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Wifestyle Hustle100 Episodes LaterI'm not sure how it happened but we've been at this for over a year already. Today we put our 100th episodes in the books. And boy have we learned a lot through this whole process. Today we talked about our journey and some of the lessons we've learned this past year. It's been really fun going completely outside our comfort zone. We're proud of how far we've come. But we also are looking forward to seeing what the next year has in store for us.Our Niche2024-08-0739 minWifestyle HustleAre Kids Hard On MarriageToday we explored the effects of children on the relationships of their parents. No doubt about it, children change your life forever. But is the addition of children hard on your relationship? Listen to find out what we thought about it. Have to heard our episode about ‘when was the last baby?’ In this episode, we explored our family sizes and how we knew when we were done. We would love you hear from you. What do you think of the kids effect on marriage? Do they put a strain on mar...2024-07-3146 minWifestyle HustleWould You Rather 2We've gotten a little heavy lately. So today we decided to keep it light and do another would you rather episode. These are always fun because we learn a little something about each other. I mean who doesn't want to know whether their sister prefers bad breath or smelly feet. Listen to here our answers. We didn't agree on that one.Check out our first episode in this series HERETranscriptRecapExploring new places and trying...2024-07-2440 minWifestyle HustleEpisode 97 The Rise of The Trad DadToday, we piggie backed on an episode we did a few weeks ago call Trad Wives. Listen to that HERE to hear our take on the trad wives trend. On today's episode, we focused on the trad dad and what a traditional father in the modern era looks like. To say we are blessed in this department is a vast understatement. The fathers of our children embody what it means to be a traditional dad.If you like our content, please consider reviewing our podcast and sharing it with your...2024-07-1743 minWifestyle HustleHow much does it really cost to raise a child?Today, we discussed our thoughts on a CBS report found HERE. This report states it costs over 300,000 to raise a child to the age of 18. We discussed our numbers on one of our own kids..well Lauren's kid. And just to be clear, this figure doesn't not include the cost of the child's college education. To rephrase it, this is just for the cold hard day to day costs from birth to adulthood. Listen to this episode to hear if we think these numbers are right.Before you go listen to this episode, could...2024-07-1033 minWifestyle HustleRemodeling your house as a coupleRecapRemodeling a house can be a challenging but rewarding experience.Effective communication and grace are essential when working on a remodeling project with a spouse.Making design choices and decisions together can help ensure a successful remodel.The timeline of a remodeling project can vary depending on various factors.Remodeling a kitchen can add value to a home. Tall cabinets provide ample storage space and a cleaner look in the kitchen.2024-07-0339 minWifestyle HustleAging GracefullyToday, We took on a topic we hope we're doing. Only those that know us in real life could really say if we are. Aging Gracefully is something I (Ellyn) decided to do in my 30s. I decided not to try to fight the clock and color my hair or fill my wrinkles. Those were well earned signs that I had made it in life. Some are denied the privilege of age. I wasn't going to fight the signs of it.We discussed a few trends in anti-aging and our thoughts about them. We...2024-06-2641 minWifestyle HustleBuilding healthy relationships with your in lawsRecapTake time for fun and exploration, like going on field tripsBuilding a good relationship with in-laws is importantViewing in-laws as a blessing and showing respect and care can foster a positive relationshipIn-laws play a role in raising the person you love most Meeting and getting to know your in-laws' siblings can be a fun and rewarding experience.The relationship with in-laws can be different from the relationship with parents, and it's...2024-06-1240 minWifestyle HustleInterview With Jill From The Beginners GardenerToday was a huge treat. We got a chance to do an interview with a fellow gardener and podcaster, Jill Mcsheehy. She hosts The Beginner's Garden and our topic was gardening in small spaces and getting the most out of your garden. Jill had so much experience and knowledge to share. She also hails from an area we have little experience with but we have several listeners who live in similar areas so we hope to have brought some insight for them. Thanks so much Jill for joining us today!...2024-06-0536 minWifestyle HustleOur Thoughts On The Harrison Butker SpeechToday, we took on a subject a little more serious for us. But this is something we have discussed before and something that is near and dear to our hearts. If you haven't gone and listened to the speech, I highly recommend you do, in its entirety. Most of what has been said about it has focused on 2 sections. But, There was so much more to it than that. The rest of what he said gave context to the controversial sections.As our listeners know, we live pretty similar lives to the one he...2024-05-2938 minWifestyle HustleSummer Bucket List BoardThe big change happens today! We hope you enjoy this more conversational episode about how to create and fulfill your summer bucket list. Look for our lists coming soon. RecapThe podcast format is changing to longer episodes with a focus on personal conversations.Summer break is a valuable time to spend with family and create lasting memories.Creating a bucket list for the summer can help prioritize and plan fun activities.The bucket list should be fun and not st...2024-05-2242 minWifestyle HustleNew To CampingChapters00:00 