At Home with Shelby

25/08/2026

I refuse to feel guilty for having a good-fitting pair of jeans and solid vitamins that give me the energy to keep up with my kids.

We’re on day 90 of my husband’s deployment, and I’m especially grateful for my espresso machine, too. 😂

Some things just make life easier, save me time, or bring a little joy to my day—and I’m okay spending money on those things.

I love being frugal in the areas that matter most. That’s why I share affordable, effective swaps and DIYs here. They give me a little more wiggle room for the things that genuinely make life better.

And honestly? A lot of these things don’t even break the bank. They’re just solid finds that are worth the money.

Being frugal doesn’t have to mean never spending money on yourself. It’s about being intentional with where your money goes. 🤍

Comment for links and codes! I have some good ones!

I’m all about finding the things that make life easier and better without spending unnecessarily. 🤍

24/08/2026

The thought that changed me as a homeschool mom & three things I won’t give up because of it.

If you’re trying to be more intentional with your homeschool and your home without making motherhood miserable, follow along. That’s what we’re building here.

Bonus— I love sharing affordable and effective DIYS that save us hundreds of $ a year. I hope you love it here!

Xx
Shelby

20/08/2026

As a former teacher AND a homeschool mom, I’ve learned that the best learning resources don’t have to be complicated. 🤍

I’m especially drawn to teacher-created resources because I know how much thought goes into creating something that is actually easy to implement—and how frustrating it can be when a resource looks great but doesn’t translate well to real kids sitting in front of you.

Teacher Created Materials has been such a great addition to our homeschool because the resources are simple, straightforward, and not overwhelming. My kids actually keep asking to do more! No joke! We were doing school on SATURDAY, by choice.

Here’s the link to the 180 days super simple open and go curriculum! I hope you love it as much as we do! Don’t forget to follow along for more homeschool inspo!!

https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/6B504C35-CC3C-4C0C-8A98-EE70515FAB5D?channel=Social

homeschoolcurriculum

20/08/2026

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Db6OABFtCoz/?igsh=Y21xN3B1bDR0NDlx

19/08/2026

17/08/2026

I get to grow up with them.
I get to be the mommy in the front seat with teen girls.
We get to go prom dress shopping.
We get to have holiday brunch.
I get to watch them hold each other and then I get to watch them hold each other’s kids.

Oh the joy that swells in my heart 🥲 I’m so thankful God gave me lots of girls.

17/08/2026

Within a few minutes of being Earthside she looked up at her daddy and gave him the biggest smile. We both gasped like that doesn’t happen so soon. And she hasn’t stopped smiling since.

Halle Jean, God has been so gracious to us by giving us the gift that we never knew we needed. You are pure joy and bring a smile to the faces of every single person you encounter. Happy six months my sweet girl. Time is going by too fast.

I’m a firm believer that people live up to their names. And once again that is true for us.

17/08/2026

I skipped the cute nursery. Yes it’s adorable and fun to create but it’s just not worth it. Baby and I get more sleep together and when done safely cosleeping or bed-sharing can have many positive benefits. Cosleeping is baby sleeping in your room, bed-sharing is exactly that— sharing a bed. If you choose to bedshare, please do your own research and learn how. There are a lot of increased risks if mom drinks and smokes. My husband doesn’t sleep with us if I’m bed-sharing.

Instead I focused on
- nailing a morning routine that I could easily keep up when baby arrived. I come down and immediately take my supplements and grab food before sitting down to feed. It’s all accessible and brainless. Pregnancy and breastfeeding drains you and I needed to be on top of this.
- taught my kids to be more independent and work together for morning routines. Each kid needed a little encouragement on different things but we all just worked on one skill at a time. This was important because I knew morning feedings and everyone waking up would collide. I didn’t want to be shouted at for all the things if I could help it.
- I made quiet mornings a habit. Set the mood for what suits your family.
- I prepped lots of protein packed breakfasts and learned how to make some on rotation. I never make one meal at a time. If I’m making breakfasts I make enough for 2 and freeze it, if my kitchen is a mess already I make extra. My kids help chop and prep fruit and veggies for easy grabbing.
- I exercised for as long as possible. Even if the third trimester was long walks and stretching. I moved my body.
-overall, I thought about areas of my day that were bound to be a little more hectic and set the tone & started creating habits months in advance.

While it’s fun to have all the cute coordinated closets, perfectly decorated nursery, and all the new gadgets, I chose simplicity. Our crib from our first baby was broken and babies 2-3 didn’t use it. Instead, we got a pack and play (that we needed anyway) and in a year I’ll buy a twin floor bed that she can use for the next 3-4 years (and the mattress even longer) instead of a crib and big girl bed.

17/08/2026

As a teacher turned homeschool mom, I’ve held onto a few classroom habits… like how I manage unmotivated kids.

Today, I found myself in that moment again—reminded of why I approach motivation the way I do. It’s a little different than in a classroom, because I have the freedom to weave in real-life lessons in a gentle, intentional way.

Follow along! I’m breaking it down so you can create a home that feels calm, connected, and respectful too.

17/08/2026

I’ve been reading The Life Giving Home by .clarkson again… I think it’s really valuable to reread parenting books you’ve held dearly again and again as your children get older.

I’ve been wanting to create a home atmosphere that my kids feel comfortable, find joy in, feels like home, and they always want to come back to.

While that’s not about the stuff, I do love home design. I always have. This room is one that our family outgrew quickly. We didn’t have a space that fit everyone. A place we could all snuggle, play games, stay up late chatting or reading books. I took my time, listed everything on marketplace, compared prices, shopped my basement and the rest of the house for decor.

I decided when I walked into this room I wanted it to feel like I was breathing in the ocean air. Seeing the joy of my children playing on a white sand beach. Lots of snuggles and “corners.” Plants that shout “new life” and ground us in peacefulness.

A haven that is away from the world, a shelter for our souls. Home. 🫶

This is deployment design project number 2 completed. 🫶

Photos:
Couch: sereen couch in taupe
Rug:
Design accents:
Not affiliated with, but purchased myself 👆

Beeswax Candles ONLY: (use code Shelbyg15)