Feeding an army: "Whatcha got cookin' good lookin'?": How can you make vacation or staycation feel special when with food and dessert, because really this is what we as adults find joyful on vacation! Aubrey and Marc made breakfast exciting by making avocado toast and ensure they have dessert options available at their condo. Maggie talks about some of the dips she makes which could spice up a staycation or a date night in.

Faith in the everyday: How do you incorporate faith into everyday with your children? This year for Easter, Maggie and Eric buy their two older boys their own bibles. They also bought all their kids Little Bible Study Speakers. Aubrey and Marc use resources they receive from Children's mass to help incorporate discussion about religion. They also talk about the importance of praying and where you can incorporate it. For example, at dinner time and at bedtime.

Joy jar: Aubrey did a night swim with her two older boys and Maggie is looking forward to her vacation with her family.

Decades diary: where we look back at the memories that made is and the moments were still creating - Easter edition! Maggie and Aubrey can't wait to celebrate Easter with their families. They discuss how they celebrated Easter as a child and what traditions they are carrying forward with their own children. What new traditions will they be starting with their own families this year?!

We survived that: where we talk about the things in life we barely made it though but we're stronger because of it. How do you find time to have one on one time with your kids? Is this important to your family? Aubrey doesn't necessarily prioritize this, but does feel like it is important for her kids attitude and behavior. Maggie tries to split up the 4 kids.

Joy jar: what filled your cup this week? Aubrey's joy jar is Tops breakfast pizza and Maggie's joy jar is her 2 year old falling asleep in the baby carrier.

Decades Deep Podcast is going to take a two week break and will be back on Wednesday, April 15th with lots of exciting things to come!

Decades diary - kids clothing. Do your kids have an opinion about the outfits they put on or do they just put on whatever you've picked out for them? What age do your kids start having an opinion about what they are wearing? After talking about their kids Maggie and Aubrey talk about clothing trends when they were growing up.

We survived that - friendship edition. How have your friendships ebbed and flowed throughout the years and throughout the seasons? Friendships take work, but not all are successful and some fade away. Maggie and Aubrey reflect on friends that have faded away and why that may be.

Joy jar - Aubrey's is fitting into her pre-baby summer jean shorts and Maggie's is seeing her kids play with legos.

Aubrey's baby is pulling up to stand and eating meatloaf. Maggie's kids got to have some one on one time with their Aunt. They went and did some activities which was a part of their Christmas gift. Such a great idea for Christmas, birthdays, and other holidays!

Do you binge watch shows or are you a one and done person? Maggie and Aubrey talk about what category they are and how it contrasts to their husbands style. What shows are they currently watching or looking forward to starting? The House David and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives are two that they discuss this week.

Decades diary: the tooth fairy. Aubrey's oldest son loses his first tooth so Aubrey and Maggie talk about their current tooth fairy traditions for their own children and what they remember when they still believed in the tooth fairy.

Marriage minute: how do you and your spouse spend money? Do you and your husband have similar spending or saving habits?

Joy jar: taxes and tea. Maggie is finding joy in her lemon tea with honey and Aubrey is joyful that she finally got the taxes submitted.

Decades Diary: Remember when Maggie was in a car crash earlier this year?! Well the truck is totaled and they are car shopping so Maggie and Aubrey decide to reminisce about their first cars which couldn't have been more different from one another. Aubrey's first car was a brand new Toyota Corolla and Maggie's first car was a $600 one from someones front yard. Maggie is wondering what @the_car_mom would recommend?!

We Survived That: @daniaustin has her fourth baby and posted multiple videos of the birth so Aubrey and Maggie felt like this would be a great time to delve into their very own birth stories.

They finish off the episode like every other, joy jar and this week their joy jar are their health children.

Underwear update: Will Maggie be repurchasing the Aerie Smoothez underwear or does she have a better recommendation for you?

Is wool the new 100% cotton?! This topic takes Maggie and Aubrey down a path of clean living and what it means to live in a toxin free home.

Decades Diary: Imaginative Play. How has this changed for yourself over the decades? Do you enjoy imaginative play with your own child? Do you think your children participate in imaginative play as much as you did as a child? Our busy minds don't really let us have fun like we used to. And lets be honest it really isn't always all that fun to do imaginary play with your kids.

