Goals

Month 2 of 12: Why Staying the Course Is Braver Than Starting

“Real courage is when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.”
— Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

How fitting as we step into month two of twelve.

It’s easy—almost exciting—to write goals down on paper at the start of a new year. Fresh pages. Big intentions. Hope feels abundant. But I recently heard something that stopped me in my tracks: by day nine of the new year, most people have already given up on their goals. Day nine. That’s barely enough time to break in a new planner.

There’s even a name for it.
The second Friday of January is known as Quitter’s Day.
Anyone else not know about this?

Only about 8–9% of people actually stick with their goals all year. That’s less than one out of ten!

Wow! That sounds exactly like the kind of courage Atticus Finch was talking about.

Real courage isn’t loud or flashy. It’s not the perfectly executed plan or the viral success story. It’s choosing to keep going when motivation fades, when progress feels slow, and when you already know this won’t be easy.It’s continuing—not because you’re confident—but because you’re committed.

You don’t have to be in the top 1%.
You just have to begin… and see it through.
Real courage isn’t rooted in confidence—it’s rooted in obedience. Scripture reminds us that perseverance is formed through endurance, not ease. We don’t keep going because we’re certain of the outcome, but because we trust the One who called us to begin.Say that last sentence again ,write it down and remember it❤️

Faithful steps—especially the unseen ones—matter. God honors consistency more than perfection, and He meets us in the quiet decision to stay the course, one ordinary day at a time.

As we step into month 2 of 12, I created a simple Courage Check-In Reflection Sheet to help you pause, reset, and gently refocus—without guilt or pressure.

It’s not about doing more.

It’s about staying the course in what truly matters.

[Download the Printable Reflection Sheet Below]

Still time. Still purpose. Still worth continuing.

hiking, Mt.Rainier National Park, pnw, Review, travel

Snowshoeing Mt. Rainier With Kids: Myrtle Falls Trail Guide

Mt.Rainier

We planned a family snowshoe day at Mt. Rainier not knowing what the snow levels would be—but we decided to show up anyway.

And wow… we were rewarded with a bluebird day, empty parking lots, and one of the most peaceful winter hikes we’ve done as a family.

We chose the Myrtle Falls trail—mostly flat, kid-friendly, and absolutely stunning in the snow. The bridge crossing was the trickiest part (snow covered with a drop off ), but we went slow and took our time which made all the difference.

We veered off to a steep up hill side trail for panoramic views of Mt. Rainier, we soaked it all in, and snapped way too many photos 📸

The kids were happiest just playing in the snow every chance they got—and after burning all those calories, everyone was very ready for pizza 🍕

Hot Cocoa for Littles and Coffee for Mom

Are you ready for your adventure at Mt.Rainier Snowshoeing? If so check out my Snowshoeing Guide below ⬇️

❄️ Family Snowshoeing Guide: Myrtle Falls at Mt. Rainier

Snowshoeing at Mt. Rainier can feel intimidating with kids—but with the right trail and prep, it can be one of the most magical winter adventures. Here’s our experience snowshoeing the Myrtle Falls Trail and everything you need to know before you go.

📍 Trail Overview

Location: Paradise Area, Mt. Rainier National Park

Myrtle Falls (winter route)

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Distance: ~1 mile round trip (can be extended)

Elevation Gain: Minimal around 160 elevation gain

Best For: Families, beginners, kids, first-time snowshoers

This trail is mostly flat with gentle inclines, making it ideal for little legs and families new to snowshoeing.

❄️ What to Expect on the Trail

Snow-covered paths with stunning Mountain Views

Quiet winter scenery (especially on weekdays)

A magical waterfall at Myrtle Falls

Open areas perfect for kids to stop, play, and explore

⚠️ Important note:

The bridge near Myrtle Falls can be snow-covered. We crossed carefully by stepping slowly on packed snow. Take your time, assess conditions, and don’t hesitate to turn back if it feels unsafe.Do not try to go around the bridge. You could be on snow that is not safe and fall through .

🥾 What We Wore & Brought

❄️Gear:

Snowshoes (rentals work great!)

Waterproof boots

Trekking poles

❄️Clothing:

Waterproof snow pants

Insulated jackets

Warm gloves + hats

Extra layers (kids get wet fast!)

❄️Extras:

Snacks & water

Camera 📸

Hand warmers

Backpack for shedding layers

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Tips for Snowshoeing With Kids

Go slow and keep expectations flexible

Stop often—snow play is half the fun

Snacks are a game changer

Turn back before everyone is exhausted

Motivate with a warm beverage waiting back at car ( hot cocoa ,tea or coffee )

Snowshoeing burns a lot of calories, so plan for food after—trust me 😉

🍕 Where We Ate After

After heading off the mountain, we stopped in Eatonville at a local pizzeria to refuel. Warm food + tired kids = happy ending to the day.

