life lately

Hello. It's summer! Hooray.

Let me start with a basic update. 

Stephen Jr. got his driver's permit. I'm shocked how the Lord prepares you for this. I'm ready for him to drive when he turns 16, and he's ready, too. I will never forget this day mostly because it's the same day that another child, who will remain nameless, got a squirrel bite.

Laurie got her braces off. She was so disciplined about wearing rubber bands and doing everything the orthodontist said to do that she got them off earlier than expected. We celebrated with an iced mocha from Starbucks.

George crushed the 5th grade. He's probably the most excited for summer as academia is not favorite...which is why I'm extra proud of how he did this past year.  

Caroline is the most joyful and enthusiastic 8.5 year old. My mom recently bought her a Stanley, which she totally deserved! She is always ready to help when needed and does a great job keeping her eye on Jill.

Jill is becoming a legit toddler. She is pretty chill. Chill Jill. Seriously, she's easy, sweet, sensitive, and adorable. 

Stephen and I recently celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary. I won't say anything mushy, but I would like you to know this man recently bought me a $7,000 tooth. That's what true love is. I had a long overdue dental implant. Thanks, babe.

On an average day, I'm hustling from dawn to dusk and beyond. People say what's one more kid after you have 3 or 4? I disagree. One more is one, and as they get older they each have their own worlds and social calendars. What I would give to have an administrative assistant! 

Lately, life is good and so rich. I'm constantly thinking to myself, "Thank you, Lord, for all these wonderful children." I say it especially on hard days because thankfulness is the cure for so much of what ails us. I wouldn't trade any of it for all the money in the world. 

clinging to daily habits

I have been clinging to some (almost) daily, doable habits that I've worked really hard to establish. They are each small and pleasurable enough that I really can't make excuses. The benefits are huge and they make me feel like a person. 

1. Going for an early morning walk. This helps with my sleep, experts say, getting outside early in the day. Jill and take a short walk and get a splash of sunshine on our faces.

2. Working out for 20 minutes. I have been using this YouTuber, Mr and Mrs Muscle. 20 minute is achievable, and most days I can fit it in. I try to get to it the second I put Jill down for her nap.

3. Drinking a large mason jar of water, 24 ounces by noon. Because I'm bad at drinking water, measuring is a must + no expensive cup needed. 

4. Listening to an audiobook on my way to carpool. While this is a pleasure, it's also a discipline. Books are long form, and like lots of people my attention span is half ruined. But if I take 10 minutes to listen, then I'm very likely to get hooked and listen to more.

5. Getting dressed everyday. This is so good for my soul. Everyone deserves to look nice and taking the time to get dress, put on make up, and fix my hair is not frivolous or shallow. It's dignifying. 

6. Reading 2 chapters of the Bible/day. I usually listen on audio. I'm trying to read through the Bible chronologically. I'm in Leviticus. 

the thick of it

I have fallen off the blogging wagon like you do when life is busy. So I thought I would give a little check in, and then hopefully back to my regularly scheduled posting.

My older 2 children were part of our school's production of The Music Man this past weekend. It was excellent! I'm so proud of their performances. They are also involved in tennis, track, and some church activities. I drive a lot.

George is crushing the 5th grade (at least according to my standards). He's happy for the time change and ready for summer. He roams the neighborhood and is always with friends.

Caroline is in 2nd grade. She's my helper and the best big sister. She's always looking out for and playing with Jill. I would like to get her involved in some activities like piano or tennis. She has a lot of energy.

Stephen Jr. turns 15 in April which means he's so close to driving. I will miss his music preferences (mostly the Beatles) he chooses in the car, but I am looking forward to having a driver and hopefully getting some relief on my schedule.

I recently told myself that the demand on my time is at a fever pitch. There's only so much I can delegate in this season. But that will change. Everyone is always getting older. Stephen will drive. Jill will not be such a liability. Even this week she learned to get on and off the couch. Hallelujah! She's discovering her limitations and boundaries. And one day she will go to preschool. I will not be sad.

This verse, Proverbs 14:4 has meant a lot to me lately.

