Moms, Coffee and Chaos

Today I'm talking with my first male guest! You guessed it, it's my husband Jonathan. I love talking about mom life but I also wanted to give a shout out to all the awesome dads out there and get a little bit of a different perspective. So I asked Jonathan all the questions and I absolutely love his insight and answers.  I hope this episode encourages you to tell your husband or significant other you appreciate him if you haven't lately :)

Today's episode is another solo episode. This is something that has been on my heart and mind for a while now and I felt it necessary to share. Social media is amazing and has connected me with incredible and encouraging people but if we aren't careful it can be toxic. It can bring us down by comparing our real lives to other's highlight reel, it can make us feel trapped, even obligated to stay and engage in order to not lose followers etc.  In this episode I talk about combating comparison and making sure that social media is helping us, not hurting us. If it is a hindrance or negative thing in your life then guess what, you can limit it or even eliminate it! Do what you gotta do momma! Your happiness and mental health is more important than any # of followers, and I'm sure your babies would agree.  

Desirae said yes to coming on the podcast and sharing her story about her journey to minimalism. Not gonna lie, minimalism seemed kind of extreme to me when I first heard about it but it has really become more and more appealing as we grow our family and continue to grow our collection of Stuff.  I also love her approach as she is all about Realistic Minimalism. Something that works for you and your family, not rules but a way to have more freedom and enjoyment in the things you do have and love. So just hear us out and see if you think it's for you! Find her on instagram @minimalish.desirae Her minimalism course at www.desiraeendres.com/makeroom or www.desiraeendres.com/store PS If you love the podcast and want to support it and help cover production costs, go to www.momscoffeeandchaos.com/podcastsupporters Thank you so much for listening! Have an amazing week!  

This is our story but it's on a topic that I think is needed in today's society. We are told that Waiting Until Marriage is either old fashioned, impossible or silly because you will want to know what you're getting into when it comes to the intimate part of marriage. Well, Jonathan and I, By God's Grace, were able to save ourselves for each other on our wedding night and I don't regret it one bit. So I go through our story about dating, engagement, obstacles, temptation, grief and loss but ultimately we came out on the other end so much stronger for it. So give it a listen! Available on all your podcast platforms!  

Lori Erickson is my first returning guest and I'm so excited to share our convo! Screen time is one of those things no one really wants to talk about because everyone has different opinions and parenting styles which is TOTALLY ok. I figured we would take this opportunity to talk it out and let yall hear our perspectives and experience on balancing all things screen time. Reminder: we are not experts, just mommies who want the best for our kiddos just like all the other amazing mommies listening. So with that said, take away what you will and I hope it helps in some small way!

Hey Mommas!! This week I'm doing another solo episode but it's very different than what I usually do because I share my testimony and what I have been working through ever since becoming a wife and mom. I feel like it's a trap anyone can fall into and sometimes we just need a reminder of what's most important and where our priorities should be. This is a reminder for myself as well but I hope it allows you to get to know me a bit better and also encourages you as well. 

Karen was the perfect person for this interview with all her long distance momming, she's an expert on learning how to do all the things without family, make new friendships and connections and enjoy the time you have with your littles. I hope yall get as much wisdom out of this as I did!

Today I'm Chatting with Malinda Fuller, she's a wife, momma, writer, and we had an amazing convo digging into her new book and what life looks like for her right now. They are onto @thefulleradventure and her book is getting out into the world! She tells us how this book came to be, what inspired her to write it and share what God has placed on her heart. If you struggle with being busy and always trying to keep up, never getting anywhere or feel overwhelmed with life, give this episode a listen! You wont regret it.

This week I'm giving yall the whole story about our big adventure and quick move to NC. Making the decision to move away from my family and the home we have become a family in was one of the hardest decisions we have ever made but I know God's plan is best.  I hope this episode encourages you and helps you in your big life decisions even in just the smallest way. Spoiler alert: this episode is all about how big and awesome our God is, even in the smallest details of our lives. He loves you so much, incase you didn't know :)

This is our final episode in our Enneagram August Series and I'm sad but loved my conversations with Ashton & learned so much! She absolutely loves helping people learn their type and use it as a tool for personal growth-- can you tell she's an Enneagram 2?! haha This week we dive into how we can use the enneagram to become the best parents we can be so tune in and make sure to tell me how you like it!

