What’s in the Calm & Cozy Nights Calm Essential Oil Blend

Add these drops to your diffuser with water and let the aroma speak peace over your home:

•  4 drops Lavender — Calms anxious thoughts and busy brains. Gentle enough for kids and mamas alike.
•  2 drops Cedarwood — Grounds emotions after a chaotic day; helps everyone feel safe and settled.
•  2 drops Patchouli — Deepens rest with a warm, earthy aroma that helps adults unwind.

No Cedarwood? Cedarwood Atlas or Virginiana both work.
Patchouli not your favorite? Try Vetiver for a similar grounding vibe (strong—use just 1 drop).

Why This Calm Blend Works for Families

• Lavender supports deep, restorative sleep and eases those bedtime battles.
• Cedarwood helps regulate the nervous system and brings a sense of security.
• Patchouli layers in stillness and emotional calm so grown‑ups can exhale too.

Diffuse 30 minutes before bedtime to prep your home—and hearts—for a restful night.

How to Use the Calm & Cozy Calm Essential Oil Blend

• Evening wind‑down: Start the diffuser while you prep dinner, finish homework, or read bedtime stories.
• Quiet time reset: Diffuse while journaling or praying to calm your own heart before sleep.
• Family devotion: Create a sacred, still space on quiet Sunday evenings.

Bonus: Turn on your diffuser during family worship nights—it sets a beautiful tone of peace.

Optional Roller Bottle (10 mL)

For a gentle bedtime roll‑on (about 1% dilution, kid‑friendly):

• 3 drops Lavender
• 2 drops Cedarwood
• 1 drop Patchouli
  Top with fractionated coconut or jojoba. Roll on bottoms of feet or along the back of the neck before lights out. (For adults, you can increase to ~2% = 6 drops total.)

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

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Where to Buy High-Quality Essential Oils

• Simply Earth – Exciting news for all my essential oil lovers! I’m thrilled to share that I’ve partnered with Simply Earth, a brand that’s not only committed to providing pure, affordable oils but also donates 13% of their profits to ending human trafficking. As a Simply Earth subscriber, you’ll receive monthly Recipe Boxes that come with everything you need to create your own blends, along with free access to their Essential Oil Hero Course! Plus, if you’re a new subscriber, use my code MAKINMACONFREE at checkout to receive a $45 gift card after your first box purchase. It’s the perfect way to get started with essential oils while supporting a great cause! Head over to Simply Earth to sign up today!
• Guru Nanda – Very affordable and most of the time they are available at your local Walmart. Or if you prefer, you can grab them off Amazon!

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Explore More Essential Oil Blends

Looking for more ways to care for your home and heart naturally? Try these reader favorites:

• Stress Be Gone: Finding Calm in the Chaos of Ministry
• Essential Energy Blend
• Breathe Easier with Bye Bye Pollen Essential Oil Blend

Want more Essential Oil Blends? Click Here!

**Disclaimer:** I am not a medical professional. The information shared in this post is based on personal experience and research. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using essential oils, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or using them with children. Use essential oils as directed and dilute them properly.

Hey there! I’m Susan Raynor, the voice behind Makin’ Macon. As a pastor’s wife, mom of two, and homeschooling mama, my life is full of beautiful chaos—and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Here on the blog, I love sharing a little bit of everything: from faith-filled encouragement to frugal living tips, and of course, recipes that will make your family’s hearts (and bellies) happy. My goal is to bring a smile to your face and a bit of peace to your day, no matter what kind of craziness life throws your way. Let’s navigate this wild ride together, finding joy and laughter even in the messiest moments.

Susan Raynor

The post Calm Essential Oil Blend for Families: Restful Nights Made Simple first appeared on .

Life can be chaotic, and sometimes, it feels like there’s barely enough time to breathe. In the midst of everything—housekeeping, homeschooling, work, and all the responsibilities that come with being a wife and a pastor’s wife—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But even in the chaos, there’s beauty in the small, simple ways we can build spiritual traditions as a family.

