Ministry of Mothering

  Our First Adventures in Ireland: Sleeping in a Castle and Beating Jet Lag After an 8.5-hour overnight flight, our family of six arrived in Ireland ready for adventure. Our first night was spent in a castle, our first full morning included a traditional Irish breakfast, and our first days taught us that traveling doesn't always go according to plan! Our First Night in a Castle! After months of planning, the day had finally arrived: we were in Ireland! For our family, this trip was especially meaningful. My mother-in-law had gifted our family plane tickets after my father-in-law passed away in 2025. He loved to travel, and we were so grateful for the opportunity to make new memories together as a family. Our flight was about 8.5 hours overnight, so by the time we arrived, we had already been traveling for quite a while. But we weren't heading straight to an ordinary hotel. Our first night's accommodation was Clontarf Castle Hotel in Dublin! How fun is it to begin your Iris...

  Our Ireland Adventure: Planning a Trip for 15 People Planning an international trip is an adventure in itself. Planning one for 15 people, including eight children? That takes a little extra coordination, flexibility, and a whole lot of communication! Our family’s trip to Ireland in July and August 2026 was a special one, not just because we got to explore a beautiful country, but because of the story behind how it all came together. Along the way, we learned quite a bit about planning a big family trip, finding accommodations, getting around a new country, and keeping everyone organized. If you’re dreaming of a trip to Ireland or planning a vacation with a large family group, I hope some of what we learned will help you prepare for your own adventure! The Gift That Started It All In July 2025, my father-in-law passed away. He loved to travel, and in the midst of grieving, my mother-in-law wanted to give our family something meaningful to look forward to: the opportunity to make ...

  San Antonio with Kids: 7 Practical Tips for an Affordable River Walk Getaway Where to stay, how to save on parking, and where to eat along the River Walk—with a few lessons our family learned firsthand! San Antonio is a wonderful destination for a family getaway. Between the historic Alamo, the beautiful River Walk, fun attractions for kids, and fantastic food, there is something for everyone. Our family of six recently spent a few days in downtown San Antonio celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary. We enjoyed exploring the city, making memories with our four kids, and sharing a special anniversary dinner. Along the way, we discovered a few practical tips that I wanted to pass along to other families planning a visit! If you're planning a trip to San Antonio, here are seven things we learned that might help you save money, avoid a little stress, and enjoy your visit even more. 1. Stay at Home2 Suites by Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk for Easy Access to Downtown We stayed at Home2...

There’s something so comforting about coming home from church to a warm, hearty soup waiting for you. This Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with Bacon has quickly become a favorite in our house — it’s simple to throw together, full of flavor, and perfect for busy Sundays when you want a home-cooked meal without a lot of fuss. Ingredients: 1 bag of split peas About 1 cup of real crumbled bacon 5 whole carrots, peeled and chopped 6 whole garlic cloves 1 tablespoon Better Than Bouillon Roasted Chicken Base 8 cups of water Instructions: Add all ingredients to your Instant Pot. Set to Pressure Cook for 1 hour . Allow pressure to naturally release when cooking is done. Blend with an immersion blender until smooth and creamy. That’s it! Serve it with a side of crusty bread or a simple salad, and you’ve got a meal that tastes like it’s been simmering all day — without the extra effort. I love starting this recipe before church and coming home to the smell o...

  Last night, our church group set out on a little adventure to see the dinosaur tracks in Cedar Park, Texas—and it did not disappoint! It was a warm evening, but the excitement of spotting real dinosaur footprints kept our spirits high. The trail is rugged but manageable, with some fascinating spots along the creek. Be warned: some areas of the water are stagnant and, well… a little gross (nature isn’t always glamorous!). But there are also deeper, fast-moving parts of the creek that were so fun to explore and made the whole place feel a bit more wild and untamed. What impressed me most? Two of the sweet mamas in our group are pregnant , and they navigated the rocky terrain like champs! It’s not stroller-friendly, but definitely doable for most ages and stages with a little help and some good shoes. (Our whole family had Keens...they were PERFECT for this outing. Check it out and get yourself a pair. They are expensive but totally worth it. They have kids versions and you can ...

There’s something magical about discovering a local gem—especially when it involves fresh beignets and hot coffee. During our recent trip to Baton Rouge, we were on the hunt for a cozy spot near our hotel, and   Coffee Call   more than delivered. Honestly? It was a treasure and a goldmine. We walked in hoping for a quick snack and left with full hearts and powdered sugar smiles. The staff at Coffee Call were so kind and welcoming—genuine Southern hospitality at its best. The shop has that nostalgic, no-frills charm that makes you feel right at home, like you’ve stepped into a local favorite where everyone knows each other. And the  beignets ? Oh. My. Goodness. They hit the spot perfectly—warm, fluffy, and dusted with just the right amount of powdered sugar. We ordered a big batch to share, and every bite was better than the last. My mom and sister also enjoyed a cup of coffee, and both said it was some of the best they’ve had in a long time. (Which is saying a lot—they kn...