Today we are talking all about Enneagram and relationships. How each type are in relationships, how to better communicate with those types, what they need in a friend/spouse etc. I loved digging into this topic with Ashton and she agrees it's a topic she gets the most questions about so we are answering those questions for you now! Make sure to follow her on IG @enneagramashton!

Hey Momma! I'm finishing my chat with Ashton going over the remaining 6 types in the enneagram system. I already knew some about the enneagram but continuing to learn so much and Ashton is so knowledgeable and loves using this tool to help people grow & work towards the best version of themselves. Listen in to get the overview and next week we dive into enneagram in relationships. 

Hey Momma friends! I am so excited for the month of August as we will be covering all things Enneagram! Today we start by learning a little background about the Enneagram, what it is and where it came from and how Ashton got into becoming an Enneagram Coach. Then we dive into the first 3 types in the enneagram system. I'm a 1 as you will hear a few times in this episode... sorry about that... but I loved learning about each type and their motivation behind what they do. Can't wait for next week when we explore types 4-9!

It's my final chat with Kirsten and it's a great way to finish out! We talk about sex after having kids, practical ways to make it a priority and I finish by asking Kirsten my 3 closing questions. Enjoy!

Friends!!! Did you know God created sex? And get this... he didn't just create it for procreation... also as a gift for pleasure and intimacy between a husband and wife. So yeah, this week Kirsten Kelly and I are digging into some pretty juicy topics like tips for having more freedom in your sex life, as well as benefits of orgasm... yep, we went there. Then we even talk about how we can work towards raising the next generation to have a healthier view of sex and keep those healthy and appropriate conversations going from a young age. It's definitely a favorite episode of mine, so enjoy!

Ok, so this is a 3 part episode of sooo much good info. Yes, you are correct, it's all about sex. I interview Kirsten Kelly and she shares her personal story with sexual trauma in her past and how she worked through that after getting married. We talk about "Purity Culture" and how it affected our thoughts, feelings and perception of sex leading up to our wedding day. So yeah, it's a pretty amazing convo but let me tell you, there is even more amazingness in Pt 2 & 3 so make sure to Subscribe & check back next Wednesday!

Ready or not here's Solo episode #2!! I talk about 7 things us mommas need to thrive and be the best momma we can be. So that's all the detail I'll give you but I hope you love it and that it encourages you in some way! We all need to give ourselves grace but that doesn't mean we can make changes and daily choices to work towards being the best version of ourselves!

Stacie Vetor shares her story of infertility due to anatomy insufficiencies and how God was with her every step of the way. She tells us how she underwent surgeries to make her dream of Motherhood a reality. She was blessed with her son but was told that she would not be able to have another. Stacie and her husband were looking for a sign from God that the desire in their heart for more children was from him and he gave them an amazing open door to show them that was his will. Spoiler alert! They were blessed with triplet girls, although that pregnancy was a roller coaster of emotion. I absolutely love her story, heart and honesty and can't wait to hear what yall think! Follow me in insta @momscoffeeandchaos and @holleybrick Also check out the website for show notes and all the cute triplet pics!

I know I say it all the time but I love this convo!! Stephanie and I met through good ole instagram and she is seriously so sweet, encouraging, and motivating! She shares a little of her story and her journey to health as a momma of 3 littles with severe food allergies.  She tells us her message she wants to share with the world... hence the title "Fight for your life" and I love it! I hope you love it as much as I do! Make sure to subscribe, share and review to spread the love! Also, definitely look her up on instagram!

Amie is a wife, and momma of 3 sweet little boys and is all about living a non-toxic AKA Crunchy lifestyle. For health and personal/family reasons, shortly before having her babies she decided to switch to all safe, healthy products for her and her family. This seems like it would be a simple decision and of course something that all mommas work toward but the fact of the matter is we all have the best intentions but until you look at the specific ingredients you really don't know what's in it.  Amie explains the dynamic in her family with 3 boys, some super cute stories and how everything you do, from healthy living to your relationship with your husband, really does affect your kids and that they are watching. Check out the website for show notes and a list of Amie's favorite products and brands.

