We drove over 5k miles…over 21 days…in one van…with 9 people.

And I can tell you…Traveling…in any capacity…is going to change you. You will have SEEN some things…especially when you travel with kids… because “People don’t take trips, trips take people.” – John Steinback

As we're getting into the heart of summer we wanted to share some of the lessons we've learned and tucked away from roughly 18+ years of traveling with kids. This is not a to do list, but just some thoughts on our list of considerations when we're planning adventures.

We REALLY believe in the importance and value of taking trips with your people (and even without them) so let this be something that helps you feel better prepared...and not overwhelmed, because once we started writing this stuff down it went from one episode to 3...because we have learned SO much and because gosh darn it, we just love to talk...and short and sweet clearly isn't our jam.

Today we have a special guest who is near and dear to my heart, she is a devout Catholic, devoted wife, soon-to-be momma of 10, author, creator of an entire library of courses for mommas like us, and coach and mentor to Catholic businesswomen (specifically mommas like me!) all over the world!

Mommas, today we have Lisa Canning!

You can find Lisa at lisacanning.ca—where she has two coaching communities; the first—Wealth Without Guilt—is for business owners, and the second—Motherhood Without Guilt—is for General Life Coaching for Catholic Moms. Lisa can also be found on Instagram @lisacanning (this is the most real-time/real-life place you can find her).

Recently, Britt and I took our first—of hopefully many—road trips! We learned SO much, and we figured we would share it with you! Listen in as we talk through our trip and the lessons we were able to walk away with!

Welcome to the "Just" a Mom series – Today we have the lovely Kelly Mayor. She is a mother of 4 and a licensed clinical social worker. She specializes in anxiety, OCD, phobias, and postpartum depression. She and her husband are both therapists and recently opened a private practice together. In addition to momming, serving so many others with her practice, she loves dancing, camping, and taking care of their chickens.

We're going to ask again...How are you? Really? Momma?

Your answer here...is actually much more important for you to hear...than us.

We did some digging into what Survival mode really means in motherhood...and we came up with some surprising insights...

Laurel Thatcher Ulrich said, "Well-behaved women seldom make history", but this quotation doesn't mean what you think it means...

Thatcher, a historian, author, educator, and mother of 5 was dedicated to telling the quiet stories of ordinary people...and she won a Pulitzer Prize for it. Because, as she states, “it is in the very dailiness, the exhaustive, repetitious dailiness, that the real power lies… living has to be measured in doing.” and mommas...our lives are a very measure of doing, and doing, and doing.

We don't have to be aggressive, loud, and bold to change the world...there is power in our quiet contributions as mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters...and they rarely get attention or credit, because well-behaved women seldom make history....but that doesn't mean our contributions aren't valuable, necessary, beautiful, and worthy of being celebrated!

In our new series, "Just" a Mom, we are celebrating YOUR stories, the seemingly ordinary. Because no mom is 'just' a mom and we all have triumphs, struggles, challenges, and beauty to share. And frankly, other moms need to hear them.

Today we have Breanna Walsh, she's a homeschooling mom of 6, a wife of 20 years, and the owner of Tin Soldier Safety Latches. She's not only a child of God, but Britt's beautiful and wonderful sister!

You've probably heard the quote, "Well-behaved women seldom make history", but you might be surprised by what Laurel Thatcher Ulrich really meant by this statement, and once you hear it you'll never be able to hear this quote the same way.

Thatcher, a historian, author, educator, and mother of 5 dedicated her work to telling the quiet stories of ordinary people...and she won a Pulitzer Prize for it. Because, as she states, “it is in the very dailiness, the exhaustive, repetitious dailiness, that the real power lies… living has to be measured in doing.” and mommas...our lives are a very measure in doing, and doing, and doing.

Often this quote is misunderstood to mean that in order to change the world and make a difference we must be aggressive, loud, and bold...but it was merely to share that the quiet and compliant contributions of women rarely get attention or credit for their accomplishments. That's us mommas. We're living that truth every single day, because what we do. It matters. Oh man does it matter.

In our new series, "Just" a Mom, we are celebrating the beautiful stories of ordinary, well-behaved women...who we know are far more than what we see at first glance. The lives we are living have incredible beauty and power in them, and we want to share them with the world.

Welcome to the ‘Just a Mom’ Series…

We're starting out today with a question...How are you? Really? Momma?

If you answered with I'm so tired...or overwhelmed...or I'm surviving...but barely…

We've got you.

We did some digging this week to talk about what has been commonly coined as "Survival mode" in motherhood...and we came up with some surprising insight...