We Survive That: Staycation Edition. Maggie and Aubrey give tips and tricks on how make a staycation feel like a true vacation. Treat it like a vacation, schedule out the activities, set the expectations, plan a date with your husband, do something you wouldn't normally do, and be a tourist in your own city.

Last, but not least, another great Deep Connection segment and Joy Jar.

If you would like to share your story about a friendship, old or new, please write in to decades.deep.podcast.1990@gmail.com.

We Survived That: Valentines with kids. Some tips are to lower your standards, don't over do it or compare, address the valentines over the weekend, and don't try and cramp everything in during the night before. Also, teachers if you are listening, requiring homemade valentines is a little stressful for parents.

Faith in the Everyday: How do you feel about the word conviction or being convicted to do something? Aubrey feels like the word conviction is overused. Maggie loves to use the word. They talk about why each of them feel this way.

Joy Jar: Aubrey shares about an intimate gathering at Maggie's house with some friends. Maggie reiterates how much joy she felt from the photo shoot.

Feeding an army - whatcha got cookin' good lookin'?! This week the girls talk about a couple lunch meal prep options that take minimal time and will last all week. Tune in to see if you might want to try out next week! They then discuss if their families use paper plates or real plates regularly in their home. Can you guys who's using paper versus who's using real plates?!

I Just Wish I Was a Better Mom - Maggie and Aubrey discuss chapter 2 in Kate Strickler's book "I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen". They have a great discussion about ways they shift their focus from motherhood to living out their values in everyday life as recommended in the book.

This Deep Connection highlights a very special relationship that develops between mothers who have children that share a similar medical diagnosis.

They close out the podcast with Joy Jar. Aubrey's Joy Jar is her niece Emma and Maggie's is her bedtime routine.

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I Just Wish I had a Bigger Kitchen by Kate Strickler

naptimekitchen

Catherine O'Hara died and the girls reflect on when they will be able to retire. Will there be enough time to enjoy our retire? It doesn't feel like it.

They check in on their New Years Resolutions and where they are at. So far so good, but are eager to stick with is and see where the next 11 months take them.

This weather has been crazy! Frost bite anyone?! Freezing temperatures and a ton of snow. Lots of accidents

Will this coming year be the year the Buffalo Bills win the Super Bowl?! Some of Buffalo feels like this is going to be true because Joe Brady is the new coach.

During Decades Diary they reminisce about songs that bring them back in time to a specific memory. From Soldier Boy, to Dream Street, and Kelly Pickler! It was a fun walk down memory lane!

Screen time / television over the years is on the docket for this weeks Decades Diary. They start out by reminiscing about what television was like for them when they were younger and shows they got to watch when home sick including the Price is Right and General Hospital. Then they transition to the what television is like for their kids now. So many options and the kids seem to be in control of the television. There really is no opportunity for the kids to learn patiences and they can get whatever they want. How do you find the balance without letting it drive you crazy?

During marriage minute Maggie and Aubrey discuss how they listen to books/podcasts and discuss the topics with their husbands. It can get you talking about topics you would have never thought to discuss with your husband. Some books that Aubrey has listened to with her husband include Love Languages and Good Inside. Maggie working through the audiobook of the Bible with her husband. Reading as a tool for communication and connection to enhance your marriage is something you could try out.

Worship music filled Maggie and Aubrey's cups this week. Listen in to the Joy Jar segment to see in what ways this led to joy in each of lives this week.

Don't forget to read Chapter 2: I just wish I was a better mom from the book I Just Wish I had a Bigger Kitchen by Kate Strickler. The girls will be discussing this on their next episode of the podcast!

I Just Wish I had a Bigger Kitchen by Kate Strickler

naptimekitchen

As they continue to figure out this podcasting thing, Maggie and Aubrey try out a couple new segments - Let's Get Deep and Feeding an Army.

First up, Let's Get Deep, where we ask the questions that really make you think. This week Maggie asks "Can we have it all?". What does it mean to have it all? Does it mean you have everything you want? We find ourselves saying "Wow, what a life they live" and "They must have it all", but what does it mean to have it all? They discuss how having it all can look different depending on who you are. They also think to have it all you may not have everything you WANT, but you have to be content in the life you have and limit comparison. This is certainly easier said then done! That is why Maggie and Aubrey have decided to discuss some of the chapters from the book "I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen" by Kate Strickler on the podcast. This book provides mindset shifts and practical application. Maggie and Aubrey hope working through this book will help with comparison and contentment in their everyday life and they hope you can join them with this journey!

