7 Ways I Crush The Family & Work Balance

Published on September 12, 2025October 11, 2025 by Johnnatta Giles2 Comments

My life is pretty busy these days and I have to be honest, I am working everyday to be better at balancing my family and work life. I am not always successful but there are weeks I have to give myself credit because I absolutely crush it! And I want to share with you 7 things that I have done to gain great accomplishments on those days

1. Preparing the night/ day before

This is probably my most simple step that I make that really puts me in line for success the next day. I’ve been having a lot of meetings and events to travel to lately, so I prepare at the least a day ahead or at the most two days ahead. For longer trips and full weeks I prepare a whole week ahead! Here’s my examples:

— Make sure the diaper bag has been cleaned out and restocked.

— Clean the car and put full water bottles and snacks in everyone’s backpack for car rides. For snacks I keep it simple and put a hand full or two of animal crackers in our reusable sandwich bags.

— Plan outfits and locate everyone’s shoes including mine!

Make sure all paperwork and my wallet is where it’s supposed to be.

2. Easy Hair Care

My hair can get completely out of control if I don’t keep on top of things. So the last thing I want to worry about is styling it everyday. My last pregnancy I actually decided to try washing my hair every two weeks and to my surprise I actually have less breakage and dryness. If I really need a quick clean, I refresh my hair by using dry shampoo and I keep it lightly oiled every two weeks. I twist my hair every night before bed and sometimes I leave those twists in and just style my hair with them still in. Hair clips, head bands and hair jewelry are fun ways to style your hair quickly.

3. Planning less school work

We homeschool all of our 5 kids (yes including the baby 👀😂). When I know things are about to get intense with our schedule, I make a plan to either focus on math and reading or we do much more relaxed homeschooling days. Either way our children are learning and this was actually something I had to warm up to. I had the biggest fear that I was letting my children down but every year I saw that those moments never hurt the outcome of their education. They were still learning and succeeding in every area of their studies.

If you have kids that attend public school, make it a point to get any homework done quickly well before the time they need to turn it back in so you’re all set for the rest of the week.

4. Self Care is Self Love

In order for me to be my best for my family and have the energy to put into my businesses, I have to take time to take care of myself and reset even among a busy week or day. One of my favorite ways to do that right now is curl up on the couch after a long day and eat a bowl of chips! I have no idea why I’m so in love with chips these days but they are my jam and make me happy! If there are no chips to be found I love soaking in a hot bath filled with oils. Not only is this relaxing but I love the way it makes me. Beautiful, lovely and powerful.

5. Staying Connected

This year we made a pact to learn baseball. So every week we get our gloves and gear then head out to the yard and practice. Even when we went to Nashville for a business trip, while I was gone their dad practiced baseball with them. We just brought the gloves along with us. As parents it was on our hearts to teach the kids to swim so we made sure this year our vacations were created around the ability to have access to a pool or a lake. No matter what I make sure I am connecting with my family even when I’m working.

6. Staying on top of the boring tasks

I don’t have an assistant so I am a one woman show on most things. I’m thankful that God gave me a love for order. Because often small things mounting gives me great anxiety and therefore I try to do small things to keep them from ever reaching the point of chaos. I make a list so I can go over the small things to at least do something to achieve that. For example this would be my list:

— Clean out Inbox

— Make necessary folders for emails

— Review product info and prices

— Organize my desk (this is the hardest by far for me!)

— Clean out old videos and unused product photos

All of things are not necessarily fun but I know I’m crushing it when I can comb through things and keep the boring stuff from over flowing. If I don’t get too much done in that week I am glad I at least got a few small things dealt with. There’s nothing worse than having a full mailbox to deal. Nothing worse than having to deal with low storage or tons of pictures taking up space on your computer slowing it down when your trying to get something important done.

7. Keep Faith the center of it all

My family and I are serious about our relationship with the Lord. Every Sunday we take time to read the Bible, pray and discuss our thoughts on everything under the sun through a faith perspective. Keeping God the center of our lives keeps peace, joy and healing in our home. Without Him I would never have the wisdom to stand in all that I am trekking in during this season of my life. Without Him I would climb mountains and jump for the stars leaving my family behind as I pursue accomplishments without eternal success. God is always there when I feel like I’m falling too soon and too often. He’s always there to help me breathe and wait patiently for the things that are out of my hands and He keeps my eyes focused on what matters the most no matter how my week has gone. I know because of whose I am, I am loved seen heard and known.

