Spring 2024 Coffee Date Wrap-Up (& giveaway!)
A coffee date catch-up and a giveaway! Thanks for stopping by! 🌺
ALOHA FRIENDS!
Fun fact: Though I write books and host a podcast and love creating courses…One of my most favorite things is: writing emails! Specifically, I love writing a monthly “Coffee Date” email to subscribers with updates, photos, and links to things I’m loving. People tell me that my emails capture my personality best. Probably because I sincerely love having coffee with friends and I write my emails just the way I’d chat over coffee if we could do that!
*BTW: If you’re not on my email list I hope you’ll join it HERE.
But…if you are new here, or if you’ve missed any of my spring emails (cuz lifeissobusyigetit!) I am compiling some of the highlights from the past season’s emails here! There are a few things I reserve *for email subscribers only* but you’ll find lots of good stuff below.
THEN…just like any good coffee date, I’d LOVE for you to leave a comment at the bottom and share from your end too! (I’m leaving few questions for you!)
So…let’s catch up from the spring, shall we?
I had some really fun, really awesome guests on the podcast this Spring! In case you missed some, here are a few listener favorites I’d love for you to hear. ❤️ Each image will take you to show notes!
My newest book, BECOMING HOMESCHOOLERS released on May 7th! If you haven’t had a chance to read it, grab a copy on Amazon!!
Here’s one of the many encouraging reviews from Amazon:
This is the homeschooling book that needed to be written! I now have a complete resource to give to any mom asking me about why I homeschool. Monica nailed it with all the reasons and benefits in such a simple, to the point, and loving way. Her tone is sweet and humorous, and I find her communication style to be both encouraging and enjoyable. This book is going to change so many families’ lives. I just encourage any mom or dad even slightly open to homeschool to read this so you too can look back one day and be proud of your parenting years and give your kids “a life they will thank you for later.”
If you have read the book and haven’t left a rating+review yet, I’d be so grateful if you’d take just a minute to leave one! (here’s an amazon link to make it easy!)
Also in book-related news, my first book, The Secret of Your Naturally Skinny Friends, is back in print & available on Amazon! I’m so excited for you to have a chance to read it (even if again!)
In April, we took a trip to Augusta, Georgia, where Levi took 2nd place in the Drive, Chip, and Putt National Finals. It was an amazing experience, start to finish!
In other (happy happy) news: Our son Jonah graduated from Westmont College with a mechanical engineering major in May!
And the cherry on top was that after applying to a lot of companies, he got a dream job offer the week before graduation!! Woohoo! so, he’s home visiting for a few weeks now, then will be off to begin adulting (very near his big brother) in Santa Barbara soon. (give me all the emojis and emotions…🥳🤓🥹😭🤗🤷🏼♀️) We are SO proud of him.
More fun news…
I WAS ON FOCUS ON THE FAMILY this spring!
You can watch the interview on YouTube here! PS There are lots of 👍🏼’s and some really great comments on the YouTube channel which blesses me like crazy, but if you could add yours I’d be so grateful!🙏🏼
FOR YOU: Did you know I created a Raising Amazing BOOK STUDY GUIDE?!
I’m hearing from lots of people who are using it to lead a summer study, and you are welcome to do the same! (gather a group of friends or couples or through your church perhaps!?) It’s completely FREE! Download your copy here!!
In my monthly emails I love to include links to things I’m loving — from a new pair of jeans to a movie, recipe, or social media account! Here are just a few of my spring links:
- Unsung Hero We saw this in the theatre and oh my goodness, it was SO GOOD!! I’m not exaggerating this is now one of my lifetime favorite movies.
- BOOK rec: Now and Not Yet, by the always amazing Ruth Chou Simons
“it’s okay to not like the right now we’ve been given, but we don’t have to like it to lean in….” - A book that is holding Levi’s 13-year-old attention!
- My new-found favorite self-tanner and mitt. (Because my doctor- husband is a #sunscreen police (for good reason, skin cancer is awful!) but I really like a little glow!)
- A podcast series for the middle years!...I loved the spring episodes focused on all-of-the-things middle-aging with grace, style, and more, on the OUR TIME TO RISE PODCAST.
- Durenda Wilson’s new book: Raising Boys to be Men. Boy moms, you need this.
