Hi! I’m Cathy.
It’s nice to meet you.
Once a mother, always a mother, but being in the trenches of motherhood, raising babies, chasing toddlers and making the most of childhood through the teen years can be overwhelming. There is so much to do and never enough time or energy to do it all well.
There is HOPE! We CAN quiet the noise and and live simpler and lighter.
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I want it all, but I can’t do it all
and a mom doing her best
I want it all… kids with amazing character, a Pinterest-worthy home, a beautiful highlight reel, family photos that could be out of a magazine and all done by the cutest mom who parents with wisdom & patience and always shows up with a smile ( and the perfect nude, glossy lips).
How do people do it? How can I do it? Is motherhood just endless sacrifice? What happens to me? But if I blink, I’ll miss it! These expectations and messages are incredibly heavy for anyone to carry and motherhood scared me.
Then I learned how to lighten the load…
Join me as we intentionally pursue joy and simplicity in the messiest and busiest of seasons. It is possible for our circumstances to stay the same, but feel less burdened when we
choose intentionally.
Join me on the journey
I’ve created a place here where you can be encouraged to rest well, reflect often and reset regularly so that you can experience motherhood fully and abundantly. God designed each of us with passions and gifts that began way before we become moms and will extend far beyond motherhood. Motherhood is definitely the best job ever, but definitely not our only job. He wants us to use our gifts and talents in all seasons of life.
Follow me and let’s grow and go together we are:
- Reminded of the importance of rest
- Encouraged to quiet the noise of the world and find what is most important
- Energized as we rediscover our passions and talents
- Unburdened knowing we are not created to do it all
- Inspired to see joy and beauty through motherhood and our homes.
This is how it all began
01
Picket Fence Design started in 2007
I started a blog in 2007, writing about home, family and design. It was called Picket Fence Design. We moved into our "dream home" just a couple of months after having our 2nd child. I poured alot into this beautiful 3800 sq. ft home. We worked with a builder to create the home of my dreams, with a Martha Stewart kitchen and all!
Love is in the details
02
Life Got Busy
After blogging for almost 5 years, I took a little break as we were welcomed our 4th child in 2012. I had every intention of coming back to it, but never did. With 4 kids under the age of 7, these were good, full years. We had 3 boys and our daughter. I was just beginning to homeschool. These days were full of homeschooling and playdates.
Home is where you rest and become your best
03
A Change of Season
In 2015, our family made the biggest move yet. God called us to Oahu, Hawaii. My husband had a wonderful job opportunity where he could stay in the same industry and travel much less. This became the start of the 2nd part of our family story, full of adventure and building community from scratch.
It's all about deciding.
04
Rediscovering My Passion
Fast forward to 2019, we purchased a home in Hawaii after renting for a few years. We were able to do a big renovation and make the home work and feel like us. Something was being stirred up again. I loved every bit of the house renovation, the planning, the working, the sourcing, the diying... I felt alive. It was time to start sharing home again. By now we had 6 kids, and this time I wanted it to be more than just home. It's about how home really is the backdrop of our story. And I want to talk about how we can live out that story well.
Picket Fence Design
becomes Pines to Palms
Fun Facts about me:
in a nutshell
I taught 3rd grade for 10 years before homeschooling my own kids.
I’m an extroverted introvert,
Enneagram 9. I love being around people, but defintiely need downtime to rechage.
I have a soft spot for Europe. I minored
in French and love their joie de vivre!
I’m a tea gal and a social coffee drinker.
I’m inspired by florists, photographers and designers. Love following them!.
My love language is gifts. A hand written card makes me giddy.
I’m not detailed oriented. Done is better than perfect.
I have a weakness for bakeries and pastries.
My Inspiration
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.