Don’t ever forget to pat yourself on the back when you do have days where you have truly won a battle in life. And if you feel like you’ve been loosing too much lately, take my advice and try some of the things above to score some wins. But always remember that not everyday is meant to be the same as another. Even in the days you feel lack there may be a reason for that. Maybe it’s calling you to just rest so you have the strength on the days ahead that you’ll need that power to overcome and conquer!

Easy Breastfeeding Advice: Skip These Foods! Your Welcome!

Published on September 6, 2025October 11, 2025 by Johnnatta GilesLeave a comment

Need a quick list of foods to avoid during breastfeeding? We got you!

These foods can be irritating to the baby and you. Some of these foods may not bother you and therefore disregard. But If you’re exipirencing sleep disruption, try elemenating caffeine. Alcohol in general should be avoided as there is not yet any scientific evidence that any amount of alcohol is safe for breastfeeding. Pin, screenshot and save for later!

Dairy

(yogurt,milk,cream cheese, heavy cream, sour cream)

Caffeinated drinks or foods

(coffee, energy drinks, supplements with caffeine in them, dark chocolate)

Egg yolks

Alcohol

Onions

Practical Ways To Get Your Pink Back!

Published on April 26, 2025August 29, 2025 by Johnnatta GilesLeave a comment

Practical Ways To Get Your Pink Back After A Baby

The days of just surviving after having a baby is over! A new trend called “Getting your Pink Back” is in. As a mother of 6 children I can tell you this is something I have struggled with maintaining and have tried many different ways to getting myself back after each child. Here’s my advice!

Wait.. what does getting your pink back even mean?

Many influencing mom have their own takes on it including one of the first referencing flamingo’s and their offspring. Look that up later! But here’s my take on things. As mother’s when our babies are first born our instincts are to nurture our new life in the world. It can take a lot out of us as we focus on our baby’s needs and in some areas we do the bare minimum for ourselves just to get through the day or even years. This isn’t a bad thing but after a certain period there comes a time where we gain a little more sleep and get small bits of time back in our day. The problem is the latter part when we tend to find ways to fill up the new recovered time with everything else but ourselves. We go back to work, we give our kids more of us as they grow and if we have them, our spouses and partners more time as well. That’s when we find there’s little time for ourselves and so the neglect continues when it doesn’t necessarily need to.

I’m always going to advocate for both mom health and baby health. But one doesn’t have to be without the other. You can nourish your body even in the “healing” phase of motherhood which is postpartum and beyond to get your pink back so to speak. Here’s a few ways to do that from my own experiences.

Begin the Healing

Yoga may not be your thing but some form of stretching works wonders. You can take 15 to 20 minutes everyday and become stronger with little effort by doing stretch exercises. I call them my lazy workouts though there’s nothing lazy about them. They really do work if your goal is focused on healing instead of immediate weight loss. Focus on abdominal repair work outs and check if you have diastasis recti .This is a common condition post pregnancy but also can be healed naturally. Wear your belly support bands ladies during pregnancy and get ones for postpartum too they really work!

Clean eating can be as easy as switching from fast food hamburgers to nutrient dense soups and casseroles. WHAT I can eat a healthy casserole? Absolutely! Change your basic cheap macaroni full of preservatives to ones with better whole ingredients and Voila! Carbs are not always your enemy. It’s what the carb is made of that is!

Start A Natural Beauty Routine

Your skin needs you babe! Our hormones are fluctuating during the first few weeks to even years after having a baby and it’s not the time to experiment with chemical ridden cosmetics. Get to know your skin by investing in natural products or go the DIY route. A face mask daily refreshes the skin and gives you a little treat. My favorite masks are mud and charcoal. Begin a morning and night routine and do your best to stick with it!. My favorite two cleansers are raw unfiltered honey and castle soap. Moisturizers I live by is aloe vera leaf (from the plant) and olive oil. If these natural products don’t work switch up and find ones that work. Natural soaps like goat milk soap is great to cleanse the skin with. Coconut oil and caster oil are great oils for moisturizing to try as well. Don’t sleep on the ice! It really does work! Use ice cubes or ice rollers to shrink pores and improve circulation. It’s not just a beauty routine but a self discovery journey as well!

