cover to cover during spring break. Granted it was the Beginner’s Bible… but he started and did not stop until he was done. It took him a few weeks! I had to make him stop reading and go to bed some nights-he was determined! It was such a blessing to see this little guy jump in and have such a desire to read God’s Word. Praise God my son is able to read so well and that his desire is to read God’s Word. He wants to read mommy’s Bible next…not quite ready for that yet…but I won’t stop him if he tries. Thank you God for such a precious gift!💝
My son Zeke, graduated from Biola this last year. He got a good job. Most of all, is he started working with the high school group at you Church. He has given the message during their service. It’s pure joy seeing How God can use your son for His glory.
Amen!! Love this so much. What a blessing
I am trying to trust God is my very hard season. My Mom has dementia and she’s 86. I’m her full time caregiver and it’s getting so hard. I’m leaning on God to get us through this.
Oh Dawn, bless you. I imagine that must be so difficult. Praying for you now.
2. A memory i wont forget from last year is when my first born graduated from high school. seeing her walk the stage and being at her awards ceremonies and hearing her give a saludatorian speech, we’re all things i treasure and am so thankful for. Thank you for your encouragement to parents, Monica!
My oldest is in middle school this year, and man has it been a weird adjustment. I am a teacher, so it’s not like I don’t know some stuff about school. Keeping on top of everything has just been a challenge.
Hi Monica
I hope all is well with you and your family. You have a beautiful family. I was checking my email which I hardly get around to doing except on the weekends and came across your email and what I wanted to share with you is that I’m getting married very soon hopefully within the next two to three months if not sooner. It will be my second marriage and I did not want it to go the way it did with my first marriage. I have been divorced for 20 years. I thought by now that I would be married again, living in the house of my dreams, being with the man of my dreams and that has not happened yet, but I believe that the Lord is pruning me, stretching me in ways that I’ve never been before.
The one thing that I really want to share is that I haven’t been intimate with a man in that time frame. I fully dedicated my heart to the Lord that I would wait until I was married to be intimate with a man again and also to fall in love with the Lord more because I really wasn’t in love with him. I really wasn’t doing the things that I should have been doing as a follower of Christ before. When I fully gave my heart to the Lord I believe that I would have been married within a few years after my divorce. That did not happen. I am very happy that I did because in that time especially in the last few years since the pandemic, I really know what love is and I plan on giving my husband to be all the love that the Lord want me to give and to respect him as my husband.
To be honest Monica, I didn’t think I would ever get married again but now I see why the Lord wanted me to wait and I would not change it for the world. It has helped me to see what I didn’t do in my first marriage. The Lord helped me to see what real love is and it’s in the Bible of course but I see it through God’s eyes more than ever. He showed me that love is an action. We show people we love them and not just say it. My first marriage was awful but I have prayed and believed that this marriage will be a marriage completely and totally from the Lord . I hope to share my story with other women that are looking forward to being married again and those who have never been married. I am 62 years old and I had lost hope. By putting my hope in the Lord, hope came alive in my heart again. He is the one that put hope back in my heart to be married again and this time He will be the center of it.
Peace, love and many blessings to you.
Your Sister in Christ
Denise
Hi Denise! Thank you for sharing. What a beautiful testimony. I wish you so much joy in your new marriage! 🙂 I’m sure you will encourage many women with your story!
I appreciated catching up with your beautiful family! Currently I’m nursing our new baby girl, that makes us a family of six now. Big hug to you on the news of your dad. What a comfort the Lord God gives us to know where our loved ones in Christ are and that we will see them again! My oldest are 12 and it’s exciting to see where the Lord takes them, to one day be married and serving and leading Bible studies. They are writers, and like your son, would love to publish one day. Which by the way, I’ll have to check out your son’s book 🙂 and looking forward to the ones you’ll have coming out.
Thanks for commenting Latoya! What a wonderful, FULL season you are in. God bless you!
1 Theo of Golden was a read I loved.
2 My only daughter married a precious young man.
3 I’m trusting God to help me in this season. My husband and I have been separated over a year, and it has been more difficult than I could have imagined. Still not sure this is reconcilable, which hurts my heart for us and for our adult kids and grands.
