Hello, and Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here!
Have you ever looked around at other moms and thought, “Oh my gosh, there is no way I can do this!”?
I sure have.
In fact, I remember years ago reading a book that was supposed to teach me how to take care of my growing brood, but instead of helping or encouraging me, I felt defeated, overwhelmed, inadequate, and like the weight of the world rested on my shoulders.
I just did not know how I could possibly do it all.
It has taken me years to find the balance and be able to confidently make choices in my life and home that honored both our family structure AND my emotional limits, and now I am thrilled to share some of the things I have learned along the way.
It is my joy and delight to welcome you into my life and home. Make sure you bring your coffee mug…
And, I’m still far from perfect, because perfect is a mirage:
We can keep striving to get there but when we think we’ve arrived we only find more desert.
I struggle every day to raise seven children in the wisdom of the Word, love my husband through the thick and thin of life, provide nourishing meals to a growing bunch, keep a tidy home, and take care of my own needs all while maintaining a close walk with my Abba.
It is not easy, but the most beautiful thing is that it truly can be quite simple, when I let it.
I stumble and fall quite often, and often bite off more than I can chew. But, I continue to hand over the reigns to my ever-loving Abba and seek His constant guidance, so I hope that other real wives and mamas, who want to be whole in Him, can join me on this journey through life.
It is my greatest desire that through my blog we can come together as a community of women, learn from each other, laugh, pray, and cry together, and spur each other onward in this most important work at home.
At Be Whole, Mom you will read about:
- the faithwalk
- the realities of momlife
- pregnancy & postpartum support
- marriage encouragement
- simplicity
- healthy living tips and solutions
My perfectly imperfect family continues to teach me new lessons every. single. day. and I continue to experience that new mom feel every time a new stage of development comes and a new first occurs. So, be encouraged. You are NOT alone.
In Him, may we all be whole. Shalom.
Our Crazy Crew (with one ducked behind me)
A few more tid-bits about me…
- I am a fraternal twin, and we are pretty much complete opposites.
- My husband and I met while both active duty in the Navy and stationed in Hawaii. We became engaged on a Russian destroyer, got married on Ford Island at the USS Utah Memorial, and had zero family members present at our wedding (not our finest moment…but you live, you learn).
Our Simple Navy Wedding
- According to the Myers-Briggs personality test, I am an INTJ (though I have tested as INFJ in the past), so I’m a big-picture thinker and strong-willed person who has grown much in the arenas of emotional health and interdependence with others. I often simply refer to myself as an INT/FJ because, well, it’s far more accurate. I am an introvert, but I am not shy at all…I just get re-energized by solitude rather than interaction. I prefer philosophical discussions over the mundane aspects of life ANY DAY.
- I would have to categorize my faith as a follower of the Way, the Truth, and the Light. We are closest to Messianic believers, as we embrace the Jewish heritage of Christianity and look to the culture and traditions to better frame how Christianity is best understood. I place the infallibility of scripture above all else, study the Torah and God’s Laws as the plumb line of righteous principles, and seek to understand and apply them as Christ did, while continually being incredibly thankful for the atonement He gave and grace He gives for me. The Lord continues to teach me about His amazing LOVE every. single. day. It starts with Him, extends to self-love, and then to loving others through the beauty of grace. I shall never tire of this single topic.
- Nearly every day you will find me on Instagram for family life reality, a little scriptural encouragement, or my #coffeewiththeking posts. If you are looking for a reminder to get in the Word, this is a great community to do so.
- Currently, we live stationary in a 30′ Travel trailer with our 7 kids. It is loud, crazy, and often makes me head hurt and spin, but I value all of the amazing lessons we continue to learn along the way. In light of so many people in our home, blogging is a difficult practice for me, BUT I value the outlet and the community it offers, so I press on for myself and those it may help.
- I am continually astounded and amazed by womanhood. Birth, especially, never ceases to bring me to tears and awe-filled praise. What an amazing privilege it is to experience this right of passage, in all its messy glory. If you, too, are a birth junkie like me, check out my YouTube videos here of a few of my births that we captured.
- I crave and have always been drawn to simplicity, even though it seems oxymoronic with 7 kids. I have not yet mastered simple living, but continue to learn and understand the blessings of the simple life one step at a time.
- I have several books in mind that I work on intermittently regarding God’s Love, self-love, and walking in His purpose for each person. Pray for me, because it will surely take an act of God for any of them to be published. Check out the latest ebooks available here!
Let’s Stay in Touch!
