Finding Joy in Your Home
The Finding Joy in Your Home podcast exists to give you the tools, inspiration, and encouragement that you need to craft a Gospel-Centered Home (formerly called the Homemaking Foundations Podcast)! Join Jami, creator behind FindingJoyinYourHome.com, as we explore various aspects of homemaking including biblical womanhood, marriage, healthy living, organizing, cooking, and so much more! If you feel like your home is out of control - or if you ever feel overwhelmed in your role as homemaker - then join Jami each week as she stands firm on God’s Word as our path to bringing glory to God and finding true joy and peace in the everyday.
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Welcome to My Garden Journal (and Journey) for 2026 - BLOG
01/24/2026
Welcome to My Garden Journal (and Journey) for 2026 - BLOG
It’s been two long years since I’ve been able to grow a garden. Life shifted in big ways during that season. We relocated to North Carolina, and for a while I didn’t even have a yard, just a moving target and a lot of transition. Gardening simply wasn’t possible. And while that season held good things, I missed the soil deeply. Now, though, everything has changed. We’re on three-quarters of an acre. It’s flat. It’s usable. And my backyard is absolutely begging for a garden. Every time I look out the window, I can practically see the rows already forming in my imagination. I am all in on my garden plans this year. I’m excited… and also, if I’m honest, just a little nervous. Big dreams tend to do that to me. My Big Hairy Audacious Gardening Goal This dream didn’t start this year. It began about five years ago, when a quiet idea started taking root in my heart: what if I could grow a garden big enough to truly feed my family throughout the year? Around that time, I was getting deeper into canning and food preservation. I started dreaming about walking into my backyard and harvesting dinner instead of running to the store. I began to see the value of homegrown potatoes and carrots that could last through the winter. And slowly, that dream took shape into what I now lovingly call my Big Hairy Audacious Goal: I wanted to grow a garden large enough to supply roughly 90% of the fruits and vegetables my family eats in a year. For context, our family is ten people strong… and eight of those are boys, teens, and a mnn. This is not a small-appetite household. It sounded inspiring. It sounded noble. It also sounded completely ridiculous. Because here was the small inconvenience: at that point in my life, I had successfully gardened approximately twice. Once was in our tiny one-bedroom apartment twelve years ago, when I managed a modest collection of container plants. The second time was in California, when I planted a garden from transplants and promptly watched every single plant die in a drought. I had also tried starting seeds once. They all died too. So naturally, with this glowing résumé of gardening success, I did what I always do and decided this massive goal was absolutely achievable and that I was claiming it as my own. When Wisdom Finally Spoke Up As I’ve grown and matured (and learned a few things the hard way), wisdom gently tapped me on the shoulder and whispered something important: “Make sure this goal is actually doable. Don’t jump in with too much, all at once.” So I reframed the dream. Instead of wanting to accomplish this immediately, I gave myself a realistic runway: In ten years, I want to grow a garden large enough to produce about 90% of the produce my family eats in a year. Now that felt ambitious but attainable. Still bold. Still stretching. But grounded in patience and learning. I set that goal four years ago. And I’m happy to report that while I’m nowhere near the final destination, I am absolutely closer than I was when I started. Six more years still feels like a tight timeline for something this big—but steady progress counts for a lot. Learning One Skill at a Time I knew from the beginning that if this dream was going to become reality, it would have to grow slowly and intentionally. My first year, I went all in on learning how to start seeds. Buying plant starts would never be financially sustainable for the scale I eventually wanted, so this felt like the logical foundation. That year, I didn’t worry about pests, harvesting, or even whether the garden would truly thrive. My only goal was to learn everything I possibly could about seed starting—and to do it inexpensively. And guess what? Today, seed starting feels second nature to me. What once felt overwhelming and complicated now feels routine. I’m gearing up to start multiple rounds of seeds over the next eight weeks, and it feels easy. I even managed a decent harvest that first year and learned a hundred small lessons along the way. Not bad for someone who once killed every seed she touched. The following year, I added a few new layers: expanding the garden, dedicating an entire bed to peppers (only mildly successful—note to self: start peppers much earlier), learning how to grow potatoes and onions, and experimenting with a small fall garden. And that’s when I discovered that I absolutely love fall gardening. It might actually be my favorite season to grow. Then life happened. A cross-country move and baby number eight put gardening plans on pause for two full years. Not exactly part of the original timeline—but seasons have a way of doing that. And now here I am again: in a new state, in a new home, with two containers full of seeds and a wide-open backyard waiting to become something beautiful. What’s New for 2026 This year brings a big first for us: we’re creating an entirely new in-ground garden space measuring 20 by 25 feet. Up until now, all of my gardening has been in raised beds. I’m excited to expand more affordably into a larger footprint and experiment with a no-till gardening approach. We’ll be laying down cardboard this week to begin building the soil, and I’m genuinely excited to watch this space come to life. I also have a handful of small “firsts” on my list this year: growing sweet potatoes, experimenting with luffa sponges, doing much more vertical gardening, and starting elderberry cuttings from a friend’s bush—just to name a few. Some of these will go well. Some probably won’t. And that’s part of the joy of learning. Come Garden With Me If you’ve ever dreamed about growing more of your own food—or expanding what you’re already doing—I’d love for you to join me this year. I’ll be blogging throughout the season, sharing what I’m learning, what’s working, what’s flopping, and what’s surprising me along the way. I’m gardening in Zone 8a, but you certainly don’t need to be in the same zone to follow along and grow together. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, encouragement to finally pick up a shovel, beginner-friendly guidance (I’m still far from an expert), or a place to share your own wisdom if you’re a seasoned gardener—this space is for you. Welcome to my garden journal and my gardening journey for 2026. I’m so glad you’re here.
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Finding Joy in the Ordinary Days of Home - BLOG
01/23/2026
Finding Joy in the Ordinary Days of Home - BLOG
Do you ever have one of those days? The kind where you wake up already irritated, before anything has even happened. You’re short on patience, easily overwhelmed, and it feels like joy is nowhere to be found. If I’m honest, when I was a young mom those days came more often than I care to admit, and I usually felt a little ashamed that my attitude could sour so quickly. But motherhood has a way of pressing on every weak spot at once. The needs are constant. The to-do list never truly ends. The house doesn’t stay clean for long, sleep is often interrupted, and a quiet moment to yourself can feel like an impossible luxury. Over time, those small pressures compound, and suddenly we find ourselves moving through the day with clenched teeth instead of open hands. It’s easy for the mundane rhythm of homemaking to drain the life out of us. And yet, those ordinary days don’t have to rob us of joy. Joy is not something you either have or you don’t. It’s something that can be cultivated, practiced, and recovered, sometimes in the smallest, simplest ways. Over the years I’ve found a handful of steady rhythms that help reset my heart when I’m weary, irritable, or tempted to drift into complaint. They don’t magically remove hard circumstances, but they do help me return to a joyful, content posture in the work God has given me. Joy often begins before the day begins How we start our morning doesn’t determine everything, but it shapes more than we realize. When I wake up, I have a choice to make: I can let the mood I’m in dictate the atmosphere of the day, or I can intentionally anchor my heart before the demands start piling up. That choice isn’t always easy, especially after a rough night, an early wake-up, or the anticipation of a hard day. But using the early hours well has repeatedly transformed my heart. Fill the house with worship One of the simplest habits that serves me well is turning on worship music early in the morning. It’s almost automatic now: I step into the kitchen, keep the volume low so I don’t wake everyone (if I’m lucky enough to be the first one up), and let truth fill the background. I love a quiet house. But I’ve also learned that silence doesn’t always produce peace. Sometimes silence gives my thoughts too much room to spiral. Gentle worship does something different: it recenters me. It softens the edge of a tired mood. It reminds me, before I even touch the dishes or check a schedule, that God is already present. And truly, try humming a praise song while holding onto a grudge. It’s surprisingly difficult. Open the Bible (even if it’s not “perfect”) This may sound obvious, but it’s obvious because it’s foundational: there is nothing more steadying than opening God’s Word before the day opens you. If you’re in the thick of little-kid years, your Bible time may not look like deep study with color-coded notes and uninterrupted quiet. Mine often doesn’t. Some mornings I’m simply following a basic reading plan and reading a short devotional. Some mornings I get a few quiet minutes. Other mornings my Bible is open on my lap while little ones climb around my feet. But lately, as my littlest one is 16 months old, I've been cultivating the quiet, steady rhythm of getting up before my kids, coffee in hand, and quietly reading my Bible and praying. This practice never returns void, even if I do get tired in the afternoon! But the Lord uses imperfect, interrupted time. If all you can manage today is a few verses, that is still enough to reset your mind and help you walk into the day with more clarity and hope than you had five minutes earlier. Practice gratitude until your heart catches up Gratitude isn’t a trendy idea, it’s a spiritual discipline. It’s one of the simplest ways to pull your focus off your frustration and place it back where it belongs: on the goodness of God. In my morning prayer journal, I write down two specific things I’m thankful for every day. Two. Not ten. Not a beautifully worded paragraph. Just two gifts from the Lord, especially on mornings when I don’t feel like doing it. And here’s what I’ve found: the moments it’s hardest to name blessings are usually the moments I need to do it most. I’m always surprised how quickly my mood begins to shift once I start. Two blessings often turn into five. And suddenly my heart feels lighter—not because the work disappeared, but because my perspective did. Finding joy in the mundane work of homekeeping Let’s be honest: cleaning is not thrilling. It just isn’t, especially in an active home where messes multiply faster than you can catch up. But “not fun” doesn’t mean “not meaningful.” Part of being a keeper of the home is doing ordinary work faithfully. The goal isn’t to pretend those tasks are exciting; it’s to learn how to do them with a better spirit and a bigger purpose. Here are a few practices that have helped me keep a joyful heart while doing repetitive work. Pray over your home while you care for it When was the last time you prayed over your home, not just in general, but specifically? One of the most powerful shifts I’ve made is praying over the rooms of our house while I clean them. I’ll pray for what happens there and for the people who live under our roof. This matters because I’ve noticed something about myself: when my hands are busy, my thoughts can get dark if I’m not intentional. Cleaning can become the time I replay frustrations, stew over annoyances, or spiral into negativity. Prayer redirects that space. If you’re in the bathroom and potty training is testing your patience, pray for that child and for wisdom. If you’re in the kitchen, pray over meals and conversations. If you’re in the living room, pray that your home would be a place of peace and kindness. Praying this way doesn’t just change my heart. It often changes the atmosphere of the home itself. Listen to something that strengthens you Just like worship music helps in the morning, encouragement helps in the middle of the day. I love listening to podcasts or sermons while I cook dinner or do chores, especially in the late afternoon when my energy is low and I’m tempted to coast in irritation. There’s something restoring about letting your mind take in truth and encouragement while your body does ordinary work. It “fills your cup” in a practical way. It reminds you that the work you’re doing matters, and that you’re not alone in it. Make a simple plan for the day I love a good to-do list. It helps me feel grounded and purposeful. But I’ve also learned that the quickest way to discourage myself is to write a list that assumes I’m living in a silent, uninterrupted world. In my busiest seasons, I can realistically complete about five meaningful tasks in a day, sometimes less. So I keep the plan simple: a short list and a flexible timeline. I often write it the night before, not because I’m trying to be rigid, but because there is freedom in waking up with direction. When I don’t make a plan, I’m much more likely to drift into chaos. I’ll find myself slumped on the couch mid-morning while the kids are unraveling, and then I feel defeated before the day is even half over. But when I have a gentle plan, everything seems to run a little smoother, even when interruptions come. Joy also requires room for delight Sometimes we lose joy at home not because there’s too much work, but because there’s too little fun. When was the last time you got down on the floor with your kids and played? When was the last time you laughed, really laughed, in the middle of an ordinary day? There will always be more work to do. But if we never stop to enjoy the people we are caring for, we will slowly begin to resent the work itself. A home is not meant to be managed like a machine; it’s meant to be lived in with love. This is where your plan can either serve you or enslave you. A plan is a blessing, but it shouldn’t become the mountain you’re willing to die on. Racing through your to-do list while ignoring your family is not the measure of success. Sometimes the most faithful choice is setting the list down to pull out Play-Doh, read a book, sit close, listen, and laugh. Those moments are not “wasted time.” They are part of building a joyful home. And don’t forget your husband in this, either. Homemaking isn’t only about managing tasks, it’s about nurturing relationships. Make room for fun with him too, whether that’s an at-home date night, a walk together, or time out of the house. Joy grows where connection is protected. Ordinary days are where joy is formed Most homemaking is not made up of highlight moments. It’s made up of ordinary ones: meals, messes, interruptions, and the steady, faithful work of loving people. And by God’s grace, those ordinary days can become the very place where joy takes root. Not because every day feels easy, but because joy isn’t dependent on ease. It’s cultivated by truth, gratitude, prayer, worship, wise planning, and intentional delight. One small practice at a time, God can reshape our attitude and restore our contentment, right in the middle of the work. If today is one of “those days,” you’re not alone. Start small. Choose one way to re-center your heart. And ask the Lord to meet you in the ordinary. He does.