For us, faith isn’t about elaborate rituals. It’s about those little moments where we pause to acknowledge God’s presence in our lives. Whether it’s a quick prayer before a meal, teaching our children to pray before bed, or taking just a few minutes to read a Bible verse together, these small acts of devotion build a strong foundation of faith.

One of our favorite ways to bring faith into our daily lives is through reading together. My son absolutely loves it when we sit down with The Action Bible. If you haven’t tried this book with your young children, I highly recommend it. The vibrant, graphic pages bring the stories of the Bible to life in a comic book format that truly captures their attention.

My daughter, on the other hand, has a more inquisitive spirit. She often asks questions about things she’s read or heard and enjoys doing some research on her own. Guiding her in the right direction as she explores these topics is a way we’re helping her build a strong foundation of faith and a deeper understanding of her walk with God.

Some nights, we end dinner with a short family devotional. We recently found The Family Devotional, which has been such a blessing. The lessons are simple but profound, and the prompting questions at the end are great for sparking meaningful conversations.

No matter how busy life gets, these small traditions remind us to keep God at the center of it all. And at the end of the day, it’s these moments that bring peace, comfort, and joy, even when everything else feels overwhelming.

As we conclude our Family Matters series, I want to encourage you to hold on to these small but significant acts of faith. It’s easy to feel burned out and tired in the hustle and bustle of life, but remember: Faith isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress and the small steps we take to integrate God into our everyday lives. Those little steps will add up to something beautiful over time.

Let me leave you with this verse as we wrap up this series: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6 NKJV)

Keep pressing forward in faith, dear friend, and trust that God is with you in the journey.

Remember, I’m always praying for you, even if I don’t know who you are!

Want to catch up on the Family Matters series?

• Frugal Living for Families Without Sacrificing Fun!
• The Joy of Family Dinners: Why Eating Together Matters
• Making Memories: Intentional Quality Time with Your Family

About Me:

Hey there! I’m Susan Raynor, the voice behind Makin’ Macon. As a pastor’s wife, mom of two, and homeschooling mama, my life is full of beautiful chaos—and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Here on the blog, I love sharing a little bit of everything: from faith-filled encouragement to frugal living tips, and of course, recipes that will make your family’s hearts (and bellies) happy. My goal is to bring a smile to your face and a bit of peace to your day, no matter what kind of craziness life throws your way. Let’s navigate this wild ride together, finding joy and laughter even in the messiest moments.

Susan Raynor

Latest Post!

• How to Make Easy Keto Peanut Butter Cookies
• Guarding Your Heart in a Noisy World
• When Your Words Reveal Your Heart: Growing in Christian Character (Podcast Season 2, Episode 6)
• Faithful in the Small Things: Finding God in Everyday Faithfulness (Podcast Season 2, Episode 5)
• Kingdom Minded: Choosing God’s Work When Obedience Gets Hard (Podcast Season 2, Episode 2)

The post Faith Foundations: Building Spiritual Traditions first appeared on .

Welcome to the third installment of our Family Matters series! The first two posts were a breeze for me to write—I’m all about saving money and cherishing family dinners. But this post, well, it takes a little more effort. Not because I don’t love spending quality time with my family, but because, as a busy mom and pastor’s wife, carving out that time can sometimes feel like finding a needle in a haystack. That’s why my husband and I have learned the importance of being intentional about it.

Proverbs 22:6 reminds us, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” This verse has always been a guiding light in raising our children in the ways of the Lord. But there’s another layer of truth here: children learn by example. If they see Mom and Dad constantly working, cleaning, and rushing through life without taking moments for each other or them, they’re likely to follow that pattern as they grow. Unless, of course, they decide to break the cycle and chart a new course.

So, how can we be intentional about spending quality time with our kids? In our Marriage Matters series, we talked about intentionality with your spouse. Today, let’s focus on the kids and explore some creative ways to bond with them.

One-on-One Adventures: The Power of Individual Attention

In our home, we’ve made it a priority to spend one-on-one time with each of our children. I aim to do this at least once a quarter. I’ll ask my kids what they want to do, and then we plan a special outing or activity. It’s their choice, whether it’s as simple as, “Mom, I want you to play this game with me,” or something more elaborate like a day trip. My husband does the same with the other child, and we both cherish these moments of undivided attention.