Kathy, stopping to pray for you now. Thank you for sharing. Happy for the good things in your life, and hopeful for a better year ahead. XO
1. I’m reading Jessica Smartt’s newest book, “Come on Home” and it’s SOOOOO good!
2. Before the school year started, our family did a week long staycation at our family cabin just 30 minutes away. It was so recharging and an awesome way to head into the homeschool year.
3. I had thyroid cancer last year and still have scans every 6 months. Trusting God with my health is a never ending journey, but I’m thankful he is ALWAYS faithful!
Morgan! Oh my — thyroid cancer! Bless you…I will pray for complete healing. And for your heart as you walk through each scan.
Yes to Jessica’s book — I love it too!
Thank you for commenting. Sending big hugs!
1. Product I love: Holy Hydration face cream- inexpensive & can use daily under makeup.
2. Memory: traveling over 2,000 miles to drop off our oldest son at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy for indoc. 🥹❤️💙🇺🇸
3. Trusting God to “fill in our parenting gaps” and supply all our and our boys’ needs as we get ready to launch our boys into the world, and most likely into the military.
Thanks Monica! Love your coffee posts! I rarely read emails anymore but will always stop to read your coffee date posts. So much good stuff. Thank you!☺️
Oh what a big time in your life, Shannon! So much love to you! (And thank you for reading my Coffee dates! :))
I have missed these! so glad to catch up! 😁
1. a book I think really is great for any reader is The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion particularly audio if you can get it! (I got it from my library ) just delightful!
2. A great memory this past season is watching my 4 year old son master reading chapter books and now flying through some great series that he’s absolutely loving. Raising a reader is so fun!
3. The season ahead is full of unknowns but we are trusting the Lord with direction for my husband’s job and where and when to move/live .
A happy memory I never want to forget is my family swimming at the most beautiful beach in the Bahamas. Last family vacation before my oldest son graduates from high school!
Along the same vein… trusting the Lord with my sons as they grow and launch into the world.
I am currently 42 and pregnant with my third kiddo, so this is an exciting season, but also one that is requiring me to trust in the Lord as we prepare to welcome another little into our home.
I think everyone should read the book Odd Thomas, it is my favorite and the rest of the series is also wonderful, but Odd and Stormy’s love is a true testament to true love.
I homeschool my kids on the Big Island. I love reading your posts. They are a light and always so encouraging! A product I’m excited about is Grand Teton Ancient Grains. They are a regenerative organic family-owned and operated farm and mill that love God. Freshly milled grains are so nutritious!
Hey Ashley! Thank you for commenting! You’ve piqued my interest! Is Grand Teton based on the Big Island? We have been talking about trying to find better ways to get bread and grains and I’d love to hear more! 🙂 Thanks for saying hi and for your kind words! xo
“Declarations in the Desert” by Tara Moseley has been a book in this season that I pull out almost every day! It’s a book full of prayers and declarations that you can pray over yourself, your family, your friends, your community and over the world. I had the sweet opportunity to meet Tara in person while I was in TN and her heart is so passionate for the Lord’s healing in every home. I hope some of you are able to pick it up!
One happy memory from the last season was my whole family coming to drop off our oldest to move into her dorm for her first year of college. It was so sweet to see my younger kids so excited for her and it was so much fun to see our daughter so happy to move into her new place.
We’re in a season of waiting right now and it’s been hard! My husband is looking for a new job, and we’re trying to figure out a treatment plan for an injury with one of our kids. We’re trying our best to trust God’s plan and timing through it all.
I am trusting God for my finances, my 3 kids(their relationship with the Lord), and challenging decision to make that will impact our family.
A happy memory from this month is my boys repeating as we hiked through the redwoods in California, “Wow, look at that one! Look at that one!”
In this upcoming season I am trusting Jesus with the care and guidance of my soon to be 13 year old. He is our oldest and I am excited to see how he continues to grow into a young man.