Where there is no oxen the stall is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox. 

I don't have a tidy life, but I do have all these people and they are so beautiful and wonderful, becoming the best and most hilarious humans.

And these angelic curls! Can you believe it? As if we needed another reason to love Jill more. 

mom needs to be pleasant

A few years ago I was listening to a podcast about decorating and making a warm and welcoming home. It was a conversation between 2 moms, and the interview began with a basic question. "So where do you start when you want to make a beautiful home?" 

The interviewee responded with the most surprising yet profound answer. She said, "Well, for starters, mom needs to be pleasant."  She elaborated about how mothers have so much influence over the atmosphere of the home, and that the most perfect pillows and paint colors are worthless if mom's mood takes everyone down. 

Pleasant happens to be one of my second grader's vocabulary words this week, defined as friendly and likable. 

Mom needs to be pleasant. I have been clinging to this mantra this week. I've had a little cold. My sleep hasn't been great. The baby is not the best napper. People keep eating! A child needs multicolored sharpies and a piece of plexiglass in less than 24 hours for a school project. A mouse chewed through a giant bag of oatmeal. I put marinara on my taco instead of salsa and didn't realize until after I ate it. It was weird. 

I feel irritated and irritable! 

But...do I actually want to take my whole family down with me? Definitely, no. 

If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.  Proverbs 14:1

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. Proverbs 29:11

Fake it till you make it. 

I have learned and am still learning how to not act the way I feel at all times. We can govern our emotions and provide stability and peace even when (and especially) we don't feel the sweet feelings. 

Also, I have learned that when I'm in a bad way....a batch of cookies covers a multitude of sins. So I made some cookies.

I'm so thankful for the weekend and a fresh start each day. Can I get an Amen?! 

contentment contentment contentment

I accidentally have a word of the year. Contentment. I didn't set out to think of a word, but I needed to cheer myself on in a positive direction, and contentment is the word I kept repeating to guide myself to a better place. 

I also have a mantra: focus on the baby's yams. Stay with me while I explain. 

In our family, someone, most often me, will say "look at this baby's yams." And then no one can resist. Naturally, we will gather around saying "oh WOW, look at those yams!" Sometimes 3 or 4 of us will elbow and fight over who is going to relish the yams the most. It's so easy to delight in a baby's chubby legs. I could squeeze them off with joy. They can even melt away the moodiest teenage mood.  

This exercise with the yams is a template for how I want to enjoy the priceless gifts right in front of me. It's how I'm cultivating contentment. Be in the moment. Enjoy what I have. Delight in simple pleasures with gratefulness.

In a big family, heck, in life....there's always a situation, a problem, something unresolved. Sometimes it's heavy and sometimes it's just nagging like a stupid house project. That thing whatever it is can really suck all the joy right out of ya. 

So y'all. Let's focus on the baby's yams this weekend. Breathe some fresh air, smile, have a laugh, sing a hymn. Make a cup of coffee and take it on the porch.

And if you need more motivation on contentment, read the February 16 morning reading from Charles Spurgeon, who is only slightly more eloquent than yours truly. 

3 baby items that have stood the test x 5 babies

I'm not a stuff person with babies. Like one of my fellow minimalist mom friends hilariously said, "give me a boob and a diaper and I can take this baby anywhere." My sentiment exactly.

I just had no tolerance for baby carriers, breast pumps, nursing covers, wipe warmers, all the various seats and swings. If I had any of it, I mostly borrowed and rarely used it. I'm not saying this is a moral issue, it was just my preference. 

BUT...there's 3 baby items I really LIKE and that have stood the test x all 5 of my babies over the 13 year age span between my oldest and youngest. I'm attached to these products. I even think these things would be nice for grandparents to have and keep on hand at their house. 

1. The first is the Yookidoo bath toy. These are so fun! It's battery powered and recycles the bath water like a little faucet. You know how babies are mesmerized by the water running and when it's time to turn it off, they stand up in the tub and want to get out. Well, this is the solution. It comes with lots of cups and accessories, and it's just a big ol' hit at our house.