- YouVersion has a new Hawaiian Pidgin version of the Bible. (And my boys will say, “Brah, da kine gives me chicken skin!”)
- I shared my favorite fun Pot Lid Lifters that my mom brought me from Europe in IG stories then found them on Amazon so had to share. (it’s the little things.)
- This lipgloss is a new favorite!
- Our family’s spring Obsession! Have you watched the “All Creatures Great and Small” series? A fun, family-friendly, character-rich show. A must-watch!
- How to Manage Video Games in Your Home (and I have a podcast series on this topic coming this summer!)
- Tama Fortner’s Everyday Joys devotional (meditating on the intersection of ordinary and divine) is lovely and so well done.
- Favorite IG posts/reels from the spring?… This one about my husband’s thoughts on homeschooling , “What do kids need most?”, a powerful George Barna quote, and 3 Health Trends I gave up
- also I love to share Monday funnies at least once a month…(here’s just a couple)
Ok friends…your turn! (+ a giveaway!)
Share a highlight from this past spring OR what you’re looking forward to this summer! 😎☀️🩱🎆
Also: Any (family-friendly) tv shows, favorite books, products or anything else the rest of us might enjoy! 🎥🍿📚💄👖
Then: LET ME KNOW IN YOUR COMMENT IF YOU HAVE SUBSCRIBED TO MY EMAILS, and next week (June 12th) I’ll pick 2 of you send $20 Amazon cards to!
GIVEAWAY CLOSED! Congrats to Savannah and Amber on winning the Amazon gift cards! ♥️
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. – Ephesians 3:20-21
I am subscribed to your emails, they’re so fun when I get a chance to read them!
I am most looking forward to spending more time with my kids this summer. My husband and I just left our job as houseparents at a children’s home so we could really focus on our kids, and we’re loving it (and so do our kids)! A highlight from spring was getting to visit my parents often. ♥️
Hi Monica!
I am currently reading Becoming Homeschoolers and LOVING it!! My oldest son is turning four and we are just starting the homeschooling journey so your book couldn’t have come out at a better time for me!
Thank you for all you do! I am subscribed to your emails! 🙂
We finally got to visit home after being in Hawaii for 4.5 years! It was so great to go there and so great to be back!
I am looking forward to not having to nag my child about math for a couple of months…We are loving Lego Masters as a family. The Australia version is the best one. And yes, I do get emails already 🙂
My husband is in the military and we live 7000 miles from our families, but my mom and a friend were able to visit this spring, which allowed my husband and me some (a lot) of alone time, including a day trip I’ve been wanting to go on to swim with sea turtles! 🐢
my oldest is currently listening to the Gregor the Overlander series! I’m always looks for book recommendations with strong main male characters for him!
I’ve been subscribed to your emails for a while! 🖤
Wow Patricia, thank you (and your husband!) for serving our country! So happy you got some sweet time together. I need to search for that series…thank you for mentioning!
big hugs and thank you for being in my online community!
This summer my family is looking forward to lots of family time, pool days, parks, splash pads, and cookouts! A TV show my daughter has been enjoying lately is Caillou (love the nostalgia it brings from my childhood). I recently discovered your content from the new Homeschool book- been listening to it on audio and so grateful I came across this! I will be purchasing a physical copy and I know I will reference it often as we jump into the homeschooling journey in the next few years. I did get subscribed recently as well- looking forward to seeing everything you write!
Hi Melanie! So great to meet you! thank you for listening (and ordering– yay!) my book. Big hugs to you and please keep in touch as you go!
Looking forward to a summer at the local pool, which is just three blocks from our house!! I have a 2yo & 6 mo, and reading the Jesus Storybook Bible has been life giving for me and my toddler, as much as I want to do deep dive stuff, this season is not the time… also, Jackie Hill Perry’s “Upon Waking” Devo is giving me life as well! I need devo style time with the Lord right now, short & sweet, but crave JHP depth… so thankful she put out this devotional!! Have subscribed & been a subscriber for a looooong time, it’s one of the few subscriptions I keep!:)
oh this means so much to me! Yay for a pool so close! And JHP’s devo sounds great (I’m gonna go order it now! :)) Thank you for hanging with me for so long. Big hugs!
Aloha, Monica!!