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What a “Good Homemaker” Really Is (and What She Isn’t) - BLOG
01/19/2026
What a “Good Homemaker” Really Is (and What She Isn’t) - BLOG
Homemaking Is Bigger Than a Job Title When most people hear the word homemaker, they picture one specific life: a stay-at-home mom, in an apron, with dinner simmering and a spotless house to match. And if that’s your life right now, I hope you feel encouraged in it (this is my life, more or less with the spotless house). But if that’s not your life, if you work outside the home, if you’re a student, if you live with your parents, if you’re single, if you’re caring for aging family members, if your season feels anything but neat and tidy—I want you to stay with me. Because homemaking is not a modern job description. It’s a calling of stewardship, love, and spiritual formation that looks different in different seasons. And the sooner we stop treating homemaking like a narrow label, the sooner we can actually live it with freedom, clarity, and joy. I didn’t grow up training for home I got married at nineteen, which still makes me laugh because I truly didn’t see that coming. I wasn’t raised in a culture that was telling me to marry young. I was the typical public school kid: college plans, big ideas, and a quiet assumption that “real life” would begin after a degree. But then God wrote a different story. I met Jason when I was sixteen, we started dating when I was seventeen, and I was married before I ever felt remotely “prepared.” And to be honest? I had almost no homemaking skills. Okay no, actually zero homemaking skills. I didn’t know how to cook. I didn’t know how to manage a home. I barely knew how to do my own laundry, and I certainly wasn’t walking into marriage with some kind of mental framework for how a household runs. There wasn’t a built-in “curriculum” for real life skills where I grew up, and I know I’m not alone in that. A lot of millennials were well-trained to take tests, write papers, get into college… and then suddenly found themselves staring at adulthood thinking, Wait—how do I feed people every day? How do I budget? How do I keep a home from slowly falling apart? So those early years of my blog (back when it was The Young Wife’s Guide) and the earliest days of the podcast were really me working this out in real time. I was trying to answer basic but weighty questions: What does it mean to care for a family? What is a wife responsible for? What does a biblical vision of home even look like when both spouses are working and in school full-time, as we were? How do you build a life that honors God when you don’t feel naturally gifted at managing the practical side of a household? I didn’t have this figured out when I started. I was learning while I lived it. Homemaking is a calling for women in every season Here’s my “controversial” take, and I’ll say it plainly: if you are a woman, you are a homemaker. Not because every woman is called to the exact same routine, or because every woman’s life will look like mine, or because your worth is somehow tied to whether you are home full-time. But because God has designed women with a particular bent toward nurture, care, and cultivation and He places us, in every season, in spheres where that calling is meant to show up. For some women, home right now is a house filled with children. For others, it’s a small apartment. For others, it’s a dorm room. For some, it’s their parents’ home. For some, it’s a home shared with roommates. For some, it’s a season of caring for grandparents or aging parents. For some, it's juggling several of these and being in a place you really don't want to be but God is calling you to be faithful in none-the-less. But in every one of those scenarios, God has given you a “home base” and a set of relationships, whether that’s family, roommates, church community, neighbors, coworkers, or friends, that you have the privilege of loving well. Homemaking, at its heart, is using what God has entrusted to you to cultivate a place where people are cared for, where peace is pursued, where love is practiced, and where Christ is honored. That’s why Scripture’s call in Titus 2 isn’t framed as a lifestyle aesthetic. It’s about character and love: loving family, being self-controlled, being kind, and being a keeper of the home. That doesn’t box women into one rigid shape; it gives women a direction. We have to stop shrinking homemaking down to chores One of the biggest misunderstandings about homemaking is that it’s mainly about tasks: dishes, dusting, laundry, meals, organization. And yes, those things matter. A home can’t function well if it’s chronically chaotic. It’s hard to feel peace when your environment is stressful and neglected. But homemaking is not defined by whether your counters are clear at 7:00 p.m. It’s also not defined by how crafty you are, how beautiful your meals look, whether you make sourdough, whether your home resembles a magazine spread, or whether your systems are color-coded and Pinterest-perfect (or Instagram-perfect, since that’s the modern version). A home is not a performance. Homemaking is about building a place of peace for your family and cultivating Christlikeness in the middle of a loud, chaotic world. And right now, the world is loud. Many of us feel that heaviness: news cycles, cultural confusion, fear about the future, the sense that everything is fragile and uncertain. You cannot control all of that. But you can shape the atmosphere of your home. You can turn whatever “four walls” God has given you into a haven: imperfect, lived-in, sometimes noisy, often messy, but oriented toward what is good and true. You can build a home where people walk in and feel warmth. Not because everything is spotless, but because love lives there. The goal isn’t perfection: The goal is a home that nurtures hearts I want to be careful here, because whenever we talk about peaceful homes, it can sound like I’m describing a quiet, angelic household where children never argue and moms never lose patience. That’s not real life. I have eight kids. We homeschool. We are together a lot. My home is not peaceful all the time. We have days where I think, It is disgusting in here, and we have days where we have to stop and address attitudes, kindness, tone, how we speak to one another. There are big feelings, real conflicts, and regular opportunities for sanctification. So when I say homemaking is about creating peace, I don’t mean creating a fake version of peace. I mean pursuing the kind of peace that is rooted in Christ: order where we can, gentleness where we should, repentance when we fail, and grace in the middle of it all. And that’s why I don’t think a good homemaker can be measured by a checklist. Because faithfulness to the Lord has never been a simple checklist, either. Still, when I boil it down, I come back to three markers that matter far more than aesthetics: A good homemaker keeps her eyes fixed on Christ daily. She intentionally sets priorities that honor God. And she builds a home that nurtures her family’s hearts, not just their stomachs. That last part is where things get practical in a way we don’t always expect. Sometimes nurturing hearts means you leave the dishes for later and take a walk with your kids. Sometimes it means you do the opposite, saying no to distractions because your home needs attention and your family needs the stability of order. Wisdom is knowing which one matters today. There is a tension we all have to learn to navigate. Some of us grew up under pressure to keep a perfect house, so we swing hard in the other direction and tell ourselves mess doesn’t matter at all. But God doesn’t call us to either extreme. He calls us to stewardship and love, with discernment. There’s a line I’ve repeated for years because it helps me recalibrate: the home needs to be clean enough to serve the family, but not so clean that the family is serving the house. That’s the balance. And it looks different in every household. Proverbs 31 isn’t a checklist, it’s a portrait Whenever homemaking comes up, Proverbs 31 comes up too, and I think it’s important to read it the right way. That passage isn’t meant to crush you under an impossible standard where every woman needs to buy a field, wake before dawn, sew clothing, and run multiple businesses while making organic bread from scratch. It’s not a checklist; it’s a portrait. It shows the heart of a woman who serves her household with joy, wisdom, and strength rooted in the Lord. Her work is meaningful because it’s anchored in fear of the Lord, not in human applause. And yes, her situation included resources that many of us don’t have. But what stands out is not that she had help, it’s that she was diligent, intentional, and joyful in serving the good of her household. If your circumstances were different, your Proverbs 31 would look different too. The particulars change. The heart does not. Choosing joy is not denial, it’s discipleship One of the most honest parts of homemaking is admitting that the work is often repetitive, sometimes exhausting, and occasionally overwhelming. Even when you love your family deeply, there are weeks where you feel like you’re dragging yourself through the basics. Recently I had a week like that. We were dealing with sickness, patience was thin, and everything felt harder than it needed to. And I realized something simple but important: I needed to choose joy on purpose. Not the fake joy of pretending things are fine. Not the shallow joy of ignoring real problems. But the rooted joy of saying, Lord, today might be hard, but help me be faithful in it. Help me serve with gladness. Help me love the people in front of me. I sat my kids down and told them plainly that I’d been struggling. And then I told them what we were going to do about it: we were going to choose joy, tackle our work with diligence, and move forward with a different spirit. That’s homemaking, too. Not just the meals and the laundry, but the spiritual tone in your home. The willingness to repent when you’ve been short-tempered. The choice to pursue peace and kindness when the easiest option would be to keep snapping and survive the day. Homemaking is discipleship. It’s formation. It’s worship in work clothes. You’re not failing, you’re learning If you hear all of this and think, Okay, but I still feel behind, let me encourage you: you are not expected to be perfect at this. I tell my kids this all the time with school—especially math. You’re not supposed to walk into seventh grade and already know how to do everything. You’re learning. That’s the point. And it’s the same with homemaking. You are learning how to steward what God has given you. You are learning how to love people well. You are learning how to manage a household in your particular season. You are learning how to be joyful, how to be diligent, how to be peaceful, and how to be patient. It’s not about perfection. It’s about progress. There are practical skills that make homemaking easier: learning to cook, building simple cleaning rhythms, creating routines that support your days instead of fighting them. But even beneath the practical, there are deeper skills too: learning contentment, learning self-control, learning how to set priorities without guilt, and learning how to return to Christ again and again when you feel depleted. So wherever you are right now—whether you’re in a full house, a quiet apartment, a dorm room, or a season you didn’t expect—ask the Lord the question that changes everything: What does it look like to serve You diligently today? What does it look like to love the people You’ve placed in my care? What does faithfulness look like in this season? And then take one small step forward. That’s how homes are built. That’s how hearts are nurtured. That’s how joy grows—one ordinary day at a time.