Introduction to Camping00:33 First Camping Trip01:27 Camping in Different Locations02:28 Camping with Kids03:04 Challenges and Improvements04:23 Mixed Feelings about Camping05:23 Exploring Historical Sites06:23 Camping as the Main Experience07:46 Family Bonding and Activities08:47 Kids' Independence and Camping in the Backyard09:52 Camping with Teens10:51 Bringing Bikes and Wheelie Things11:20 Different Types of Campsites12:38 Preparing Food for Camping15:09 Easy Meals and Separate Camping Dishes17:06 Prepping Food at Home18:00 Organizing Camping Gear19:13 Essential Items and Paper Towels20:08 Educational Opportunities2024-05-2028 minWifestyle HustleGetting Kids Interested In GardeningThe season of gardening is upon us. For this reason, you will find us out in the garden planting, watering, pruning and harvesting for the next few months. What better time than this to show the kids the joys of gardening. At least that is how we feel. We love to take our kids out and let them experience digging in the dirt and bringing in the bounty of a good harvest. That is why, we discussed how to sow that seed in their hearts. Like many things we parents teach, this is something they will take with...2024-05-1525 minWifestyle HustleWarm Weather FoodRecapTransitioning from winter food to summer food is a fun and exciting change in cooking.Eating something fresh, whether from the garden or a local farm, is important during the summer months.Summer meals are often lighter and include grilled meats and plenty of vegetables.Marinating meat adds flavor and infuses it with deliciousness.Exploring different cuisines allows for a variety of summer dishes.Infused waters with fruits, herbs, and vegetables can help...2024-05-1321 minWifestyle HustleWomen Of FaithToday we dove into a personal topic for us. We don't center our podcast around God because we want to be inclusive to all demographics. Motherhood, gardening, cooking and all the rest are things we can discuss across all beliefs. That said, today's episode is a little different. We wanted to talk a bit about our beliefs as they are what makes us part of who we are. Centering our and our families lives around God and our relationship with Him is a huge part of who we are. We discussed it today.Have...2024-05-0820 minWifestyle HustleBudgeting for vacationToday, we continued our budgeting series. Vacations can be so expensive but they don't have to be. A little bit of for thought can save you heaps of money while still having a great time with your family. We wanted to do this episode early in the season because the most important part of budgeting for vacation is starting with a plan early. If you wait until the last minute it is much harder to stay within your budget.Have you heard the other episodes in this series? If you're looking for ways to...2024-05-0626 minWifestyle HustleWould You Rather Episode 1Have you ever seen those surveys online? Would you rather live in the on the beach or in the mountains? I think we all have. Well, today we took on a few of those questions and discussed our answers.It is always fun to think about, if I could have things be different, what would I choose? For most things I think we would choose the lives we have over and over. But how fun would it be to live in a place totally different from where we are.What...2024-05-0126 minWifestyle HustleEpisode 83 Why All the Man Bashing?Today, we took a little more serious topic on the podcast. We discussed man bashing and why we think it is wrong. I'm sure you've noticed, man bashing has been around for many years. Men are portrayed a stupid and inept, unable to do even the most menial tasks without the intervention of the extremely smart women in their lives. Obviously, dear listener, you can see we are not fans of this trend of running down half the the population and the father of our children.Clearly, it's bad for our daughters for them to feel like...2024-04-2923 minWifestyle Hustle10 Tips to keep Clear SkinToday we talk about some skin saving tips that will help you to have healthier skin. Many of these tips are things you may already do, but many are also ones that are not obvious. It is different for everyone that listens.I used to work in the skin care industry, and even though I really liked many products, what I think I learned was that it's the routine you are using at least as much as the actual products. We have a lot of fun with this topic, and hope you can find the time to...2024-04-2421 minWifestyle HustleDiet TrendsToday we discussed a few diet trends we have come across through the years. We are neither for or against any of them...well almost. And we are not experts or nutritionists. We are simply discussing our experience with each one. If you have experience with any of the ones we discussed we would love to hear about it. Hop on over to one of our social accounts and leave us a comment with your experience.While we aren't nutritionists we do believe your diet plays a huge role in your overall health. The...2024-04-2228 minWifestyle HustleBaby Care Hacks AprilWhen you're a new parent, and everything is brand new, it can so overwhelming just keeping up with the day to day. Wouldn't it be nice to have someone to teach you all the little tips and tricks to baby care that will make your life so much easier. Well, look no further! With 6 kids between us, we've been around the block a few times. These hacks will make your life run more smoothly so you can enjoy more time with your precious new little person.Do you have a baby care hack we...2024-04-1732 minWifestyle HustleEarly GardeningWith the spring flowers showing off all their glory, it is time to start thinking about gardening. On today's show, we discussed a few of our first gardening tasks. It feels so good to be outside playing in the dirt again. Whether you're planting peas or getting your tiny tomato seeds under the grow lights, it is such a good time to think about what