skoolie POSTS

Life in the middle of a renovation isn’t always picture-perfect. I’ve learned to live with plastic on the ceiling, 7 different flooring types, and dust in places I didn’t even know existed. But guess what? I’ve also learned something truly invaluable: the art of contentment. 💫 Here are my top 5 tips for staying content amidst our never-ending renovation: 1️⃣ Embrace Imperfections: Recognize that perfection isn’t the goal. Sometimes, it’s the quirks and flaws that make your space uniquely yours. 2️⃣ Focus on Progress: Celebrate every small victory, no matter how minor it may seem. Progress, no matter how slow, is still progress. 3️⃣ Create a Peaceful Corner: Finish one space in your home so it can be your sanctuary. Even in the chaos, having a serene spot to retreat to can work wonders, for me it’s the couch area. 4️⃣ Stay Organized: Keep your renovation organized with schedules and to-do lists. Knowing what’s next can reduce stress and uncertainty. 5️⃣ Practice Patience: Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is your dream home. Getting to live in the space for a while has changed some plans and I’m so thankful for that! So here’s to contentment during renovation madness. To appreciating the journey just as much as the destination. To the wisdom gained from embracing life as it comes. ✨ Who else has found unexpected treasures in the midst of their home transformations? Share your stories below! ⬇️🏡 #HomeRenovation #contentmentishappiness #LifeLessons #embracethechaos #renovationlife

this years birthday was a special one for me…my last years before I turn the big 4-0! 🤪 but it’s also significant because I feel such a shift in this season for me. Im stepping into new things and taking action even though it scares me! I’ve never felt more in tune with what I’m supposed to do and that is so exciting! 🙏🏼 to all of my friends who celebrated me so well, I feel so loved by all of you and feel so blessed to have you on my team 💕

I realized today that there are just 99 days left in this year! 99 days 🤯 What if we committed to showing up every single day for the next 99 days? Think about it—by January 1st, we’d be so much closer to our goals. So why wait? Here’s how you can start right now: Start by setting clear, actionable goals. Break your big dreams into bite-sized pieces. 🌠 Want to start a new business, renovate your dream home, or master a new skill? Define the steps to get there. Next, show up for yourself daily. Whether it’s taking one tiny step towards your goal, learning something new, or improving your skills, every action counts. 💫 Success isn’t just about the destination; it’s about the journey! By taking consistent action, we’re not only moving forward but also learning and growing along the way. So, what’s one goal you want to achieve by year-end? Share it in the comments below, and let’s support each other in making these last 99 days truly count! #99DaysToEndTheYear #DreamBig #ConsistencyIsKey #makeeverydaycount

I’ve been feeling a shift in season for a while now and I’m seeing it all around me and the lives of the people that are closest to me. 💕 SO many people are done with the rat-race and the constant pursuit of the “more”. Their time being sucked away by endless scrolling and comparison to other peoples lives. We’re all working SO hard just to provide a good life for our families. Who’s ready for a little more peace? ✌🏻 I’ve been implementing simple habits these last few weeks and have been craving a slower pace of life for a long time. The ironic thing about all of this is that I’ve never felt more of a drive or passion to work than I do right now! But I’m determined to find a way to live a peaceful, slow life, but also produce and build abundance for our family at the same time. And that’s what I’m working on right now, and I can’t wait to share it with all of you 💕

we ended our trip on a road trip down to the south of England to visit the Cotswolds, Stonehenge & all of the London monuments! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 We wrapped up our trip with the most perfect day touring the inside of Buckingham Palace which was a dream come true for me…a memory we’ll never forget!

Highlights from Wigan & Manchester!! 💃🏻 Getting to introduce the kids to my hometown & all my childhood favorites…meat pies, rugby, chips & gravy, jammy donuts, sausage rolls and alllll the best snacks & chocolate! 🥧 and better than all the amazing food was the time we spent with my siblings and nephews…it’s so fun when your kids are old enough to build relationships with family that are so far away! We miss everyone already 💕

Our time in Northern Ireland was filled with special time with my parents. I thought splitting our time between two sets of grandparents might be tricky but it all worked out perfectly. Watching the kids bond with my parents and hear stories about my childhood was so special. We also fell in love with Northern Ireland and would love to own a property there someday 💕

We spent the day in Dublin and had the best time! I highly recommend exploring Dublin Castle & eating at 1837 Bar & Brasserie in the Guinness Storehouse. Then taking a carriage ride & seeing the Book of Kells and Long Room at Trinity College. If you want a really fun experience, end the day at the Hairy Lemon for a traditional Irish Pub experience! #exploredublin #travelingfamily #thingstodoindublin

first leg of our summer trip… Brittany, France we relaxed at Manoir Ar Poull, explored the French forest, had seafood at the Pink Granite Coast & fell in love with Mont Saint-Michel. Here are a few of our favorite highlights 🤍

Officially leaving the USA and heading to Europe!! I actually can’t believe this is really happening…a dream come true! What things so we NEED to do?! Let us know in the comments 💕