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How We Built a Simple Food System That Taught Our Kids Real Skills (and Took Pressure Off Me) - BLOG
01/16/2026
How We Built a Simple Food System That Taught Our Kids Real Skills (and Took Pressure Off Me) - BLOG
We’ve started a new system in our home the last couple of years and it’s been one of those changes that quietly ends up touching everything. It's not flashy. It's not complicated. But it's steady, practical, and surprisingly life-giving. Each of our kids is now trained on one special food that they’re fully responsible for making each week. They are not helping me make it. They are not reminding me to get around to it. They make it. Here’s what that looks like in our house right now: Malachi (13) makes 2 gallons of kombucha each week Micah (13) makes a huge batch of crockpot granola Remington (10) makes 1–2 gallons of yogurt each week Ryder (10) makes 1–2 sandwich loaves in the breadmaker Magnolia (almost 9) keeps us stocked with muffins, brownies, cookies, and other healthy treats that supplement meals Mom (36) makes ½ gallon of kefir daily and is slowly working toward a full gallon It’s become this beautiful rhythm where food is coming from many hands instead of just one and everyone feels invested in what they’re making. But this didn’t start as some grand household system or perfectly thought-out plan. It started with kombucha. The Lightbulb Moment Malachi kept begging me every week to make a fresh batch of kombucha. The problem was… kombucha can easily sit and ferment away, and with everything else going on in our house, I was usually only getting to it every couple of weeks. He loved it so much and honestly, it’s so good for you that I wanted the whole family drinking it more consistently. One day it finally clicked. This kid was highly motivated to drink it. He had already helped me make it plenty of times. He understood the process. So I turned to him and said, “What if I train you how to make it completely by yourself? Then you can just make it every week and it doesn’t depend on me.” His face lit up. He thought that was a brilliant idea. So we trained together. I slowly stepped back. And before long, he owned it. The very next day, Micah wandered in asking when we were going to make more granola. And I had another lightbulb moment. BOOM. Now he has a weekly task too and he’s thrilled because granola magically appears whenever he wants it. Once that door opened, it just kept unfolding naturally. Why This System Has Worked So Well for Our Family 1. Motivation is built in. Each child is responsible for something they genuinely love to eat. They’re not being assigned random chores that feel disconnected from their life (although they are assigned plenty of those as well)! They’re contributing in a way that directly blesses them and the whole family. Ownership changes everything. When kids care about the outcome, they’re willing to practice, troubleshoot, and keep improving. 2. Training once saves energy forever. Yes — training takes time upfront. There are messes. There are mistakes. There are moments where it would absolutely be faster to just do it yourself. But once the skill is learned, it multiplies. Instead of me personally making all of these foods week after week for years, the responsibility now lives in the household. That’s not just helpful today. That’s shaping capable adults. 3. It supports how we actually eat. We eat a lot of simple, from-scratch foods. My daily focus is often on getting beans cooking, managing dinner in the Instant Pot, and keeping the core meals moving forward. We love having things like granola, yogurt, bread, kombucha, and baked treats, but realistically, I couldn’t keep up with making all of it myself every single week. This system allows everyone to enjoy the foods they love without piling more work onto one person. It’s truly a win-win-win: The kids get ownership and pride in their work. Our home stays well-fed with nourishing food. My mental and physical workload is lighter. 4. Skills compound faster than you expect. Once kids learn how to measure, follow steps, manage time, clean up after themselves, and problem-solve when something doesn’t turn out quite right, everything else becomes easier to teach. And in turn, the siblings can then teach eachother! Cooking stops feeling intimidating and starts feeling familiar. Confidence grows quietly, one batch at a time. What Training Actually Looks Like in Real Life Training isn’t formal lessons or rigid systems in our house. It looks like: Cooking alongside them at first Talking through each step Explaining why we do things a certain way Letting them try Letting them mess up Slowly stepping back At first I’m very hands-on. Then I’m coaching from the side. Eventually, I’m just nearby if questions pop up. And then one day you realize… they’ve got it. If This Feels Intimidating — You’re Not Alone If the idea of teaching your kids to cook feels overwhelming, I understand that deeply. Many of us didn’t grow up learning these skills ourselves. We’re figuring it out as we go. Sometimes the kitchen already feels like survival mode. So start small. It might be just one food, one child, one new skill! Let confidence build naturally. You don’t need perfection, you need consistency and patience. Why This Matters Beyond Food This isn’t really about kombucha or bread or muffins. It’s about: Raising capable kids Sharing responsibility inside the home Teaching stewardship Building rhythms that support family life instead of draining it Giving children meaningful ways to contribute These small systems shape a household culture over time. If you’ve ever wished your kids could help more in the kitchen, this is your invitation to start. Small steps. Real skills. Big payoff over time.
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Kids in the Kitchen: What I Teach at Each Age (and Why It Matters So Much to Me) - BLOG
01/15/2026
Kids in the Kitchen: What I Teach at Each Age (and Why It Matters So Much to Me) - BLOG
I grew up in the 90s with divorced parents who both worked full time and did their best to provide in two separate households. My mom was a rockstar. Our house was always clean, and she never failed to have dinner on the table, even when it was simple. But in the 90s and early 2000s, it just wasn’t on anyone’s radar, at least not ours, that kids should be learning homemaking skills along the way. I was busy with high school, working, and getting into a good college on scholarship. It honestly never crossed my mind that there were important home skills I was missing. Fast forward to getting married… and I had zero cooking or kitchen management skills. I didn’t know how to grocery shop well. I didn’t know how to plan meals. I didn’t know how to cook anything. It was a steep uphill learning curve. Over the years, though, something shifted. I absolutely fell in love with cooking. And now, somehow, I’ve written five cookbooks (something newlywed Jami never could have dreamed of). But here’s the thing: I want something different for my kids. I don’t want food to feel like a constant uphill battle when they become adults. I want them to be confident in the kitchen. I want them to know how to feed themselves and others well. And honestly? The kids have a TON of fun doing it. If you’re ever looking for ways to keep kids busy without screens, teach them how to cook and let them whip up treats whenever they like. It’s one of the best investments you can make. Why Kids Have Always Been in My Kitchen Inviting my children into the kitchen has always felt very natural to me. I love being in the kitchen experimenting, baking, and creating. So what do you do when you’ve got a 1-year-old, a 3-year-old, and a 5-year-old who just want to be wherever you are? You hand them a spatula, a spoon, a few chocolate chips and let them “cook” right alongside you. You invite them into the good work set before you. Whenever I post about cooking with my kids or them learning new kitchen skills, I get asked, without fail, “How do you actually do this?” What’s age-appropriate? How do you manage the mess? Is it safe? So let me share what this has looked like in our home, age by age. 👶 Toddlers (1–3 years old) At this age, the goal is simple: invite them into the work. Yes, it’s messier. Yes, it takes longer. No, I don’t say yes every single time. But whenever possible, I invite them into the kitchen with me. I’ll hand them a measuring cup and gently guide their hands as they dump flour into the bowl. They throw berries into batter. They hold the salt until it’s time to pour. They stir and sample far more than they help. 😉 And here’s my secret trick for the days when you really just need dinner done: Set them up next to you with their own little station. A small bowl. A spoon. A little flour. A few chocolate chips. Let them mix up their own delightful creation while you get the real cooking done. Everyone feels included — and you still get dinner on the table. [caption id="attachment_24076" align="alignnone" width="700"] I looked away for a moment too long and this guy poured flour all over himself. Oh well![/caption] 🧒 Preschool / Early Elementary (4–7 years old) This is where the real fun begins. When you invite toddlers into the kitchen consistently, they pick up far more than you realize. By ages 4–5, kids are genuinely capable helpers. They can: Run to the fridge to grab eggs Measure out oil or water Mix ingredients Help pour Roll out dough They will still make messes, probably a lot of them, but little by little the spills decrease and their confidence grows. My son Maverick (age 5) has been helping me in the kitchen since he was about one. Just this past week, I started teaching him how to make his own eggs on the stove. He did about 95% of it himself while I instructed. The second time, I stayed nearby while he led the steps. In another week or so, he’ll likely be able to make his own eggs start to finish. This age is perfect for learning how to crack eggs, measure, pour, stir, and roll out dough. They won’t be making full meals on their own yet — but you are laying the groundwork for lifelong skills. And as a homeschool mom, I’ll just say this: one of the best ways to learn fractions is by measuring ingredients. 👦 Older Elementary (8–11 years old) This is when kids can start taking ownership of full recipes. My daughter (almost 9) makes a recipe completely on her own at least 3–4 times a week. Yesterday she made snickerdoodles. Today she made brownies. When she was 6–7, she cooked alongside me. I explained why we did certain steps. Slowly, I let her start reading recipes, gathering ingredients, and thinking through the process. Over time, she needed less and less help. Now she mostly comes to me only if she has questions or needs clarification, but she’s capable of making a lot on her own. Her older brothers (10–13) can also make quite a bit independently. Their training now focuses on more advanced skills like cheesecake, apple pie, soup stock, and all the bread. This isn’t formal “lessons.” It’s simply teaching as we cook together. If you have kids over 8–9 years old — start teaching them full recipes. They truly can do it. 🧑🍳 Teens My next step with our older boys will be teaching them how to: Plan full menus Build grocery lists Manage multiple dishes at once Think through timing and budgeting They’ll take the foundation they’ve built and begin managing the full process of feeding a household. This is real life preparation. 🔥 Safety (Because Everyone Asks) Kids absolutely need to learn how to handle real kitchen tools, appropriately and gradually. My toddlers are watched constantly and never near knives or hot stoves. But my 5-year-old is learning basic knife skills and how to cook eggs on a skillet with supervision. Could he nick a finger or get a small burn? Possibly. We minimize risk as much as we reasonably can — but learning always involves some risk, just like riding bikes or rollerblading. A small mistake often teaches caution faster than a lecture ever could. Use wisdom. Supervise closely. Build skills slowly. Trust your instincts. Why This Matters So Much to Me I didn’t grow up learning these skills. I had to learn them as an adult, the hard way. I want my kids to step into adulthood confident, capable, and joyful in the kitchen. I want them to bless their future families and communities through hospitality and practical skill. And honestly? I just love watching their confidence grow. Mess fades. Skills remain. Memories multiply. If You’re Nervous to Start Start small. Let them stir. Let them pour. Let them crack eggs. Let them “cook” beside you. It will be slower at first. It will be messier at first. It will be imperfect at first. But it will be worth it. You’re not just making food — you’re forming capable humans.