Whatcha got cookin' good lookin'? During this weeks episode, Maggie and Aubrey discuss high protein breakfast and lunch options as a follow up to Buffalo Dietitian's interview. Some breakfast options they talk about include a breakfast wrap, hard boiled eggs and cottage cheese, and plain greek yogurt with peanut butter and a cup of frozen blueberries. For lunch Maggie preps chicken and makes a kale salad everyday for lunch with toppings of feta cheese, sesame seeds, cucumber, peppers, and tomatoes.

They share another Deep Connection story and share their joys of the week to wrap up the episode.

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I Just Wish I had a Bigger Kitchen by Kate Strickler

naptimekitchen

This episode covers it all while also keeping it simple and attainable. It's one you're going to want to come back and listen to again and again. We hope you love it!

Rachel has a ton of resources on her website, instagram, and Facebook which are all linked below. If interested in scheduling a consultation with her you can do so through her website.

Website: https://www.buffalodietitian.com

Instagram: buffalodietitian

Facebook: Buffalo Dietitian

During the Decades Diary segment the girls discuss if friendships need to cost a lot of money and how this can change over the decades? During their current decade where their friendships revolve around their children many of the activities they do are with their whole family. They discuss some free activities you can do with friends like going to the playground or for a walk, inviting a family over to your house for a play date, or utilizing your memberships to your local YMCA or the zoo. It is alright to spend money with your friends, but it doesn't always have to be this way especially if you don't have the means to do so. Sometimes you just need to sit in a parked car with your best friend late at night and have raw, vulnerable conversations, no money spent, but your cup is so full!

They introduce another occasional segment during this episode, Marriage Minute - proof that marriage is a work in progress. This segment focuses on how to have intentional time with your partner. It is easy to become disconnected from your partner especially when you have young kids. A lot of time when you do have time to spend with you spouse, you are exhausted, overstimulated, touched out, etc and therefore the quality time doesn't happen. Something Maggie has implemented a date night schedule with her husband. They do date night twice a week and no rescheduling! All of their date nights have been at home after the kids are in bed. Ideas for at home date nights can include watching a show, online shopping, puzzling, and playing a board game.

Another new segment made its way onto the podcast this week, The Deep Connection. A listen wrote in about a special friendship of 60 plus years. This listener left us with some very wise advice that many of us may find applicable - "we've lived miles apart, but have been together when it's most important. A true bond of friendship".

They finish up the episode with joy jar of course and how hosting this holiday season filled their cups.

We Survived That: Christmas cookie edition with children. They discuss tips and tricks on how to accomplish Christmas cookie making successfully with lots of children involved.

1.) Make the same cookies every year. These are the four cookies Maggie and Aubrey have made over the years: cut outs, Mexican wedding, ginger molasses drizzled with white chocolate, and peanut butter blossoms.

2.) Prepare cookie dough's before you get together with your family/friend to make the cookies. This makes the day a little more efficient and allows you to have that quality time with your kiddos.

3.) Get the husbands involved! This year Maggie and Aubrey finally decided to let the husbands help.

4.) Know when to include the kids

5.) Don't forget the baby carrier and/or an activity center to set the baby somewhere safe.

6.) Just bring the ingredients that you have just in case someone has forgotten something.

7.) Take the photo!!!

Faith in the Everyday: Are you a special occasions / holiday church goer or do you go to church regularly? Over the decades the girls have fallen into both categories. Maggie and Aubrey discuss their journey of finding a church now that they have families of their own. You aren't always going to find the "perfect" church. Sometimes you have to just make the best decision for your family and then commit and get involved!

Joy Jar: In the jar this week - homemade brown sugar oatmilk shaken hot coffee and thrifting.

Merry Christmas!

How do you get your kids involved with giving during the Christmas season? This can be tricky especially when it involves taking your kids into a store, but it seems like Maggie has tried all kinds of strategies with her kids and she has some advice for you. What has worked well for her and what does she recommend avoiding?

During Decades Diary, Maggie and Aubrey reminisce about how Santa showed at their homes as a child and what old and new traditions they are carrying forward for their children. But also, Jesus is the reason for the season, so how are they incorporating this aspect into their Christmas season?