Happy Father’s Day to the man that has worked SO hard to not only have a happy life, but help SO many others have one too!! Our life is more fun, rich and adventurous because this man is behind the scenes making it all happen! Thank you Gabriel for working hard in all the ways to make our dreams come true! We love you 🥰

🌍✈️ We’re hitting the road again…join us on our epic European adventure! ✈️🌍 Spending the summer in Europe has been a dream for SO long and I can’t believe it’s finally coming true!! For 5-weeks we’ll journey across Europe, exploring Paris, Dublin, Belfast, Manchester, and London. I can’t wait to show the kids where I grew up, immersing them in new cultures, seeing iconic landmarks, and eating delicious food! Since our days in the school bus, we’ve missed the joy of traveling as a family so we couldn’t think of a better way to spend the summer! It’s been 7 long years since my family has seen the kids so you can imagine the excitement and anticipation that’s building up within us. It’s going to be MAGICAL! Drop a ✈️ in the comments if you’re as excited as we are about this European adventure! Get ready to join us as we share the journey of a lifetime! 🤩 #europeanadventure #familiesthattravel #dreamcometruemoment #digitalnomads #MakingMemories #excitedbeyondwords

I’ve only posted a handful of times this past year and my relationship with social media has completely changed…sometimes I truly missed the community we built in this online space and other times I’ve felt completely uninspired to post and just wanted to soak in life outside of a screen. 🌟 Inspiration is striking again and I felt like I needed to catch all of you up on the last year…so I’ve got something special in store for you! 🎁 Get ready to dive into a carousel of highlights that will make you feel like you never missed a beat. Scroll through and relish in the moments that have shaped us over the past year: 1️⃣ I’ve been working on my skin and finally seeing results 2️⃣ Jovey's Hawaiian birthday, celebrating our color-loving girl! 3️⃣ Our unforgettable anniversary trip to the beach 4️⃣ Deacon's milestone 10th birthday 5️⃣ Darby's 11th birthday, filled with love and laughter 6️⃣ So blessed to be celebrated by some of my favorite women! 7️⃣ A meme that's been living rent-free in my head for months – can you relate? 8️⃣ Gracen's unforgettable birthday adventure 9️⃣ Family over everything 🔟 How we get through life as parents of four But wait, there's more! Get ready to mark your calendars because tomorrow we have a monumental family announcement that will blow your mind! We're bursting with excitement to share the next chapter in The Mayes Team's incredible story. 🎉👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Get ready to join us as we embark on this thrilling adventure together!

my word for this year is “invest” and I started doing so many things to support myself this month…despite having some really challenging circumstances, I was able to stay connected to the Lord and myself in the midst of it all and I’m beginning to feel so much hope for what lies ahead! What changes have you made so far this year?

shaking off those post holiday blues with an amazing day at @sixflagsdiscoverykingdom with the kids! They had something fun for every age & we can’t wait to visit again in the summertime ❤️ #gifted @sixflags #sixflagsmemories #mysixflagsdiscoverykingdom #mysixflags #mysixflags

we took a staycation this year at @sheratonredding with the kids right before Christmas and it was SO fun to spend this year with @redding_lights…it’s one of the things we look forward to every year! @turtlebay_redding #SheratonRedding #ReddingLights #TurtleBay

consider this our Christmas card this year…visiting the Garden of Lights is the only tradition we’ve kept for the past 3 years 🤣 swipe to step back in time! There’s still time to visit @redding_lights before they close for the year on January 8th. @turtlebay_redding @sheraton_redding #SheratonRedding #ReddingLights #TurtleBay

peaceful morning routine…

my dream couch!! 🥹🙌🏻😭 we’ve always bought from estate sales or thrift stores so saving up and buying this couch has been a dream come true!! What’s something big that you’re saving for?

we’ve been working so hard this week and the changes are mind blowing!! It’s crazy what new floors can do!!

this is your sign to go check into a hotel for 24 hours…you deserve it ❤️

what’s your misconception about poodles?! I’d love to share the truth!! . . . . . #poodlesofinstagram #poodlesofficial #poodlesarethebest #poodlesareagirlsbestfriend

SEVENTEEN We’ve been married for 17 years today!! What’s the secret to a long-lasting marriage?! Neither of us are willing to give up…there have been days, weeks and months that we’ve wanted to give up. But neither of us did. We’ve both worked really hard to be the best versions of ourselves, we are constantly growing and are never perfect. It is NOT easy but it’s so worth it!

don’t worry…we are just as surprised as you! take a look at the new additions to The Mayes Team! 😳 🐩 #poodlepuppies

we’ve experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows and you’ve been a rock through it all! Happy Father’s Day Gabriel!!

new summer haircut…feeling alllll the feels!! 🫣😳🤪

The bestest mother EVER! 👆🏼 Our kids are truly blessed to have you as their mom. All of your “behind the scenes” actions do not go unnoticed. Thanks for creating a safe space for our kids and loving them so well!! HAPPY MOTHERS DAY DEBBIE! -@gabrielmayes

we haven’t had a master bathroom since before living on the bus and I couldn’t be more excited about it! now that we’re at the end of our house tour…tell me what your favorite part was in the comments below! #simpleliving #diyhomedecor #littleaccountlove #homereels #reelsexplore #slowlivingforlife #slowdecorating

welcome to the great outdoors…all 5 acres of it!! wait til the end to see a surprise that we haven’t shared with you yet!! #diyhomedecor #simpleliving #littleaccountlove #homerenovation #homereels #fixerupperstyle

One of the biggest changes for us is that the boys have their own rooms!! This was a massive decision for our family but they’re pretty happy about it 🤣

Believe it or not, the ceilings in this place are even higher! Can you believe I finally have a laundry room?!