you want to accomplish in the garden this year. Join us for this discussion on the possibilities.Today we discussed some of our first gardening tasks. If you're a...2024-04-1524 minWifestyle HustleSpring TeaserToday we discussed a few things we have coming up for the spring season. Things are growing so our garden episodes will be in full swing. We are so excited to get back outside and make things grow. It is our hope our listeners will be making things grow too.WE also have a few fun things coming down the pike. Did you hear our interview with the professional plumber? Check that out HERE. We are going to be continuing with our interview series. Our goal for the interviews is...2024-04-1021 minWifestyle HustleThe Trad Wife TrendToday we started a new series where we discuss current trends and what we think about them. You know we have thought about most things we come across.You've heard about it. You've probably seen videos about it on social media. The trad wife is making a comeback. And to think, we were doing it before it was trendy. Just kidding. Seriously, though, being a traditional homemaker has been around since the beginning of time. Only recently, is it making a resurgence as a life goal for women. There is great fulfillment in staying...2024-04-0828 minWifestyle HustleEpisode 76 Learning From Common Parenting FailsIf you have been paying attention to our social media, you know my (Ellyn's ) crocuses have had a rough spring. They're doing much better now. Make sure to fan our social pages so that you never miss any of the fun.On to today's episode:We've all heard them. We've all done some or all of them.Over indulgence, inconsistent discipline, helicopter parenting..and the list goes on and on. It is easy to fall into the trap of some these common parenting fails. Our kids are so cute. Maybe...2024-04-0321 minWifestyle HustleTips For Budgeting For HomeschoolHome school can be very expensive but it doesn't have to be. Between the two of us we have a lot of home school experience. But we have even more experience saving money and budgeting for the things we want and need. Home school is no different than our other dives into money saving. It takes planning..hence the timing of this episode. We are starting to plan for next year and thought it might be interesting to talk about our process.Have you heard our other talks on this topic? Check those out2024-04-0120 minWifestyle HustleDo’s and Don’ts of Plumbing, With a Real Plumber!We started a new series today. Have you always wanted to ask a professional about the inner workings of their profession? Well look no further than WifeStyle Hustle to get your questions answered. We are taking on interviews with professionals in different fields to find out how they handle things in their own homes and businesses. Join us, won't you for this great new series!Today's InterviewHave you ever wondered what mysteries lurk in the plumbing behind your walls? For most people, as long as everything...2024-03-2728 minWifestyle HustleFostering Independence In Your KidsToday, we discussed a topic we have struggled with as parents. There are times it is so hard fostering independence in your kids. It is just easier to keep doing the tasks I have always done and not teach my kids to do them for themselves. Then I see other people's kids crushing it and realize my kid could have been doing it all along. Oops!So today we addressed how we handle helping our kids to learn to be more independent. Sometimes it is as easy as walking along side them to help them figure it...2024-03-2525 minWifestyle HustleSaving money Garden Edition Part 2Today we continued our garden editions of our saving money series. Saving money in the vegetable garden is so important to make the garden a sustainable enterprise for your family. I try to make the vegetables I grow be as cheap as possible. This often means a little more work and elbow grease for me. But that is OK. The work is good for me and makes my vegetable garden all the more rewarding.If you missed part 1 in this series you can find that HERE. Both episodes in the...2024-03-2031 minWifestyle HustleMeal Planning HacksToday, we dove into a topic we have only touched on in the past. Meal planning helps so much with taming the chaos in a busy household. Whether you're the kind of person who has every meal for the next two weeks planned or the kind person who just keeps the ingredients for your most made dishes in the house, this episode is for you. Knowing what is for dinner early in the day can make the whole day more peaceful. It is so stressful to have dinner hanging over your head.Neither of us are firm...2024-03-1828 minWifestyle HustleWhen Was The Last BabyToday we got a little personal about our decision making process on our families sizes. It can be so hard to decide when your family is complete. For some people nature helps with the decision. But, for most people, it has to be a conscious choice to stop having more kids or not.Some families never make the choice officially and usually have large families. We talked a bit about big families today in an admiring sort of way. In their chaos they always seem so happy.How did you...2024-03-1325 minWifestyle HustleSaving Money: Garden Edition part 1Today we continued our saving money series with a gardening episode. The garden season is almost here and we are so ready to dig our hands in the dirt again. Depending on where you hail from, you might already be outside. For us, we have to be patient a little longer. That doesn't mean we can't start thinking about and planning for an amazing harvest. In fact, the best way to save money is to start early with a plan. Buy those seeds now! It will make the end of winter a little more cheery.2024-03-1122 minWifestyle HustleKids and Online LifeWe took on a big topic today. We discussed how we handled our kids being online through the ages. It is so hard to know, as parents, how to let go of the