The Mama Clothes May Have To Go!

From maternity clothes to the clothes you bought just to exist in during the 4th trimester, it’s time to let them go! It’s okay to freshen up your closet to match your current season. You don’t have to throw them away but you can save them for future pregnancies or donate them. Find clothing that flatter your body and make you feel good instead of going by trends. Trends can be exciting but also very disheartening if what’s on trend doesn’t look as good on you as it does on everyone on social media. Have a friend, spouse or family member go with you shopping to help with the baby while you try on new clothes. Or browse the Internet during nap time and shop from your own style board you made on Pinterest. This is one of my favorite things to do after having one of the kids to get my “pink” back!

Mom Hair But We Do Care

We are at that point, in society that we just don’t give a you know what. We’re doing our best and it’s become very popular to just accept others as they are and ourselves. Which I love! But at one point we have to rise up out of the “it is what it is” survival pit. It has it’s place but we are moving on. Rather we want to admit it or not there’s something powerful about our hair. It can change everything about how we feel about ourselves and in fact sometimes one of the first things we do when going through a big change is we change our hair! I was notorious for big chops when I was younger. And if you’re ready for it girl do you! But you can also go in for a refresh hair cut to clip your ends or try a new layering style. It doesn’t even have to be a hair cut. When I was pregnant with my last munchkin, my goal was to grow my hair after she was born. I’ve been trying new routines to see which one worked with less effort as having 6 kids ain’t no joke! But I am determined to find time to give to this goal. I wash my hair once a week, deep condonation with one leave in product after washing, style my hair once, do an oil treatment before shampooing and repeat. This protected my hair from shedding too much during the dreaded postpartum shed and my hair is healing and growing! Getting a fresh start with our hair feels like letting a load off and it’s very refreshing.

Girl YOU MATTER So Act Like It!

You gave life to someone else now you must give life back to yourself. You don’t have to go to the gym, take a bunch of supplements or spend a bunch of money to get your pink back. The natural ways are always cost effective and the most effective from experience. But remember don’t be so quick to jump on this trend right after birth because at the end of the day you and your baby’s bond is what matters the most. Enjoy the newborn phase because it’s the quickest of them all!

xoxo

Johnnatta

One Of My Kids Believe In Santa

Published on December 23, 2024December 24, 2024 by Johnnatta Giles2 Comments

For while now I have always talked about how we celebrate Christmas and why. One of the things I’ve been adamant about is never lying to my children about Santa Clause. All of these years I have been honest with my children. I basically tell them Santa is a cartoon character that has many origins, he is a legend but not a real person. I let them know that It’s okay as Americans for us to enjoy our traditional media as it’s tied to our culture. We even had a Santa come to our retail store to spread much Christmas cheer in a time of an increasing negativity about Christmas in general. But my kids have always known the truth.

On the way home from my daughter’s piano lesson one of my youngest girls was with us both. We were just discussing our favorite things about the Christmas season. My youngest was asking if we were going to finish watching the Michael Jackson concert we started but never finished the night before. I told her no we have other things to do that night. She got upset and told us she didn’t want to talk anymore because she was thinking about Michael Jackson. I honestly didn’t know she liked MJ that much until that moment! So she sat there quietly as my eldest and I continued to chat. That was until Santa came up. My youngest daughter enthusiastically jumped in and began to talk about how he was coming to the house and putting his sleigh on the roof. I said gently “Now you know Santa is not real right? So he won’t actually be there.” Her eldest sister said “Yeah! He’s not real remember?” My youngest said with a low mumble “I don’t want to talk anymore.” I asked her why and she said “I’m thinking about Santa.” I said “Okay. Well it’s okay to think about Santa. It’s not wrong to imagine about the reindeer and the sleigh on the roof.” And she excitedly said “OKAY!” I told my eldest to not be so stern with her. It’s up to her to come to realization that Santa is not real. She has to work that out on her own but to be honest if she asked but don’t push it in her face.