It’s time for the big reveal!! Welcome to our new home… can you believe those ceilings?!?!

Do you relate?! 🤣

caption this 🤣⬆️ I’ll leave mine in the comments…

Who wore it best…the White House living room or the Tiny House bedroom?! ➡️ we had so much fun designing these spaces for our Airbnb and want to know, which room makes our @boutiquerugs really shine?! ✨

2 years of hard work, countless hours of renovations & 3.2 billion target runs turned this 1950s home into an Airbnb dream! Couldn’t be more proud! #diyhomedecor #simpleliving #littleaccountlove #homerenovation #homereels #smmakelifebeautiful #fixerupper #fixerupperstyle

welcome to our tiny house reveal! this project has been so much work but looking around at what we’ve built today made me so proud of US! Make sure to scroll through and see each corner and let us know…what has been your favorite part?! #tinyhousemovement #airbnbhomes #neutraldecor #neutralaesthetic #moderntinyhouse

a sneak peek of our new home

here’s a 30 second update 🎢 #reelsinstagram #trendy #adayinthelife #explorepage #lifeupdate

last week we officially sold our land 💔 It was bittersweet for me because that land held SO many of my dreams for 3 years, I really believed that building on this land would happen! This journey has taught me SO MUCH about trusting the Lord and that sometimes the things that seem so “clear” to us are not what will actually happen. Letting go of this land, and all the dreams that it held was such a hard process but I believe now more than ever that He always wants “the same or better” for us. I may not be building it from the ground up like I thought, but I’m trusting that He knows what He’s doing. #godsgotthis #faithovereverything #tinyhousemovement #housebuild #newhousebuild

Happy Birthday to the man who always keeps me on my toes, works harder than anyone I know & makes me laugh like no one else. I’m SO excited that you’re starting to see the fruit of all your hard work these past few years and I know it’s just the beginning for us…this is going to be the best year of your life ❤️ 📸 @maxduganphoto

the truth is…I’ve been having a really hard time recently. but when I look back on where we came from, I realize how blessed I really am! what do you do when you’re feeling stuck?

this year had lots of highs and lots of lows but, with the help of Jesus, friends and lots of grace…we made it through!

Merry Christmas from The Mayes Team!

welcome to the most colorful room in the house 🎉 painting the girls room pink was a BIG step out of my comfort zone, but it was so worth it! We’ve been redecorating a room in the house each weekend and we’re LOVING the results...we’ve never regretted simplifying our lives, especially when there are 4 kids in the house! You all know how much we love to minimize around here and finding these wooden, sustainable toys from @anamalz_official were a massive win for us! What room in your house is in desperate need of minimizing? I’ll post mine in the comments...

👋🏻we have SO many new friends around here so we thought we’d some fun facts about us!! ☝🏻 Gabriel is from TX and I’m from Wigan in England ✌🏻 we’ve been married for 16 years & have lived allllll over the US...IL, TX, AR, OK and now we’re in NorCal 👌🏻we are SUPER passionate about helping Christians get their message out to the world using websites & social media and we use our business @maisey.co to do that! 🖖🏻 we are the type of friends that will always tell you “go for it!!” if you share your dream with us...whether it’s move onto a school bus, start your life completely over in a new city or try for one more baby even though you said you were done! 🙌🏻community is so important to us, we want to know YOU so tell us in the comments below a fun fact about you!!

ITS DEBBIES BIRTHDAY! 🥳 There isn’t another human on this planet that I am more thankful for. I am so glad you were born!! Everyone, please join me in showering Debbie with love!! #happybirthday #bestwifeever

another year, another remix of our favorite reel! the kids are all back in school today and it’s Jovey’s first day of kindergarten!!

IT’S OUR 16TH ANNIVERSARY TODAY! 🎉 From telling Gabriel “you and I will never date” to 4 kids and lots of highs and lows in between. It’s not always been perfect but it’s been worth it...we’re more in love now than ever before ❤️

returning to one of our favorite places...Maui!! let me know if you guessed right?! We have already decided to take 3 full days away from our phones while we’re here but would love to hear ways that you make vacations with kids special...when we get home they’ll be headed right back to school! . . . . . #travellingfamily #familieswhotravel #theglobewanderer #travelfar #travellust #shetravels #travelfamily #familytravel #familytravelblog

5 years of Jovey in 30 seconds...this girl has been bringing joy into our lives everyday! Happy Birthday Jovey Gwyn...our rainbow baby & wave of joy all wrapped in one. We love you so much!

