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Moriah’s bridal shower + advice

I can hardly believe Moriah’s butterfly tea party bridal shower was one year ago! In honor of that and of the upcoming wedding season, I wanted to share the beautiful photos of her shower and give advice to anyone throwing one soon!

#1 My first tip after picking your theme/colors is to really lean into the theme – I bought and borrowed teapots/cups, butterfly confetti, garlands edible butterfly stickers, butterfly sugar cubes, etc! I also embraced a floral theme with dried flowers for table scatter and fresh flowers in teapot vases at each table. All the decorations filled the space beautifully, and everyone complimented them. I found most of the decorations on Amazon and Etsy.

#2 Have a signature drink! This is an easy way to individualize the shower, For Moriah’s – she made one of her favorite mocktails: a drink with raspberry simple syrup, lime juice, and sparkling water, we served them with cute pearl picks and a cherry.

#3 Favors. For the favors, we had homemade macarons with raspberry jam with a special label, and for the favor bags, we included herbal teas, a pink heart sugar cookie, pink heart glitter bath bomb, and a rose shaped soap.

#4 Have a cute themed backdrop

#5 Set up as early as possible

One thing we would change about the shower was the set up, because of where we were throwing it – we couldn’t set up until about 2 hours before the shower, of course we were running late that day, so we were setting up when the first guests were arriving, it was a stressful hour or so, but it worked out in the end.

#6 Get as many people to help as you can

Lucky for me, we had lots of help from our family with the shower: Our stepmom planned most of the food, and she, Moriah, and I cooked. I made the desserts, our Dad made the coffee and washed the teapots, and everyone helped decorate.

#7 Games. I found games for the shower on Pinterest and our mom bought prizes to give to the winners, This is a great way to break the ice and focus on the Bride.

#8 Buy extra! I highly recommend buying extra plates, utensils, and napkins!

#9 Online invites, We used Paperless post to create and send the invitations and it truly made it easy! instead of asking for addresses, I simply just need a phone number or email to. send them an invitation.

Bridal shower menu ideas: For Moriah’s shower, we had Charcuterie (made by her), a shrimp cocktail, deviled eggs, a vegetable tray, fruit kebabs, meatball cups, pasta salad, and assorted sandwich squares. For drinks, we had coffee, water, lemonade, Moriah’s mocktail, and, of course, tea!

Planning Moriah’s bridal shower was a sweet labor of love- a day I will always treasure. Watching her be celebrated by family and friends filled my heart with gratitude! I hope this post gives you inspiration if you’re planning a shower for someone close to your heart.

Love,

Hope & Moriah

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5 Little things bringing us Joy this spring

As the flowers begin to bloom again, there’s something so alleviating about the first warm day, the sight of Rabbits emerging with their young and sunlight dancing through the curtains. In the spirit of gratitude, we’ve gathered a few of the little things that are bringing us Joy this spring- simple, quiet reminders that God is near, even in the quieter moments.

#1 God’s Provision

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:7.

God is rich in mercy and love for us, I have some big changes coming soon, and God has been so faithful!

#2 Cherry Blossom season

I had the chance to visit The Cherry Blossom Festival the other week, The cherry blossoms are breathtaking this year! I also got to try this sweet, floral cherry blossom ice cream.

#3 A new book

I have been reading “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver, a wonderful book about finding intimacy with God and how Jesus invites us to choose ‘the better part’ in the midst of stress and busyness, Just like He offered Martha. Joanna’s book is full of encouraging stories, reminders of God’s truth, and tips for your Christian walk.

#4 Long walks outside

Now that the snow and winds have mostly ceased, I’ve been enjoying going on walks to get fresh air, admire the new growths, and boost my energy.

#5 Cinnamon swirl sandwich bread

We have really enjoyed trying out some sourdough discard recipes, and this cinnamon swirl bread is my favorite- Fluffy, sweet, and filled with cinnamon flavor, recipe coming this week!

What little things have filled you with Joy this week?

Love,

Moriah & Hope

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How Being a Good Steward of the Lord Changed My Perspective on Cleaning

For a long time, I saw cleaning as a necessary chore—something that had to be done but wasn’t particularly meaningful. It was easy to put it off or do the bare minimum, just enough to keep things from getting too messy. But as I grew in my faith and learned more about what it means to be a good steward of the Lord, my entire perspective shifted.