First of all in our humble opinion...survival mode isn't just a mode, it's a season

Which is good news! Because if you're in a season of survival, it means it won't last forever.

The downside here is that because our motherhood is seasonal....new challenges can throw us back into a season of survival…

But what IF a season of survival isn't a BAD thing...but just a different season...and one that we can lean-in to?

Hear us out! I know that sounds trite...But it's very possible this new outlook might be exactly what you need to SURVIVE a season of survival.

The truth with our money is that we're often just budgeting to avoid loss rather than work toward or enjoy a gain. This small, but simple shift can make ALL the difference in how our budgets play out and how we behave with them.

Budgets aren't just a tool to cut back, but a tool for intentional spending based on what is most important to you...aka your priorities and your goals.

We need to start with the right mindset...that your budget is here to work FOR you...not take-away FROM you. One of the best ways to do this is to get clarity on what your budget is allowing you to do and to make plans for what you want it to do.

We say it all the time, life happens and I think anyone would agree that there's been A LOT OF LIFE happening the past few years. Between the entire world shutting down for a bit...prices running wild....unexpected layoffs....and just the normal life transitions that we're all expected to navigate...it's been a bit hard even for seasoned budgeters to keep everything in the green.

So knowing that mucking up your budget is really a part of life…how do you get back on track when you do?

This list is not to bring shame, or guilt you about falling off the bandwagon … it's really about being real about where you are, deciding to do something different, and moving forward with small deliberate ACTION.

Shame and guilt don't deserve a ticket on this train.

Some of our greatest adulting lessons come from managing money for our families and homes.

It isn't everything, but it does serve us in many ways and CAN if we’re responsible and intentional with it. Our finances should be a reflection of the life and family we’re cultivating in our home.

And the hard truth is...for too many of us that's not the case.

You have been talking...and we have been listening...so here it is...17 reasons your budget isn't working for you...because who wants a list of 5 or 10 when you can have 17?!

Some of our greatest adulting lessons come from managing money for our families and homes.

It isn't everything, but it does serve us in many ways and CAN if we’re responsible and intentional with it. Our finances should be a reflection of the life and family we’re cultivating in our home.

And the hard truth is...for too many of us that's not the case.

If your current financial state makes you feel shame, fills you with regret, or leaves you feeling down-right depressed after you look at it...

You need to take responsibility and own where you are. Acknowledging that the decisions you made up until now, led you here.

HOWEVER, shame, regret, and depression will not get you where you need to go.

So you need to LET. THOSE. THINGS. GO.

We've all been there…sitting at the dinner table with a toddler who is REFUSING to eat the food that you so lovingly purchased, cooked, and plated.

We've received so many questions about dealing with picky eaters.

Today, we've invited an occupational therapist on the podcast and we're talking about picky eating vs. sensory issues...how to know which camp your child falls in, and real tactics to put into place so meal times aren't such a battle.

We've all been there…sitting at the dinner table with a toddler who is REFUSING to eat the food that you so lovingly purchased, cooked, and plated.

We've received so many questions about dealing with picky eaters.

Today, we've invited an occupational therapist on the podcast and we're talking about picky eating vs. sensory issues...how to know which camp your child falls in, and real tactics to put into place so meal times aren't such a battle.

There's a lot of talk and support out there for going after our own goals, but today we’re taking a fresh look at our little one’s goals and how best to support them (within our capacity, of course!)

There's a lot of talk and support out there for going after our own goals, but today we turned the tables...and we are talking all about how to best support our SPOUSE’S goals…while holding boundaries and being intentional with our own capacity.

There's a lot of talk and support out there for going after our own goals, but today we wanted to turn the tables...so we've invited someone really special here to talk about how we can support our spouses in THEIR goals.

Going after our own goals has a huge impact on our husbands and children, not only because more often than not our goals affect our families…but because we teach so much louder with our actions than our words.

In this episode we want to talk about inviting our people into our goals. The why and the how…

Today, we’re going to give you a peak behind the curtain and talk about what we’re doing and where we’re going at The Deliberate Day!

We talk about how it all started, how it’s been going, and OUR big dreams (after asking you to work out all of yours for an entire month)!

We can give you all the tools in the world, but if you don't truly believe in YOU...

Defeat will always win.

If this speaks to your heart...but your mind is still throwing shade. Stick with us because...we're speaking directly to you today.

There's a pretty big movement of woo lately...but maybe it's not all as crazy as it sounds.

There's real science backing studies focusing on a growth mindset perspective