to the one who always keeps us laughing... to the one who has made big mistakes but never given up... to the one who always keeps us on our toes... to the one who isn’t defined by his darkest moments... to the one who always believes things can be better... to the one who is blazing a trail that no man ever showed him... we love you so much Gabriel and are so blessed to watch the total transformation of God in your life, thanks for never giving up ❤️

we wanted to celebrate our porch reveal by recreating one of our favorite photos for Father’s Day coming up! because we’re minimalists we’re always trying to think of creative gifts to give that are practical & long lasting...high quality sunglasses from @sunglasshut are the best splurge for a day like Father’s Day because they’re a gift that can be remembered and used for years to come. Gabriel’s been wearing his Ray-Bans for years so we thought it was a good time for an upgrade 😉 #ad #theyearlonggift . . . . #instagramhusband #instadad #thedadlab #dadsofinstagram #flashesofdelight #fulltimefamily #vscodad #familyisforever #familyfirst #meandmine #lifegivingsquares #fambam #familyovereverything #becausecommunity

It’s our Deacon Levi’s 9th birthday today! He’s the perfect mix of sweet and adventurous and it’s been so fun to watch him grow and shine! He asked us this year if we could have his party the day after his birthday so we could spend time just as a family on his birthday...such a sweetheart!

we made it to Hawaii! if you’ve been following us for a while you’ll know we had to cancel our first ever trip to Hawaii as a family last year... just 2 weeks ago we made the decision to try it again. sometimes the best decisions are made last minute... so here we are after a spontaneous decision to come to Hawaii... and we’re already in love! stick around in our stories this week to join in on the fun! . . . . . #becausecommunity #travellingfamily #familieswhotravel #theglobewanderer #travellust #sheisnotlost #familytravelblog #parentswhowander #travelmadfam #loveyourtimetogether #familytraveltribe #familytravelblogger #familyisforever #familyfirst #meandmine #lifegivingsquares #fambam #familyovereverything💯

the palm leaf was pretty controversial...some of you loved it and some of you (Gabriel!) hated it 🤣 I decided to switch it up with this free DIY!

It’s Gabriel’s birthday today! Can you believe he’s 38 years old?! God has truly blessed us with this guy in our lives...he’s tenacious, fun, bold and always leaves things better than he found them. Gabriel, watching you transform these past 4 years has been amazing...you work harder than anyone I know both externally & internally and I like you more today than I ever have! send some love and birthday blessings to Gabriel in the comments below ❤️ . . . . . #dadsofinstagram #instagramhusband #instadad #liveauthentic #flashesofdelight #pursuitofhappiness #fulltimefamily #vscodad #goodgoodfather #familyfunday #familyisforever #familyfirst #meandmine #lifegivingsquares #fambam #familyovereverything #becausecommunity

I didn’t realize how much had changed in the living room until I compared it to the before 🤯 👉🏻 mounting our curtains all the way to the ceiling completely changed the look of our living room 🙌🏻 It’s crazy how much you feel like you aren’t making any progress until you look at how far you’ve come 🙌🏻 . . . . . #minimalisthome #smallspaceliving #neutralhome #tanaesthetic #howwedwell #showmeyourboho #doingneutralright #myhyggehome #myhomevibe #showmeyourstyled #interiør #interiorlovers #uohome #neutralaesthetic #shelfie #interiordeco #inspiremeinterior #cljsquad #nordicminimalism #scandihome #thedelightofdecor

swipe to check out some more real life behind the scenes 🤪 being private this past month has been SO refreshing...social media has felt like a pretty dark place this past year but we are determined to keep showing up to encourage all of you...what’s your favorite thing we’ve shared? . . . . . #cozyminimalist #thisminimalhome #homewithrue #cozycollectives #mynaturalabode #familyisforever #familyfirst #meandmine #lifegivingsquares #fambam #familyovereverything #jungalow #becausecommunity #alwayshope

this is the first time in 5 years that we’ve had Christmas in our own house...swipe to see our Christmas on wheels just a few years ago! thank you so much for all the love and support...it’s such a blessing to be able to share our lives with you. Sending love and hugs from our house to yours ❤️

walking out of 2020 like... what are you most excited to leave behind?! . . . . . #familyisforever #familyfirst #meandmine #lifegivingsquares #fambam #familyovereverything #jungalow #girlmom #becausecommunity #alwayshope

do you want to play a fun game with us?! spot the difference and tell us what changes we’ve made to the living room in the comments below! HINT: there are SEVEN things we changed! we didn’t just put up our tree...we transformed our living room while we were at it!