I am very excited for your upcoming books! Congratulations on welcoming a daughter to the family. It’s great to read the updates!
One of my favorites is a lip balm from Tractor Supply. It’s called Chicken Poop, but smells like lavender and oranges.
The name alone makes me want to get it 🙂
Re-read Wendell Berry’s “Jayber Crow” this summer – it’s still great!
I like the movie 50 First Dates.
Hi Monica,
It was so much fun having coffee with you again, it’s been too long! Even though I love your Wednesday emails so I feel we haven’t missed too much time together 🙂
See my comments below:
1. Share a movie/book/product you love and think everyone should experience!
Oh wow were do I begin? My cousins and I started a book club earlier this year and it’s been fun! We have read autobiographies, somewhat romantic/comedy (which was a little steamy especially when you listen to it on audible). Movie we loved was the last Spider Man…I cried twice and it was a fun movie to watch with the family. My favorite product right now are these cute mini balms by Burt’s Bees! They come in fun, fall colors!
2. Share a happy memory from the last season (year?) that you never want to forget.
My dad passed away in July 2024…two years and it still feels like yesterday. You are right when you say grief comes in waves…we are so blessed to have had great father’s who raised us to be wonderful daughters and wives and friends aren’t we?! Thank you Jesus for our fathers! We go to Oakhurst alot, right outside Yosemite. We rent an AirBnB and visit with our friends who live up there. My mom, who just turned 80 in Sept. walked up to Angel falls with us. She has been sore for a week but it was great to do the hike with her and for her two grandkids see her hike! Such a wonderful memory we will hold dear always.
3. Share what you’re looking forward to/trusting God with in the season ahead!
We have been learning at The Church of Rocky Peak about the importance of waiting on God. My husband deals with a lot of stomach issues (Which I think is from stress) and I know God is working something through him but we just wish he would feel better now but God’s timing is different than ours so we are learning to trust and wait on Him. I lead a women’s Life Group on Wednesday nights and God is showing me to slow down and really lead, just don’t rush through it or make it one more item you check off a list. The ladies are from 48 to 83 years old (I am 48) and we laugh and cry and learn so much from each other. I am so blessed to be part of this group.
My husband and I are also working on being intentional with completing Josiah’s devotion. We try to read through it at night with our son Roman (12 yrs) but we are moving it to the kitchen table so we can also share it with our daughter London (8 yrs). They both love God, decided on their own to be baptized and have been on a good path so far but we know how important it is to keep them on God’s narrow path so they are not influenced by the world.
Thank you again for all your emails and suggestions, etc. I always say, oh my friend Monica suggested this or Monica posted this! It’s been fun and I can’t wait for you new books to come out!
Love,
Marissa S. from Cali
PS: I love that your boys are local here in Cali. I live in Simi Valley but work for a General Contractor out of Canoga Park. I used to work in Oxnard and Ventura and we used to attend Reality Church in Carpinteria and in Ventura. They actually just closed my favorite food spot, Food Liason in Carp. I have to find a new food place to stop by when I drive home from Santa Barbara. I have a lot of projects in SB for Cottage Health and Sutter so I up there almost every week! I am not complaining…my father loved SB so I always feel close to him when I am up there and that drive is so beautiful with the ocean view!
I love everything about this comment. (Except the hard parts, but even then I love your heart!) Thank you for taking the time! big hugs==
I am in the “middle years” right now. Kids are in school full time, we have busy nights & weekends with sports/Church activities. Trusting that the Lord will guide me in this season and give me wisdom navigating the constant changes that this stage of life brings!
I look forward to trusting God with my 17 year old son, that he excels senior year, does well I’m college and that he becomes a productive and humble member of society.
Everyone should listen to the audiobooks of The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion
Trusting God for unexpected, right-before-he-left-for-college lab results and follow up for my college freshman.
I loved hearing what all your family members are up to and your stories give me so much hope for beginning to raise my own boy this December! Hearing the news that we were pregnant was by far the biggest blessing of this year. We also made the move to a small town in FL and are loving the laid-back coastal life and can’t wait to bring our baby boy home here. There is a very large homeschool population here so we may end up following in your foot steps- lots to figure out before then though! Trusting God in EVERYTHING this season (finances, health, community, raising a baby away from family)!
