Welcome, 2017 ~

I have been wrestling a little bit with myself and the New Year. I'm a big goal and list person and pride myself on working hard. I have been itching for a new, big, year long goal to work towards over this coming year. Last year I felt God giving me the go ahead to start on the path to bigger financial goals ( not really seeing anything, but getting out of debt! ) and buying our first home. Both of which were big deals and took a lot of time and work! And this year so far has just felt... slow. And a little exhausting. 

During prayer and quite time I feel God asking me to spend more quite time with Him and becoming a better steward of my time in general. Not for any major "goal" per say. Just, investing in my children and worthwhile hobbies. It honestly makes me feel restless! But, after a few weeks of searching and clinging to my own ideas of goals, I have finally decided to jump wholeheartedly in the simple yet difficult task of simply slowing down and bringing more peace into our lives. That's my word this year: Peace.

Peace can mean so many different things. But for me, it means more time with God. Less TV. Less comparing myself with others and other people's view of me. More time playing with my children and less time watching tv or sending them off to play without me. Less internet and social media, more writing and reading. 

I want to do far less shopping and simplify our bills. Pay down debt and put money in savings. Nothing causes stress like financial stress, and I plan on being better at looking long term.

When I think of how much TV we watched this past year, it's embarrassing, even to me. We are doing better, but I still would love to see the TV on less and see what else we can fill our time with. I want to work on nature studies and notebook journaling. I want to fill our time learning crafts and hobbies and exposing the kids to all sorts of arts and letting them discover what they're passionate about. Investing more time cultivating friendships and a sense of community and showing Christlike love to others is also something I want our family to be passionate about!  

So here's to a year brimming with joy and peace ~

Also, only about 14 more weeks until baby#4 is here!!!! Eeek!!!

Runaway

Sometimes running away isn't a bad thing. Or at least that's what I keep telling myself these past few days. Running away has been exactly what I have wanted for the kids and I. An escape.

Our days have been going pretty smooth now that we are getting into the groove of our new routines and our new home. But mini meltdowns have still been prevalent. Nothing major that would ruin your day per say. Just the many, mini tiny issues that pop up seemingly every 15 minutes. I am fine and can handle most issues, but after issue #548 and crying meltdown #3 I have to run into my room, shut the door and ask for God's good grace to come upon me quickly.

I know these are the type of things every single mom on the face of the earth faces. But somehow that fact does little to console me. God reminds me that He is working in and growing me just as much as He is my children through these years. But wow. Some days are exhausting! Not hard, per say. Just exhausting. I know the recipe:

Pray. Love on my children. Read. Fights happen. Discipline according to the crime. Set boundaries. Stick to my guns. Repeat.

This is literally all my life some days. Like, all 12 hours. It's not hard. Just beyond exhausting.

So, that's how life was this morning. As I was in the bathroom pretending to pee for the 40th time that morning praying, I decided we needed to go! (Not to the bathroom) But away, out of the house! there are still 110* temps out there, so we went to one of our favorite places in the whole world.... the Library! The Clute library is one of our favorite getaways. Something for mom and the kids!

So, we went and spent a whole solid hour there! I tribute Bat Boy lasting that long to my oils. Seriously, really. These oils are truly a blessing and have changed my life. A drop of doTERRA's grounding blend (One of my favs!) and a drop of lavender oil to his forehead and wrists and he lasted quietly for an hour! ( If you buy one thing for "yourself" this year, buy these two oils. They are magic. And if you use my link, I get a commission ;) doterra oils Meg Isaacs )

After that, we went to Mc Donald's so the kids could run off some steam and I slowly sip coffee. It was amazing.

After that, the kids suggested we try the "new library" which is in Freeport. We fell in love, again! Oh I love good libraries! Freeport is a small Texas town, but their library was perfect! An adorable children's area with a pirate ship that the kids could play on and find a reading nook to read in. Lots of computers, a good selection of books and chairs positioned just right for moms ( or dads!) to be able to read and do their own thing while still supervising the children's area.
It wasn't by any means large, but the selection was good and the area open and inviting. We used doTERRA's grounding blend and lavender and this time stayed 90 minutes. 90 minutes!