#ad Ever since we moved in this door has been driving me crazy! I just wasn’t sure what color I wanted to paint it and don’t feel like I had time to accomplish the project! When @ppgpaints reached out about their Timeless one coat coverage, I knew exactly what I was going to do... it only took me 15 minutes to complete this project and now I’m wondering why I didn’t do it sooner! The coverage was amazing and it was only one coat, just like they told me it would be! swipe right to check out our before and after 👉🏻 #ppgtimelesspaint #ppgpartner

we officially have a teenager...Gracen is 13 today! ❤️ we spent the last 24 hours together, just the three of us and this kid is absolutely amazing...we are actually EXCITED about his teenage years and the amazing man that he is becoming! check out some crazy throwbacks on the swipe...Gabriel’s shoes and my eyebrows have also transformed these last 13 years 🤣

Alaska with my girl...this one on one time created memories that will last a lifetime! From watching her face light up over and over again to all the special blessings God gave us along the way...it was so beautiful! Check out some of my favorite moments and make sure you see the Northern Lights on the last slide! . . . . #familyisforever #familyfirst #meandmine #lifegivingsquares #fambam #familyovereverything #girlmom #becausecommunity #alwayshope #buylesschoosewell #fewerbetter #livingsimply #thingsiwanttoremember #experiencesoverthings #creatememories #wheretogonext #traveleverywhere #globewanderer #iflyalaska #alaskaadventure #travelalaska

we have a birthday today!! How is she T E N?!?! 🤯 I know lots of you have arms full of young babies and sleepless nights so let me tell you from the double digits...REST when you can, you’re doing your hardest physical work and it WILL get better and then you’ll cry when they make it to double digits because HOW THE HECK do they grow up this quickly?! 😭 Darby Lowe you are my sunshine girl and one of the most powerful girls I know...you don’t back down and you’re not afraid to stand up for what you believe in and I LOVE that about you! You are going to change the world with your voice and your leadership...we love you so much, break all the boxes sweet girl! . . . . . #familyisforever #familyfirst #lifegivingsquares #fambam #becausecommunity #alwayshope #cozyminimalist #makingmyhaven #dailyhomeshare #thesimplenaturalhome

have you ever wondered why staying in a hotel is so relaxing? a few months ago I was in a hotel room, feeling SO calm when I realized something...there was no clutter! there were no cups on the bedside table, piles of clothes on the floor or shoes all over the place...unlike my room at home 😬 when we lived on the bus it was the same way...but that was because our bed was the only thing that FIT in our room...swipe to see our bus bed 🤣 ever since the bus we’ve lived a minimalist lifestyle but I never thought about all the little things I leave around my bed and how they affect me...these last few weeks I’ve been working on keeping around my bed free of clutter and it brought me so much peace! I think that we all have those places in our homes that just seem to collect things...where is that place in your home? . #minimalisthome #smallspaceliving #anthrohome #neutralhome #tanaesthetic #skoolie

it’s almost a year since we bought our 1950s fixer upper...you’re never going to believe what we started with on slide 3! back then we would’ve NEVER believed you if you told me our renovation still wouldn’t be done in a year but we’re still slowest inching to the finish line! #myhyggehome #makehomematter #beckiowensfeature #renovationlife #fixerupperstyle #myhgtv

I’ve loved answering lots of questions about our family life and it really got me thinking about how much of an accomplishment raising 4 kids and being married for 15 years really is...I hope we can give you hope that you really can build healthy, happy and strong kids in this world and that mostly starts with being a healthy human. We’ve faced divorce, miscarriage, moving 15 times and living on a bus...and we’re stronger than ever! You’re lowest point really can lead to your biggest victories. . . . . #mynaturalabode #familyisforever #familyfirst #meandmine #lifegivingsquares #fambam #alwayshope

can I be honest with you for a second? this week has been a struggle for me...maybe last week was just a honeymoon period and this week reality hit. I‘m struggling to keep up with it all. DMs are going unanswered and I don’t have time to complete home projects since I started school and I began to wonder...if I’m not doing home projects, will people still engage with me?! Will people lose interest? I’m working on un-believing the lie that I have to be “producing” in order to be valuable and in a world of likes and comments it’s not so easy to do...but so important! . . . . . #ambularinteriorsaintgotnothingonme #countrylivingmag #dailyhomeshare #shareyourhomestyle #mycrumbshome

putting my capsule wardrobe to the test with a weeks worth of outfits...which one is your favorite?!

how do we keep our house clean all week long?! we got into a great cleaning routine on the bus...but moving into a house added an extra 1000 sf to clean! Here’s what has helped us the most: • we do a “deep clean” every Sunday, each kid has an assigned room • waking up every morning with lots of time before school and we unload the dishwasher after breakfast • everyday when they get home from school we do a quick pick up of their assigned room...no screen time until your assigned room is clean • after dinner we all work together to clean the kitchen and load the dishwasher 🤯 ask any questions you have in the comments...I’ll be sticking around for an hour to answer them! . . . #whitedoneright #beautifulspaces #hygger #nordicminimalism #cleandesign #scandihome #fulltimefamily #mykonmari #mycuratedvibe #konmari #mariekondo

autumn is officially here and my feed is full of pumpkins and a change in decor...although I’m extremely tempted to go out and thrift 20 new vases and paint them with baking soda to fill up this side board I know that I don’t need more vases. our minimalist lifestyle often goes against the grain and sometimes I still feel the pull to purchase a bunch of stuff just to fill up space. But then I get really clear on what I really want from life. Experiences over stuff. Things I LOVE over things I like. And the peace that comes with not having to dust off 20 vases every few days 🤪 . . . . #ambularinteriorsaintgotnothingonme #apartmenttherapy #hyggehome #designinspo #shareyourhomestyle #nordicliving #ourweeklydesigncrush #homewithrue #mycuratedvibe #sodomino #myhyggehome #makehomematter #beckiowensfeature #mynesthome #fixerupperstyle #myhgtv #neutralhome #buylesschoosewell #fewerbetter #sparkjoy #mykonmari #girlstopapologizing