🌲 Why We Loved This Trail

Beginner-friendly

Incredible views with minimal effort

Peaceful winter experience

Perfect mix of adventure + play

A great introduction to winter hiking with kids

🏔️Final Thoughts

You don’t need perfect conditions or expert skills to enjoy snowshoeing at Mt. Rainier. Showing up prepared, moving slowly, and embracing the adventure makes all the difference.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly winter trail, Myrtle Falls is a beautiful place to start.

Would you try snowshoeing with your kids?

Family activity, Gathered thoughts

Simple Ways to Enjoy Fall Together (Free Autumn Bucket List Inside!)

There’s something about fall that invites us to slow down — the golden leaves, crisp hikes, cozy sweaters, and pumpkin-scented everything. It’s a season meant for togetherness and gratitude, and I’ve created something special to help you make the most of it! 🍂 My Free Autumn Bucket List is filled with simple, meaningful ways to enjoy fall as a family — from outdoor adventures and cozy nights in, to moments that remind us of God’s goodness in every season. Whether you check off every idea or just a few favorites, this list will help you savor the beauty of autumn .

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, may this season remind you to slow down, breathe , and find joy in the simple things — a walk through the leaves, laughter around the table, or a quiet moment with a cup of coffee and your Bible. 💛

If you’re ready to make the most of this beautiful season, download your Free Autumn Bucket List below! It’s a fun way to stay intentional and create memories that will last long after the leaves have fallen.

📩 [Click below to subscribe and get your Free Autumn Bucket List printable!]

I would love to see how your family is enjoying fall! Tag me on social media @redeemingbeautyfamilyadventures or share your favorite bucket list moments in the comments — let’s embrace all the cozy, joy-filled moments this season brings. 🍁

homeschooling

Gathering Words Like Leaves: A Cozy Fall Approach to Sight Words

Ready for more fall fun in teaching? This is such a great way to teach sightwords . It’s hands on and easily works with any season …leaves for fall , trees for Christmas,etc.

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Word games give children opportunities to practice their sight words and build mastery while also keeping them engaged and having fun.So let the fun begin! I mean seriously, how can you not have fun building your sight words on these colorful leaves?

disney, Disneyland, disneyworld, Money Saving, travel

Ready to book your next Disney Adventure?

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American Girl Doll, Money Saving, Party ideas

Afternoon Fall Tea Party 🍁

Fall Teaparty 🍁
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We had the sweetest fall tea party recently and ofcourse had to include @americangirldolls . Check out the little tea sets and napkins that coordinate .. so cute!


It was fun planning the details and working within a budget . I was able to keep it super affordable without compromising the theme of the party . So many little details that brought the tea party together and made it a beautiful party🍁


The leaves made cute place settings by just writing the name of the attendee on it and adding a glittered acorn to the plates. So cute!

Here is a list of all the things I purchased and a full budget to plan your own ⬇️

Doll tea sets with spoons set of 10 10$

Leaves, acorns ,pumpkins 4$

Napkins 3$ ( I cut one napkin to make the doll sized napkins )

Less than 20$ for the decor! I used our tea set and plates and serving items I already had on hand .

Food was mostly from Trader Joe’s and Target . I also made cucumber sandwiches and pumpkin pie was the treat! I spent around 30$ on food .

Total budget with food – 47$

homeschooling

Pumpkin Sight Word Hide & Seek

Learning sight words is so much fun when you get creative . I picked up these pumpkin eggs and filled them with scrabble tiles. I hid them and then let my students seek them out . Once we returned to the classroom ,they opened them and worked on unscrambling the scrabble tiles to reveal the sight word. So much fun for the whole class!
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To get the link for the eggs and scrabble tiles comment 🎃 and I’ll send you the link to purchase :)

coffee, family adventures, hiking, Review, travel

Espresso Chalet

Espresso Chalet has one of the best views of Mount Index . It was the perfect stop to grab coffee after hiking Wallace Falls & Heybrook Lookout. Both hikes are within a few miles of each other with the Espresso Chalet between them. Look for the Bigfoot and you will know you are there.


We ordered our drinks and then went to soak in some more Mountain views… amazing! Perfect place to stretch your legs and grab some drinks or snacks before heading home .


A fun fact : this was an official location from the movie Harry and the Hendersons … anyone remember that movie?

Check out our reel below ⬇️

DIY, Family activity, Party ideas, Starwars

Star Wars ~ May 4th ~ Party Food

Fun way to enjoy celebrating May 4 ….turning a meal into a Star Wars ⭐️ one with some of your favorites.


The Death Star watermelon was the hardest in trying to make it look like the Death Star but it worked and it fit perfectly into @dollartree tray and then I added the fruit around it. I love how it came together.


We also had Ronto Roasters hotdogs to go along with the fun treats ⭐️ May the 4th be with you!

Check out our reel below ⬇️

Book, history, homeschooling

A Few of our Favorite Books in Homeschooling

States, Presidents , American Girl and sight words are just a few of the things we have been learning this year ❤️