S’mores Nights and 4-Wheeler Rides: Simple Joys Under the Stars

One of our favorite family traditions is gathering around the fire pit for s’mores nights. There’s something magical about roasting marshmallows, melting chocolate, and laughing together under the stars. And when we’re not enjoying s’mores, we’re often out riding the 4-wheeler, kicking up dust, and sharing the thrill of adventure. We also love to end the night by using an app that helps us locate the patterns of the stars. It’s a fun and educational way to connect with the beauty of the night sky, and it adds a little extra sparkle to our evenings together.

Family Game Nights: Retro Fun with a Modern Twist

Family game nights are a staple in our home, and we love mixing it up with both classic and retro games. There’s something nostalgic about introducing our kids to the games we played growing up, and it’s always fun to see them get just as excited about them as we did. Whether it’s a heated round of Monopoly or a retro video game battle, these nights are filled with laughter, competition, and bonding.

Movie Nights: Cozy and Relaxed

Our movie nights are a time to unwind and enjoy each other’s company. We may not do themed nights, but we always make sure to choose a film that everyone will enjoy, grab some snacks, and cuddle up on the couch. It’s a simple way to spend time together, and it gives us all a chance to relax and recharge.

Uncommon Family Adventures: Exciting Plans for the Near Future

We’re looking forward to trying out some unique and uncommon family adventures from the book “52 Uncommon Family Adventures” by Randy Southern. These activities are sure to add a fun twist to our usual routine. Some of the adventures we have planned include a Library Scavenger Hunt, where we’ll race to find different books and complete challenges, “I’m Not Myself Now,” where we’ll swap roles and see the world from each other’s perspectives, and “Do it in a Minute,” where we’ll tackle fun challenges in sixty seconds or less. We’re excited to step out of the ordinary and experience these new activities together.

The Importance of Being Present

The key to all of these activities is being present. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, but when we take the time to be fully engaged with our children, it sends a powerful message: they are important, they are loved, and they matter. And in return, we get to enjoy the precious moments that make up the tapestry of family life.

Quality time with your family doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. It’s about being intentional, present, and creative in finding ways to connect. As we continue this Family Matters series, I encourage you to take a moment and think about how you can incorporate more intentional quality time into your family’s routine. Because in the end, it’s these moments that will leave a lasting legacy in your children’s hearts.

Remember, I’m always praying for you, even if I don’t know who you are!

Want to catch up on the Family Matters series? Click Here!

About Me:

Hey there! I’m Susan Raynor, the voice behind Makin’ Macon. As a pastor’s wife, mom of two, and homeschooling mama, my life is full of beautiful chaos—and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Here on the blog, I love sharing a little bit of everything: from faith-filled encouragement to frugal living tips, and of course, recipes that will make your family’s hearts (and bellies) happy. My goal is to bring a smile to your face and a bit of peace to your day, no matter what kind of craziness life throws your way. Let’s navigate this wild ride together, finding joy and laughter even in the messiest moments.

Susan Raynor

Latest Post!

• How to Make Easy Keto Peanut Butter Cookies
• Guarding Your Heart in a Noisy World
• When Your Words Reveal Your Heart: Growing in Christian Character (Podcast Season 2, Episode 6)
• Faithful in the Small Things: Finding God in Everyday Faithfulness (Podcast Season 2, Episode 5)
• Kingdom Minded: Choosing God’s Work When Obedience Gets Hard (Podcast Season 2, Episode 2)

The post Making Memories: Intentional Quality Time with Your Family first appeared on .

