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June Doran

Owner of Growing Serendipity, June could talk to you all day about homeschooling, parenting, and minimalism, which she does at This Simple Balance. When she’s not homeschooling, decluttering, or blogging, she loves to enjoy perfect silence while sipping a hot cup of coffee and thinking uninterrupted thoughts—which, of course, with five kids, doesn’t happen very often.

27 Easy Baby Shower Appetizer Recipes

Inside: These easy baby shower appetizer recipes will make guests think you had the shower professionally catered. Simple recipes with simple ingredients. As an introvert, I’ve never loved attending parties. Weddings. Christmas parties. Baby showers. Any event that requires hours of intense interaction and extensive small talk drains me, and I know that I need …

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Easy Cottage Cheese Queso Dip (A Protein-Packed Crowd-Pleaser)

Inside: Cottage cheese is at the heart of today’s protein craze, so why not make a dip out of it? Guests will love this cheesy, queso dip with chips, toasted baguette slices or just about anything “dippable”. And they’ll never guess the secret ingredient unless you tell them. Have you noticed that protein is EVERYWHERE …

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21 Easy Meals to Bring to New Parents (for Meal Train Newbies!)

Inside: Want to bring new parents a meal, but need it to be super easy to make? These easy meals will take no time at all to cook, and new parents will love the break from worrying about what’s for dinner! Once upon a time when we were new parents, we actually had village (crazy, …

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Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Meatballs (The Perfect Party Appetizer)

Inside: These ridiculously easy cranberry BBQ meatballs are made a handful of easy “dump and go” ingredients. Throw them all in a crockpot and have them ready to go for your next baby shower, potluck or party. These meatballs are saucy, sweet, a little tangy, and totally addictive. The perfect easy appetizer to bring to …

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15 Baby Shower Activities That Are NOT Games

Inside: Are you throwing a baby shower and can’t stand baby shower games? We’ve got you covered! Choose a few of these not lame baby shower activities, instead, to keep guests occupied all shower long. If you’re a Grey’s Anatomy fan, you’ll remember Callie’s baby shower. Arizona couldn’t believe that Callie would want what she …

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13 Natural Remedies for Pregnancy Insomnia (Because Not Sleeping Sucks)

Inside: Pregnancy insomnia is the WORST. These natural remedies for pregnancy insomnia can help you get back at least some of that ever elusive sleep you need. I will never forget the torture that was pregnancy insomnia. You survive the first trimester with the never ending morning sickness and what feels like permanent exhaustion. You …

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29 Clutter-Free Christmas Gifts for 1-Year-Olds (Carefully Curated by a Mom of 5)

Inside: Looking for a clutter-free Christmas gift for a toddler can feel SUPER daunting these days. Cut through the plastic trendy chaos with this list of 29 clutter-free Christmas gifts for 1-year-olds, carefully curated by a mom of 5. I have five kids, and by now, I know that one-year-old’s don’t need a lot to …

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Taking a Christmas Road Trip with a Baby? Here’s 15 Tips for a Better Drive

Inside: If you’re planning to travel by car home for Christmas with a baby in tow, you’re gonna need these tips for a better car ride – for everyone involved.  I clearly remember traveling home for Christmas when we had babies.  My oldest HATED her car seat – she would scream and scream and scream. …

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17 Fun Things to Do With a 9-Month Old (They’re On the Move!)

Inside: Looking for fun things to do with a 9 month old who is napping less and on the move more? Here are 17 fun activities for nine-month-olds that will keep both and baby occupied for hours! Your baby used to be stationary – you put them down in one spot and they stayed put. …

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12 Comforting Bible Verses for Miscarriage & Pregnancy Loss (+ Free Printable)

Inside: Miscarriages are devastating – it doesn’t matter whether it’s an early miscarriage or a late pregnancy loss. These Bible verses are so helpful for surviving a miscarriage. They can help you grieve your loss (because it IS a loss) and give you back your hope that you will carry a pregnancy to term in …

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