Tiny Home

Words & Photography
by Zeena Fontanilla



An 8 month engagement before we said, "I do" challenged us to consider alternative housing options, because Hawaii’s housing market is through the roof!

Countless Tiny House Nation episodes and a desire to start our married life with a big adventure ended up looking like this. A 360 square foot home just for us. Our affordable housing answer with a whole lotta adventure attached to it!

Countless Tiny House Nation episodes and a desire to start our married life with a big adventure ended up looking like this. A 360 square foot home just for us. Our affordable housing answer with a whole lotta adventure attached to it!

Don’t let the unknown steer you away from opportunities to grow. Connect with the people that are doing what you dream of and jump in. Joy is waiting on the other side.

My Current Stage Of Motherhood

Words & Photography
by Megan Alexandra



My current stage of motherhood goes something like: breastfeeding Ivy while spooning food into another baby’s mouth, and taking bites of my cold leftover lunch. Squeezing in a shower during nap times and rewashing the laundry I forgot about yesterday. Sometimes serving my family a well thought-out crock pot meal I made hours earlier - other times heating up tomato soup and grilled cheese at 8 pm after the babes are asleep.

Squeezing in a shower during nap times and rewashing the laundry I forgot about yesterday. Sometimes serving my family a well thought-out crock pot meal I made hours earlier - other times heating up tomato soup and grilled cheese at 8 pm after the babes are asleep.

During this season I’ve fallen in love with babywearing all over again. Ivy can nurse in the sling and I still have my hands free to sing songs and practice baby sign language with another child. Whenever I’m out in public, people tell me that it looks like I have my hands full. Which is literally true. Hands full / ring sling full / stroller full - and heart overflowing.

Organizing

Words & Photography
by Zoë Kim





One of the first steps to organize a space is to give everything a home. Then only keep what will be in current use front and center. This is key to keeping a space orderly and manageable.

This is how we keep our current read books displayed. It’s simple, manageable, and everything can be seen. This month I decided to use the top shelf for our space activity book and poster.

Keeping a small collection of kids’ books out, and storing the rest, encourages deeper play and repetitive reading-which allows a child to read with fluency and greater comprehension. 

Keeping a small collection of kids’ books out, and storing the rest, encourages deeper play and repetitive reading-which allows a child to read with fluency and greater comprehension. Also, young kids will have fewer books to care for (or toss on the floor).

Real Life

Words & Photography
by Meredith Zimmermann



About to throw some "real life" at you, so if you’re not into the ugly, avert your gaze and keep on scrollin’ (no hard feelings).

It’s 10:30 and this has been a day. We woke up to puke (Elle) and a massive blowout (Sawyer). I slipped on ice getting the kids out of the car and hit Elle in the head with Sawyer’s carseat (my finest mom moment). Sawyer won’t take formula, like not even a drop mixed with my milk at daycare, and my supply has taken a plunge (seriously, what do you do when this happens?). I’m not getting quality sleep whatsoever (looking at you again, Sawyer), and my house is covered in dog hair and piles of laundry because I have no time in the evenings and we have two too many dogs.

We woke up to puke (Elle) and a massive blowout (Sawyer)...I’m not getting quality sleep whatsoever (looking at you again, Sawyer), and my house is covered in dog hair and piles of laundry because I have no time in the evenings and we have two too many dogs.

I’m putting this out into the cyber universe with the hope that 1) if you’re going through something similar, you are not not NOT alone, and 2) maybe the universe will hear me say, "Uncle? I give!" I’m humbled and giving myself as much grace as I can muster in this season. BUT, we are getting pizza tonight with the family so, hey— that’s the good stuff right there. If I ever wanted to snuggle up with the babes at home and call it, today is that day.

Journaling

Words & Photography
by Ashlyn Postier



Do you journal? I’ve been journaling since I was a kid - on and off - but for the most part pretty consistently! It’s therapeutic to me and I love getting my jumbled-up thoughts on paper! I’ve been approaching journaling with a slightly new method so I thought I’d share in case anyone wants to journal, but doesn’t know where to start!⠀

Next, I write what I’m thankful for!..Our ice maker working, hot coffee, and silk pillowcases made my list this morning.

1. First, I brain dump - anything on my mind I write it down. This might be random thoughts I’m thinking, things J does, memories I don’t want to forget, etc.

2. Next, I write what I’m thankful for! There are so many studies on how this impacts your life. I simply thank God for the big and very small, micro things I’m thankful for! Our ice maker working, hot coffee, and silk pillowcases made my list this morning. I’m serious about those silk pillowcases!⠀

3. I write out what I want to accomplish today and how I want the day to go! I have recently incorporated this step this year and I LOVE it because it helps give the day some direction! I will even meal plan the day here if I haven’t already and it makes me feel more prepared for the day!

If you’re not journaling I 100% think you should give it a try! It’s one of the first things I do in the morning - it’s so therapeutic. Plus I know a gal who makes cute journals.