now that school is added to the mix of our life, I’ve had to be much more intentional about my time and not letting social media take too much of it...here are my top 2 tips on how to keep your social media time in check: 👆🏻have one day a week to be completely off social media...that way I’m not tempted to keep checking in ✌🏻set up post notifications to my favorite accounts so I’m not tempted to keep checking back to see if I’ve missed anything . . . . . #bathroomremodel #minimalisthome #appreciatewhatyouhave #inspiredliving #springclean #smallchanges #minimalizm #nordicminimalism #cleandesign #Mykonmari #konmari #sparkjoy #californiablogger #tanaesthetic #howwedwell #doingneutralright #bathroomremodel #renovationlife #homereno #littlehouses #onsen

this is where I plan my DIY...I know I need to tile the front of the fireplace but I’m SO nervous to do it myself 😬 check out how completely different my view was 2 years ago!! 👉🏻 . . . . #theauraliving #omysa #hofdecocrush #cabinfolk #camperlifestyle #prefapedia #vanlifediaries #tinyhomeonwheels #nomadstays #chasingemotions #notonlymama #thisishome #dailyhomeshare #homewithrue #thesimplenaturalhome #cozycollectives #prettylittleinteriors #boughtahouse #thesimplenaturalhome #cozycollectives #prettylittleinteriors #boughtahouse #homerenovations #homeremodeling #scandiboho

I can’t believe this is happening today... it’s my first day of school...wish me luck! 😱😬🤯 . . . . . #cozyminimalist #makingmyhaven #thisminimalhome #dailyhomeshare #homewithrue #minimaliststyle #thesimplenaturalhome #cozycollectives #prettylittleinteriors #mynaturalabode #familyisforever #familyfirst #meandmine #lifegivingsquares #fambam #familyovereverything #jungalow #girlmom #becausecommunity #alwayshope

this is the most “finished” area of our remodel right now...tearing down the wall between the kitchen and dining room was one of the best decisions we made on this journey! . . . . . #cozyminimalist #makingmyhaven #thisminimalhome #dailyhomeshare #homewithrue #thesimplenaturalhome #cozycollectives #prettylittleinteriors #boughtahouse #homerenovations #homeremodeling #scandiboho #decorgoals #myhgtv #homesohard #hunkerhome #myinspiredhouse #houseandhome #habitandhome #greathomestaketime #thedelightofdecor #newhomeowner #newhomeowners

If we really want to empower our young women...we don’t do it by showing them that their worth and value is in their body and their sexuality. We do it by showing them role models...powerful women who have done amazing, strong things. We show them that their gender shouldn’t hold them back and that they don’t need to reveal their bodies in order to get ahead. They’re worth so much more than that. I’m not sure what I’ve been more outraged about the last few days with the release of cuties...the fact that many people are defending this movie under the guise of “art”, that the producers auditioned 650 young girl’s and had them “perform” for them or the fact that there are many news articles being released to actually defend this movie. I’ve done the research, watched the clips and have been heartbroken by what I’ve seen. This is not just young girl’s dancing provocatively, don’t let the media fool you. It’s young girl’s exposing themselves to each other and social media and being glorified for it. My heart hurts and I wish there was more I could do. At the very least I can take part in the exposure of this. I love my daughters... and they’re worth fighting for. . . . . #mymodernlook #cozyminimalist #makingmyhaven #thisminimalhome #dailyhomeshare #homewithrue #thesimplenaturalhome #cozycollectives #prettylittleinteriors #mynaturalabode #familyisforever #familyfirst #meandmine #lifegivingsquares #fambam #familyovereverything #jungalow #girlmom #becausecommunity #alwayshope

it’s time to replace the rug and coffee table combo...this was actually never supposed to be the coffee table, it’s more of a foot rest 🤣 but we’ve been making it work the last few months. I really need your help! Give me your answers in the comments...do you think we should go with a round rug/square (or rectangle) table OR rectangle rug with round table?! . . . . . #ambularinteriorsaintgotnothingonme #countrylivingmag #beforeandafter #hyggehome #homerenovation #designinspo #shareyourhomestyle #mycrumbshome #nordicliving #ourweeklydesigncrush #homewithrue #mycuratedvibe #sodomino #myhyggehome #makehomematter #beckiowensfeature #mynesthome #fixerupperstyle #myhgtv #neutralhome

everyone’s decorating for fall and it’s still 100° in NorCal! our back yard is so close to being done (check out that before!!) so I’m still soaking in summer for as long as I can...do you prefer summer or fall?! . . . . . #backporch #patiostyle #mymodernlook #hunkerhome #minimalizm #whiteinteriors #backyarddesign #beautifulspaces #hygger #nordicminimalism #decormattersapp #diyhome #neutralhome #nordicstyle #dailyhomeshare #ambularinteriorsaintgotnothingonme #countrylivingmag #beforeandafter #homerenovation #designinspo #shareyourhomestyle #mycrumbshome