I am SO excited for you and love this comment so much. Thank you for taking the time! Sending the biggest hugs!
I discovered the author Kristin Hannah recently (The Nightingale) and ended up devouring everything she’s written. A fabulous writer, she is. Two of her novels that I highly recommend are The Winter Garden and The Women. Hers are stories that stay with you.
I really enjoyed reading this post. So much warmth and love comes through in the writing and photos. You (ya’ll) are mightily blessed.
Thank you Sharon!! Sending hugs!
My oldest son also got married this year in June. I will never forget that special day.
I have to share the book series by Beth Brower called The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion. They are gold. The audiobooks are delightful, too. Book 1 starts slow, but you will not be disappointed. Book 9 comes out next year!
I highly recommend the book Boy Mom. And a product that has changed my life and health journey is OptimalAmino.
I have four boys – 12, 10, almost 7, and 2. I love hearing my 12 yo thank God during our family prayer time for bringing his littlest brother (2yo) into our family and how much fun he is.
I’m trusting God with many things, but most on my heart lately is trusting him with my kids’ homeschool journey.
Aww, so happy you’ve enjoyed Boy Mom! and love hearing about your boys. God will be faithful! Keep up the great work! xo
I’m looking forward to hosting our family for Thanksgiving in our gorgeous dream home we bought in the spring after five years of house hunting.
woohoo! I love that so much. congratulations!!
Your emails are some of the few I make a point to read! Love your inspiration!
A memory I will never forget during this season is my 12 yo twins boys playing drums and guitar for morning worship this past Sunday. I am beyond proud of them and also thankful to our Lord!!
Thank you Jackie!! And what a precious memory that is! I love it (and I bet it will only continue/get better! :))
What a fun post to read! Thank you for all the updates. If you’re looking for a delightful and FUN series to read that really sucks you in, I highly recommend The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion. Beware, Beth Brower is still writing them so we have a journey ahead of us before we find conclusion, but as someone who loves classics and non-fiction, I LOVE this series.
Currently in the beginning of our 6th year homeschooling my four boys – two 6th graders, a 3rd grader, and Kindergartener! You have been my inspiration!
Analia! I love this SO much! Thank you for taking the time! xo
Thank you for the good update….I really profit from your thoughts, observations, advice, and recommendations! (even though we’re in different life seasons ♥️)
I’ll address #3. Share what you’re looking forward to/trusting God with in the season ahead!
After almost 34 years of living and working in western Mongolia as ambassadors of the gospel of Christ, we believed God was directing us to leave. We have been in the U.S. for almost 3 months now and it is a HUGE transition to a very different life. Trusting the LORD for what He has for us now! (which will likely involve at least some connection with ministry in Mongolia)
Lisa, thank you so much for commenting! And also wow, thank you for the years you have served the Lord. My husband is studying our rewards in heaven and no doubt you will have some special ones waiting for you. I will stop to pray for this season ahead, and your transition to life in the wild US. God will guide you!
We just welcomed our fourth (and likely) final little baby. The Lord has blessed us with two boys and two girls. I am so thankful for our family and pray that I can parent them well (with a lot of help and grace!). I definitely never want to forget those sweet moments right after birth with any of my babies, especially knowing this was probably the last time. Trying to soak up all the newborn snuggles I can!
Nikki, Amazing! Congratulations!! And yes, soak it in! (and take care of yourself! This must be a very busy season!) XO
We welcomed our 5th son 9 days ago so that is the season we are in right now and that I will be trusting God in so much in the learning how to be a family of 7!! So eating enough is on my radar right and fatty meat sticks are saving me!!! So excited about all the books you have lined up!
I’m walking in faith and stepping out of the boat to leave a corporate job and industry that I’ve served for over 20 years to align with my husband in joining him in our family business. I’m only three weeks in and I’ve already seen how it’s changed how I love, respect, honor and provide compassionate empathy to him. I’m also blown away by the freedom and peace. I’ve had since leaving corporate America and trusting God to provide my daily bread.
