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Embracing the Art of Slowing Down If I could tell my younger mama self one thing about slowing down, I’d start by taking her face in my hands— that tired, eager, always-a-little-overwhelmed younger me. I’d say: Breathe. That list you’re carrying? The one that never ends? You’re not going to get it all done today, and you were never meant to. The Pressure of Productivity I know you feel like every moment needs to be maximized. You can’t waste time. The laundry, the meal prep, the emails, the lesson plans, and the endless “Mama, can you…?” all have to be handled now. But here’s the truth I wish you knew sooner: Slowing down isn’t failure. It’s faith. Faith in the Process Faith that God’s not tallying up your productivity like a spreadsheet. Faith that the holy moments are often the quiet ones no one else sees. Faith that your worth isn’t measured by the size of the dent you make in the to-do list, but by the size of the God who holds you. Redefining Success I’d tell her that it’s okay if the Bible study looks different this season. It’s okay if the coffee gets cold while you answer a little voice asking a big question. It’s okay if the “pause” lasts longer than you planned. Because the days you think you’re “behind” may just be the days heaven sees you most faithful. Finding Joy in the Chaos So, younger me—slow down. Put the phone down. Look up. And know that the best seeds you’ll ever plant might be sown in the middle of the mess, with your hair in a messy bun and your heart wide open. The Importance of Self-Care Taking time for yourself is not selfish. It’s essential. When you prioritize self-care, you recharge your spirit. You become more present for your family and friends. Remember, it’s okay to take a break. Moments of Reflection In the hustle and bustle of life, take moments to reflect. Ask yourself what truly matters. Is it finishing that to-do list, or is it spending quality time with loved ones? Cultivating Patience Slowing down teaches you patience. It helps you appreciate the little things. The laughter of your children, the warmth of the sun, and the beauty of a quiet moment. Building Stronger Connections When you slow down, you build stronger connections with those around you. You listen more, engage more, and love more deeply. The Gift of Presence Being present is a gift. It allows you to experience life fully. Don’t let the busyness of life rob you of these precious moments. Conclusion: A Call to Action So, take a deep breath. Embrace the chaos. And remember, it’s okay to slow down. Life is not a race. It’s a journey filled with beautiful moments waiting to be cherished. In the end, it’s about finding balance. It’s about knowing when to push forward and when to pause. Trust that everything will fall into place. Let this be a reminder to you, as it is to me: Slowing down is not just a choice; it’s a way of life.

Frazzled mom trying to work I used to be neck-deep in network marketing. First Mary Kay, then ItWorks (spoiler alert: it doesn’t), and then Plexus. I thought Plexus would be my forever-home business. I went all in. I did the cold messages, the copy/paste scripts, the endless trainings. I spent thousands of dollars on “independent” coaching programs (which, funny enough, ended up being helpful later in life - just not for MLM). I spent hundreds every month on products and used them faithfully. To be fair, some of them helped, especially as I was healing from postpartum depression. But the flashy “quick weight loss” stories that always hooked me? They never panned out for me. And after years of trying, I never made it past the first rank or two. I never saw a consistent paycheck. But here’s the deeper loss: I lost sight of people. The unspoken (and sometimes very spoken) message in MLM culture is this: every single person you meet needs your product.  No exceptions. Every conversation becomes a pitch. Every relationship becomes a potential sale. And when you start living like that, it dehumanizes people. It reduces friends to business opportunities and souls to dollar signs. I burned bridges without meaning to - not because I wanted to hurt people, but because I believed the lie that people couldn’t live without what I had, and that my job was to push and follow up until they gave in. But Jesus never did that. He didn’t manipulate. He didn’t gaslight. He didn’t push until people broke down. He saw people. He loved people. He spoke truth with compassion and freedom. And that’s the kind of person I want to be known as. Yes, I make and sell candles now. But I don’t want people to cringe and duck away when I walk into the room. I don’t want to be remembered as the person who always had an angle. I want people to feel seen . I want them to feel loved . I want them to know they matter - whether they ever buy a single candle from me or not. Because at the end of the day, people matter more than profit. Always. Disclaimer: This is solely my experience. I am in no way throwing shade at anyone still working in MLM. I simply feel the need to shed light on a mentality that I believe is rampant in the MLM world - one that I personally had to unlearn.