reins and let your kids start to go online. For us, it was something we avoided for a long time. There was no reason to let our preteens loose on the internet so we didn't. Did we handle it correctly? We think so for our kids. But that doesn't mean that is the way it should be or has to be for all kids. Every...2024-03-0633 minWifestyle HustleSaving Money Car Buying EditionBuying a car can be such a stressful experience. Hearing the horror stories for other consumers is enough to send shivers down your spine just thinking about it. But it is something everyone has to do eventually. Going into it prepared is so crucial to saving moneyToday we discussed a few strategies to make car buying a little more bearable. These tips can help you get the best deal on your next vehicle. Shopping around is the biggest take away for the episode.We mentioned a car buying site...2024-03-0430 minWifestyle HustleThe Effect of Birth Order On Our FamilyThe effect of birth order has been studied through the ages. You've heard them. The oldest is an organized leader. The middle child is a peacekeeper. And the youngest is a free spirit. These generalizations seem to hold true across many families. Today, we compared these findings to our own families to see if it all holds true for us. Over all, the generalizations held true for the most part. But we had a few exceptions as most families do. Kids don't like to conform to generalizations.Even within our two families we have...2024-02-2826 minWifestyle HustleMom GuiltFew things are more pointless than guilt. Sure, we should feel guilty about truly wrong things we've done. But too often we beat ourselves up about things that really weren't worth feeling guilty about. Mom guilt is especially difficult. I believe most moms are doing the very best they can to be the best they can. However, we look around at our lives and our kids and feel bad for things that have little control over.Today, obviously, we dove into the world of mom guilt. We feel guilty about the silliest things. And...2024-02-2622 minWifestyle Hustle10 Things I love About BabiesToday was a fun little trip down memory for us. Having a baby in the house can be so stressful. Taking care of the every need of a person who can't even hold up their own head is a challenge. But it isn't all bad. There's so much good here. Today we talked about it.There are so many unknowns when you bring home a new baby. A lot of parents have a bit of trepidation about this little life they made. It is hard to see past the crying, diapers, feedings, and all...2024-02-2128 minWifestyle HustleRaised Bed vs In Ground GardeningListen to Raised Bed vs In-ground Gardening HEREThis was such a fun episode and a testament that we don't agree on everything.Today we talked about our different gardening methods. We discussed the pros and cons of each method.Raised Bed GardeningI (Ellyn) love my raised bed gardens. They're beautiful and so productive but they are a little more work on the front end. They must be built and filled. The upside of that is you have...2024-02-1921 minWifestyle HustleThe Great TransitionToday we went way back to the beginning of motherhood for us. We talked a bit about how we handled transitioning from working woman to SAHM. This was a the good, the bad and the ugly episode. Switching from being a contributing bread winner to being home with the kids can be really hard for some women. But the good outweighs the bad in many cases. Many new stay at home moms struggle with still feeling like a valued and contributing member of the household. These are very legitimate feelings. It is hard to lose that part of...2024-02-1430 minWifestyle HustleNurturing Your Kids Ambitions2024-02-1221 minWifestyle HustleMarriage, The CompromiseThere's a saying that goes, "Happy marriages begin when we marry the one we love, and they blossom when we love the one we marry." And another, "A successful marriage is falling in love many times, always with the same person." Today, we talked about being married to the same person for a long time. We are not experts. Far from it, in fact. What we are are people in committed marriages that we plan to see through. Part of a successful marriage, I think, is deciding that this is my person. Come what may, we will figure...2024-02-0721 minWifestyle HustleStarting Seeds InsideCan you feel it? Those little changes in the air. The days are a little longer. It is still chilly but it isn't bitter anymore. The snow is melting. The mud is taking over. It is time to start thinking about the new growing season. Today we discussed how we handle the very start of our summer gardens. Starting your seeds is a great way to make sure you get what you want.Too often, nurseries have the most common options. But, if you want something out of the ordinary, you can't find it...2024-02-0527 minWifestyle HustleOut Of The Home Activities for HomeschoolersIt is sometimes overwhelming to make sure your home schooler gets all the stuff they need. Today we discussed some very worthwhile activities for you home schooler. But, really, this list is good for all kids. Let's face it, kids in school aren't getting as many field trips as they used to. It is so important to make sure you get your kids out of the house sometimes. The walls start to close in after a whileSome of the things we talked about are obvious. Who doesn't love a good trip to the...2024-01-3127 minWifestyle HustleThe Many Wonders of HouseplantsYou may be asking yourself, how can two people talk about houseplants for an entire episode?? There just isn't enough there. Oh, but there is! We are very passionate about our plants. In deepest darkest winter there is really nothing better than getting dirt under your finger nails.Plants brighten a space in a way nothing else can. We believe it is best to start small but with an eye toward getting a variety of textures and sizes. That way your eye always has someplace to go. Something always