A Brief History of Family Dinners

In the 17th century, families often ate in shifts without the convenience of a dining table. By the late 19th century, social reformers emphasized the importance of family values starting at home, leading to more structured family dinners. During WWII, family dinners symbolized security and stability, reinforcing their significance in family life. (Eater.com)

Modern Challenges

Today, with both parents often working full-time, finding time for home-cooked family dinners can be a challenge. However, even if it means gathering around a table with takeout, the act of eating together is what truly matters. It’s about connecting, sharing, and listening to each other’s stories. I admit, there have been nights when it’s a fend-for-yourself type of evening. However, we still gather around the table with our various foods and talk about our day, or we end up at a local restaurant to sit down and eat together. While it may not be ideal, we prioritize being together as a family.

Teaching Manners and Togetherness

Family dinners are a perfect opportunity to teach your children manners and the importance of being present. When my youngest, who is still a work in progress, is included in the conversation, his manners improve greatly. Engaging him in discussions helps him feel valued and teaches him how to interact politely. These moments of togetherness also reinforce the importance of being considerate and respectful towards others, skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Holiday Traditions

Holidays are special times for family dinners, whether it’s a large gathering or an intimate dinner with close friends. Dressing up the table and playing games afterward can make these occasions even more memorable. I can remember attending various dinners throughout the holidays, catching up with family. Though times have changed and some holidays are now spent with just my little family and a few friends, we still make them special. We dress up the table, enjoy a delicious meal, and often follow up with fun games, creating lasting memories and reinforcing the importance of family traditions.

Involving Your Kids

Involving your kids in meal preparation teaches responsibility and teamwork. My youngest, who is currently 7, loves to cook and reminds me a lot of his dad. My daughter prefers to help with cleaning, but we are working on her cooking skills. When we all work together, everything goes smoother, and it becomes a fun family activity. It’s a great way to spend quality time together and instill valuable life skills in your children. Plus, it makes the process of getting dinner on the table much more efficient and enjoyable for everyone involved.

The Importance of Bonding

The point of this series is to help you understand how important your family is. These moments of sitting down at the end of the day to have family dinners and listening to everyone’s day create a bond between you, your spouse, and your children. When my daughter goes over to other people’s homes, she usually ends up texting me that she misses home and she misses my food. We always have a good laugh. It’s not that she doesn’t enjoy being where she is; it’s because, through the effort of both her dad and I, we have created an environment that she longs to always be. My hope is that when my children grow up and have families of their own, they will always remember how mom took time out to create dinner no matter how busy we may have been, set the dinner table to make them feel special, maybe even took time to create one of their favorite things, and then stopped to listen when we sat down to enjoy our meal.

Sunday Meal Preps

Recently, I asked a wonderful lady in our church for ideas on meal preps for Sundays. With rising prices, eating at home is cheaper for my family than eating out. However, we struggle to have a meal ready when we come home from church. We live 45 minutes away from the church we pastor and are usually there from 12:30 to 5:00 p.m. By the time we get home, none of us feel like preparing dinner. Crockpot dinners are great, but I still have to think about sides. This lady, who works full time, is our Kidz Church teacher, a wife, mother, and grandmother, has been providing meals for her family every Sunday for years. When she gave me her list, she went above and beyond, creating 15 meal plans and adding a few recipes!

Download Your Meal Plans

I have compiled her information into a PDF file for you to download. It includes 15 meal plans, recipes, tips on how to create the meals ahead of time, and links to additional recipes. I aim to help you place importance on sitting down to family dinners and take the stress out of doing so.

Click here to donate and grab your download!

So Why Am I Asking for a Donation?

I believe in keeping my blog ad-free to provide a better user experience, without the annoyance of pop-ups and distractions. To continue offering valuable content, I only ask for a donation of any amount for this download of “15 Frugal Meal Plans.” Your contribution helps me maintain and grow Makin’ Macon, allowing me to bring you more encouraging content. Every dollar counts, and I deeply appreciate your support in helping me sustain this effort.

Making time for family dinners, despite the challenges of modern life, is essential for building strong bonds and creating lasting memories. These shared moments around the table foster communication, teach valuable life skills, and reinforce family traditions. By involving your children in meal preparation and prioritizing these times together, you’re instilling values that will benefit them for a lifetime. Thank you so much for supporting Makin’ Macon and helping me continue to bring you encouraging content. Let’s make family dinners a cherished tradition for generations to come.