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Sword in One Hand, Spatula in the Other: Homemaking Isn’t Small - BLOG
01/14/2026
Sword in One Hand, Spatula in the Other: Homemaking Isn’t Small - BLOG
Homemaking Isn’t Cute. It’s Holy. I woke up to wicked laughter coming from the living room. Not the sweet kind of laughter. The suspicious kind. The kind that makes your eyes fly open and your stomach immediately drop. The two-year-old twins had clearly escaped their beds and were up to something. I groaned and dragged my very pregnant body out of bed. I was 38 weeks along with our second set of twin boys, my feet already swollen before the day had even begun, contractions rolling in and out like background noise. I knew before my feet even hit the floor that this was going to be a long day. I rounded the corner into the living room and just stood there. Flour. Everywhere. The boys were deliriously happy, covered head to toe in white powder. The dining room was coated. The kitchen counters were coated. The floor looked like it had snowed indoors overnight. I snapped a picture to send to Jason and laughed — and then promptly cried. It was barely 6am. How could the day already be this off the rails? You don’t need to have twins back-to-back while nine months pregnant to understand this part: making a home is hard sometimes. It’s exhausting. It’s discouraging. It’s often thankless. There are days where it feels like everything you just cleaned gets undone in five minutes flat and no one even notices the effort. And yet… when I look back on that day now, I feel something very different. The labor pains are long gone. The swollen feet are back to normal. The boys wipe their own bottoms now. (I truly never thought I’d miss those early years… but here we are.) I wouldn’t necessarily want to relive that exact morning again 😅 but with a little perspective, I can see the joy in it. The life in it. The sweetness hidden inside the mess and exhaustion. That day wasn’t wasted. It was building something. ⸻ The World Says This Work Is Small The world has a lot of opinions about homemaking. It tells us it’s outdated. That it’s small. That it’s soft. That it’s a fallback plan instead of a calling. We’re told the real heroes are the ones climbing ladders, collecting titles, stacking promotions, building something that can be measured and applauded and posted online. If you stay home, don’t you know that’s risky? Don’t you know you should protect yourself more? Don’t you know you could be doing something “bigger”? What we rarely talk about is the sacrifice it takes to care deeply for a home. The emotional energy. The physical labor. The constant decision-making. The invisible leadership. The way your heart is constantly poured out in tiny, daily ways. And we almost never talk about the joy and quiet accomplishment that lives here too. We’ve stopped seeing the glory in the ordinary. The beat-up minivan. The hand-me-down clothes. The frugal meals. The sticky counters. The tired evenings. The repetitive rhythms. But there is something sacred happening inside all of it. ⸻ This Isn’t Soft Work Homemaking isn’t cute. It isn’t always aesthetic. It isn’t slow mornings and perfect sourdough and filtered sunlight, at least, not always! Sometimes it’s sanctifying. Sometimes it takes grit. Sometimes it takes a lot of grace on repeat. Every time you choose patience instead of snapping. Every time you choose prayer instead of panic. Every time you choose faithfulness when no one is clapping. Every time you clean the same mess again and still choose joy. Every time you train a heart instead of just managing behavior. You are pushing back darkness. You are shaping souls. You are guarding the tone of your home. You are cultivating peace and order and truth in a world that desperately lacks it. That is not small work. That is Kingdom work. ⸻ Sword in One Hand, Spatula in the Other There’s this beautiful picture in Scripture of builders working with a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other: building while staying alert, grounded, and ready. I think about that often in homemaking. We’re wiping counters while praying for hearts. We’re folding laundry while teaching obedience and gratitude. We’re breaking up sibling fights while modeling forgiveness. We’re feeding bodies while nurturing souls. It looks ordinary on the outside. But spiritually? It’s deeply significant. You are not “just” a mom. You are not “just” a homemaker. You are guarding the gates of your home. ⸻ Rooted, Not Perfect You don’t need to be Pinterest-perfect. You don’t need the cleanest house, the prettiest meals, or the most impressive routines. You need to be rooted in Christ. That’s what makes your work powerful. That’s what steadies you when the work feels unseen. That’s what anchors you when the days blur together. That’s what keeps your joy from being dependent on circumstances. When the enemy whispers, “This doesn’t matter,” you get to whisper back: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” ⸻ So Sister, Keep Building If you’re tired today… If you feel unseen… If the work feels repetitive or overwhelming… If you’re wondering whether it’s really making a difference… Let me remind you: You are doing holy work. Don’t quit. Don’t shrink back. Pick up your sword — and your spatula — and keep building. The fruit of faithful homemaking often grows quietly. But it grows deep.
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Our Family & Personal Goals for 2026 - BLOG
01/10/2026
Our Family & Personal Goals for 2026 - BLOG
Last week, Jason and I sat down for our annual planning and goal-setting meeting. This has become a long-standing tradition for us, and it has made such a difference in keeping us on the same page and making sure our top priorities truly stay our top priorities. If you’d like to peek behind the scenes, you can read about how we do our annual planning session here — and how we do a year-end review (which is honestly one of the most important steps in the whole process). Today, though, I wanted to share a few encouragements for those of you who are newer to planning or goal setting and then I'll share our family's goals for 2026. Start Small (Really Small) If you’re just getting started, I highly recommend choosing only a couple of small goals. When we try to pile on too much at once, it quickly becomes overwhelming, and overwhelm almost always leads to quitting. Big change rarely happens all at once. It happens through small, steady habits built over time. For example, rebuilding my reading habit has been more than a decade in the making. I was always a big reader as a kid, but something about college knocked reading right out of my everyday rhythms. Years later, Jason and I decided to intentionally pick it back up again, and I was thrilled when I managed to read 20 books that first year. Eventually, that became 45 books… then 60… and now my slightly insane goal of 104 books (which breaks down to two books a week). That goal feels challenging but realistic for me now, because the habit has been built slowly over many years. And just to keep things honest: in 2025, I absolutely did not hit that goal. And that’s okay. But exercise? That’s a completely different story for me. That’s a habit I’m still actively trying to cultivate. I’m working on rebuilding strength, finding workouts I actually enjoy, protecting my body from injury, and strengthening my pelvic floor again. Some days it feels like a victory just to fit in a short walk or stretch. This is not the season for me to sign up for a marathon. This is the season for small, steady consistency. And that’s exactly how goal setting should work. There’s No One “Right” Way to Set Goals If you’re a goal-setting olympian who loves mapping out big dreams across lots of areas, have fun and go for it. If you’re brand new to planning, maybe start with just one or two small goals this month and gently build from there as the year allows. There truly is no one right way to do this. In fact, one of my friends, Crystal (who is an absolute mega-planner), isn’t setting any formal goals at all this year. Her season simply calls for margin and flexibility instead of targets and benchmarks. And that’s wise. Honor the Season You’re In The most important thing is this: do what is right for your family in the season you’re currently in. Some seasons are for building and stretching. Some seasons are for healing and stabilizing. Some seasons are for dreaming big. Some seasons are for simplifying and catching your breath. All of them are valuable. Planning isn’t about pressure or performance, it’s about stewardship, clarity, and making small intentional choices that support the life God has placed in front of you. Start where you are. Take the next small step. And trust that steady faithfulness adds up more than you realize. Our Family Goals for 2026: READING: Jason and Jami both set the goal of reading 104 books this year J&J both set an additional goal of reading 35,000 pages overall Jami wants to read both The Lord of the Rings trilogy as well as The Wheel of Time series this year Jason has set a goal of reading 50% fiction and 50% non-fiction this year BIBLE READING: Jason is doing the Bible in a Year via the Bible App Jason has timers set throughout his day that remind him to stop and pray for various things Jami is reading the Bible in a Year by reading through the ESV Reader's Bible. A special version of the Bible that contains no chapter or verse titles or references. So it looks and reads like a regular book. Jami does her devotional time after Bible reading by praying through the Psalms and writing in her prayer journal. For family worship, Jason's goal is 5 nights a week. He reads a chapter of his current devotional book, reads a Proverb per day, practices catechisms, and sings a hymn. HEALTH: Jami's goal is to lose 30lbs Jami will be starting off the year following the Trim Healthy Mama diet and will reevaluate as needed Jami's exercise plan is to do the Nourish Move Love 30 Day Beginner Workout plan in January. Then to repeat it in February with heavier weights. Jami's goal is to start weight lifting at some point this year. Jason's health goals include losing weight, eating Carnivore diet, and weight lifting at the gym 3 times per week. Jami's goal is for the whole family to eat 3-5 probitoic rich foods a day like yogurt, kefir, kombucha, fermented veggies, etc. FAMILY GOALS: Restart monthly date nights with individual kids Weekly family worship Better schedules for kids bedtimes No sugar January to reset after sickness MORNING ROUTINES: Jami's goal is up by 6am during weekdays: coffee, Bible reading & prayer, workout, shower and dress Jason's goal is out the door by 5am, 3 times per week to do the gym. Otherwise out the door by 6:15am Kids up by 7:30am, school starts by 8:10am! JAMI'S PERSONAL GOALS: Start a garden at their new house Grow 3 new things Start beekeeping by catching a wild swarm Start meat rabbits Finish setting up her office/craft room Finish the punch needle stockings Make a rug for the little kids room If this list feels inspiring — wonderful. If it feels overwhelming — please hear this with grace: these are our goals for our season, not a template for anyone else to copy. Your season, your capacity, your family rhythms, and your energy levels may look completely different, and that’s exactly as it should be. The point of sharing this isn’t comparison. It’s simply to show what intentionality can look like when two people sit down, dream together, and commit to small faithful steps over time. You don’t need a perfect plan or a packed goal list to move forward. You just need one small step in the right direction. So maybe today that looks like jotting down one thing you’d love to grow in this year. Maybe it’s having a simple conversation with your spouse over coffee. Maybe it’s choosing one tiny habit to practice consistently for the next month. Start where you are. Stay faithful in the small things. And trust that God will multiply your steady obedience in ways you can’t yet see. Want more hands-on help planning this year? If you’d like hands-on help with planning and goal setting, I’m hosting live trainings January 12–16 inside our Planning & Goal Setting course. Each day we’ll meet live, I’ll teach you how to: set realistic goals break them into action steps plan in a way that works with your life (not against it) You’ll also receive all of my planning worksheets so you can take immediate action. If you’ve struggled to make goals that stick—and you want 2026 to be different—join me for our 3rd annual planning retreat. We’ll do it together.