Christmas decorating with kids, did you survive?! Maggie and Aubrey are minimalists when it comes to decorating for Christmas these days and haven't really bought new Christmas decorations in years. What they have is working and they just don't have the mental capacity to prioritize buying new decorations. As moms we are already have so much to do around the holidays and buying new Christmas decorations just isn't a priority in this phase of life! If including the kids, just remember it takes more time, more patience, and items may break.

Of course they end the episode with Joy Jar. Maggie filled her cup by pitching a Christmas Play idea to her pastor. She is so excited to work on this project with her dad and see her own kids in the play. Aubrey filled her cup by selling some gentle used items on Facebook market place and discusses how this journey has been rewarding for her, but not in the financial sense.

Next up, the girls introduce the Influencer Effect, an occasional segment, where they discuss how the influencers on social media are impacting their lives for the good and the bad. Maggie and Aubrey discuss how they have done gift exchanges with each other over the years and it revolves around social media influencers. Listen in to find out how Maggie and Aubrey make their gift exchange fun over the years and hear who are some of their favorite influencers. Here are a few that have made the list in previous years @sarah_lit, @darylanndenner, @krista.horton, @thesisterstudioig

Need some Christmas gift ideas for the kids? Maggie and Aubrey go over some of their favorite gifts they've given their own kids over the years. Are you pro-kinetic sane or pro-playdough. There is quite the divide between what they prefer in their households.

Lastly, joy jar. It was a joy filled week with Thanksgiving, but there were two specific moments that filled the girls cups. For Maggie, it was the Bandits Game with her whole family and for Aubrey, it was the Holiday Parade.

First up, Maggie is glowing with her new skincare routine. She discusses how she TRIPLE cleanses now. Aubrey is still using her tried and true JAFRA skincare after trying out a few new expensive products, nothing really compares. Keeping it simple and inexpensive is usually the way to go.

Traffic circles - do we love them or hate them?! Some are designed poorly and some people just don't know how to drive in them. We recommended no more traffic circles especially in areas where it can snow more than 6 months per year.

Plungers and toilet bowl cleaners. We don't know where to keep them. Does the plunger need to be accessible to guests in case of an emergency or do you store them away? How are we keeping these things clean?

Aubrey gets her foot stuck in a mouse trap and lives to tell the story. More importantly how the heck did this happen? Listen in to find out all the details of how a mouse intruded into Aubrey's home and is still on the loose.

After the first snow fall Maggie and Aubrey discuss how hand-me-downs really filled their joy jar.

How can you turn a party into an activity everyone will love? Try making apple cider! Maggie talks about her apple cider party and they discuss what makes it a cider verses a juice -there's still some confused about this one.

Did someone say vacation?! Lets be honest, going anywhere with kids is far from relaxing and not much of a vacation, but when you plan a trip with your extended family there are ways to make it feel like more of a "vacation". Splitting meals, free cousin entertainment, and much more helped Aubrey find a few moments of relaxation on her recent trip to Gatlinburg, TN. Also, listen in to hear what fun activities Maggie and her family did at Hersey Park in Pennsylvania.

The trampoline experience sure has changed over the decades. Maggie and Aubrey share stories about injuries on the trampoline and discuss if they will have trampolines for their own kids.

Lastly, they end with their joy jar for the week. Maggie sits down and does her devotional on contentment and Aubrey gets to drive her kids to school and pick them up. Lets all try and be content with what we have right here, right now.

With daylight saving time and winter weather arriving, Maggie and Aubrey, give some tips and tricks about how to survive the after dinner running, wrestling, and screaming. Would quiet time activities work for your family? Make sure your switching up the activities to keep it effective.

Lastly, introducing "The Deep Connection" segment where your special friendships will be highlighted on the podcast. If you would like to share your story about a friendship, old or new, please write in to decades.deep.podcast.1990@gmail.com. We will be reading your stories on the pod during the month of December!

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During the Decades Diary segment Maggie and Aubrey discuss sleepovers from when they were young and how they feel about their own kids having sleepovers. Are sleepovers a necessary part of childhood? Come find out what their opinion is on the topic.

From adult ear infection to wrangling three kids at the doctor's office - and even homemade caramel sauce and sourdough bread - this episode truly has it all.

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Be ready to have fun, challenge your perspectives, smile, relax, and most importantly uncover joy in everyday life. So where ever you are, however you are fitting us in, welcome. We’re so glad you’re here!

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