Me and my BFF, coffee. Growing up, there was something magical about smelling my dad’s coffee brewing. That blacker-than-midnight Folger’s will forever be etched in my heart, reminding me of the father who worked tirelessly to provide for his family. He’d laugh when we asked for a sip, telling us we had to be “up by his armpit” before he’d let us drink that black elixir. Fast forward to when that little girl became a mama of two, and that magical elixir became a lifeline. I loved my babies fiercely, but I was drowning in this thing we call motherhood. Postpartum depression had stolen the joy right out from under me, and some mornings that hot cup of joe was the only thing I had to look forward to. It didn’t take long before coffee became part of my identity, my sanity, my anthem. And even when I slowly climbed out of the darkness of postpartum depression, that dependence clung to me like a cloak. But hey, everyone else was the same way, right? So what’s the big deal?! Years rolled on, and we welcomed another sweet blessing into our family. Life got louder, messier, and more beautiful… and somewhere in the chaos, my bloodstream turned into a steady drip of caffeine. Honestly, I was basically 80% coffee (just joking… kinda 🫣😂). Until one day, conviction hit me like a ton of bricks. Friend, I had an unholy attachment to my daily cup. An unholy attachment is anything we cling to for comfort, identity, or strength more than we cling to Jesus. It can be something good, but when it takes His place in our hearts, it becomes an idol in disguise. I had an unholy attachment. It wasn’t just a drink, it had become my mantra: Mama needs her coffee to function. It had become my identity: This mom runs on coffee and chaos. It had become my idol: If I don’t have my coffee, I can’t function. And so, for almost three years, I was convicted to give it up. Not a drop. It wasn’t always easy to resist, but as time went on, I began to see what God was doing. I had woven coffee into the very fabric of my motherhood. Instead of leaning more into Jesus- the One who promises to never leave me or forsake me- I leaned into coffee, the one who promised everything but gave me nothing lasting. That’s the thing about idols: they disguise themselves as helpers… until you realize they’ve been holding you hostage. Today, I enjoy my daily cup of coffee ( and am perfecting the perfect homemade, hormone-healthy creamer! ), but it’s no longer my lifeline. My lifeline is Jesus. My “mama fuel” is His presence. And my identity? Loved daughter of the King. Mama, I’m not sharing this because I think coffee is bad. I’m sharing it because I know how easily our hearts can hand over the steering wheel to something other than Jesus. I had to learn the hard way that what we run to first reveals who (or what) we trust most. What we run to first reveals who we trust most. So here’s my gentle nudge: take some time this week to get still before Him. Ask, “Lord, is there anything I’ve been leaning on more than You? Anything I’ve let define me, comfort me, or fuel me in Your place?” And then be brave enough to hear His answer, and humble enough to obey. Because when you let Him take His rightful place again, you’ll find that everything else- even that steaming cup of coffee- becomes an overflow instead of a lifeline.

Introduction to Our Mission At Crunchy Mama Candles, we believe in the power of kindness. Our mission goes beyond creating beautiful candles. We aim to make a difference in the lives of children around the world. By purchasing our candles, you are not just lighting up your home; you are also lighting up the lives of children in need. The Impact of Your Purchase When you buy one of our candles, you contribute to a greater cause. 25% of sales is donated to SmileTrain. This organization provides free cleft palate surgeries to children in need. These surgeries can change lives. They enable children to eat, speak, and smile without barriers. Your support helps us continue this vital work. Why Choose Crunchy Mama Candles? Our candles are made from natural ingredients. They are eco-friendly and safe for your home. Each candle is crafted with care, ensuring a clean burn and delightful fragrance. We offer a variety of scents to suit every mood. Whether you prefer floral, fruity, or earthy aromas, we have something for everyone. The Benefits of Natural Candles Natural candles have several advantages over traditional ones. They burn cleaner, producing less soot. This means better air quality in your home. Additionally, they often have a longer burn time. You can enjoy your favorite scent for hours without worrying about harmful chemicals. Supporting a Worthy Cause By choosing our candles, you are making a conscious decision to support a worthy cause. Every candle purchased helps fund surgeries for children with cleft palates. Your contribution matters. It helps provide not just physical healing but also emotional support to families in need. How to Get Involved There are many ways to support our mission. You can start by purchasing a candle. Each purchase directly contributes to SmileTrain. Additionally, you can spread the word. Share our mission with friends and family. The more people know, the more lives we can touch. Join Our Community We invite you to join our community of candle lovers and change-makers. Follow us on social media for updates on our mission and new product launches. Together, we can create a brighter future for children in need. Conclusion In conclusion, lighting a candle is more than just a simple act. It is a way to share a smile and support a cause that changes lives. Choose Crunchy Mama Candles and make a difference today. Light a candle, share a smile, and help us support SmileTrain. Light a Candle, Share a Smile

