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Graciously Woven

motherhood
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May 6, 2014

Splurge vs. Save

Recently I was contacted by the wonderful people of Credit Card Insider, and truthfully it couldn’t have come at a better time. As a part of their Splurge vs. Save Campaign, they’ve been challenging various bloggers such as myself to find an item that they would love to splurge on and find a much more cost effective alternative! I think it’s absolutely wonderful and a great way to encourage true financial responsibility (which my husband would applaud any day of the week). As we’ve started our search for a home to buy (I know, I’m terrified), saving money is our top priority.

I’m always up for a challenge and this was no exception. As mentioned in my previous post about finding a new and improved diaper bag, the search was really difficult. The world of new and stylish motherhood wear all the way to what carries your baby essentials has exploded and I can’t say I can keep up. So this was my inspiration handbag from Fossil (love them!). I really wanted a leather cross body bag that was deep enough to carry what I need, sturdy, easy to wipe, and quick/easy to sling on while chasing Kai down.

This bag retails for $188 (that’s a lot of diapers and goldfish). So since I couldn’t convince Mike that I needed this particular bag…this beauty found me on a late night Target run.

The bag I found was originally $40 at Target and I found it on clearance for just $11 (plus defect discount)! What I love best about this challenge is that there are wonderful alternatives to purchasing your favorite items without breaking the bank. Sure my inspiration bag doesn’t look much like the one I purchased, but I love it probably more than if I got my “dream” bag. The truth is I didn’t understand credit cards and credit until late during undergrad, and by then I wish I had known sooner the impact being financially irresponsible can be regardless of your age. It’s still difficult for me to tell my money where to go rather than allow impulse buying to take the lead (thank God Mike is great at finances). Hopefully this challenge will encourage you to do the same and Save rather than Splurge when you can!

Thank you to the people at Credit Card Insider for allowing me to be a part of this campaign!

Though I was contacted by this company all thoughts and the above product are my own.

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@graciouslywoven

📍 Virginia | Living a Grace-Filled Life Seeking Jesus in everyday 1st gen homeschool family Cooking & baking sourdough 💌 hello@graciouslywoven.com
  • This time last year, the Lord started challenging the thought of pausing our homeschooling journey. Honestly… I wasn’t happy about it because it wasn’t part of my plan. Even the kids weren’t fully on board at first. 🥹

If I’m being honest, part of me felt like I was losing. Homeschooling isn’t easy, and after years of pouring into our kids, I wrestled with whether putting them in school meant I had somehow failed them.

But somehow through all the emotions, questions, and transitions, we made it through their first year in school.

And wow… proud is an understatement.

Each of them shattered every stereotype people love to place on homeschooled kids. They shined bright, made meaningful friendships, adapted with courage, and walked into new spaces fully themselves.

This year reminded me that what is poured into our kids at home goes with them wherever they go. Everything we’ve prayed over them, spoken over them, and believed about them showed up in real time.

Watching them succeed didn’t make me feel like I had failed. It reminded me that this season wasn’t the end of something. It was evidence that God had been faithful through all of it. ❤️

#MotherhoodUnfiltered #HomeschoolMom #ParentingJourney #TrustingGod #GrowthInTheJourney
  • It’s only fitting to have an interview with the Champion 😂 - just in case you’re ready to enter into the pencil fighting ring one day 👀
  • Learned how to pencil fight from what appears to be a retired middle school pencil-fighting champion. His technique was oddly specific… like this man definitely had a reputation in 7th grade 😂✏️

#graciouslywoven #MarriageMoments #MiddleSchoolChampion #PencilFight #DateNightChaos CoupleReels MillennialMarriage JustForFun
  • Random Friday thoughts… because I can’t shop anyone’s like it at this point 😒
  • Someone recently asked me when I realized I had experienced agape love… and honestly, my first thought was my mom and my sister.

Life has held its share of complicated chapters, and I know what it’s like to navigate distance and hard seasons. Getting older and healing has a way of adjusting the lens. Hindsight really does show you the gifts that were there all along.

This weekend we celebrated my sister’s birthday, and looking back at this photo of us as kids, I’m reminded how precious it is to grow up and realize your big sister is truly your best friend.

Some love doesn’t need to be loud to be deep. I’m really grateful. #sistersister
  • It’s been awhile since we’ve documented a good dance party while making dinner. 