Bliss!

After we finally left, Daisy girl brought up how sad she was that she didn't get a cake on her birthday a few months back. Her birthday happened to fall on closing day on the house. While my parents were here from Wisconsin. She got some amazing gifts, it was crazy. There was no cake. So in some last minute change of plans, we bought a birthday cake at the store on the way home. :)

So tonight we set at a Elsa and frozen themed dinner table and sang happy birthday together and ate cake after dinner. It was divine! Daisy girl's heart was filled with joy and all was good. Then Bat Boy and Wonder Girl and all of them melted down again. But you know what? That's ok. Today was good. We all got a break. We all had fun. No tvs, no computers no friends. Just us and lots of books and story telling. Everyone's love cups were filled and it helped us get through the last evening slump and tonight, when I go to bed. I won't be pouring out my heart to God begging for the strength to help me make it at this mothering thing. I'm going to hold onto all the joyful moments of today and savor their smiles and thank God that I get to do this.

So if you are at your wits end and parenting feel exhausting and you feel like you're going to lose your cool. Say a prayer and run away. With your kids! Be it the backyard or the library or just get lost in a book. Taking a break from the days helps reset everyone.

Stay joyful friends!

A Really Good Day

Today, when the alarm went off and I woke up, literally the first thought in my head was "I'm going to write a blog post today." Which is odd, because my first thought is normally something along the lines of: "Lord, please let that not be morning!" Or: "Tonight I'm going to bed so early..."

But instead of lamenting my sleep deprived self, I had this need to write! So here I am, recording today. Today has been a good day. A really good day, actually. Wonder Girl (age 7) Daisy Girl (age 6) and Bat Boy (age 3) have still been reeling in all sorts of emotions since moving to our new home.
This home, our first home, has been one of the most beautiful dreams come true for our family. Praise the Lord, He is so good to His children!

But despite all the new wonderfulness, for young children, adjusting to a new home is often a challenge. We have been in our home for 2 months now. In those 2 months my parents were with us from out of state for a weekend. Then my brother and sister in law were evacuated from their home due to major flooding so they stayed with us for just over a week. ( They stayed in the girl's room) Then our dog passed away. Then my grandma came with her dog and stayed a week. (Also using the girl's room)

So as it was with moving there have been changes, then add in the emotions of losing a family pet and the shuffling around bedrooms and overnight guests over a few weeks. ( We love hosting dear family and friends though, despite the crazy!) and well, you have one tired momma and three emotionally exhausted children. Needless to say, there's been lots of interrupted, sleepless nights and tantrums during the day.

My wellness goals lately have simply been: Make it through a day without crying, yelling or questioning my calling to motherhood. I am happy to announce, today. Has. Been.That. Day!

I actually stayed up this morning and didn't go back to bed after the hubs left. I had coffee, read my bible and was able to have some quite alone time to charge up my batteries for the day ahead.

We had a yummy breakfast, cleaned up the house together. We got done laundry and did dishes and general cleanup while listing to silly kid songs. We walked for the first time to the little park that is .3 miles from our home and played for a bit (despite the 107* feeling temps!)
There was yummy smoothies for lunch, then story time all together.
We played puzzles and dominoes. Made dinner. Laughed. Enjoyed just being together.

I know not everyday will probably be like this from here on out, but I'm thankful for a peaceful day. A day where everyone is at peace. A day that no one talks about how much they miss their old room.

                                        Today was good, and I am so thankful!

I have also had he diffuser going all day. It always just blows my mind the affect that my little diffuser has on the overall mood of our home. Today we have had Bergamont diffused all day. I actually didn't choose it for any specific reason, just that it smelled so fresh and yummy.
Bergamont is known to assist with joint problems and muscle aches. Emotionally it can effect poor sleeping issues and appetite loss. It's lesser known to help with stress.

Bergamont isn't normally what I grab for a feeling of overall peace in the home. But it's now going on the list!

Have a good day everyone and don't forget to savor moments of joy!