A moment of Christian motherhood encouragement for when life feels loud and fast. The question I needed to hear today... “Mama, what’s this?”  my four-year-old asked, holding up her daddy’s cross necklace. I told her it said Jesus  and explained that it reminded Daddy who he belongs to. That launched us into a surprisingly mature conversation about why Jesus came to earth and died on the cross. In that moment, the Holy Spirit confirmed something He’d been whispering for weeks: It’s time for a season of intentionality and slowing down… if I’m willing to embrace it. I had a dozen blog ideas bouncing around in my head and had just  sat down to write when Squish came up, book in hand, asking me to read. I tried to gently redirect her, hoping to get a few sentences down, but those big blue eyes are hard to resist. We read the book. I went back to work. But then came that  question- and I knew I had a choice to make: Keep hustling… or slow down and plant an eternal seed. Lately, life’s been busy in unexpected ways. Beautiful, yes. Purposeful, absolutely. But my mind feels like a chalkboard full of scribbles- so much to do, remember, plan, and carry. I’ve found myself wrestling. Crying in prayer. Not because anything is bad ... just because it’s so much. And in those moments, I’ve heard the echo of 1 Corinthians 7:34: “But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband.” I feel that in my bones some days. As wives and mamas, we carry a lot. And honestly? My quiet times are often the first to get chopped when life gets loud. But God’s response hasn’t been guilt. It’s been gentleness . Not shame- grace . He reminds me: “My strength is made perfect in your weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9) “You are not behind. You are held.” I know this season won’t always be this full. There will be mornings again with warm coffee and open Bibles. But right now, His presence meets me in the mess , in the interruptions , in the moments of choosing the better thing. As I type this, Squish is next to me, snuggled up with the Kids Bible app, asking big questions and soaking up truth like a sponge. Not because I had a perfect plan. But because I paused. Because I said yes to the moment. Mama, I just want to remind you: 🕊️ Your hard work is seen. 🕊️ Your heart is known. 🕊️ Your prayers are cherished. 🕊️ You are so  deeply loved. Slow down if you need to. The holy moments are rarely loud. They're soft. Sacred. Hidden in the everyday. With love, Allie P.S. - I’ve started lighting a candle in the evenings again, not for the scent alone, but for the stillness it signals. Something about that little flicker helps me breathe deeper and be fully present. If you’re building your own slow, sacred rhythms, I hope you find little touches like that to ground you, too. <3

25% of sales helps provide smiles through SmileTrain

25% of every sale supports SmileTrain.

July is Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness Month! Every July, we take time to recognize and honor the strength, courage, and unique beauty of those born with cleft and craniofacial differences. For many families (including ours) Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness Month is personal. Our daughter Ava was born with a cleft lip and palate, and though the journey has brought challenges, it has also brought more grace, growth, and gratitude than we ever expected. Her smile has been a source of both heartbreak and healing, and we’ve seen firsthand how strong these children truly are. This month, we’re sharing the stories of other incredible cleft warriors - real families who have walked (and are still walking) this path with bravery, faith, and fierce love. You’ll hear from moms, see precious faces, and be reminded that every smile tells a story. Whether you’ve lived this journey or are just learning about it for the first time, we invite you to read, share, and stand with us in spreading awareness and encouragement. Let’s celebrate these smiles together. *Every story shared here is published with the full permission of each child’s parent or guardian.

25% of every sale supports SmileTrain.

With every purchase, 25% is donated to SmileTrain!

25% of sales is donated to SmileTrain.

25% of sales is donated to SmileTrain.