What’s on your family menu tonight? 

#motherhood #dinnerisready
  • Wow 2016. Loving this trend

In the thick of parenting two under five.
Blogging as an outlet and genuine joy.
Left my full-time to become a teacher (I loved teaching).
Struggling to figure out ministry, marriage, and myself.
Connecting with so many other moms here that I still know today ❤️

What a time… #2016 #timeflies
View on Instagram
This time last year, the Lord started challenging the thought of pausing our homeschooling journey. Honestly… I wasn’t happy about it because it wasn’t part of my plan. Even the kids weren’t fully on board at first. 🥹

If I’m being honest, part of me felt like I was losing. Homeschooling isn’t easy, and after years of pouring into our kids, I wrestled with whether putting them in school meant I had somehow failed them.

But somehow through all the emotions, questions, and transitions, we made it through their first year in school.

And wow… proud is an understatement.

Each of them shattered every stereotype people love to place on homeschooled kids. They shined bright, made meaningful friendships, adapted with courage, and walked into new spaces fully themselves.

This year reminded me that what is poured into our kids at home goes with them wherever they go. Everything we’ve prayed over them, spoken over them, and believed about them showed up in real time.

Watching them succeed didn’t make me feel like I had failed. It reminded me that this season wasn’t the end of something. It was evidence that God had been faithful through all of it. ❤️

#MotherhoodUnfiltered #HomeschoolMom #ParentingJourney #TrustingGod #GrowthInTheJourney
This time last year, the Lord started challenging the thought of pausing our homeschooling journey. Honestly… I wasn’t happy about it because it wasn’t part of my plan. Even the kids weren’t fully on board at first. 🥹

If I’m being honest, part of me felt like I was losing. Homeschooling isn’t easy, and after years of pouring into our kids, I wrestled with whether putting them in school meant I had somehow failed them.

But somehow through all the emotions, questions, and transitions, we made it through their first year in school.

And wow… proud is an understatement.

Each of them shattered every stereotype people love to place on homeschooled kids. They shined bright, made meaningful friendships, adapted with courage, and walked into new spaces fully themselves.

This year reminded me that what is poured into our kids at home goes with them wherever they go. Everything we’ve prayed over them, spoken over them, and believed about them showed up in real time.

Watching them succeed didn’t make me feel like I had failed. It reminded me that this season wasn’t the end of something. It was evidence that God had been faithful through all of it. ❤️

#MotherhoodUnfiltered #HomeschoolMom #ParentingJourney #TrustingGod #GrowthInTheJourney
This time last year, the Lord started challenging the thought of pausing our homeschooling journey. Honestly… I wasn’t happy about it because it wasn’t part of my plan. Even the kids weren’t fully on board at first. 🥹

If I’m being honest, part of me felt like I was losing. Homeschooling isn’t easy, and after years of pouring into our kids, I wrestled with whether putting them in school meant I had somehow failed them.

But somehow through all the emotions, questions, and transitions, we made it through their first year in school.

And wow… proud is an understatement.

Each of them shattered every stereotype people love to place on homeschooled kids. They shined bright, made meaningful friendships, adapted with courage, and walked into new spaces fully themselves.

This year reminded me that what is poured into our kids at home goes with them wherever they go. Everything we’ve prayed over them, spoken over them, and believed about them showed up in real time.

Watching them succeed didn’t make me feel like I had failed. It reminded me that this season wasn’t the end of something. It was evidence that God had been faithful through all of it. ❤️

#MotherhoodUnfiltered #HomeschoolMom #ParentingJourney #TrustingGod #GrowthInTheJourney
This time last year, the Lord started challenging the thought of pausing our homeschooling journey. Honestly… I wasn’t happy about it because it wasn’t part of my plan. Even the kids weren’t fully on board at first. 🥹

If I’m being honest, part of me felt like I was losing. Homeschooling isn’t easy, and after years of pouring into our kids, I wrestled with whether putting them in school meant I had somehow failed them.

But somehow through all the emotions, questions, and transitions, we made it through their first year in school.

And wow… proud is an understatement.

Each of them shattered every stereotype people love to place on homeschooled kids. They shined bright, made meaningful friendships, adapted with courage, and walked into new spaces fully themselves.

This year reminded me that what is poured into our kids at home goes with them wherever they go. Everything we’ve prayed over them, spoken over them, and believed about them showed up in real time.