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How Jason and I Plan Our Family Goals Each Year - BLOG
01/09/2026
How Jason and I Plan Our Family Goals Each Year - BLOG
There’s something about a fresh notebook, a warm cup of coffee, and a quiet conversation with your husband that makes you believe anything is possible. Once a year, Jason and I carve out intentional time to sit down together and talk through our family — what worked, what didn’t, what God might be inviting us into next, and what needs to gently be laid down. It’s not fancy. There’s no color-coded planner system or perfect spreadsheet. Just two tired parents, a lot of dreaming, and a deep desire to steward our family well. Every time I share a glimpse of these planning days online, I get flooded with messages asking how we actually do it. So today, I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing exactly how Jason and I plan our family goals and why this rhythm has become one of the most grounding practices in our home. 1. Jason was not always a big planner. For years, I did this planning mostly on my own. I would ask for his input or run ideas by him, but he just wasn’t a natural planner in the same way I was. I hear this often from wives who wish their husbands were into planning like Jason is now. But don’t push it. Everyone’s personalities are different, and some people naturally find more value in planning than others. Eventually your husband may come around and get on board, but invite him into it gently, and don’t be upset if he doesn’t want to jump in right away. You can absolutly plan and goal set by yourself! 2. The timing doesn’t matter. We do a big meeting every New Year, but we also do “big picture” check-ins throughout the year as needed. Don’t fret if this doesn’t happen on January 1st, or even February 1st. It is never a bad time to pause, plan, and be intentional with your time and your family. 3. Grab a notebook, a pen, and some coffee. Your planning session doesn’t need to be fancy or follow any sort of curriculum. We’ve slowly developed a system that works well for us simply through trial and error. We sit down together and just start chatting about our year. We take turns sharing what worked really well in the previous year that we want to carry forward and what didn’t work so well and needs a new solution (like eating out less, getting more consistent with school rhythms, etc.). At this stage, we’re not looking for all the answers yet. We’re simply opening the conversation and getting ideas flowing. It can sometimes take us a while to hit our groove with planning. 4. Review last year’s goals. From there, Jason pulls up our goals from the previous year on his phone, and we go through them one by one. This year, there were several goals I never even started. 2025 ended up looking very different than we anticipated, and some of those goals just didn’t fit anymore and that’s okay. Release those goals and move on… or carry them into the new year if they still feel worth pursuing. We break our goals down into categories, so we review them category by category and decide what we want to adjust or set fresh. For example, we always set reading goals. So we talk through how we did last year, which books we loved, what didn’t work, and what we want to change moving forward. As we talk, we write down the new goals for the year. 5. Every goal and idea gets written down. You think you’ll remember everything you talked about… but you won’t. Write it all down so your goals are actually usable and not just floating around in your head. We keep our goals in shared notes so we can easily pull them up throughout the year and review them together. It’s actually really fun to look back and see several years of goals listed out — you can see growth, patterns, answered prayers, and seasons of change. Why Planning Has Become a Must for Our Family As we enter 2026, life feels full and busy in the very real sense of the word. We have eight kids ranging from 13 down to 1. We’re juggling doctor’s appointments, more surgeries for Radley, eye appointments, everyday life, and school. We also run our business together, which tends to fill any spare moments we thought we had. And oh yeah — we also want to prioritize our marriage, exercise, eating well…you get it. Life moves at a breakneck speed. And those of us who are parents know how quickly the years fly by. There’s no room to drift through life unintentionally. A few years ago, we realized we were saying yes to almost everything, opportunities, commitments, projects, and quietly wondering why we felt so exhausted and disconnected. When we finally slowed down and really talked through our priorities, it became clear that some good things were crowding out the best things. That one planning conversation reshaped our entire year. Slowing down to plan together helps us stay on the same page, which is huge for our marriage and our family. It also helps us clearly see what we need to say yes to…and what we need to lovingly say no to. In a full schedule, there are so many good things that simply don’t fit the season we’re in. Planning helps us recognize that with clarity and peace. Ultimately, our planning isn’t about productivity. It’s about stewardship. These years with our children are precious and fleeting, and we want to walk through them awake, grateful, and aligned, trusting God to guide our steps even when the plan changes. Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing what our family goals are for 2026 as well as my personal goals for the year. Want to Try This With Your Family? If you’ve never done a planning conversation with your spouse before, start simple. Pick a quiet evening or weekend morning. Make coffee or tea. Grab a notebook and pen. Ask each other: What worked well this past year? What felt heavy or stressful? What rhythms do we want to protect? What is one area we want to grow in as a family? What new skill do you want to learn this year? What are you currently excited about for the year ahead? You don’t need a perfect system. You just need a willingness to start the conversation. Want more hands-on help planning this year? If you’d like hands-on help with planning and goal setting, I’m hosting live trainings January 12–16 inside our Planning & Goal Setting course. Each day we’ll meet live, I’ll teach you how to: set realistic goals break them into action steps plan in a way that works with your life (not against it) You’ll also receive all of my planning worksheets so you can take immediate action. If you’ve struggled to make goals that stick—and you want 2026 to be different—join me for our 3rd annual planning retreat. We’ll do it together. Sign up at: FindingJoyinYourHome.com/Planning
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The Year-End Review That Actually Helps You Plan Your Next Year - BLOG
01/08/2026
The Year-End Review That Actually Helps You Plan Your Next Year - BLOG
If you’ve been following along in this goal-setting series, you already know I’m not interested in hype-y, pressure-filled planning that burns you out by week two. I want plans that actually fit your real life and help you grow in faithfulness, peace, and purpose. And that starts with something most of us skip. Before we make new goals… before we build new routines… before we write a single list for the year ahead… we need to do the very first (and honestly, most clarifying) step: Look back on last year with an accurate view. Not through the lens of guilt. Not through the lens of “I should’ve done more.” But with honesty, gratitude, and wisdom, so we can see what really worked, what quietly wasn’t working, and what God may be inviting us into next. Because you don’t need a perfect fresh start date to move forward. You need clarity. And clarity almost always begins by looking back. Why a Year-End Review Matters (Before You Set Goals) Most of us skip straight to the “new year plan.” New routines! New schedules! New systems! New goals! But if you don’t pause to look back first, you’ll almost always do one of two things: Repeat the same patterns (because you never identified what actually wasn’t working), or Make an unrealistic plan that looks great on paper and falls apart by week two (ME! I do this!!) A year-end review helps you slow down and ask: What actually helped our home feel peaceful? What consistently made things feel chaotic? Where did my priorities drift? What’s one small change that would make life noticeably better? That’s where real planning begins. Step 1: Start With Gratitude (This Matters More Than You Think) Before you evaluate what needs to change, start with what’s good. Not because everything was easy, but because gratitude reorients your heart. It helps you see that God was present, even in a hard year. Try writing down: A few things you’re thankful for from this past year A handful of answered prayers (big or small) Small joys you don’t want to forget And if you have the energy? Keep going. Some of the sweetest year-end reviews happen when you turn the paper over and just keep writing. Gratitude doesn’t erase the hard things. But it keeps your review from becoming grumbling, complaining, or self-condemnation. Step 2: Ask Your Family What They Remember This part surprises people every time. Because we tend to assume we know what mattered most, what made the year “good” or “hard”, but your husband and kids might remember something completely different. Ask them: “What was your favorite memory this year?” “What are you thankful for from this year?” “What did you love doing as a family?” And don’t be surprised if their answer is something simple. Not the big trip or the elaborate holiday moment. Sometimes it’s: “Remember when you played Legos with me?” And you’re like… Really? That’s the moment you held onto? Yes. And that’s such a sweet reminder of what actually lands in your kids’ hearts. Step 3: Name the Hardest Thing (Without Over-Explaining It) A year-end review isn’t complete without honesty. Write down the hardest thing about the year: just a sentence or two. Was it a hard season emotionally? Health issues? A new baby? A move? A stressful schedule? A lack of routine that slowly turned into chaos? You don’t have to process your whole life on one sheet of paper. The goal is simply to acknowledge reality. Because naming the hard thing helps you stop carrying it like a fog you can’t explain. Step 4: Evaluate Your Life in the Right Order This is where year-end review becomes deeply grounding. Instead of starting with “my home” (which is where many of us start), evaluate in this order: My relationship with God My marriage and parenting My home and homemaking Because you can have the most perfectly clean house in the world… and if your heart is dry and your relationships are hurting, a sparkling kitchen doesn’t fix that. So ask three simple questions in each category: 1) My relationship with God What worked? What didn’t work? What needs to shift? This doesn’t have to be dramatic. It might be: What worked: “I found a Bible reading plan I actually liked.” What didn’t work: “I didn’t make time for it consistently.” Even that insight is valuable, because now you’re not stuck in vague guilt, you’re seeing a clear next step. 2) My marriage and parenting What strengthened connection this year? What consistently caused tension? What rhythms do we need more of? Sometimes the issue isn’t that you need a better routine. Sometimes you need more margin, more communication, or more intentional time together. 