Krystal! WOW, this is amazing. I’m so happy for all of you. Thank you for sharing! xo
Such a fun newsy letter! Great questions to answer. We listened to Ruby Holler has a family and really enjoyed it! Young Washington is in my library basket with plans to watch today as encouragement to get house cleaned before our vacation tomorrow! Prayers for wisdom in parenting are always appreciated. I currently have a 14 year old, 12 year old, and 10 year old. Some days are tough! Thanks for the encouragement and recommendations.
Hi Monica! It was so nice to share coffee with you this morning. I have been reading a few books this summer, but my favorites were those from John Burke: Imagine Heaven and Imagine the God of Heaven. Never have I felt so close to heaven and so close to my loved ones that are already there. Beautiful depiction of those who have had your death encounters with heaven and God. I recommend both of them for anyone, even those struggling with their faith. I’m trusting God this season as my mom is now living with us. She has dementia and mobility issues. I have an 5 and 9 year old boy who are being taught very quickly what it looks like to care for an elderly loved one. Such an honor to have her here with us, but also a huge learning curve.
Erin, thank you so much for commenting. The books sound so good. And bless you — you are taking on a lot. I am inspired. (and your sons are blessed by that example.)
As I approach my 47th birthday in just a few days, I am reflecting on how grateful I am for this year’s new adventure: an accelerated BSN, as I embark upon a second career after the first half spent abroad as a missionary librarian and French teacher. These days I take the greatest sort of delight in time spent with my bright young classmates. Though they probably do not know quite what to make of me, with my age, international experience, and homesteading life, I feel like I have a special place in the class, all the same. And it feels like a sort of calling to me, to speak of my experiences with them, to support them in ways that I can, and to quietly live in such a way that maybe, just maybe, I can be a helping hand. Thank you for this fun giveaway!
I love this so much. Thank you for sharing. I imagine you are a huge blessing to your classmates!
I am trusting God to continue to care for me and provide guidance for some tough decisions ahead.
I loved the book ‘The Light in Hidden Places’ about a girl in WW2 who hid Jews!
We moved to a new small town with woods behind our house. It was full of feral cats. I found an organization that is helping for free spay & neuter, in the TNR program. I have fixed them all cubbies with heat. I also provide food and water. They also let me have free medical. I have them all on my patio out back and had my front porched screened in. They are completely taken care of. I am in my 70’s, as is my husband. I always need food as we are living on our retirement. We both agree that this was destined to be where we lived. I thank God everyday that the cats are all so close.
What a fun read- love catching up on the happenings in your family. I think everyone should read Theo of Golden! A happy memory from this year was taking out 14-year-old Lab on a pontoon ride for the first time ever and seeing her smile the entire ride while enjoying the wind on her face. I am trusting God to guide my youngest son toward the college that is the best fit for him, and to continue to provide safety to our oldest as he studies aviation at OK State University.
I have a favorite cookbook I like to share that someone I worked with shared with me. Its called Hope’s Table by Hope Helmuth. The recipes are good and pretty simple to make.
1. I Love Charles Martin books. All of his books are written really well and it’s nice to read a book from a Christian author that has no swearing, romantic scenes, and graphic details. Not to mention, he weaves in Christ in a really neat way.
2. A wonderful memory from this past year is actually sending my daughter back to college. What made it so wonderful was to see her thriving as a young adult and seen how excited she was to start a new routine this year. You see the fruit from all the seeds that you have planted.
3. What I’m trusting God in is the next three kids getting to high school and to college. I have a junior in high school now that I’m trusting God will help guide him in to his next stage of life as a young adult.
*If you’re a coffee drinker, but don’t like to feel jittery, I recommend Everyday Dose Coffee. It’s been my go to for a couple months now and its so easy to prepare.
*Our family went to the 2026 Summer Basketball League in Las Vegas. We had a blast!!!
*I am trusting and having faith that King Jesus will heal my daughter (12), physically and mentally.