Stewardship is about more than just managing money or giving to the church. It’s about caring for everything God has entrusted to us—our time, our talents, our relationships, and yes, even our homes. In Colossians 3:23, we’re reminded, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” That means even something as simple as sweeping the floor or doing the dishes can be an act of worship when done with the right heart.

When I started viewing my home as a gift from God rather than just a place to live, I realized that taking care of it was a way to honor Him. It wasn’t just about tidiness—it was about gratitude.

Before, I used to clean because I had to. Now, I clean because I get to. I get to create a peaceful, welcoming environment. I get to take care of the space where we share meals, rest, and pray. I get to practice diligence and responsibility, knowing that God calls us to be faithful in the little things (Luke 16:10).

This change in perspective also helped me let go of resentment. Instead of seeing cleaning as an endless burden, I started to appreciate the moments it gave me to reflect, pray, and serve. Whether I’m folding laundry or wiping down counters, I now use that time to thank God for the blessings in my life.

A well-kept home isn’t just for me—it’s a way to serve others. Hospitality is an important part of Christian life, and having a clean, welcoming space makes it easier to invite others in. Whether in having friends over for dinner, or simply making my home a place of peace for my husband, I’ve realized that cleaning is part of how I show love and care.

Jesus taught us that service is a reflection of love. Mark 10:45 says, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.” When I approach cleaning with a servant’s heart, it’s no longer about obligation but about love—for God, for my family, and for those who enter our home.

Not every cleaning day is easy. Some days, I still feel unmotivated. But when I remember that my work—no matter how small—is ultimately for the Lord, it shifts my attitude. I put on worship music, pray as I go, and remind myself that a clean home is a reflection of gratitude for what God has given me.

So now, when I pick up a broom or scrub the sink, I don’t just see a task—I see an opportunity. An opportunity to steward well, to serve joyfully, and to glorify God in the everyday moments of life.

What about you? Have you ever thought of cleaning as an act of stewardship? I’d love to hear how faith has transformed your perspective on everyday tasks

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social media & productivity

Hi friends! In this age of social media and constant phone usage, I have been working on being more present and spending less time scrolling. I became interested in decreasing my screen time after listening to the ‘Now that we’re a family’ podcast and discovering that the average US adult spends 7 hours and 3 minutes on their device each day, the majority of those hours being spent on entertainment, social media, etc.

Another source that inspired me to rethink how I spend my time was a YouTube video called “Why we can’t focus” by Jared Henderson, which highlighted our ever-diminishing attention span. Spending excessive time watching TV, playing games, and watching videos designed to capture your attention and get your money adds nothing to your life! Don’t get me wrong, I believe using social media in moderation is perfectly fine, and the same goes for any online entertainment, but there comes to be a certain point when you need to be productive.

Here are a few ideas for new, more productive ways to spend your time, and what I’m currently doing. 🙂

How you spend your days is how you spend your life.

Hone an old skill

Stimulate your brain by learning something new. I have been working on my resolution to continue learning Sign Language, and my boyfriend has been using a phone app to learn Russian. continued learning improves your attention span, boosts your creativity, slows down cognitive decline, and most importantly, boosts your confidence!

Exercise, exercise, exercise

Staying active (when you can) is so important! Regardless of aesthetic goals, moving your body improves your mood, boosts your energy, helps you sleep, and can have a positive effect on your mental health. I personally love to go on walks, especially with a friend, or do a quick YouTube workout.

Listen to a podcast

I love podcasts, and they are the perfect blend of entertainment and learning. Some of my favorites are American history tellers by Wondery, Wretched Radio with Todd Friel, The Heidi St. John podcast, Focus on the family with Jim Daly, Now that we’re a family by Elisha & Katie Voetberg, and Equipping you in grace by Dave Jenkins.

Read

Reading improves brain function, increases knowledge, improves analytical skills/focus, and overall, makes life more interesting! I have a goal of reading 2 books per month this year, and I’m currently reading Let Me Be a Woman by Elisabeth Elliot and Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts by Dr. Les & Leslie Parrott.

Learn a new skill (Just try!)

Learn to do something you’ve always been curious about! gardening, sourdough, playing an instrument, etc. I have been interested in Knitting/crochet for a while, and I have been slowly teaching myself via YouTube, I am not good at it yet, but I’m trying something and that’s something to be proud of.

I hope this inspired you to get out of your comfort zone and do something you’ve always wanted to! We only have one life, so make the most of it. Comment any skills you’re working on, and what you do to stay productive!

love,

Moriah & Hope