This episode will complete Camellia's story of fighting for her life and navigating the biggest decisions parents could ever make. Lori explains her emotions during those extremely pivotal moments, how they got through and where they are today. I am happy to report Camellia is doing better each day but still has lots of progress to make and will never lead the care free life most children do but so glad she's still with us.  Lori briefly explains her typical schedule with Camellia & answers those 3 questions I love to ask all my guests at the end. I hope this story can be a help, encouragement, and eye opener for mommas who know more needs to be done for their child but haven't made that known to the doctors.

This story is close to my heart because I'm talking with one of my best friends Lori Erickson. This past year she had her third child and they new she would be different from the beginning but no one could have prepared them for what the future would hold. This will be a two-part episode so you will have to make sure to check back next week to hear Part 2 but rest assured I love a good happy ending. Check out the show notes on the website to see Lori, her other kiddos and little Camellia!

This week is all about getting healthy and staying healthy during & after pregnancy & while juggling kiddos. Jill is a wife & mom of 3 little ones and has been such an inspiration to me in how she makes her health and fitness a priority even in the chaos of motherhood. She tells us about how she met her husband and their backgrounds and how that plays into their lifestyle now.  She breaks it down for us when it comes to eating healthy, how to keep it simple, and how to have a healthy relationship with food and enjoy food instead of eating healthy being a punishment or having a bad relationship with food. She explains how all the diets options we have today can hinder more than help us because they aren't sustainable methods of living. She tells us that it's ok to have a snack you enjoy as long as you know where you're at with your macros for the day & have room to eat & enjoy it guilt free. Please let me know how you like this episode and if it's a topic you want more on in the future! Check the website for the show notes!

Ok mommas, prepare yourself and your hearts for this episode. I talk with Carol Gilham about her journey in pregnancy & loss too many times to even imagine but thank goodness God saw her faithfulness through it all and gave her the gift of her sweet, sassy, rainbow baby Kennedy. She tells us about how she was feeling through it all, what kept her going and how she wants to use those difficult times to be a light and help others. I hope you can find encouragement from her story! Please check out the shownotes at www.momscoffeeandchaos.com/shownotes

Brittany Tanner is a wife, momma of 3 kids, and the creator of the Love & Unite Mission. Her goal is to get women of all ages, to join in the mission of uniting together in oneness, and sharing love to others. She talks with us about how this idea came about, what she hopes comes of it and simple ways you can share love & unite together in a world that leaves us feeling so divided. Check out more about todays show at www.momscoffeeandchaos.com.

First of all, so sorry for the delay in the new episode this week! It's been crazy! No excuses but #momlife got the better of me. Holly is a wife and momma of 5 beautiful girl all under the age of 10. She shares with us how she gets through with so many schedules and shares some struggles of her own through so many years of pregnancy, childbirth and nursing... 10 straight years to be exact. Props to you Holly!! So excited for you to hear her story and how she has such a heart for babies and to glorify the Lord. It was a blessing to talk with her! Check out www.momscoffeeandchaos.com for more info or to show your support!  

On this weeks episode I'm changing it up a bit and talking to a "momma-to-be". Senna and I talk about all the many changes she has gone through in the last year, from getting engaged and getting married to how she made a big career change and then found out she was pregnant. Senna and I talk about her pregnancy concerns, and I share my somewhat embarrassing pregnancy story. It was just a great convo with a great girl and I could not be more excited for her to meet her little one. She might have even let the news slip as to what gender they are expecting!! Shhhh.... it's a secret!

It was so much fun talking with Renee Hight, creator of the GrammieChats blog. She is the mom to 5 grown kids and has lots of experience from raising her own kids to helping her daughters transition into motherhood and help where needed. She gives great insight on when is a good time to help and when it's better to step back and where that fine line is.   She goes through one of her recent blog posts and we dive deeper into those points and share our personal stories of welcoming new babies. You can tell she has such a servants heart and a strong desire to help moms and direct their eyes back to Christ.   For more info or to check out her blog visit: https://www.momscoffeeandchaos.com/shownotes/_ep10

Ok ladies! This is my first solo episode and I truly hope you find value in it! I have always had a love of budgeting, saving, planning, making all the lists. After getting married and having baby #1 we were doing pretty good financially. We were not rich by any means but were wanting for nothing. Fast forward to baby #2, things got real tight, real quick! We had big decisions to make about whether or not I would continue to work, how much time I could take for maternity leave based on how much pay we could do without. How to pay for daycare for two kids, a mortgage, car payments, internet, student loans and electricity, and all the things. So I have created this episode to walk you through our financial overhaul before baby #2 but really this applies to anyone!! Kids or not, 1 kid or 15. If you need help finding extra money or cutting down costs, I hope this will help streamline the process and give you a clear guide on how to make it happen. For some freebies on getting this done go to https://www.momscoffeeandchaos.com/shownotes/__ep9