3) My home and homemaking This is where you can finally get practical: What routines brought peace? What areas spiraled into overwhelm? What one or two “pain points” made everything feel harder? For many women, the big culprits are: Laundry Meal planning / kitchen rhythm Bedtime / sleep habits Morning routine (which is often tied to evening routine) And here’s what I’ve found: often there are one or two small changes that would make your whole home feel lighter. But you can’t see them when you’re overwhelmed and thinking, “Everything is awful.” A year-end review helps you pinpoint what’s actually happening. Step 5: Look for Patterns (Not Perfection) You’re not doing this review to judge yourself. You’re doing it to notice patterns. For example: If you’re always stressed in the morning, check your evening routine. If your home feels chaotic, look for one “keystone habit” (like laundry or dishes) that affects everything else. If you keep falling off routines when life gets hard, your next plan needs more flexibility, not more intensity. This is where a lot of women have a breakthrough: They don’t need a bigger plan. They need a smaller plan they can actually stick to. Step 6: Choose “Small and Sustainable” for the New Year This is the part that changes everything. Because many of us want to set a 30-point checklist… or a 130-point checklist… and overhaul our whole life in one week. And it doesn’t work. (Ask me how I know.) Instead, as you plan your next year, ask: What’s one priority God is putting on my heart right now? What’s one routine that would serve my family well in this season? What’s one tiny habit that would make the biggest difference? Small changes feel insignificant in the moment, but over time they build a completely different home. A Gentle Reminder If You Feel Behind If you read this and realize, “Wow, I really didn’t do the planning I wanted to do,” let me remind you: It’s not too late. Not even a little bit. Today is a new day. God’s mercies are new every morning. So don’t beat yourself up. Don’t wallow in guilt. Don’t throw in the towel because you missed an “ideal” start date. Just take the next faithful step. Your Simple Year-End Review Prompts: If you want a quick place to start, here you go: What am I thankful for from this past year? What are my 5 favorite memories? What was the hardest thing about this year? What worked in my relationship with God? What didn’t? What worked in my marriage/parenting? What didn’t? What worked in my home/homemaking? What didn’t? What is one small change that would make the next season feel more peaceful? Then pray: “Lord, give me clarity and wisdom. Show me what matters most. Help me take action with humility and joy.” Want to Do This Together? If you’d like hands-on help with planning and goal setting, I’m hosting live trainings January 12–16 inside our Planning & Goal Setting course. Each day we’ll meet live, I’ll teach you how to: set realistic goals break them into action steps plan in a way that works with your life (not against it) You’ll also receive all of my planning worksheets so you can take immediate action. If you’ve struggled to make goals that stick—and you want 2026 to be different—join me for our 3rd annual planning retreat. We’ll do it together. If you’ve been following along in this goal-setting series, you already know I’m not interested in hype-y, pressure-filled planning that burns you out by week two. I want plans that actually fit your real life and help you grow in faithfulness, peace, and purpose. And that starts with something most of us skip. Before we make new goals… before we build new routines… before we write a single list for the year ahead… we need to do the very first (and honestly, most clarifying) step: Look back on last year with an accurate view. Not through the lens of guilt. Not through the lens of “I should’ve done more.” But with honesty, gratitude, and wisdom, so we can see what really worked, what quietly wasn’t working, and what God may be inviting us into next. Because you don’t need a perfect fresh start date to move forward. You need clarity. And clarity almost always begins by looking back. Why a Year-End Review Matters (Before You Set Goals) Most of us skip straight to the “new year plan.” New routines! New schedules! New systems! New goals! But if you don’t pause to look back first, you’ll almost always do one of two things: Repeat the same patterns (because you never identified what actually wasn’t working), or Make an unrealistic plan that looks great on paper and falls apart by week two (ME! I do this!!) A year-end review helps you slow down and ask: What actually helped our home feel peaceful? What consistently made things feel chaotic? Where did my priorities drift? What’s one small change that would make life noticeably better? That’s where real planning begins. Step 1: Start With Gratitude (This Matters More Than You Think) Before you evaluate what needs to change, start with what’s good. Not because everything was easy, but because gratitude reorients your heart. It helps you see that God was present, even in a hard year. Try writing down: A few things you’re thankful for from this past year A handful of answered prayers (big or small) Small joys you don’t want to forget And if you have the energy? Keep going. Some of the sweetest year-end reviews happen when you turn the paper over and just keep writing. Gratitude doesn’t erase the hard things. But it keeps your review from becoming grumbling, complaining, or self-condemnation. Step 2: Ask Your Family What They Remember This part surprises people every time. Because we tend to assume we know what mattered most, what made the year “good” or “hard”, but your husband and kids might remember something completely different. Ask them: “What was your favorite memory this year?” “What are you thankful for from this year?” “What did you love doing as a family?” And don’t be surprised if their answer is something simple. Not the big trip or the elaborate holiday moment. Sometimes it’s: “Remember when you played Legos with me?” And you’re like… Really? That’s the moment you held onto? Yes. And that’s such a sweet reminder of what actually lands in your kids’ hearts. Step 3: Name the Hardest Thing (Without Over-Explaining It) A year-end review isn’t complete without honesty. Write down the hardest thing about the year: just a sentence or two. Was it a hard season emotionally? Health issues? A new baby? A move? A stressful schedule? A lack of routine that slowly turned into chaos? You don’t have to process your whole life on one sheet of paper. The goal is simply to acknowledge reality. Because naming the hard thing helps you stop carrying it like a fog you can’t explain. Step 4: Evaluate Your Life in the Right Order This is where year-end review becomes deeply grounding. Instead of starting with “my home” (which is where many of us start), evaluate in this order: My relationship with God My marriage and parenting My home and homemaking Because you can have the most perfectly clean house in the world… and if your heart is dry and your relationships are hurting, a sparkling kitchen doesn’t fix that. So ask three simple questions in each category: 1) My relationship with God What worked? What didn’t work? What needs to shift? This doesn’t have to be dramatic. It might be: What worked: “I found a Bible reading plan I actually liked.” What didn’t work: “I didn’t make time for it consistently.” Even that insight is valuable, because now you’re not stuck in vague guilt, you’re seeing a clear next step. 2) My marriage and parenting What strengthened connection this year? What consistently caused tension? What rhythms do we need more of? Sometimes the issue isn’t that you need a better routine. Sometimes you need more margin, more communication, or more intentional time together. 3) My home and homemaking This is where you can finally get practical: What routines brought peace? What areas spiraled into overwhelm? What one or two “pain points” made everything feel harder? For many women, the big culprits are: Laundry Meal planning / kitchen rhythm Bedtime / sleep habits Morning routine (which is often tied to evening routine) And here’s what I’ve found: often there are one or two small changes that would make your whole home feel lighter. But you can’t see them when you’re overwhelmed and thinking, “Everything is awful.” A year-end review helps you pinpoint what’s actually happening. Step 5: Look for Patterns (Not Perfection) You’re not doing this review to judge yourself. You’re doing it to notice patterns. For example: If you’re always stressed in the morning, check your evening routine. If your home feels chaotic, look for one “keystone habit” (like laundry or dishes) that affects everything else. If you keep falling off routines when life gets hard, your next plan needs more flexibility, not more intensity. This is where a lot of women have a breakthrough: They don’t need a bigger plan. They need a smaller plan they can actually stick to. Step 6: Choose “Small and Sustainable” for the New Year This is the part that changes everything. Because many of us want to set a 30-point checklist… or a 130-point checklist… and overhaul our whole life in one week. And it doesn’t work. (Ask me how I know.) Instead, as you plan your next year, ask: What’s one priority God is putting on my heart right now? What’s one routine that would serve my family well in this season? What’s one tiny habit that would make the biggest difference? Small changes feel insignificant in the moment, but over time they build a completely different home. A Gentle Reminder If You Feel Behind If you read this and realize, “Wow, I really didn’t do the planning I wanted to do,” let me remind you: It’s not too late. Not even a little bit. Today is a new day. God’s mercies are new every morning. So don’t beat yourself up. Don’t wallow in guilt. Don’t throw in the towel because you missed an “ideal” start date. Just take the next faithful step. Your Simple Year-End Review Prompts: If you want a quick place to start, here you go: What am I thankful for from this past year? What are my 5 favorite memories? What was the hardest thing about this year? What worked in my relationship with God? What didn’t? What worked in my marriage/parenting? What didn’t? What worked in my home/homemaking? What didn’t? What is one small change that would make the next season feel more peaceful? Then pray: “Lord, give me clarity and wisdom. Show me what matters most. Help me take action with humility and joy.” Want to Do This Together? If you’d like hands-on help with planning and goal setting, I’m hosting live trainings January 12–16 inside our Planning & Goal Setting course. Each day we’ll meet live, I’ll teach you how to: set realistic goals break them into action steps plan in a way that works with your life (not against it) You’ll also receive all of my planning worksheets so you can take immediate action. If you’ve struggled to make goals that stick—and you want 2026 to be different—join me for our 3rd annual planning retreat. We’ll do it together. sign up here: https://findingjoyinyourhome.com/planning
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Why I Still Believe in New Year Goals (Even Though I Don’t Do Resolutions) - BLOG
01/05/2026
Why I Still Believe in New Year Goals (Even Though I Don’t Do Resolutions) - BLOG
Boom. It’s January. The month where we all set wildly impossible New Year’s resolutions… burn out by January 3rd… and then spend the rest of the year feeling vaguely guilty about it. Obviously, that’s not the way we’re meant to approach change. But what I’ve noticed this year is something interesting. After years of failed resolutions, a lot of people have swung hard in the opposite direction. They’re done trying. Done planning. Done setting goals altogether. “No resolutions.” “No goals.” “No pressure.” And while I understand the exhaustion behind that response, I don’t actually think it’s the answer either. You don’t have to set New Year goals, but I do think thoughtful planning and goal setting is a very good and very healthy practice. The key isn’t whether you plan. It’s how. The “Magic” of January 1st (And Why It’s Not Actually Magical) When people talk about New Year’s resolutions, there’s usually an assumption that January 1st is somehow magical. Like you wake up as a brand-new person who suddenly has more discipline, motivation, and willpower than you did on December 31st. That’s obviously ridiculous. So instead of trying and failing again, many of us swear off making changes altogether. But here’s the thing: the New Year is a natural time to reassess, not because it’s magical, but because of what comes right before it. We’re coming off Christmas. A season of feasting, celebrating, late nights, disrupted routines, and full calendars. By the time January rolls around, most of us are craving rhythm again. Simplicity. Structure. Normal bedtimes. Regular meals. It’s completely natural, after a season of celebration, to want to reestablish healthy routines. That’s often when we start thinking about things like: eating better moving our bodies getting up earlier having more energy being more intentional with our time diving back into Bible reading cleaning routines and household management and more That desire isn’t shallow. It’s human. The problem isn’t wanting change. The problem is how we’ve been taught to pursue it. Why I Don’t Do Resolutions (But Do Set Goals) I’ve never set a New Year’s resolution in my life. Why? Because resolutions feel like wishes you throw into the universe and hope will somehow happen on their own. “I want to lose weight.” “I want to get fit.” “I want to be healthier.” Those aren’t bad desires, but they’re not plans. Let’s say someone makes a resolution to “lose weight.” By December, they’re often frustrated, discouraged, and sometimes heavier than when they started. Not because they’re lazy, but because there was never a clear target or a path forward. A goal, on the other hand, changes everything. Is it semantics? Maybe. But it’s semantics that matter. A Real Example From My Life One of my personal goals for 2026 is to lose 30 pounds. The number itself is somewhat arbitrary. What I really want is to: fit into my pre–baby #8 clothes again have less pain and stiffness regain my energy rebuild my strength If that happens at 25 pounds or 35 pounds, that’s fine. But having a concrete number gives me something to aim for. More importantly, making this a goal instead of a resolution allows me to create action steps—and that’s where real change happens. My end goal is simple: Be down 30 pounds by December 31, 2026. That tells me two important things: This isn’t going to happen overnight. I don’t need to rush or punish my body to get there. So instead of demanding instant results, I ask a better question: "What small, realistic steps can I take consistently over time?" How I’m Breaking This Goal Down Here’s what that looks like for me right now: Step #1: Diet I had good success with Trim Healthy Mama in 2025 (and in years past), so I’m starting there again. This feels doable because it’s familiar. If it weren’t, I’d make only diet my focus for January and add other steps later as I got this into an easy to manage habit. Step #2: Strength training I’m doing Nourish Move Love’s 30-day beginner workout. And yes, it’s humbling. I’m using 2.5lb weights (don't laugh!) and taking it slow. After baby #8, my core and pelvic floor need