need tending and love.2024-01-2926 minWifestyle HustleSustainable Homemaking Part 2This wraps up our series on sustainable homemaking. We hope you’ve enjoyed our perspective on it. If you have anything you do that we didn’t mention here please leave us a comment on one of our social pages or on our website. Until next time;..By incorporating these practices into your daily routine, you can contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle at home. Remember that small, changes can make a big difference for your finances and your life. Until next time..On our first episode in t...2024-01-2422 minWifestyle HustleTime ManagementTime management in a process and something that needs to be revisited often. As your kids get older the need for you to manage their time changes in a more support and oversight role. The trick is to know what to let go of and when. Until next time..We all get the same 24 hours. What we do with those hours is up to us...Mostly. Learning good time management is so important to having a stress free and productive day, week, month, life. It can be hard to look at all you...2024-01-2225 minWifestyle HustleBedtime: All Parents Rejoice!Being a kid is tiring business. All that running, jumping, playing, wrestling, thinking, learning and fun will wear a person right out. They need their rest. If you've ever been around a kid who hasn't gotten enough sleep, you know it isn't pretty. They don't know yet how to regulate themselves. And that tiredness can show in a lot of different ways. The best way to avoid these situations is to make sure your kiddos are well rested. A consistent bedtime is keyToday we talked about making that happen. Gauging activity level, attitude...2024-01-1725 minWifestyle HustleSustainable HomemakingToday we started a series on sustainable homemaking. We will revisit this story again in the coming weeks so make sure and check back for more.We talk a lot about homemaking here. It might seem like we have our act all together with our whole homemaking journey. Well, I'm glad we give that impression. But, we are working through the process too. There are things we always do. There are things we sometimes do. We have a few things we haven't gotten to yet but are working toward . Lauren and I went over all of that...2024-01-1521 minWifestyle HustleSourdough made easyWhat's better than warm fresh sour dough bread? Well, nothing! Nothing is better. Unless you have warm fresh sour dough bread with butter slathered on it. That's better.As you might have guessed we are discussing our love of making sour dough today. You might have heard how difficult it is to make it. All the steps, all the kneading, all the pressure! Then you have the forming and baking. Do you use a loaf pan? Or maybe a dutch oven is better. Maybe you should do a free form loaf. Worry not, faithful listener! We talked...2024-01-1023 minWifestyle HustleJanuary FunkIt is that time of year. The holidays are over. The hubbub slowed down. Here we are in the January funk. Everyone enjoys the glow of the holidays but it can be really hard to deal with the pull back from all the hustle and bustle of having so much to do all the time. It seems every night of December is packed with something fun. From the recitals to Christmas plays to the shopping, wrapping, cooking, consuming, caroling fun and merry making, it is really busy month.For some people it is a relief to have...2024-01-0824 minWifestyle HustleGetting Back Into the Swing of ThingsOh hi! Welcome back! We hope everyone had a restful and joyous Christmas season. We sure did!This leads us right into our topic for today. We discussed how we handle going back to all the things in January. It is so nice to take a break and enjoy some time at home with no real commitments. Most activities stop for the week between Christmas and New Year. That frees up some time to enjoy your family in a way that really isn't possible most other times during the year....2024-01-0321 minWifestyle HustleOur Most Interesting Christmas LocationsUnfortunately not all pictures we took 15 years ago are amazing. Please forgive the blurriness of this one. No one knew back then we would someday need it for our podcast.Today we discussed some of the places we've gotten to spend Christmas. Not every Christmas gets to be one you remember fondly. Unfortunately, not every Christmas do you get spend surrounded by family. Some you have just get through. We've had a few of those. It makes you cherish the good ones all the more.Speaking of, we also talked...2023-12-2021 minWifestyle HustleWinter TeaserToday we discussed some of the fun stuff we have coming up after the frenzy of the holiday season is over. Right now we are in the thick of it with you all. But we know soon we will get our sanity back. When that day comes, we are going to need some new topics to discuss with you all. We teased out a few of those today.One of the things we are going to tackle right after the holidays is coming off the holiday high. January can be so hard for a...2023-12-1819 minWifestyle HustleDecember FunWe hope you guys have enjoyed these few ideas we have for ways to spend time with the kids during the month of december. If you have any ideas you would like to share. Leave them on the comments for this episode on our website, or on our social media. Until next time…These are salt dough ornaments Lauren made with her kids the other day. Be on the look out for those tomorrow. This is another great December activity.December is a busy month but it is...2023-12-1321 minWifestyle HustleTaking Kids Out To EatToday we discussed something that could go really well or disastrously wrong depending on the day and age of your kids. It is the worst when our kids behave badly out in public. We hope to help you avoid this embarrassing situation with a few tips we put together for you. Also just know that every parent has been there. Even if they are giving you the evil eye they have