Remember, I’m always praying for you, even if I don’t know who you are!

Hey there! I’m Susan Raynor, the voice behind Makin’ Macon. As a pastor’s wife, mom of two, and homeschooling mama, my life is full of beautiful chaos—and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Here on the blog, I love sharing a little bit of everything: from faith-filled encouragement to frugal living tips, and of course, recipes that will make your family’s hearts (and bellies) happy. My goal is to bring a smile to your face and a bit of peace to your day, no matter what kind of craziness life throws your way. Let’s navigate this wild ride together, finding joy and laughter even in the messiest moments.

Susan Raynor

The post The Joy of Family Dinners: Why Eating Together Matters first appeared on .

Growing up as a kid, I can remember spending time at my grandparents house. To look at my grandparents, you would think they were the average household with not a whole lot of money. However, I loved going to their house. My sister and I would spend our summers with them. My grandmother would make a special trip to the store to get a few goodies for us to have at her house. Cheese hotdogs reigned supreme!

I can remember riding to the store and my grandmother being very specific about her purchase. We would come back home, and she would make dinner. My grandfather would come home to eat, and the next thing we would hear was, “Dot, did you get into my wallet and take out money?” My grandmother would respond with how much she had taken out, but my grandfather insisted that it was more than she said. He knew exactly how much cash he had in his wallet. We would say that he “squeaked” when he walked. He didn’t spend his money on frivolous things. He bought with intention. To him, the expenditure on cheese hotdogs wasn’t worth the extra cash, but he sure did love us grandkids. At Christmas, he would give us one dollar and tell us not to spend it all in one place. I can remember getting a five-dollar bill one time and wondering if he was okay. Yet he carefully crafted for me my own Barbie doll house. It was beautiful! The fact that he took time out to craft it with his own hands made it even more special.

So what does frugal mean?

According to the Britannica Dictionary, frugal means “careful about spending money or using things when you do not need to: using money or supplies in a very careful way.”

See, frugal doesn’t mean cheap or never spending money. It just means that you stop and count the cost. You think about something before you purchase it. You invest wisely. I mean, do you really need the latest and greatest?

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.” Luke 14:28–30, New International Version

So today, I would like to provide you with a few tips on how to live a frugal yet happy life. The first step would be that you would need to make a mindset shift. IF you are one of those who always desires the latest and greatest, then you may buck against everything I say here today. However, I am here to tell you that if you manage what God has given you wisely and follow the principles He has given us in His Word, then you will be able to afford those things. Yet, it may surprise you that when you shift your mindset, you may not have such a desire for all of those things anymore. But I’m not trying to sway you from any of it. I think paying for quality sometimes outweighs a cheaper knockoff. 

Frugal Tip #1: Thrifting

I can hear some of you groaning right now. Then others are probably cheering me on. I wasn’t big on thrifting until we moved back to Tennessee. My husband loves yard sales and thrifting. He began reselling on eBay for a side income. I figured I might as well go along for the ride. It has now ended up being a family affair. Both of my kids love going and seeing what goodies they can find at a great price. It has been a great teaching lesson for them.

In this season of my life, I mainly thrift for clothes and shoes for my kids. You would be surprised at what you could find. Some things are brand new, with the tags still on or even in new condition. I have scored so many great items for me and the kids at thrift stores. My youngest is rough on his clothes and shoes, and it feels good to not have spent a ton of money on something when he scuffs, tears, or stains it.

You may even find some name-brand items at the store as well. My best friend and I were recently thrifting, and she picked up a genuine Fossil purse for only $12.00! It was in great condition.

Frugal Tip #2: Eat at Home

Okay, I know that you are wondering if this is even true. Now that inflation has hit, the grocery stores have gotten ridiculous in their pricing. Especially if you are trying to eat clean. However, I have done my own calculations, and we do save more money by eating at home than when we stop off to grab a bite to eat. We can easily spend $60 on food that just isn’t as good as what we have at home.

