by mandacarpenter | Dec 31, 2021 | Faith, Family, Growth, Home, Inspired, Kids, Marriage, Stories
The days are long, the nights are longer, but the years are short. As I begin to think about Shia’s first birthday, I realize how much has happened in his 10.5 months of life already and I never want to forget it once the memories become distant and fuzzy. The idea to...
by mandacarpenter | Feb 7, 2019 | Faith, Family, Growth, Inspired, Kids, Marriage, Popular
A wise person in my life once told me to pay close attention to the things and people who bother me most because it says more about me more than it does them. Documenting our foster care journey has made others want to do it too, I know because they tell me. They...
by mandacarpenter | Feb 7, 2019 | Inspired, Marriage, Travel
E and I love, love, love to travel together. We are so passionate about exploring the world, trying new foods, and experiencing other cultures. We make a lot of sacrifices in our ordinary, everyday to keep traveling. Many have asked, “How can you afford to...
by mandacarpenter | Dec 29, 2018 | Faith, Family, Growth, Inspired, Kids, Marriage
To know me is to know I rarely keep traditions. It’s not that I don’t like them, it’s just I’m forgetful. Anyway, that’s what makes this blog post extra special. Because of your reminders, this is my 3rd annual “19 Things I Did (Or...
by mandacarpenter | Feb 19, 2018 | Beauty, Books, Faith, Family, Growth, Inspired, Kids, Marriage
I sit down with a plan to write, but most days I don’t have the energy to recount the day’s memories or retell what we’re in the midst of because that requires reliving it. And right now, living it is hard enough. I don’t want pity or sympathy,...
by mandacarpenter | Nov 17, 2017 | Beauty, Faith, Family, Home, Inspired, Kids, Marriage
Over one month ago now, sweet N came into our lives and flipped our house upside down (quite literally). Shakespeare’s, “Though she be little, she is fierce.” couldn’t be more relevant. N has invaded our hearts, which are now as soft and moldable as...
