Welcome!

Hi, I’m Jessica! I help people find simple ways to live within a budget (and even fund an adoption!), raise some kiddos, make time for relationships, and enjoy the good things life has to offer.

Three Easy Last Day of School Traditions

by | April 18, 2022 | Featured Story, Parenting | 29 Comments

Has anyone else mentally moved on to summer? After an unusually cold and snowy March and a dreary April, May is here! Cue the sunshine and Justin Timberlake memes! Last week, I chaperoned my oldest’s field trip to the zoo. It was 80-something degrees and sunny. I had...
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8 Tips for a Successful Beach Vacation with Young Kids

by | March 9, 2022 | Featured Story, Parenting, The Good Life | 36 Comments

Let me tell you about my happy place. I’m lounging on a padded beach chair by the turquoise water under the shade of a colorful umbrella. The roar of the ocean is peppered with the laughter…

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8 Things I Wish I Knew Before Our Adoption

by | August 3, 2021 | Adoption, China Adoption, Featured Story | 0 Comments

We are quickly approaching the fourth anniversary of my daughter’s adoption from China. She has changed so much since then! She’s a walking, talking, eat-as-much-as-a man, slobbery-kiss-giver, silly girl. As I look back at all the progress she has made, I also realize...
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Save Your Sanity with this Free Kids’ Summer Schedule Template

by | June 8, 2021 | Featured Story, Parenting | 0 Comments

While people reminisce about the lazy days of summer, those of us who spend the warmer months with kids all day often face a different reality. It may be constant bickering between siblings, a chorus of “I’m bored,” or an insatiable thirst for screen time. Or maybe...
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15 Good Questions to Ask a Church Before Joining

by | April 30, 2021 | Featured Story, The Good Life | 7 Comments

Unfortunately, church attendance in the US has been on the decline for several years. As a lifelong Christian and someone who loves God’s Church deeply, this makes me sad. But I also understand how easy it is to become disappointed and disillusioned with stereotypes...
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The Best Potty Training Hack: A Peejamas Review

by | February 20, 2020 | Featured Story, Parenting | 11 Comments

Potty training is the worst. Especially during the middle of the night. I don’t know about you, but I would much rather be snoozing in the comfort of my own bed than worrying about setting back potty training with overnight pull-ups or changing my toddler’s...
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How to Make Money with an Adoption T-Shirt Fundraiser

by | May 8, 2019 | Adoption Fundraising, Featured Story | 12 Comments

One of the most popular ways families raise money to bring their children home is with an adoption t-shirt fundraiser. In addition to offsetting adoption expenses, shirts give your community an easy way to publicly show support for your family. I get emotional every...
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Settle in and Explore

Adoption

Adoption is beautiful, but it isn’t always easy. Read more about the entire adoption journey including funding an adoption, real-life adoption stories, and my personal experience with international adoption here.

Saving and Budgeting

Who couldn’t use a little extra cash? There are so many easy ways to take control of your budget and save money. You’ll find practical tips that don’t take too much time on my Saving and Budgeting page.

Parenting

Career or stay at home with the kids? Adopted or biological? Or maybe you have a mix of all of the above (like me!). Regardless of your situation, I have some tips and tricks to make life with kids smoother on my Parenting page.

The Good Life

With a name like Goodpaster, I can’t help but focus on the good stuff! Love, faith, food, fun, and everything in between are the things that make life rich. All this and more can be found on my The Good Life page.