2. The second is the Fisher Price booster seat. Classic. With my first, I bought a charming Jenny Lind high chair, and it bit the dust within 6 months. The wooden tray did not hold up. Plus, it was too big for our tiny house at the time. It was a sad day when I threw it in the burn pile, but that's when I bought the iconic lime green and turquoise booster that has done its job so well. Also, you most likely need a booster to travel anyways, so it's easy to just have one.

3. The third is the Chicco Umbrella stroller. I am such an umbrella stroller enthusiast. I love the Chicco (mine is much older than the one linked) because it's sturdy. It's light weight and small enough to pop it in and out of the trunk of the car while running errands, and it's solid enough to take on an actual walk around the block. It doesn't replace my actually jogging stroller, but like the booster it's easy for travel and day to day use.

So there's my 3. I didn't think I'd still be writing about baby items at 40 years old, but I'm so glad I am! 

What about you parents and grandparents out there? What products do you swear by? 

home management

Before Jill was born, I started looking more seriously into the topic of home management. I knew I needed to get my act together because unlike several years ago when I had a bunch of babies at home and it was ok for everyone to stay in pajamas all day, now is different. The big kids have commitments and obligations. There's homework, practices, and appointments. My ship (our home) needs to be in working order!

I did a lot of googling and looking for guru's on YouTube, but ultimately landed on this book, Home Management by Kim Brenneman. It's solid gold. Honestly, it's a bit boring at times as a read, but the wisdom she shares is so valuable. My suggestion would be to go through it slowly and chew on it bit by bit. I wish I had this as a younger mom. 

My 2 biggest takeaways:

1. Create a home management binder.  This will hold all the important information you need to reference regularly. Mine has our budget, home repair lists, family meeting notes, and a personal category. It's so great to have everything in one place. Also, this is the place to put all the plans, habits, and details about your days of the week. See below.

2. Create a days of the week schedule. This is mine.

Monday cleaning

Tuesday errands

Wednesday office

Thursday laundry + kitchen

Friday fun! or catch up day

This doesn't mean that I only clean on Mondays or that I do paper work all day Wednesday, it just shows me where to lean in and address issues. It gives each major category a proper day, a time slot to be handled. 

Before this method something like ironing would just dangle out there, a task never to be done, because I hate it. But now, it has a day - Thursday. 

As a homemaker nothing ever feels finished, "a woman's work is never done." This schedule gives me a sense of accomplishment. Whoo hoo! 

I love this paragraph on page 125

God did not create everything in the universe in one day. He took six days to do it in an orderly manner. He divided the creative work among the first six days of the week, focusing on creating specific parts of the universe and specific animal kinds on specific days. Then God rested on the seventh day. He didn't have to do it like this, but he did, and it sets a pattern for us to do the same. Focusing on one area of the home on a weekly basis keeps it under control. We are not so tempted to postpone certain housekeeping tasks forever when we have a day set aside to tackle them specifically. 

Some other tools I use for schedule organization....At a Glance calendar, always, and this Weekly Planner Notepad. 

a good lunch for mom

I think it's so important that moms eat a good lunch. First of all, it's very physical, our jobs. We need to feed ourselves nutritious and delicious food. 

I remember when I first took my older kids to preschool I would have time to exercise, shower, and make a good lunch. Then it was about time to pick them up. 

For a long time I felt like I was wasting time. Shouldn't I be running a side hustle or cleaning the whole house top to bottom? I didn't feel like I had much to show for my kid free 3 hours.

My mindset has changed and I don't feel like I'm wasting time eating a good lunch these days. I find that it keeps me from overeating later in the day because I've been cared for.

I like to call it a luxurious lunch for mom. Sometimes, my mom and I will brag about the lunches we enjoy. Lots of eggs and avocados are typically involved. 

My plate pictured above is sriracha salmon, yellow rice, and a salad with goat cheese, walnuts, and tomatoes. Tuesday night's leftovers.

Also, that's a giant, 3 cup mason jar. I try to drink one jar before noon. #goals