For a long time, I believed I had to choose.
Grief or gratitude.
Brokenness or healing.
Fear or faith.
Love for my late husband or love for someone new.
But God has gently taught me something so powerful—it’s not always either/or. Sometimes, it’s both/and.
There is such freedom in the word AND.
I can grieve AND be grateful.
I can miss what was AND embrace what is.
I can love the life I had AND the life I have now.
I can walk in faith AND still feel fear.
Read more...As I write this, we are getting ready for a trip that I always thought was so far off in the future, but here we are! Jillian is GRADUATING from college!!!
I mean, how is this even possible that we are at this point? Wasn’t it just yesterday we were diving into algebra in homeschool, and college was a distant dream? And now, somehow, she’s walking across a stage, ready to step into this next chapter. I find myself wondering, When did she grow up? How did we get here so fast?
As with many milestones, this one comes with a lot of BIG emotions. Joy, pride, excitement….and grief. This winter has been a hard season, and wrapped up in it has been the anticipation of Jillian graduating. I am deeply proud of Jillian—she has poured her heart into these years and grown into such an incredible young woman. And these big moments bring up grief and an intensity of missing Jon.
My Personal Journey Toward Nontoxic Living
In the first post of this series, I shared how I used to believe that being healthy was all about diet and exercise. But as I learned more, I realized that the everyday products I was using—things I never even questioned—were filled with harmful toxins that were burdening my body. That discovery changed everything. I swapped out my toxic candles for a diffuser with high-quality essential oils, replaced chemical-laden cleaners with plant-based alternatives, and switched to nontoxic body products and makeup. The results were undeniable—our home felt fresher, the air was cleaner, and my body felt healthier. My body wasn’t fighting itself anymore and my autoimmune disease went into remission. Looking back, I only wish I had made these changes sooner.
How to Start Reducing Toxins in Your Home
Switching to nontoxic products doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start small with these simple steps:
- Swap plastic containers for glass or stainless steel (mason jars are a great food storage option)
- Choose personal care items that are scented with pure essential oils
- Use plant based household cleaners for cleaning instead of chemical sprays
- Buy organic when possible to reduce pesticide exposure
- Open windows regularly for better indoor air quality
Where Are Toxins Hiding?
Toxins are commonly found in:
- Personal Care & Beauty Products (makeup, lotion, shampoo) - remember, your skin is your largest organ. Whatever you put on your skin, absorbs into your bloodstream.
- Cleaning Supplies (air fresheners, laundry detergent, disinfectants, glass cleaner) - we inhale the chemicals and touch these surfaces that have been cleaned with these products.
- Food & Food Packaging (pesticides, BPA in plastics) - these absorb into our foods whether we like it or not.
- Home Goods (candles, furniture, children’s pajamas with flame retardants) - we’re breathing these chemicals in on a daily basis.
Read more...Toxins are so prevalent in our household products. I was shocked at the chemical load found in things I used to use every day! So I started looking for safer products. Unfortunately, I found it to be more difficult than I thought. Many companies use clever marketing tactics, known as “greenwashing” to make their products seem natural and safe when they’re anything but. Words like “biodegradable,” “plant-based,” and “all-natural,” along with packaging covered in leaves and nature scenes, can be incredibly misleading. The truth? Many of these products are just as toxic as those that don’t even pretend to be safe. So how can you tell the difference? Let’s break it down.
Read more...