This has been such an exciting week so far and we’re just getting started! I was chosen as the featured account over at mymodernlook this week ❤️ If you would like to be featured, all you have to do is tag your home decor posts with the hashtag mymodernlook and follow these hosts: @the.hoss.homestead⠀ @simplymodernliving ⠀ @thisissimplicite @houseof.lais Guest host @themayesteam . . . . #mymodernlook #prettylittleinteriors #jungalowstyle #diyrightnow #neutraldecor #livingroomdecor #myhgtv #designingideas #whitedoneright #diydecor #littlehouse #smallhouse #homerenovations #fireplacedecor #cozyminimalist #makingmyhaven #thisminimalhome #dailyhomeshare #homewithrue #thesimplenaturalhome #cozycollectives #mynaturalabode

It’s my 36th Birthday! 🎉 There have been so many uncertainties this past year for all of us but through it all I have found so much clarity. I know the type of woman that I want to be and what I’m called to do and I’m speaking up for myself and others like I never have. I pray that all of you can do the same! I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank YOU. For those of you who have been following for years, even when the kids were little. Those of you who started following us because we lived on a schoolbus but stuck around because you saw something special. For those who find inspiration because we held onto our marriage when all hope was lost and those who are new around here and still getting to know us... Just know that I appreciate every like, every comment and every DM and getting to know all of you more and (hopefully) inspiring you to go out and do amazing (sometimes crazy!) things is one of my greatest joys in life and I’m so blessed to share with every single one of you...I am sending you all a big hug today! . . . . . #minimalisthome #smallspaceliving #anthrohome #neutralhome #tanaesthetic #howwedwell #anthropologiehome #showmeyourboho #doingneutralright #myhyggehome #myhomevibe #anthropolgiehome #showmeyourstyled #interiorlovers #uohome #neutralaesthetic #shelfie #interiordeco #inspiremeinterior #cljsquad #nordicminimalism #scandihome

While Debbie is away I get to stay home and watch these 4 kiddos... ... and I LOVE IT! Being a dad of 4 is an amazing responsibility! They’re worth EVERYTHING!! #husbandandwifeteam #husbandsofinstagram

this is where the magic happened today...not that kind of magic 😉 I’ve been wanting the “sconce” look next to our beds but didn’t want to drill into the walls (again)...this floor lamp solution was the easiest DIY I’ve ever done! . . #diyhome #habitandhome #inmydomaine #designingideas #thisminimalhome #diyideas #diydecor #littlehouse #smallhouse #homerenovations #homeremodeling #mymodernlook #cozyminimalist #makingmyhaven #thisminimalhome #dailyhomeshare #mynaturalabode

it’s so hard to believe that this is even the same house! can you believe the difference?! . . . . #Californiacasual #simplywhiteandbright #habitandhome #sodomino #myhyggehome #beckiowensfeature #mynesthome #realhomesofinstagram #myhgtv #anthrohome #hunkerhome #minimalizm #whitedoneright #hygger #nordicminimalism #neutralhome #mymodernlook #dailyhomeshare #ambularinteriorsaintgotnothingonme #countrylivingmag #beforeandafter #hyggehome #homerenovation #designinspo

it’s our kids first day back at school!! they have been home for FIVE MONTHS...so this day has been a long time coming! we are celebrating just a little bit...but we still love the heck out of them!

we’re finally wrapping up the concrete bathroom...and you’ll never believe what it looked like before 🙊👉🏻 and while you’re here...if you’re in the mood to win $250 cash you should head over to our stories today and enter! . . . . #mymodernlook #cozyminimalist #makingmyhaven #thisminimalhome #dailyhomeshare #homewithrue #thesimplenaturalhome #cozycollectives #prettylittleinteriors #minimalisthome #smallspaceliving #anthrohome #neutralhome #tanaesthetic #howwedwell #doingneutralright #myhyggehome #myhomevibe #anthropolgiehome #showmeyourstyled #interiør #uohome #interiordeco #inspiremeinterior #cljsquad #nordicminimalism

It’s our 15th anniversary! 🎉 Just 4 years ago we were on the brink of divorce and wondering what our future looked like...but with a whole lot of Jesus, determination and counseling we are better than ever and living a life we never even dreamed was possible! There is no impossible situation! . . . . #familyisforever #familyfirst #meandmine #lifegivingsquares #fambam #familyovereverything #becausecommunity #alwayshope #napavalley #buylesschoosewell #fewerbetter #livingsimply #thingsiwanttoremember #lifegivingsquares #experiencesoverthings #creatememories #wheretogonext #traveleverywhere #globewanderer #husbandandwifeteam #mystorywithmichelin