rebuilding. My goal for February is to repeat the program with 5lb weights. Eventually, I want to get into weight lifting this year, but not at the expense of healing. Step #3: Walking I’m walking the two-mile loop at our local lake two to three times per week, weather permitting. Nothing fancy. Just movement and getting outside with the kids! Step #4: Gut health I’m back to daily kefir (December took me off track) and plan to slowly reintroduce cultured vegetables in February and beyond. This is a key piece for me right now. But I'll take this one slowly with all my other goals I have. That’s it. Four steps. No perfection required. Why This Works (And Resolutions Don’t) As I move through January, February, and March, I’ll reassess. Do I need to adjust my eating? Increase strength training? Pull back and rebuild basics? Check iron levels again? (Getting my iron up helped me lose 10 pounds at the end of 2025.) I would have loved to lose all 40 pounds in 2025. That didn’t happen. And instead of spiraling, I learned something important: my body needed support first. Now I feel poised to make real progress in 2026, not because I’m forcing change, but because I’m working with my season, not against it. This Week on the Blog: A Mini Goal-Setting Series Throughout this week, I’m sharing a short series on planning and goal setting. Here’s what’s coming: How to evaluate last year without guilt or discouragement How Jason and I plan family goals A breakdown of our family goals and my personal for 2026 My word for 2026 and a prayer for the future If there’s an area of goal planning you’re struggling with, or a goal you don’t know how to break down, tell me. I’d love to address it in this series. Want to Do This Together? If you’d like hands-on help with planning and goal setting, I’m hosting live trainings January 12–16 inside our Planning & Goal Setting course. Each day we’ll meet live, I’ll teach you how to: set realistic goals break them into action steps plan in a way that works with your life (not against it) You’ll also receive all of my planning worksheets so you can take immediate action. If you’ve struggled to make goals that stick—and you want 2026 to be different—join me for our 3rd annual planning retreat. We’ll do it together. Sign U Here:
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I Don’t Want to Forget This Year: What God Taught Me in a Hard Season - BLOG
12/31/2025
I Don’t Want to Forget This Year: What God Taught Me in a Hard Season - BLOG
You can read the article here: https://findingjoyinyourhome.com/i-dont-want-to-forget-this-year-what-god-taught-me-in-a-hard-season/
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Still Learning: Recultivating the Habit of Reading in a Full Season of Life - BLOG
12/30/2025
Still Learning: Recultivating the Habit of Reading in a Full Season of Life - BLOG
You can read this blog post here:
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This Is Me, Starting Again: Returning to the Work of Home, Faith, and Everyday Faithfulness - BLOG
12/29/2025
This Is Me, Starting Again: Returning to the Work of Home, Faith, and Everyday Faithfulness - BLOG
Read the article here: https://findingjoyinyourhome.com/this-is-me-starting-again-returning-to-the-work-of-home-faith-and-everyday-faithfulness/
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Finding Your Homemaking Rhythm in a New Season - S5, E7
11/09/2025
Finding Your Homemaking Rhythm in a New Season - S5, E7
Big changes are happening — a new home, new routines, and a whole new season of life! In this honest and encouraging episode, Jami shares how she’s rethinking her homemaking rhythms and routines as her family transitions into a new home (and a new chapter). Whether you’re moving, welcoming a baby, starting a new schedule, or simply realizing your old routines aren’t working anymore, this episode will help you refocus and find peace in the middle of change. Jami walks through nine practical and faith-filled steps — from praying over your priorities to simplifying systems, involving your kids, and holding your plans with open hands. If you’ve been craving a fresh start or just need gentle encouragement for your current season, this is the perfect episode to listen to while folding laundry or brewing your morning coffee. 🎧 Listen in and be reminded: change doesn’t have to steal your peace — it can be the perfect opportunity to invite God into your home’s rhythm. Links and Resources: Join our private community to chat about this podcast episode: Watch the podcast on YouTube if you want! Check out our amazing new app at We are undergoing a huge website redesign. We will be moving things up a ton and will have a super fun relaunch soon - big giveaways and other fun stuff. Stay tuned! Our Sponsor: Save 20% Off Honeylove by going to honeylove.com/HOME! #honeylovepod
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When You’re Weary in Doing Well: Trusting God When You’re Worn Out - S5, E6
10/22/2025
When You’re Weary in Doing Well: Trusting God When You’re Worn Out - S5, E6
Ever find yourself exhausted in the very life you prayed for? In this week’s episode, Jami opens her heart about seasons of weariness and how to trust God when joy seems out of reach. Drawing from a listener’s heartfelt question, she offers both spiritual encouragement and practical wisdom for tired moms—especially those in the thick of little years and endless noise. You’ll hear Jami’s own stories of fatigue, faith, and God’s sustaining grace through motherhood, plus encouragement to check your physical and spiritual health, invite your husband into your struggles, and find joy in everyday faithfulness. ✨ Topics covered: Finding purpose when motherhood feels heavy The difference between physical and spiritual exhaustion Encouragement for moms with multiple young children Training kids in chores (without losing your mind!) Why God’s strength meets us right where we’re worn out Listen in for fresh encouragement and truth: your work in the Lord is never in vain. Links and Resources: Join our private community to chat about this podcast episode: Watch the podcast on YouTube if you want! Check out our amazing new app at We are undergoing a huge website redesign. We will be moving things up a ton and will have a super fun relaunch soon - big giveaways and other fun stuff. Stay tuned!
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When Homemaking Feels Boring: 4 Steps to Rekindling Joy - S5, E5
10/08/2025
When Homemaking Feels Boring: 4 Steps to Rekindling Joy - S5, E5
Do you ever feel like your days at home are stuck on repeat? They're mundane, overwhelming, or just plain boring? You’re not alone! In this episode of our Back to the Basics Homemaking series, Jami shares honest struggles from her own journey (including the diaper years with back-to-back twins!) and offers four practical, faith-filled steps to help you recover joy in your home. From memorizing Scripture and filling your house with worship to seeing homemaking as a ministry and caring for your body, you’ll find encouragement to approach everyday tasks with renewed purpose and delight. Links and Resources: Join our private community to chat about this podcast episode: Watch the podcast on YouTube if you want! Check out our amazing new app at We are undergoing a huge website redesign. We will be moving things up a ton and will have a super fun relaunch soon - big giveaways and other fun stuff. Stay tuned!
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Building Your Bible Study Toolbox: Practical Routines for Every Season - S5, E4
10/01/2025
Building Your Bible Study Toolbox: Practical Routines for Every Season - S5, E4
Do you ever feel like Bible study keeps slipping through the cracks in your busy days? In this episode, I’m sharing the simple Bible study routine that’s been transforming my quiet time over the past nine months. We’ll talk about overcoming guilt in hard seasons, finding rhythms that actually work with little ones underfoot, and practical tools like the ESV Spiral Bible, praying through the Psalms, and journaling Scripture. Whether you’ve got five minutes or thirty, you’ll walk away with fresh encouragement and ideas to help you grow in God’s Word right where you are. Links and Resources: Join our private community to chat about this podcast episode: Watch the podcast on YouTube if you want! Check out our amazing new app at We are undergoing a huge website redesign. We will be moving things up a ton and will have a super fun relaunch soon - big giveaways and other fun stuff. Stay tuned!
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Crafting Daily Rhythms That Reflect Your Family’s Priorities - S5, E3
09/24/2025
Crafting Daily Rhythms That Reflect Your Family’s Priorities - S5, E3
In this episode, we explore what it really means to view homemaking through the lens of the gospel. From endless dishes and laundry to the unexpected trials of daily life, it can be easy to wonder if the work of the home truly matters. But Scripture reminds us that every small act, each meal prepared, story read, or diaper changed, can be an offering of worship when done for the Lord. Join me as I share personal stories, encouragement from Colossians 3, and a reminder that homemaking is more than chores—it is kingdom work. Links and Resources: Join our private community to chat about this podcast episode: Watch the podcast on YouTube if you want! Check out our amazing new app at We are undergoing a huge website redesign. We will be moving things up a ton and will have a super fun relaunch soon - big giveaways and other fun stuff. Stay tuned!
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Finding Ministry in Homemaking Moments - S5, E2
09/17/2025
Finding Ministry in Homemaking Moments - S5, E2
In this episode, we explore what it really means to view homemaking through the lens of the gospel. From endless dishes and laundry to the unexpected trials of daily life, it can be easy to wonder if the work of the home truly matters. But Scripture reminds us that every small act, each meal prepared, story read, or diaper changed, can be an offering of worship when done for the Lord. Join me as I share personal stories, encouragement from Colossians 3, and a reminder that homemaking is more than chores—it is kingdom work. Links and Resources: Join our private community to chat about this podcast episode: Watch the podcast on YouTube if you want! Check out our amazing new app at We are undergoing a huge website redesign. We will be moving things up a ton and will have a super fun relaunch soon - big giveaways and other fun stuff. Stay tuned!
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What Does It Really Mean to Be a Homemaker? - S5, E1
09/12/2025
What Does It Really Mean to Be a Homemaker? - S5, E1
We’re back for Season 5 of the Finding Joy in Your Home podcast! 🎉 In this kickoff episode, I’m diving into one of the most-requested and foundational topics: what does it truly mean to be a homemaker? Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, a working woman, a student, or somewhere in between, homemaking is something every woman is called to in unique ways. I’ll share my own journey of starting marriage with zero homemaking skills, how God shaped my perspective over the years, and why being a homemaker is less about spotless dishes and more about creating a Christ-centered haven. We’ll talk about: Why homemaking looks different in every season How to define your family’s culture and priorities The balance between routines and joy Building a home that nurtures hearts, not just chores If you’ve ever wrestled with what biblical homemaking should look like, or if you’re ready for a fresh encouragement in your daily rhythms, this episode is for you. Links and Resources: Join our private community to chat about this podcast episode: Watch the podcast on YouTube if you want! Check out our amazing new app at We are undergoing a huge website redesign. We will be moving things up a ton and will have a super fun relaunch soon - big giveaways and other fun stuff. Stay tuned! Sponsor: Save 20% Off Honeylove by going to honeylove.com/HOME! #honeylovepod
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A Rightly Ordered Home - S4, E40
08/17/2025
A Rightly Ordered Home - S4, E40
What does it really mean to have a rightly ordered home? In this episode, I’m diving into a topic that’s been heavy on my heart: how we as Christian women can faithfully order our homes according to God’s design while recognizing that every family looks a little different. I share some of my own story of working from home, balancing homeschooling, business, and motherhood, and what it’s looked like for Jason and me to wrestle through these questions together. We’ll talk about biblical principles for family life, the beauty of unique family cultures, and the importance of being faithful in the exact season God has given us. If you’ve ever wrestled with questions about priorities, work, comparison, or what “ordering your home” should practically look like, this episode is for you. Links and Resources: Join our private community to chat about this podcast episode: Watch the podcast on YouTube if you want! Check out our amazing new app at We are undergoing a huge website redesign. We will be moving things up a ton and will have a super fun relaunch soon - big giveaways and other fun stuff. Stay tuned! Sponsor: For a limited time, you can try OneSkin with 15% off using code HOME at oneskin.co.