themselves done the walk of shame with their own kids. No one is immune.Taking the kids out to eat isn't something either of our families do...2023-12-1122 minWifestyle HustleChristmas HacksThese are some of our favorite hacks for Christmas. If Christmas were an equation this would be the formula. Enjoy.2023-12-0626 minWifestyle HustleWhen We Do What We Do (Christmas)Today we discussed how we handle our different Christmas activities. Christmas is such a busy time of year. One of the biggest keys for staying sane this time of year is staying organized. It is so easy to let the season get away from you. The next thing you know it is the week before Christmas and your presents are only half bought. You don't have to tree up or have any idea who is coming for Christmas dinner. A little forethought and organization can help you avoid all of that.There are definitely...2023-12-0423 minWifestyle HustleOur Favorite BooksIn the spirit of the upcoming holidays we discussed some of the favorite books we enjoyed when we were kids and also titles we've given to our kids over the years.Books have played huge part in our lives. Some of my favorite memories were of our dad reading to us before bed. He is a gifted story teller and books in his hands always came to life. Likewise, my favorite time to spend with my kids is on the couch reading books. Over the years, we have read children's books in the every...2023-11-2934 minWifestyle HustleGratitude, How To Get SomeToday, we talked about how important is to teach your kids gratitude. Whether is it being thankful for the glass of water handed to them or the bigger blessings in life, teaching your kids to look for ways to be thankful is so important. Making a point to lead our kids to be thankful is a big lesson. And one so often over looked.It is the little things every single day that lead to a grateful heart. It is more than just the pleases and thank yous. Though those first phrases are important...2023-11-2723 minWifestyle HustleOne on One Time With Your KidsToday we discussed how important it is to spend time alone with your kids. There are things you will only hear from your kids if you are alone away from the nosy ears of siblings. It is such a treat, usually, to get the hear these little pearls. It is also great to build individual relationships with your kids.Our families are a little different in how we manage to find this time. It can look however you want it to. But it is important to try to incorporate it. It can be simple...2023-11-2023 minWifestyle HustleSaving Money Holiday EditionThere is nothing worse than opening your credit card statement in January when you didn't think about how much to spend on Christmas in November. There's that sinking feeling that you know you won't be able to cover the bill.Today we discussed strategies to help avoid that awful feeling. It is so important to set a budget for each thing and then stick to it. It is easy with the magic of the season to just blow it knowing you'll have to pay for it later. Avoid all of that by buying or...2023-11-1522 minWifestyle HustleKids Toys We LoveThere are so many toys out there and it's hard to figure out which are the best. Today we will share some of our favorites, and tell you why we love them. 2023-11-1328 minWifestyle HustleWomen VeteransIf you've been a listener of our podcast for a while, you already know we are both veterans. Today, in honor of Veteran's Day on Saturday, we dove into our time in the service a little deeper. We joined at different times and for completely different reasons. But, for both of us, our military service was one of the defining times in our lives. The military took us around the world and to places we never would have gotten an opportunity to visit otherwise. It was an exciting and sometimes scary time. For both of us it was...2023-11-0831 minWifestyle HustleMaking Space By Clearing Out ToysAs you look across the sea of toys in your house, you know it is about to get a whole lot worse. Grandmas and grandpas, aunt and uncles and friends all love your kids very much and enjoy giving them gifts in the Christmas season. What a blessing these people are. But at the same time you know that January will see even less floor space in your house. Unless...you clear out some toys now. A little preparing now will help make the holidays feel a lot less cluttered and also help with ringing in the year...2023-11-0624 minWifestyle HustleKids and Holiday TravelAs the saying goes, over the river and through the woods, to grandmother's house we go...It is almost time for those holiday trips. Are you ready? It is so fun to pack up the car and hit the road with your family. It's such and adventure to travel to new places and see people you don't very often.Today we discussed the actual travel which was a review of an earlier episode. We also talked about being house guests in someone else's home. It is so tempting for the...2023-11-0122 minWifestyle HustleInspiration CookingHopefully this episode doesn't make you too hungry. Today we are talking about a way of cooking that will set you up for easier dinner making for the rest of your life. We will also be giving several of our recipes for doubling food for those busy nights. We understand that doubling dinner off the top is a learned occupation. Enjoy!2023-10-3033 minWifestyle HustleMy Crazy LifeDo you feel it? It's coming! We are closing in on that time of year when everything is taking up your time and it feels like the walls are closing in. OK, not quite. But close. The holiday season is upon us. As soon as Halloween is over, Christmas is everywhere in the stores. You can feel the busy creeping up on you. In some ways it can steal the joy from the season.Today, we talked about a few ways to cope with it all. It feels very overwhelming when someone is always...2023-10-2527 minWifestyle HustleLeaving the NestToday, we talked about how we went about leaving home. We both joined