I do subscribe to your emails!! And your YouTube, and your podcast! Haha! I truly love and appreciate all you put out there!! With 2 little guys (5yo and 1yo) I need all the wisdom!! So thank you!
This spring has been rough. My oldest broke his arm on the playground and I never understood how something so common could be so impactful not only to him, but our whole family has been affected! Routines, emotions, rhythms, entertainment options have all had an overhaul. Haha! I can definitely see the Lord using this to purify us cuz some icky stuff has surfaced for sure. (Mostly anxiety, but sprinkle some anger and impatience on there too.) 🤦🏻♀️ So, anyway- all good things!!
We have been reading John 1 together (memorized vs1-5) but when John the Baptist calls out Jesus, He said behold the lamb of God WHO TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD. And it hit me- this season is not so much about physical healing (though he’s doing that too and he did that when he was here too!) but it’s about Him sanctifying us through the trial. And I trust that he is. I feel like I’m blowing it every day, but so thankful that he is working in spite of me!
As for things we’re loving rn: we just started listening to The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. So far so good!
I’ve been reading The Watchmaker’s Daughter by Larry Loftis and I highly recommend it! It is the story of Corrie Ten Boom and her family, but he adds so much detail from other sources as well! It is very sad, but so inspiring to see the hope and the joy that God gave them in such tragic circumstances!
I am also on a mission creating Yoto cards for my littles with Bible verses, educational songs, poetry, favorite books, etc. So that has been fun! 🤩
I just learned about Yoto this year, and the more we have had it, the more I love it!! https://us.yotoplay.com/
This summer, we are looking forward to when my son is able to get his cast off and we can go to the pool!! 🙌🏼😁
Thanks for all you do, Monica!! You’re an inspiration!
hi Danae!! thank you so much for this message. Wow, so much good stuff. God is good and teaching you through everything! Love it! Now I’m gonna totally look into Yoto cards! :). And the books! yay, thank you for sharing!
big hugs and happy summertime! xo
I am looking forward to spending lots of time in the sun with my boys this summer 💛
Would love to recommend: You Are Loved: Artwork and Inspirational Messages to Encourage Your Faith by Janessa Wait. Its a cute little coffee table book I love to keep out and when I’m feeling overwhelmed or just need some Godly encouragement I open it up and read a page to lift up my spirits. I also have given it to people as gifts for friends who need encouragement.
I am already subscribed to your emails 😊
Thank you Shelby! I follow Janessa on IG but need to order that book. Thx for sharing! sending love and wishes for a happy sunny summer! xo
Hi Monica!!! A big highlight from my Spring was my son finishing pre-k and getting ready to head to kindergarten this fall!
**I also wanted to let you know I’m a veteran public middle school teacher, yet I still find your content relevant and fascinating. Your wisdom extends beyond just the homeschooling community (which I know is your heart), and I am so thankful for that! I have been subscribed to your email for probably over a year now, and it has been so valuable and refreshing to read every month/week! I just wanted you to know us public school teachers appreciate all your resources and wisdom!! 🙂
Samantha! Wow, thank you soooo much for that comment. As you (hopefully) have gathered, it is SO my heart to encourage and bless and support every parent doing their best to raise good and godly kids. I love hearing from you and feel so happy to hear that my content is an encouragement to you. I intend to continue to serve a wider audience than just homeschoolers. 🙂 Wish I could give you a big hug! ENJOY summer, you surely earned it!! xo
Yes! Definitely a subscriber. This past spring we walked through a lot and had quite a few curveballs thrown at us…(including the loss of a friend, and two ER visits) …but looking back, God was so very present & covered us each step of the way. Grateful that even in the midst of hardship He is so faithful.
Amazing, thank you Amber! Hope that summer is wonderful (and uneventful I a good way, haha) xo
Yes, I’m on your email!!
We’re looking forwards to a kids, online camp with Jami Balmet and spending time at Family Camp for a week! Also, this past spring has been a whirlwind with lots of changes, however, we have seen God’s hand at work in it all! Recommendation is a pocket microscope that we got our son for his birthday. Any science loving kid would be ecstatic! Also, Sarah Molitor’s book “I Grew With You” is the best baby shower gift!!
Hi Beverly! thank you for this. LOVE the pocket microscope suggestion! 🙂 And yay for Sarah Monitor’s book…such a sweet rec!