This moment warmed my heart two fold. Not only was my sweet little girl growing up, expressing her feelings and drawing boundaries but I was for the first time learning how to navigate a situation I never had to before. All of my kids before her showed no interest in Santa. But she was the first and it was an opportunity to not only teach her but to learn how to support her without being false in any way. It can be hard as a parent to choose to tell your children the truth because you think if you do you’ll crush their spirit. Some parents choose to not engage at all and ignore it. Some choose to add on lie after lie to supposedly shield their child’s innocence. Telling your kids the truth about Santa is not going to steal their innocence. Coming from someone who has endured great trauma as a child, I am telling you what I endured is in fact a stealing of innocence not being honest with your child about a made up character. What you can’t do is be belligerent and harsh about it. Your kids don’t need to be reminded every time they bring up Santa that he isn’t real. Every once in a while I gently remind her but for the most part I tell her siblings to be quiet and let her imagination run free. Constantly telling your child something they believe in is not real at such a young age can hurt their self esteem and create a division between the two of you.

My daughter knows I love her and I believe in her. There is no doub there and even though she got annyoed with me that one time telling her something, she has since not cared if I remind her that he is a cartoon character. She just smiles at me and said “I know!” and then we tell made up Santa stories about him falling off the roof and everyone has a good time joking. The point is with everything give grace and mercy but always tell the truth. Truth and love will always over power any fears you may have and even any mistakes you may make as a parent. But deception bring chaos and pain that could lead to loss and division. It’s never worth it not even for once a year fun.

Stay Blessed and Merry Christmas!

A Mother’s Worship

Published on December 7, 2024 by Johnnatta Giles3 Comments

Pitter patter pat. I look up from my work on my queen sized bed and notice little black hairs escaping a head full of long silk curls. Someone’s coming to give me a kiss goodnight and to tell me something funny her baby sister just did. She climbs onto the bed and I open my arms for a tight hug. I then bring my hands to her face, cupping her sweet golden brown cheeks. Two kisses for each! As she climbs down to tell me something, I listen and respond but also take a moment to worship the Lord. I’m in awe that such a beautiful being could ever come from my husband and I. In silence, I’m thanking the Lord for it and committing myself deeper to His plan. Because this little one was born out of a promise between Him and I. And I’ll never forget it.

The power of in the moment worship

In the last few months, I have had a really rough time. My husband just went through a medical emergency and that has made me the primary caregiver of everyone in the house. He’s gaining his strength back but It’s going to take time. Sometimes I don’t realize just how tired and stressed I am. But in that moment I stopped and worshipped the Lord. Doing that took a tired and worn out mama and spread peace throughout my being. It was just what I needed after the se last few months of hardship. Many people view worship as a way to spend time with the Lord. But in reality there are many things worship is for and actually does. Worship also is a way the Holy Spirit rises up in us and gives us what we need in that moment. Do you need strength? Peace? Rest? Wisdom? Answers. Take a moment to Worship. Worship is a place of surrender so that the Lord can have space to give you exactly what you need in that season of your life. What around you can you give God praise for? What in your life can you give thanksgiving? Is there something that just happened that you can be humbled in gratitude about? Take e beat, and worship at His feet! People tell you to pray often but I’m telling you mama, to worship. Worship as often as you pray! There’s healing in that small moment of praise.

No matter what life throws at you, God can breathe life back into you again. And He does it a lot of the time in the smallest ways. Will you give Him just a moment so He can fill you back up again?

xo Johnnatta

Womanhood in Motherhood

Published on November 8, 2024August 29, 2025 by Johnnatta Giles2 Comments

One topic I would love to dive deep into on MFS is my experiences with motherhood. I cannot even begin to count how many times strangers have come up me (and still do) and tell me how beautiful and well behaved my children are. Deepening on the conversation and the time I have I kindly thank them and tell them it’s because I do my job. with a lot of hard work. Once my mom asked me how I did it with all the children I have and I told her point blank, THE LORD. Although these explanations can be seen as generalizations, in reality these simple responses hold much stories, revelations and true spiritual maturity on both my part and my husband’s.

Is Womanhood and Motherhood two separate things? In reality the are one and the same

I heard a saying, maybe a few, that motherhood and womanhood are two different things. Have you heard the whispers of this belief? It was loud and clear in my teens and even as a young woman. But I don’t hear it as much around me as I used to. But everyone once in awhile it pops up online. Oh the world of technology where nothing is really forgotten!