the military in our late teens. So our leaving was a little abrupt. We left home about 4 years apart and completely different time.We both lived pretty sheltered lives to that point. It was so good for us both to get out of our home town and experience something different. But it was a culture shock for us both. We, honestly, had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. I think we still would have done it. But it was...2023-10-2321 minWifestyle HustleRunning AwayToday we talked about a topic that really doesn't get addressed enough with moms. We discussed the importance of ditching your family and having fun with your friends sometimes. Time spent with friends is so worth the investment. These are relationships that can last a lifetime and see you through the good times and the bad.Getting away with your spouse is also important and a really great way to run away. But that isn't always possible if you don't have family or close friends who can watch the kids. There is is also...2023-10-1823 minWifestyle HustleOn The Road to SustainabilityToday we got into a new topic that we've eluded to a few times. We talked about our desire to be sustainable. This can mean different things for different people. For us, it means to grow as much food as we can for ourselves and purchasing as much as we can locally from people we know.Chances are good we will always use Amazon delivery for things we can't get locally. But we do try to do as much for ourselves as we can. We try source what we can locally and not sweat...2023-10-1628 minWifestyle HustleFirst Jobs For KidsListen to First Jobs For Kids HEREToday we talked about our kids' first exposure to employment. When your kids are young, their only real employment opportunities are the ones you create for them. Maybe it is helping around the house or the yard. Or maybe it is a helping an older neighbor or family member. But as your kids get older, they can start find money making opportunities for themselves.For young teens, babysitting and lawn mowing are easy money making opportunities. In some areas, snow shoveling is a great way to make a...2023-10-1122 minWifestyle HustleHow's Homeschooling GoingIn this episode, we discussed how we are doing as we are a few weeks into the new school year. This was a pretty Lauren centric episode. We both home school, of course, but this the first year for Lauren home schooling all of her kiddos. We are into our 10th year of home school so there is a lot new for us.This episode is an encouragement for new home schoolers. Lauren spent the end of last school year and the summer getting ready to bring her kids home. And her hard work...2023-10-0924 minWifestyle HustleThings I Was Wrong About Kitchen EditionWe wouldn’t want you to think we’re good at every thing we touch from the very first day. Actually I think that has been pretty well established already. But as further proof, we offer today’s episode. Today, we discussed just some of our many failings in the kitchen. It really was hard to narrow it down to just these. These were the winners or losers as the case may be. HAHA!We hailed all the way back to the beginning of our marriages for this episode. We ate a lot of bad food in the ea...2023-10-0423 minWifestyle HustleCooking With Kids. The Good. The Bad. The UglyListen to Cooking with Kids. The Good. The Bad. The Ugly HERE.Want to make a big mess and not get a whole lot accomplished? Get your kids in the kitchen to ‘help out.’ Just kidding. Letting your kids help in the kitchen isn’t very helpful at the beginning but so awesome once they get a little older.Today we discussed the days at the very beginning when all they can do was stir. We got into what we did when we first cooking with our kids. Then we offered a little encouragement to those...2023-10-0221 minWifestyle HustleUpdating Kids RoomsToday, we talked about the evolution of decor in our kid's rooms. You start out with complete control over their room. You decide on the theme and placement of everything for the baby's nursery. Then, You sit and are calm in the little slice of peace you've carved out for yourself to enjoy your baby. It all goes amazing for a few years. Then they come to you and ask to have a little control over their space. Maybe it is just to move the furniture around. It could be a garish paint color. Maybe your kids have...2023-09-2723 minWifestyle HustleWe're Just TeasingWhat do we do all winter? Well, I'll tell you. A whole heaping lot of indoor things. Our houses get pretty neglected during the summer months. Winter is for home for us. Today we talked a little about what you'll hear from us during the next few months. Our social media and episodes for the last couple of months has been pretty garden and kid centric. Over the next few months we will step away from the garden and move into our homes. Today we are teasing what the heck we do inside all winter2023-09-2522 minWifestyle HustleAllowance, What We Do.Today, we talked about allowance for our kids. We went through the different ages and stages, from the first quarter you give your little guy to what allowance looks like through the teen years. For us, allowance is tied to help around the house. In those early years, it is given for not much actual help. As our kids got older, allowance was given and help was actually helpful.Every family handles money differently and there really isn't a right way to do it. We do believe it is important to teach your kiddos to be fiscally...2023-09-2029 minWifestyle HustleSide Hustles and Jobs For Us SAHMSToday we talked about a few jobs we did while staying home with our kids. For us, our primary responsibility is our home and kids. And it is a full time job! But it is nice to earn a little extra money for the family budget. It is also good to get out of the house and away for a little while and do something on your own.If you have a skill set that lends itself to employment, that is probably a great place to start looking for side hustles. If you're like us, you'll probably...2023-09-1826 minWifestyle HustleCommunity, It's Important!Living life on your own as a family, a parent or just a human is not easy. There are things you need a community for. In this episode we are going to talk a little about the different places we have found community. We will also give some tips on how to find community where you are.2023-09-1327 minWifestyle HustleThing I was Wrong About Parent EditionIt's not easy to admit you're wrong or that you have been wrong about something, but in our opinion it can be funny. Hilariously, everyone comes to parenting with some preconceived notions about how things are going to be. In this episode we talk about some of the many ways were we wrong about parenting. 