Today's episode focuses on Pregnancy and some struggles Beth encountered during her pregnancy, birth & learning how to deal with her sons birth defect. I loved hearing how God was working in that situation from the beginning and how Beth recognized that. Hindsight is always 20/20 right? Instead of focusing on the negative, she choSE to recognize that this story could have ended very different and not had a happy ending. Thanks so much for an awesome convo Beth! To find out more, go to www.momscoffeeandchaos.com/shownotes

Today I'm sharing an awesome interview with my good friend Sarah Verus. She has been through so much in the last few years. Getting married, having babies and then discovering infidelity in her marriage. Having to work through that and fight for her marriage but to ultimately end in divorce. She talks about her fears surrounding being alone, living on her own financially and figuring out taking care of her two babies on her own. She explains to us how it was extremely tough but in hind sight, she sees God's grace and love surrounding her in the midst of the struggle. Thanks again Sarah for sharing your story and heart with us! Love you girl!! Check out the show notes at www.momscoffeeandchaos.com/episode7

Shelly is seriously so sweet and I loved chatting with her about life. She tells us the story of her pregnancy complications and how she ended up with severe preeclampsia with her second child which resulted in an emergency C- Section and a tiny baby boy. We then get into what it means to find contentment in this crazy season of life, which is so hard, we get it. Last but not least, her accidental, super successful business and how she went from stay at home mom, to DIY Network house flipper, to Centsible Designs Business Owner and growing daily!

Mary wasn't initially planning to share her personal back story but I am so thankful because it really shows how much she cares and wants to help other women going through the same struggles. She has used many many years of hurt to turn around and use it for good to become a coach to help many around the world.  She shares 3 tips with us on how you can make your marriage a priority daily and how even after having little kids, there are ways to keep it fun and stay in budget. You really don't have to spend a fortune or travel the world to enjoy life with your spouse.  To get info on Mary's books as well as where you can find her or access her coaching sessions, go to my website here.  Thanks again friends!! I love you all!

I absolutely loved catching up with my girl Brooke Ellison and hearing the backstory of her husband joining the Navy, and working through pregnancy on her own since he was deployed. Then to find out she wouldn't be able to have more kiddos and how she turned what could have been devastating into a huge blessing for a little boy now named Jonah.  She shares her story of how God placed Jonah in their life and why her and her husband were 100% on board for adopting baby #2 into their sweet family.  To read more and maybe find out more about adoption in your area, visit my website here. Thanks so much for your support!! It means the world!

Bethany is seriously so wise!!! I loved hearing how she manages 3 little ones ages 3, 2, and 1! Umm, pretty sure I wouldn't have any hair left if that was me. Haha! She has figured out her system and how to focus on what's important instead of stressing. She also explains her husbands decision to join the army and how she handles motherhood on her own while he's gone. We also talk about how we can show our husbands love through our actions and how her mom was so instrumental in her becoming the mom and wife she is today. Her mom sounds amazing.  If you want Bethany's favorite book recommendations, visit my website here. Thanks so much for your continued support!! Make sure to leave a review and share with your friends!

My first interview with my guest Autumn Keil couldn't have gone better!! I loved chatting with her about how she stays so real on Social Media, some totally normal questions she has worked through in her marriage and then we go over some of her homeschooling tips and how to get kiddos in a routine to transition into school time.  To get more info and links to her favorite curriculum as well as self help books for Mommas go to my website here. Thank you again for all your support and don't forget to leave a review and share my podcast so I can keep bringing you more awesome interviews!  

Thanks so much for taking the time to check out my brand new podcast! This episode gives me an opportunity to let you get to know a little about me and why I have a passion for this podcast. Also the topics I will be covering in future episodes. To give you an idea, we will be covering everything from Motherhood, to Parenting, to Intimacy & Marriage. This podcast will be loaded with some super helpful tips, tricks, and info to help us all be the best mom we can be as we learn from each other and grow while giving each other Grace! For more info, check out https://www.momscoffeeandchaos.com/