I’m a bit rebellious against the world, doing the opposite of what I’m told to do and instead embarking on journeys to figure things out for myself. I have been called stubborn and I have bluntly agreed. I can be taught but I’d rather do the teaching. In order for me to impart wisdom I have to seek truth for myself. And this was one of those things.

Was I no longer a woman when I became a mother? As I raised the first when she was my only, I came to the realization that, a full womb does not mark the end of me but creates a stronger me, if I let it. Motherhood has raised a lionesses on the inside of me I never thought I could be. It taught me in fact how powerful women can be. How powerful I can be. Motherhood is an added bonus to womanhood. In order to become a mother you must first be a woman. It’s apart of the journey for those who choose it and it can take on many forms.

I never had to give up all of me to be the best mother I could be. Things change like they do with any life decision. I shifted, I molded and even sometimes I had to go into a type of metamorphosis. Becoming something new so I could expand my view on life and my capacity to love and learn. The parts of me that died away after I held those small fist and counted every tiny toe were replaced with fresh new eyes that saw wonder in a new way. I had changed for the better. But much still remained and I still remain true to those things that will always be apart of who I am.

Don’t be afraid to be who you are in front of your children. In truth we should be growing with them while raising them but not in self denial. Self sacrifice is good for the common good of you both. But if you find the need to make changes that surly is for the best for your child just know that is not a form of self denial. Too often women fall into this trap and warrior women it brings on nothing but regret shame and unfulfillment which inevitable trickles over into to your mothering.

My children created the woman I am today. I have watched them grow and they have seen me at my rawest truest form. They know full well that I am their mama but I am also my own separate person. Sometimes as women we need to remember that for ourselves. I am proud to be both a woman and mother. They are apart of who I am and always will be.

Be proud, stand tall.

oxoxo

Johnnatta Giles | Owner of VC

Where I’ve Been

Published on September 6, 2024November 8, 2024 by Johnnatta GilesLeave a comment

It’s been a long time since I’ve written on My Father’s Symphony. I’ve welcomed a new daughter, opened a brick and mortar store and I’m continuing preaching the gospel while being a homeschooling mom and homemaker!

There are many things still yet to come for me as I continue to let God pour into all the vessels He has given me. But now in one area of my life I’m coming back full circle and that’s writing. I have a beautiful teenage daughter that is an amazing artist and becoming a writer herself. We have decided to work on a few projects in the coming year. One of them is a children’s book for me and hers may be a tween novel from what she’s been sharing with me.

Writing and music have always been a part of who I am as an artist. While away from this blog, I longed to be back doing this very thing. Stay tuned, there is much more to come. Catch up with me on living woman ministry channel on Rumble, where I discussed two doctrines every Christian should be careful with. Write you soon!

What Pregnancy Centers Actually Do

Published on August 1, 2022December 23, 2024 by Johnnatta GilesLeave a comment

This Monday instead of sharing my next episode for Christ & Culture I am sharing a video that I just made giving real facts about what the pregnancy center I volunteer for actually does. From my research, this is what a lot of pregnancy centers do around the country. Many people are not fully informed on what it is that we do and therefore there is a lot of misinformation that create confusion and fear in women and men. Unfortunately many who need what these centers offer don’t reach out it because of being told false information about how we operate. The good news is the community that my center is in is starting to understand what it is that we actually do because of us reaching out to the community and educating people on what we do. The growing interest to get involved is inspirational and now more referrals being made to our center. Knowledge is truly power so please share it with others. You never know who it may come by that really needs to hear it! Click the image to watch below!

The Culture & Christ Series will return next Monday!