Watching them succeed didn’t make me feel like I had failed. It reminded me that this season wasn’t the end of something. It was evidence that God had been faithful through all of it. ❤️

#MotherhoodUnfiltered #HomeschoolMom #ParentingJourney #TrustingGod #GrowthInTheJourney
This time last year, the Lord started challenging the thought of pausing our homeschooling journey. Honestly… I wasn’t happy about it because it wasn’t part of my plan. Even the kids weren’t fully on board at first. 🥹

If I’m being honest, part of me felt like I was losing. Homeschooling isn’t easy, and after years of pouring into our kids, I wrestled with whether putting them in school meant I had somehow failed them.

But somehow through all the emotions, questions, and transitions, we made it through their first year in school.

And wow… proud is an understatement.

Each of them shattered every stereotype people love to place on homeschooled kids. They shined bright, made meaningful friendships, adapted with courage, and walked into new spaces fully themselves.

This year reminded me that what is poured into our kids at home goes with them wherever they go. Everything we’ve prayed over them, spoken over them, and believed about them showed up in real time.

Watching them succeed didn’t make me feel like I had failed. It reminded me that this season wasn’t the end of something. It was evidence that God had been faithful through all of it. ❤️

#MotherhoodUnfiltered #HomeschoolMom #ParentingJourney #TrustingGod #GrowthInTheJourney
@graciouslywoven
@graciouslywoven
•
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This time last year, the Lord started challenging the thought of pausing our homeschooling journey. Honestly… I wasn’t happy about it because it wasn’t part of my plan. Even the kids weren’t fully on board at first. 🥹 If I’m being honest, part of me felt like I was losing. Homeschooling isn’t easy, and after years of pouring into our kids, I wrestled with whether putting them in school meant I had somehow failed them. But somehow through all the emotions, questions, and transitions, we made it through their first year in school. And wow… proud is an understatement. Each of them shattered every stereotype people love to place on homeschooled kids. They shined bright, made meaningful friendships, adapted with courage, and walked into new spaces fully themselves. This year reminded me that what is poured into our kids at home goes with them wherever they go. Everything we’ve prayed over them, spoken over them, and believed about them showed up in real time. Watching them succeed didn’t make me feel like I had failed. It reminded me that this season wasn’t the end of something. It was evidence that God had been faithful through all of it. ❤️ #MotherhoodUnfiltered #HomeschoolMom #ParentingJourney #TrustingGod #GrowthInTheJourney
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
1/7
It’s only fitting to have an interview with the Champion 😂 - just in case you’re ready to enter into the pencil fighting ring one day 👀
View Reel on Instagram
@graciouslywoven
@graciouslywoven
•
Follow
It’s only fitting to have an interview with the Champion 😂 - just in case you’re ready to enter into the pencil fighting ring one day 👀
6 months ago
View on Instagram |
2/7
Learned how to pencil fight from what appears to be a retired middle school pencil-fighting champion. His technique was oddly specific… like this man definitely had a reputation in 7th grade 😂✏️

#graciouslywoven #MarriageMoments #MiddleSchoolChampion #PencilFight #DateNightChaos CoupleReels MillennialMarriage JustForFun
View Reel on Instagram
@graciouslywoven
@graciouslywoven
•
Follow
Learned how to pencil fight from what appears to be a retired middle school pencil-fighting champion. His technique was oddly specific… like this man definitely had a reputation in 7th grade 😂✏️ #graciouslywoven #MarriageMoments #MiddleSchoolChampion #PencilFight #DateNightChaos CoupleReels MillennialMarriage JustForFun
7 months ago
View on Instagram |
3/7
@graciouslywoven
@graciouslywoven
•
Follow
Random Friday thoughts… because I can’t shop anyone’s like it at this point 😒
7 months ago
View on Instagram |
4/7
Someone recently asked me when I realized I had experienced agape love… and honestly, my first thought was my mom and my sister.

Life has held its share of complicated chapters, and I know what it’s like to navigate distance and hard seasons. Getting older and healing has a way of adjusting the lens. Hindsight really does show you the gifts that were there all along.

This weekend we celebrated my sister’s birthday, and looking back at this photo of us as kids, I’m reminded how precious it is to grow up and realize your big sister is truly your best friend.

Some love doesn’t need to be loud to be deep. I’m really grateful. #sistersister
Someone recently asked me when I realized I had experienced agape love… and honestly, my first thought was my mom and my sister.