Favorite book: Theo of Golden
Happy memory: taking a cruise over the summer with my husband and two boys (21 and 15) before leaving my older son to study abroad in Finland for a semester
Looking forward to: just found out my daughter (23) will have two weeks off for Christmas, so we are planning our time together as a family of five.
Looking forward to your podcast coming back.
Hey Colleen– love this! The cruise sounds amazing and FINLAND! Wow so awesome!
I will say there is nothing better than looking forward to Christmas with grown kids home…awww.
Thanks for being here! big hugs!
It’s been a big year for my family. One son graduated college, one son got married, and our youngest son leaves for Navy boot camp within the week. Trusting the Lord with their lives and seeking renewal and vision for this next chapter of empty nest for my husband and me. We’re taking a sabbatical after 29 and 39 years respectively in ministry. Looking forward to walking the Camino in Spain in October!
Wow Brenda! A big year is right! Love all this and congrats on a much-deserved sabbatical! I hope to do that walk one day! xo
Movie: Grand Budapest Hotel, my favorite Wes Anderson movie. Absolute masterpiece!
looking forward to homeschooling two children
Well fav book(s), I have passed out your Becoming Homeschoolers book to multiple new HS families in our church! It’s the perfect book for getting started! Also, I love Adam Raccoon books for my kids and am excited to see new ones coming out (being republished)!
A fun memory from this past year has been our family being able to visit and explore inside the house at Mount Vernon!
I’m looking forward to more field trips adventures together as a family. Our next goal is to visit Jamestown/Yorktown.
Beverly! Thank you so much for sharing Becoming Homeschoolers! That means so much to me! And what wonderful adventures you’ve given your family. Sending big hugs
We were able to take a trip of a lifetime this summer and went to the World Cup. My boys 13, 10, 6 had the greatest experience and I will forever remember the memories that we made together, driving endless miles, exploring new cities, national parks and beaches and watching all of our favorite sport in the biggest competition. I will forever go to bed each night grateful for the time and trip together!
My husband and I are talking about starting our own business again. I am a stay at home homeschooling/homesteading mom and he works so hard to make sure we can live this lifestyle. Lately his job has been rough. It’s been a hard season. Before we moved 5 years ago we owned a karate school and he did what he was passionate about. When we moved we decided he would get a job instead of starting another school. Recently we have had this feeling that maybe it’s time to start it up again. All of that to say we are praying and excited to see what God has for us in this season. We are just praying he guides us as we take a step of faith.
Really enjoyed my summer getaway to The Atlantis in the Bahamas
My memory is getting to see both of my little girls participate in swim classes together and seeing them grow as friends has been so sweet! I pray they’ll always be a friend for each other.
I think everyone should read Verity! I’m def interested in the movie coming out but the books are always better!
A Lady’s Guide to Marvels & Misadventures by Angela Bell is such a clever and sweet read with a wonderful Gospel message!
the only thing I did fun, was take my 87 year old mom to Branson mo for a week. we had a great time. back to work.
This past summer our family took a RV trip from PA to Banff & Jasper in Canada. A lot of miles driven, lots of good conversations, lots of adventure to remember! Certainly a trip of a lifetime for this family of 4 and our 2 dogs.
Bethany, wow that sounds like a dream! (and with the dogs! haha, I love it!). Thanks for commenting! xo
I am currently reading “Theo of Golden”, I enjoy a fiction read from time to time just to relax with and unwind! In the spring my family of four plus two doodles went on a hiking trip to Shenandoah- I loved seeing my boys hike up mountain trails and enjoy the views from the top with a sense of accomplishment! My boys are quickly approaching 18 and I am trusting God with what’s next for me and them as they step into adulthood- I have been a stay at home homeschool Mom for over 10 years. I am a little scared and sad about this next chapter of life, but trying my best to trust that God has something exciting and meaningful in store for our family. Thank you Monica for sharing so much of your beautiful life / you are an inspiration! ✝️
Hey Elizabeth — what a bittersweet season for you! Love your hiking adventure.
God will lead you in the next season, without a doubt! 🙂 Thank you for your kind words! xo