I Know How Hard You Try, Happy Mother’s Day

Published on May 5, 2022August 29, 2025 by Johnnatta Giles1 Comment

Dear Mama,

Mother’s day is the time we celebrate you. Every year you are showered with love and gifts and I wonder if you need more than just one day to be appreciated. Maybe more phone calls are your wish? Or a unexpected helping hand? Or just a chat with tea? No gift can be greater than the presences of your once tiny sweeties. My little’s are still little. They shower me with kisses and brighten my days with smiles I don’t always have to ask for. They run up to hug me out of the sheer joy of being with me. And even when I mess up, tomorrow they still love me. But some of your littles are now grown and away. On holidays you wait eagerly to see their faces. And your heart flips with joy when they receive the peck on the cheek that you’ve been waiting to give for a year long. I see you mama. I see you in every woman that I stop to chat with when she just needs an ear to hear her and a young girl to teach. Sometimes she’s she so worn out after her family has come down for just one night to enjoy her gift of making everything marvelous. After a full day she is left to clean up the mess in a once again empty home.

My heart goes out to you. I pray your children in righteousness return, just to give you a deep warm hug and sing thank you and serve you for once. I want you to know that there is a God who sees you everyday. You’ll never go unnoticed. And beautiful woman you are NEVER really alone. I heard Him once say “I see you and I know how hard you try.” He knows you too even your days that have not come and the ones that have gone by. Just know that in Him you can have rest and true appreciation. I hear you and see you all the time and if we ever meet I hope to bless you so you know that you are loved, seen, heard and known.

Have a Wonderful Mother’s Day

xoxoxo

Johnnatta Giles

Fall Beauty Essentials: Body Care

Published on October 22, 2018October 22, 2018 by Johnnatta GilesLeave a comment

bodybasics

I don’t know about you but I love switching up my body care products every season. My love for fall scents ends with my body care so this won’t be one of those posts. Not to worry no pumpkin spice deodorant here!

Some of these products I have used every year the cool air makes its way to our valley. So some of these need to be stocked soon and you will see what I mean below. Nevertheless, I still wanted to share them with you in hopes they too will bless you as much as they have me.

Tom’s of Maine 24 hour Fresh Apricot Deodorant is a new product for me. I was always afraid natural deodorants would expose me body odor rather than prevent it. But I am very happy this does all the little things it promises to do.

What I think of Tom

Smells fresh and fruity and that’s my favorite scent combination.

It goes on smooth and feels light.

Does not clog up my sweat glands. Yay!

Lasts all day with no need of another application.

Because of this deodorant I don’t have to use Old Spice anymore (yeah I did that. for years).

My shameless almost empty bottle of Palmer’s Moisturizing Body Oil is my go to body moisturizer all fall and winter. I use this all the time to keep my skin moisturized and soft.

What I love about this oil

As I stated before it keeps my skin moisturized and smooth.

It prevents the severe dry skin I encounter every year in Fall and Winter.

It smells amazing and has a subtle cocoa butter scent.

I can use this in an oil soak bath or I can smooth it over my skin after a shower. Two for one!

I have been using The Healing Garden’s Natural Olive Oil Body Wash for over a year now. I was immediately hooked once I smelled this body wash and I use it all year round.

Why this Body wash has my heart

I love that it’s a natural oil body wash. I have been looking for a body wash that uses not only essentials oils but also plant and vegetable oils.

I love the beautiful lavender smell. I always imagine acres of lavender when using it!

My skin has had less after shower dryness every since I have been using this. There are times I don’t want to moisturize my skin after a shower and I don’t regret it later.

I don’t know how long Bath and Body works have been selling Coco Shea Honey 24-Hour Body Lotion, but it is such a treat. My husband took me to one of their big sales earlier this year and I got this for a great deal along with other things. This baby sells for $15.00 but I tell you the truth it melts on your skin like butter! This will last me a long time so no shade on how much I spent on it you get my driff? I have been searching for a special lotion just for my bathroom after me or my guest wash their hands and I’m so glad I found this.

Why this rocked my life

The moisturizing effect is unbeatable. I have been through many hand lotions and this one wins hands down. As a mother who constantly cleans and bathes and cooks for 4 little people I have the hardest time with dry hands. I always use this lotion to prevent that from happening and to heal them when the cracking first starts.

The smell is truly heavenly.

It has my favorite natural moisturizers in it. Cocoa Butter Shea Butter and.. HONEY.

It leaves no residue and does not transfer. Once I put it on it instantly absorbs!

You can find these products by of course going to their websites but the first 3 I got at Wal-Mart. And of course the last will HOPEFULLY be on Bath and Body Work’s website. Take care of yourself and stay beautiful!

Tag: motherhood