Life has held its share of complicated chapters, and I know what it’s like to navigate distance and hard seasons. Getting older and healing has a way of adjusting the lens. Hindsight really does show you the gifts that were there all along.

This weekend we celebrated my sister’s birthday, and looking back at this photo of us as kids, I’m reminded how precious it is to grow up and realize your big sister is truly your best friend.

Some love doesn’t need to be loud to be deep. I’m really grateful. #sistersister
@graciouslywoven
@graciouslywoven
•
Follow
Someone recently asked me when I realized I had experienced agape love… and honestly, my first thought was my mom and my sister. Life has held its share of complicated chapters, and I know what it’s like to navigate distance and hard seasons. Getting older and healing has a way of adjusting the lens. Hindsight really does show you the gifts that were there all along. This weekend we celebrated my sister’s birthday, and looking back at this photo of us as kids, I’m reminded how precious it is to grow up and realize your big sister is truly your best friend. Some love doesn’t need to be loud to be deep. I’m really grateful. #sistersister
8 months ago
View on Instagram |
5/7
It’s been awhile since we’ve documented a good dance party while making dinner. 

What’s on your family menu tonight? 

#motherhood #dinnerisready
View Reel on Instagram
@graciouslywoven
@graciouslywoven
•
Follow
It’s been awhile since we’ve documented a good dance party while making dinner. What’s on your family menu tonight? #motherhood #dinnerisready
8 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/7
Wow 2016. Loving this trend

In the thick of parenting two under five.
Blogging as an outlet and genuine joy.
Left my full-time to become a teacher (I loved teaching).
Struggling to figure out ministry, marriage, and myself.
Connecting with so many other moms here that I still know today ❤️

What a time… #2016 #timeflies
Wow 2016. Loving this trend

In the thick of parenting two under five.
Blogging as an outlet and genuine joy.
Left my full-time to become a teacher (I loved teaching).
Struggling to figure out ministry, marriage, and myself.
Connecting with so many other moms here that I still know today ❤️

What a time… #2016 #timeflies
Wow 2016. Loving this trend

In the thick of parenting two under five.
Blogging as an outlet and genuine joy.
Left my full-time to become a teacher (I loved teaching).
Struggling to figure out ministry, marriage, and myself.
Connecting with so many other moms here that I still know today ❤️

What a time… #2016 #timeflies
Wow 2016. Loving this trend

In the thick of parenting two under five.
Blogging as an outlet and genuine joy.
Left my full-time to become a teacher (I loved teaching).
Struggling to figure out ministry, marriage, and myself.
Connecting with so many other moms here that I still know today ❤️

What a time… #2016 #timeflies
Wow 2016. Loving this trend

In the thick of parenting two under five.
Blogging as an outlet and genuine joy.
Left my full-time to become a teacher (I loved teaching).
Struggling to figure out ministry, marriage, and myself.
Connecting with so many other moms here that I still know today ❤️

What a time… #2016 #timeflies
Wow 2016. Loving this trend

In the thick of parenting two under five.
Blogging as an outlet and genuine joy.
Left my full-time to become a teacher (I loved teaching).
Struggling to figure out ministry, marriage, and myself.
Connecting with so many other moms here that I still know today ❤️

What a time… #2016 #timeflies
Wow 2016. Loving this trend

In the thick of parenting two under five.
Blogging as an outlet and genuine joy.
Left my full-time to become a teacher (I loved teaching).
Struggling to figure out ministry, marriage, and myself.
Connecting with so many other moms here that I still know today ❤️

What a time… #2016 #timeflies
Wow 2016. Loving this trend

In the thick of parenting two under five.
Blogging as an outlet and genuine joy.
Left my full-time to become a teacher (I loved teaching).
Struggling to figure out ministry, marriage, and myself.
Connecting with so many other moms here that I still know today ❤️

What a time… #2016 #timeflies
@graciouslywoven
@graciouslywoven
•
Follow
Wow 2016. Loving this trend In the thick of parenting two under five. Blogging as an outlet and genuine joy. Left my full-time to become a teacher (I loved teaching). Struggling to figure out ministry, marriage, and myself. Connecting with so many other moms here that I still know today ❤️ What a time… #2016 #timeflies
9 months ago
View on Instagram |
7/7
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