2023-09-1130 minWifestyle HustleWhat is Better Than Christmas? Harvest Time!There are so many different ways to preserve food, over the years we have learned several of them. With the kids, school, activities, and just plain life we have learned a few of the quicker ones that save the food we grew in the garden. If you want to learn them too, this is the episode for you!2023-09-0632 minWifestyle HustleThe Wonderful Combination of Kids and PetsToday we are going to talk about one of our favorite things. Our pets! Even though we have had lots of pets over the years, this episode is mostly about our dogs, and what great fun we have as a family.2023-09-0441 minWifestyle HustleFall GardeningPreparing your garden before winter can be among the most enjoyable types of gardening. You're finishing up picking, and the weather is usually more pleasant to work outside. We are really looking forward to talking about this wonderful time of year to garden.2023-08-3033 minWifestyle HustleKids Activities, The Tidal WaveSometimes it can be hard to work around kids and their many activities. In this episode we talk about how much is too much, and how to work around the ever growing lives of our children. 2023-08-2829 minWifestyle HustleThe Games We Love and Why You Should TooThere are thousands of board games in the world, and it's hard to know which ones are good without having a friend give you a review. In this episode we are going to mention several of our favorites and why we enjoy them so much. Please go and have a look at our show notes for links to each of the games, if you want to try them out yourself.2023-08-2323 minWifestyle HustleSaving Money TooThis is also an episode about some money saving tips. We will continue to add to our list as we remember new ideas. Saving money is something everyone can use.2023-08-2124 minWifestyle HustleA Dive Into Foster CareThe title says it all for this one. In this episode we talk about our experience with foster care, and why we decided to become foster parents.2023-08-1625 minWifestyle HustleGrocery Store BudgetingIn this episode we tell how we manage to stay within a budget for grocery shopping, and food in general. Hopefully there are a few things that help our listeners save some money.2023-08-1432 minWifestyle Hustle5 Interesting Kitchen HacksEveryone has a few hacks they do around the house that maybe no one else knows about. Here are a few of ours in the kitchen.2023-08-0922 minWifestyle HustleAs Long As No One Is Bleeding (Sibling Rivalry)Trying to get your kids to get along is not always easy. Here we discuss the different ways our children have been in conflict and some possible solutions and causes. We also discuss our own childhood and how different our relationship was then.2023-08-0729 minWifestyle HustleAnyone Can Make Apple Cider VinegarThere are so many different food you can ferment, which increases the nutritional value in many cases, and in others completely changes the molecular structure. In this episode we discuss some of the everyday food we ferment and go over step by step instructions for making vinegar. Don't miss it!2023-08-0221 minWifestyle HustleA few tips to save moneyEveryone can use a few ideas on how to save money. Here are a few of our favorites, that we hope will help you!2023-07-3129 minWifestyle HustleSupporting Our SpouseToday we talk a little about our marriage, and what it has been like to be a stay at home mom and "homemaker".2023-07-2625 minWifestyle HustleHomeschool PrepIn this episode we talk a little about homeschooling. What scheduling looks like, and some of the curriculums we most enjoyed.2023-07-2421 minWifestyle HustleIntroduction to ChickensWe would like to share our experience with chickens, and how helpful and fun it can be. 2023-07-1916 minWifestyle HustleKids ChoresExplore what we do as far as kids and chores at what ages. We have a wide range of kids from 4 to 18 and we discuss what chores they have done at different ages, in this episode.2023-07-1718 minWifestyle HustleScreen TimeScreen time is such a hard thing for parents to figure out. Should we or shouldn't we? In this episode we talk about what we do, and why we don't feel bad about it. 2023-07-1224 minWifestyle HustleTraveling With KidsNow that summer is here we know many people are traveling with their kids. Those epic vacations often begin with an epic road trip. Here we will give you a few tips and a few horror stories about how we have traveled with kids over the years.2023-07-1035 minWifestyle HustleEpisode 2 GardeningIn this episode we are going to talk a little bit about why we keep a garden, and how simple it can be if you let it. Keeping plants can be a relaxing habit, and we are so happy to share it with you.2023-07-0528 minWifestyle HustleIntroductionToday, we introduced ourselves. We discussed our upbringing, time in the service, marriage, children, and what life looks like now. It has been a whirlwind adventure for us both. We also talked a little about our vision for the future of this podcast. We are looking for ideas on future episodes. Feel free to email and give us some ideas at Wifestylehustle@gmail.com.2023-06-0419 min