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My Reading Life Right Now: Favorites, Goals & Fermented Cookbooks?! - S4, E39
08/08/2025
My Reading Life Right Now: Favorites, Goals & Fermented Cookbooks?! - S4, E39
After a few years in a reading slump, I’m finally excited about books again, and this episode is a joyful deep dive into what’s been fueling that spark! I’m sharing my current reading stats (57 books and counting!), how I track my progress, and the quirky way I rotate between fiction and nonfiction to stay motivated. You’ll hear about the nerdy rabbit trail I’ve been down with fermented and cultured foods (hello, nine cookbooks in a row), the new Hunger Games prequels I couldn’t put down, and the Trim Healthy Mama book that might just be my favorite read of the year. Plus: a sneak peek at my next cookbook project and our upcoming fantasy novel Hearthstead—coming to the app this fall! If you love books, need a little reading inspiration, or just want to peek at what I’m geeking out over right now, grab your cup of tea (or kefir 😉) and enjoy this cozy, bookish episode. Links and Resources: Join our private community to chat about this podcast episode: Watch the podcast on YouTube if you want! Check out our amazing new app at We are undergoing a huge website redesign. We will be moving things up a ton and will have a super fun relaunch soon - big giveaways and other fun stuff. Stay tuned! Sponsor: Save 20% Off Honeylove by going to honeylove.com/HOME! #honeylovepod
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Getting back to meal planning after a crazy season - S4, E38
08/04/2025
Getting back to meal planning after a crazy season - S4, E38
After months of chaos, with hospital stays, a move, and postpartum recovery, meal planning completely fell off my radar. But now, I’m picking it back up with fresh eyes and a much simpler, grace-filled approach. In this episode, I’m sharing how I’m easing back into meal planning after survival mode, the strategies that are working right now (including planning just 3–4 dinners a week), and why I’m prioritizing flexibility over perfection. I also talk about how I’m using my own meal planning app to stay on track, how to meal plan even when your life is unpredictable, and the mindset shift that’s making cooking joyful again instead of stressful. If you’re in a messy season or just want a fresh start in the kitchen, this one’s for you. Links and Resources: Join our private community to chat about this podcast episode: Watch the podcast on YouTube if you want! Check out our amazing new app at We are undergoing a huge website redesign. We will be moving things up a ton and will have a super fun relaunch soon - big giveaways and other fun stuff. Stay tuned! Sponsor: Save 20% Off Honeylove by going to honeylove.com/HOME! #honeylovepod
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3 Things I'm Doing to Improve My Health - S4, E37
07/25/2025
3 Things I'm Doing to Improve My Health - S4, E37
After a hard season of stress, burnout, and survival mode, I’m finally focusing on rebuilding my health—slowly and intentionally. In this episode, I share the three simple (but powerful!) changes I’m making right now to support healing: focusing on whole foods, prioritizing daily movement, and supporting my hormones naturally. I also talk about why I’m not chasing perfection, what I’m learning about adrenal health, and how I’m weaving these shifts into full days with eight kids. If you’re craving a fresh start with your health—without guilt or overwhelm—this conversation is for you. 💛 Let’s talk about doing what we can, with what we have, right where we are. Links and Resources: Join our private community to chat about this podcast episode: Watch the podcast on YouTube if you want! Check out our amazing new app at We are undergoing a huge website redesign. We will be moving things up a ton and will have a super fun relaunch soon - big giveaways and other fun stuff. Stay tuned! Check out Function Health at
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What every woman should know about their hormonal clock - S4, E36
07/14/2025
What every woman should know about their hormonal clock - S4, E36
In this eye-opening episode, Jami dives into the topic of women’s hormones and the internal “clocks” that shape our energy, mood, and productivity. While men tend to operate on a 24-hour hormonal cycle, women’s bodies follow a 28-day rhythm that impacts far more than just our periods. Jami explains how understanding the four phases of your cycle—menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, and luteal—can bring clarity and grace into your daily life. Learn how to sync your schedule, workouts, and expectations with your body’s natural rhythms, why it’s okay to feel tired some weeks and energized the next, and how God beautifully designed our bodies with intentional cycles of rest and renewal. This conversation is practical, faith-rooted, and encouraging, perfect for any woman who wants to work with her hormones instead of fighting them. Want to go deeper? Grab Jami’s new book Cycles & Seasons at before the summer sale ends this week! Links and Resources: Join our private community to chat about this podcast episode: Watch the podcast on YouTube if you want! Check out our amazing new app at We are undergoing a huge website redesign. We will be moving things up a ton and will have a super fun relaunch soon - big giveaways and other fun stuff. Stay tuned! Check out Function Health at Our Sponsor: Save 20% Off Honeylove by going to honeylove.com/HOME! #honeylovepod Our Sponsor: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code HOME at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod
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What We've Got Planned For Summer - S4, E35
06/16/2025
What We've Got Planned For Summer - S4, E35
Summer is here—and whether your days are relaxed or full of activities, it’s never too late to think intentionally about how you’ll spend the season. In this episode, I share what our summer looks like as a homeschooling family of ten: from low-budget camping trips and local state park adventures to reading challenges and kid-led passion projects. You’ll hear how we’re managing screen time, why we’re embracing a slower pace this year, and what kinds of creative learning (and fun!) our kids are diving into—like gardening, cookbook creation, and even a homemade audio drama! This episode is packed with ideas and encouragement to help you craft a summer rhythm that works for your unique family and season. Whether your summer is bustling or quiet, I hope this gives you inspiration and freedom to make the most of it without pressure. Links and Resources: Join our private community to chat about this podcast episode: Watch the podcast on YouTube if you want! Check out our amazing new app at We are undergoing a huge website redesign. We will be moving things up a ton and will have a super fun relaunch soon - big giveaways and other fun stuff. Stay tuned! Check out Function Health at Our Sponsor: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code HOME at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Our Sponsor: Save 20% Off Honeylove by going to honeylove.com/HOME. #honeylovepod
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Wrapping up our homeschool year + curriculum picks for next year - S4, E34
05/23/2025
Wrapping up our homeschool year + curriculum picks for next year - S4, E34
This past homeschool year was anything but smooth—between hospital stays, moving twice, and navigating postpartum exhaustion, our plans got turned upside down more than once. In this candid episode, I reflect on the highs and lows of our chaotic school year, how we adapted on the fly (including a big shift to online learning), and what lessons we’re taking into the next season. Plus, I share our full curriculum lineup for the upcoming school year—from language arts and science to our big plunge into Omnibus with our oldest boys. If you’re curious about Master Books, Monarch Online, CTC Math, or how we approach homeschool with eight kids (including two toddlers), this episode is packed with practical insights, encouragement, and a peek into our real-life homeschool decisions. Whether you're wrapping up your year or just planning ahead, I hope this gives you ideas and freedom for your own journey. Links and Resources: Join our private community to chat about this podcast episode: Watch the podcast on YouTube if you want! Check out our amazing new app at We are undergoing a huge website redesign. We will be moving things up a ton and will have a super fun relaunch soon - big giveaways and other fun stuff. Stay tuned! Check out Function Health at Our Sponsor: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code HOME at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Our Sponsor: Check out PrepDish and get a 2-week free trial at Our Sponsor: Check out the amazing journal from Tea and Ink Society and use coupon code FINDINGJOY to get $3 off at
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Figuring out my health issues - The journey begins - S4, E33
05/19/2025
Figuring out my health issues - The journey begins - S4, E33
After a whirlwind season—hospital stays, a move, and recovering from trauma—I’m finally starting to dig into some persistent health struggles I’ve been feeling for a while. In this episode, I share the very beginning of my journey to better health: why I decided to get comprehensive blood testing, what surprising results I discovered (hint: it wasn't my hormones), and how I’m creating a long-term plan to rebuild from the inside out. I also share my honest experience with Function Health, the affordable testing option I used, and give a peek at what I’m working on—like low ferritin, omega-3 deficiency, and gut health. If you're navigating fatigue or wondering how to get to the root of your own health issues, this episode is for you. Links and Resources: Join our private community to chat about this podcast episode: Watch the podcast on YouTube if you want! Check out our amazing new app at We are undergoing a huge website redesign. We will be moving things up a ton and will have a super fun relaunch soon - big giveaways and other fun stuff. Stay tuned! Check out Function Health at Our Sponsor: Save 20% Off Honeylove by going to honeylove.com/HOME! #honeylovepod Our Sponsor: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code HOME at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Our Sponsor: Head to shopbeam.com/FINDJOY and save UP TO 40% for a limited time when you use code FINDJOY at checkout.
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Our hospital journey + what I’ve learned about hospital ministry - S4, E32
05/12/2025
Our hospital journey + what I’ve learned about hospital ministry - S4, E32
In this deeply personal episode, I share the story of our 7-month-old son Radley’s accident—how a spilled cup of hot tea led to second- and third-degree burns, an ambulance ride, and an 8-day stay in the pediatric burn unit. It was one of the hardest weeks of our lives, and yet in the midst of the pain and exhaustion, God met us in powerful ways. I open up about what those long hospital days taught me—not only about suffering and surrender—but also about the incredible opportunity we have to minister to others in similar places. Whether you’ve walked through your own medical emergency, want to be more equipped to serve hurting families, or are simply curious what it’s really like to live in a hospital room for over a week with a baby, I hope this episode encourages you and gives you a renewed heart for showing up when it matters most. Links and Resources: Join our private community to chat about this podcast episode: Watch the podcast on YouTube if you want! Check out our amazing new app at We are undergoing a huge website redesign. We will be moving things up a ton and will have a super fun relaunch soon - big giveaways and other fun stuff. Stay tuned! Our Sponsor: Save 20% Off Honeylove by going to honeylove.com/HOME! #honeylovepod
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At the Hearth Episode 7: Handling Electronics, Screens, and Tech in the Family - S4, E31
04/04/2025
At the Hearth Episode 7: Handling Electronics, Screens, and Tech in the Family - S4, E31
In this episode of At The Hearth: Family Chats, Jami and Jason sit down to talk honestly about one of the biggest modern parenting challenges—technology. With eight kids ranging from 12 years old to a baby, homeschooling, and working from home, they’ve had to be intentional about how screens and devices fit into their everyday life. They share their family’s philosophy on tech use, practical boundaries they’ve set (for both kids and adults), and how they’ve handled screen time during busy seasons—like two years living in an RV! From social media limits to tech-free moments and everything in between, this episode offers encouragement, grace, and real-life ideas for stewarding technology well in your home. Links and Resources: Join our private community to chat about this podcast episode: Watch the podcast on YouTube if you want! Check out our amazing new app at We are undergoing a huge website redesign. We will be moving things up a ton and will have a super fun relaunch soon - big giveaways and other fun stuff. Stay tuned! Our Sponsor: Check out Prepdish by going to Prepdish.com/homemaking Our Sponsor: Get a FREE 7-day trail to the Joyful Home App! Just go to findingjoyinyourhome.com/app
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