There are two ways you can save money here. First, if you are cooking as much from scratch as you are able, then you are staying away from processed foods, which is better for your health. Thus saving you from future medical expenses. Second, you are more likely to look for sales to save you even more money. Take a moment to look for sales at your local grocery stores.  Just this past week, I compared prices from Kroger and Walmart. Using Kroger’s coupons on some items saved me more money than buying them at Walmart. Yet, Walmart had better prices on some other items that I needed. I made an online order and did the pick-up for free. Yes, I had to go to two different stores, but I saved money in multiple ways.

Frugal Tip #3: Look for Free or Discounted Things to Do with Your Family

A simple Google search will give you everything you need to find free things near you to do with your family. For instance, our zoo (still two hours away) has free admission from 2 p.m. until closing on Tuesdays. You can check your local children’s museum, and they offer discounts at a certain time. You may even be able to score some coupons for other activities. 

Check out your local library! Every summer, our library has a great program for the kids.  They put on a summer reading program and offer free things such as puppet shows, science experiments, magic shows, and so much more. Everything is free, and it gets your kids involved. Plus, what better way to encourage your kids to read? My daughter now volunteers at our local library. I couldn’t be more proud!

Don’t overlook your local park! Kids love the park. I haven’t met a kid yet who will turn their nose up when you offer to take them to the park. We will take a picnic and go to the park on beautiful days. We are blessed with an amazing water park in our local park, and our kids love to take advantage of that. Especially on these terribly hot days.

Frugal Tip #4: Date Night at Home with Friends or Without

Let’s not forget about your marriage and the importance of having a date night with or without friends. I go more into detail about this in my blog post, “Marriage Matters: Creative and Budget-Friendly Date Night Ideas.” Check it out and get some ideas on ways to have a frugal but fun date night. Oh! And don’t forget about the YouTube video of different couples sharing their ideas as well.

Frugal Tip #5: Movie or Game Night

This might have been able to go under tip #3, but I felt it warranted its own area. I think game nights are a favorite here in our home. It really brings out the worst and best in each of us. However, it is great for teaching our youngest that you don’t always win at everything. You just keep trying to get better. For us, it can be a random night just after dinner, or we may plan it ahead of time and have some friends over with everyone bringing snacks and appetizers. It is a great way to communicate. You’ve set your phone aside and are really paying attention to the people around you.

To me, the theater is overrated. It is expensive to get in unless you do a matinée.  Plus, let’s not forget about the cost of the concessions! However, then you have to worry about what you are going to watch. Especially with everything that Hollywood is coming out with now. Personally, we don’t watch a whole lot around here, but when we do have a movie night, we make homemade popcorn and choose from one of the many DVDs we have in our home that have already been approved. No worries about what will come up on the screen. Plus, we have invested in a small projector that came with a screen you hang from the ceiling, and we have one that is a blow-up for outside. We can easily use one of these and feel as if we are at a theater, and once again, there are no worries about what will be seen or the cost.

I truly hope this list has helped you to start thinking outside the box and realize that living frugally doesn’t have to be about having nothing or having fun. Living frugally is a lifestyle that I personally love. I’m going to leave you with a link to a post I read recently from Dave Ramsey, “What is Stewardship?” I think this is a worthy read. If you have a moment, be sure to read it. It is very short and to the point, and he links several Scriptures related to money.

When you seek the Kingdom of God, you will find that your mindset shifts. Stuff just doesn’t seem as important anymore. 

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21, King James Version

Remember, I’m always praying for you, even if I don’t know who you are!

Hey there! I’m Susan Raynor, the voice behind Makin’ Macon. As a pastor’s wife, mom of two, and homeschooling mama, my life is full of beautiful chaos—and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Here on the blog, I love sharing a little bit of everything: from faith-filled encouragement to frugal living tips, and of course, recipes that will make your family’s hearts (and bellies) happy. My goal is to bring a smile to your face and a bit of peace to your day, no matter what kind of craziness life throws your way. Let’s navigate this wild ride together, finding joy and laughter even in the messiest moments.

Susan Raynor

The post Family Matters: Frugal Living for Families Without Sacrificing Fun! first appeared on .