What else would you like to know about me? I surely would love to get to know you!
I hope to hear from you in comments on the blog, interactions on Instagram, or staying caught up with posts through Bloglovin’. But, no matter what I surely hope that this blog is a blessing to your life at home.
Shalom, and God bless!
~ Julie
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Dawn says
Hi Julie,
I love what you wrote about feminism being the basis of our family problems in this country. I’ve been saying that for years after I read, Keepers at Home’s info decades back. Good job!!!
JulieFilter says
Thanks so much, Dawn. =0)
Brandy Oltremari says
Hi Julie. I just found your site. I’m new to Trim Healthy Mama too. I’m so thankful to have found such a faith filled site that puts God first and then your family. I too am on this journey and would be honored to share it with you. Thank you for all your hard work and for being willing to share your journey will all of us! May God bless you and your family!
Peace of Christ be with you,
Brandy
JulieFilter says
Praise be to God! That is my heart’s deepest desire and I am so very happy to be a blessing to your life and journey. =0) Please share as you go. I’d love to hear all about it =0)
Jenny Kavanagh says
Hi Julie, I’m a 60 yr young Divorcee. I became a Christian at 35 after the birth of my second child having lost the first in a still-birth. Being country bred I always lived a healthy diet & exercise. Moving into suburbia changed & I had to change many things. As always the Lord has been faithful and brought me through many trials. I’m loving learning THM and will continue. Loved your sight. And as an oldie with Grace I don’t do FACEBOOK. Thanks Jenny
JulieFilter says
Jenny, that’s fantastic! It is truly so humbling and rewarding to be able to bless others through writing. I pray the Lord’s grace continue upon me to allow me the mental clarity to continue writing, lol. I surely know the challenges that suburban life provides, as I actually am in the midst of a reverse change that you have experienced, working towards simplicity in the country away from the suburban lifestyle distractions. I pray the site continues to speak to you and provide a place for continued info and growth. God bless!
Jeanne says
Hi Julie!
I stumbled on your website through a rabbit trail on pinterest. I’m so glad I did! I am brand new to learning about THM! I have recently been through one of the toughest trials in my life, and I know that God is using this trial to bring me closer to Him and keep my eyes on Him alone! Still, as a human, I need that encouragement from someone with flesh and bones 🙂 So, here I am, listening, and occasionally writing about my experiences.
Thank you for your blog. I will be coming back to visit a lot!
Jeanne in AZ
JulieFilter says
Awesome Jeanne! I understand going through a tough season…a few years ago we were faced with our toughest one to date, I would say, when our son became sick with a very rare auto-immune disorder. It caught us completely off guard and it took a long time to feel normalized again. He is doing much better today, but we continue to work through things piece by piece as led. I have blogged on our story, too, if you’re curious =0). I hope you are finding a new balance to your trial and digging deeper into your relationship with our Abba =0). May He bless you greatly!
Sarah Bascom says
Julie- Sarah Bascom here- long time, no see! Lenore gave a me a tip to your blog. We live in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley in a great home-school community. Bring the trailer this way to enjoy outdoor fun loaded w/ history. Trailers can’t negotiate onto our property (sharp turns and trees in the way) but there are local RV sites. Peaches are ready now, and apples will ripen within the month. And guess what? I’ve been doing THM for a year and a half… Great minds eat alike.Training for a 10k in Oct. Glad to catch up on your life through your blog. I’ll have to keep checking back in. Hugs and kisses to all your little people. Sarah B
JulieFilter says
Hey lady!!! It’s great to hear from you! I would love to figure out when we could come and visit. This initial venture out with the trailer is a little higher stress as Mark gets used to driving with it and such, but once we have a better feel for things we’ll set something up =0)
Ree Anderson says
Seven kids (9 total humans) living in a 30′ RV…HOW?? I’m not trying to be sarcastic. My grandmother had 3 sets of twins (3 girls/3 boys…boy/girl twins). She had 8 children in all with 5 in diapers at one time (ringer washer). I love to sit and listen to their stories.
I also love being in the Word of God and I too love to study Jewish customs/traditions. I really didn’t understand the New Testament until I delved into the Old Testament.
How do I look you up on Instagram and Facebook?
JulieAnnFilter says
My instagram is posted at the bottom of the homepage, and each other page, so you can click through on there to follow me. I’m not very active at this moment in time while I’m resituating after that very long season, and waiting on the Lord for guidance for what is next. It’s been a busy reprieve, but still quite restful.