here is our fireplace reveal!! I absolutely love how it turned out and that I just dove in and didn’t worry about planning out the whole project! Now I just need to decided if I’m going to paint the fireplace surround, the gold and what the heck to do about the unfinished tile edges! 🤪 #dwellmagazine #apartmenttherapy #interiordesigninspiration #diydecor #littlehouse #homerenovations #homeremodeling #mymodernlook #cozyminimalist #makingmyhaven #thisminimalhome #diyhome #inmydomaine #designingideas #dailyhomeshare #homewithrue #thesimplenaturalhome #cozycollectives #prettylittleinteriors #diyrightnow #neutraldecor #livingroomdecor #myhgtv

we are thinking about making a massive change to our living room and I REALLY need your help! first, take a good look at our fireplace and then slide over to take a look at my inspiration and then give me your advice in the comments...should we do it?! If you need some more help deciding...head over to our stories and I’ll share some more! . . . #mymodernlook #cozyminimalist #makingmyhaven #thisminimalhome #dailyhomeshare #homewithrue #thesimplenaturalhome #cozycollectives #cljsquad #prettylittleinteriors #diyrightnow #neutraldecor #livingroomdecor #myhgtv #designingideas #myanthropologie #whitedoneright #diydecor #tinyhomes #smallhouse #fireplacedecor #habitandhome #fireplacemakeover

this is what happened when I tried to take a picture for today’s post!

kitchen renovation is almost complete...and I can’t believe how far we’ve come! and although I had always swore I was a fake plant person, I’ve actually kept a live plant alive for a few weeks!! Can you spot the little sprout that isn’t fake?! . . . . . #Nordicminimalism #minimalisthome #livewithintention #appreciatewhatyouhave #inspiredliving #springclean #smallchanges #minimalizm #Mykonmari #konmari #shelfie #californiablogger #Kitchenremodel #homerenovations #homeremodel #kitchenrenovation #myhgtv #ikeakitchen #kitchensofinsta #concretecountertops

when we bought this house there were 3 different colors of concrete in the back yard...grey, beige and pink 🤢 but then we found out we could paint the concrete 🙌🏻 and I’d say this paint job made a massive difference...what do you think?? head over to our stories to hear all about what we used to paint our concrete and to have your mind blown by the listing picture! . . . . #anthrohome #hunkerhome #minimalizm #whitedoneright #beautifulspaces #hygger #nordicminimalism #decormattersapp #diyhome #homerenovations #homeremodeling #myhgtv #neutralhome #nordicstyle #backporch #patiostyle #mymodernlook #dailyhomeshare

before & after... make sure you scroll all the way to see how far we’ve come...you’re never going to believe how I got these numbers to stay up since we couldn’t drill into the brick... Glue! I’m not even kidding you, I totally just stuck my house numbers to the wall 🤪 will it last forever? No! does it need to? Nope! sometimes with DIY’s you just have to make it happen! #mymodernlook #cozyminimalist #makingmyhaven #thisminimalhome #dailyhomeshare #homewithrue #thesimplenaturalhome #entryway #frontdoor #myhousethismonth #beforeandafter #housereno #houserenovation #frontporch #paintedbrick #designingideas #frontdoormakeover #littlehouse #smallhouse #homerenovations #homeremodeling

my DIY pergola roof is done! 🙌🏻 I learned SO much from jumping in and doing this DIY and I have to be honest here, there are definitely some things I would change! I was pretty impatient about getting this projects done and instead of waiting for 8ft bamboo, I opted for overlapping two 4ft...I probably should’ve waited! Also, I should’ve used a staple gun...using a hammer and u-nails definitely slowed me down! Done is better than perfect and even though it isn’t perfect, it won’t discourage me because this house has come SO FAR...check out today’s stories for what our back yard looked like before!

OK friends...it’s time for a game of 2 truths and a lie 😬 1: I was bitten on the face by a dog when I was a kid 2: We were pastors of a church for 3 years 3: I’m expecting our 6th baby ...tell me in the comments, which one do you think is a lie?! . . . #diyhome #backporch #patiostyle #patioliving #inmydomaine #designingideas #thisminimalhome #diyideas #diydecor #littlehouse #smallhouse #homerenovations #homeremodeling #mymodernlook #cozyminimalist #makingmyhaven #thisminimalhome #dailyhomeshare

it’s not perfect...but neither are we! 🤣 this renovation journey has taught us so much about working with what you have and not sweating the small stuff (or timeline delays...sooooo many delays!) and I hope, most of all, that you are encouraged to show up on your feed, exactly as you are...because none of us are perfect ❤️

we made a choice that no one thought we would make...white walls AND white trim! sometimes the right choice is not the popular one and once I found inspiration for this home, I couldn’t choose anything else!

let’s talk whites! We used Nano White by Behr on the interior because we wanted it to match our Ikea cabinets. For the exterior I knew I wanted to go for a white that had a tiny bit of cream in it so it wasn’t too stark. ❤️ I finally landed on the white that so many of you recommended...Alabaster White by Sherwin-Williams and I’m absolutely in love! What’s your favorite white?

We’re back!! Not back on the bus but back in the salt flats 🤣 It’s hard to believe it’s been 3 years since we were here, making our way across the country in our converted schoolbus! I have to know...how many of you were following us when we lived on the schoolbus? Give me a yes or no in the comments below!