Month: November 2020

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Mindful Mommy Moments

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Hey Loves!

Question for ya- You ever find yourself not able to slow your mind down? Or feel like you body is trying to catch up to your brain? Do you ever just want to tune out all the “noise’? Have you just wanted to pause for a second, get it together and then jump back into this constantly moving life? (That was more than one question, sorry.)

I’m asking because I often felt that way, most times all day every day. I was on medicine to sleep because my mind would not stop. In March of 2017, I began an attempt at meditation. I used several apps for guided meditation and my favorite was headspace (INSERT LINK). They have a free course and it really help me understand how to slow my mind, not completely shut it off, return back to the practice and practice mindfulness through my day. Then, meditation became an integral part of my wellness journey.

Are there stretches of days when I don’t mediate or practice mindfulness, yes. At the end of the day, do I feel more exhausted and think I could’ve chosen better reactions, also, yes. Le sigh.

My mindfulness practices are not perfect and have just reach consistent but the value to me of being aware of when my mind needs a pause, re-set, or redirection is too great for me to ever completely stop.

How do I practice it? That’s part of the reason I get so early now, so all of the components of my wellness journey (mindfulness, biblical study and physical rest and physical fitness) can be met before I start pouring out. Oprah said, “your job is to get so full, you’re spilling over.” Obvi, she’s not wrong. My goal is to serve from my saucer not my cup, so my poring source is never completely empty or dry anymore, and that isn’t always easy.

So, I get up early and I hydrate with water and coffee and don’t have on any lights except that from my diffuser. I start with documenting my gratitude and then moving into a guided mindfulness practice with the Shine app (INSERT LINK). Then I begin focusing on my intention for the day. That sounds super deep, but it isn’t. I will say to myself or out-loud “My intention for today is to only focus on what has to happen, not all I can get done.” Or “My intention is to be fully present when I play with kids.” I repeat it several times and do my best to remember it during the day. Then I do bible study, maybe journal and then workout. From then on, I’m giving to my kids and others.

Sometime during midday, nap time or maybe even when my husband takes over with the kids, I take another reset. Sometimes I will use the shine app for a guided meditation or I will focus on several breaths, making them really deep and focusing only on the breath. I may do circular breathing, visualization and/or repeat my intention for the day.

I also try to quiet my mind before bed, giving myself permission to turn off and sleep. Sleep is integral for me as lack of sleep have disastrous domino ripple effects. It is often hard for me to be present in the “right now” and stop. Meaning, I can re-check my to-do list, sometimes make up more things “I can get done really quick” which often leads to other things that can get done and before I know it it is midnight and then it takes me an hour to fall into a restless sleep and that day is shot as I wake unrested, unfilled and defeated.Thus, the permission I give myself to sleep. I also take this time to be alone. I take stock of my emotions and my energies and release what I need to. If there is something I have to write down, I put in my phone and leave it there. Speaking of phones, it goes on DND.

So, I aim for a minimum of 3 times throughout the day but sometimes there are more. Sometimes, I don’t even get one in. The trick, for me at least, is to remember to come back to the practice and that it is a practice-the more I do it, the easier it will be.

Honor what is in front of you

crafting

Our DIY Advent Calendar

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Hey Loves!

If you have been here for a while then you know I am planner. I try and get things done early for holidays and celebrations and so I can actually enjoy them. This DIY Advent Calendar is no exception. I had the pleasure of doing a loop with some fabulous ladies on IG so I got to work fast.

The first step was research. The advent calendars of year’s past have been underwhelming and unsustainable. Thus, they weren’t fully utilized for one year. Last year, I knew I wanted something I could use for year’s to come. I grabbed these burlap favor bags with some wooden numbered clips. I finished it off with the She Reads Truth Verse ornaments. I strung it on twine and hung from the mantle. It worked but it was so busy. It fell a few times, it was hard to access with the stockings hanging and you couldn’t really notice everything.

Fast forward to this year. I knew the bags, clips and ornaments were staying. I knew I wanted my kids more involved and I wanted a very full, rich and intentional advent season in spite of this pandemic. I mean, I am not asking for too much right?

Ok, back to research…

So,  I aptly started where all good research starts: Instagram. Sorry to report nothing came up that I knew was for us. Next up, Pinterest. After LOTS of scrolling and several rabbit holes, I came across one tutorial that inspired me and that is saying a ton.

With said inspiration, I placed a pick up order from my local hardware store for beadboard and poplar boards. Random, I know, but stay with me.

I picked it up and sanded then stained the popular boards “weathered gray”. Once they dried, I used E600 and prayers to God to adhere them to the beadboard creating a top and bottom frame.

Then, I grabbed some thin rope, more E600, hot glue and louder prayers and attached the rope in 3 rows. LET COMPLETELY DRY. For the impatient like me, leave the house or find another task. While drying, I used clothes pins to keep the rope in place.

After it dried, I attached the bags, clips and ornaments, sat back and marveled. I am very pleased. This was in fact, as advertised, quick, easy and inexpensive.

Now to the fun! The advent activities! I used the Advent Celebration Activity Pack to plan our activities, get supplies, have all our verses and have a happy, fun and intentional advent!

Stay tuned for easy advent gift ideas!

Love you. Mean it. 

Allyship

November Fun: Diverse Gratitude and Family Gathering Book Haul

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Hey Loves!


The dynamic duo strikes again! Lakeisha from Maya’s Book Nook and I really have a thing for quality diverse books and today we are sharing all the things we love about November! Gratitude, good food, and fun family time! I’ll be using these books all of November. You can use this Bookshop link conveniently to purchase or add these books to your library holds. Let’s get right into it.

Full, Full, Full of Love by Trish Cooke is a fun and easy read while helping littles learn patience when waiting for a family meal together. The protagonist waits with his grandma for what seems like an eternity for all of his family to arrive for a feast. The wait is hard but Grandma makes fun. It’s after a few helpings of dinner and yummy desserts, he realizes these times aren’t just about the food and it’s not just the food that fills everyone. Being together makes them full of love. 

Thanks a Million by Nikki Grimes is the perfect addition to your poetry stash. This book of short poems is apt for the entire family, helping all focus on gratitude. Not only are the images diverse, the poems are diverse in abilities, soci-economic status, and gender. These poems cover gratitude for everything from nature, to neighbors to numbers. 

Gracias Thanks by Pat Mora is a lovely bilingual story that follows the protagonist, a little boy, through his day of showing gratitude for so much in his life. Written in English and Spanish, gratitude is shown for the poignant things like family, parents and nature but are done in a hilarious manner that’s enjoyable for all readers.

Feast For 10 by Cathryn Falwell is a little book packed with goodness. Although geared toward toddlers, my two still love this tale, counting from 1-10 all the ingredients for a family feast. Then, counting from 10-1, all the key ingredients that really matter, the soul in the food, the love that is shared and the people to share it with. 

My Heart Fills With Happiness by Monique Gray Smith follows the happy heart of a little girl sharing all the things she delights in. They aren’t toys or material items but rather spending time with loved ones, being creative and cooking. The book inspires readers of all ages to focus on the intangible things all around them that could fill their heart with happiness. 

What is Given From the Heart by Patricia C. McKissack and April Harrison is one of the most touching books we’ve ever read.

Don’t Say a Word, Mama by Joe Hayes is a funny bilingual English-Spanish book that focuses on generosity. Two sisters, who love each other dearly, try to secretly out-give each other with the best gifts from their gardens. We love books with repeated lines and this one will have your little one yelling, “Don’t say a word, Mama!” 

I Am Thankful: A Thanksgiving Book for Kids by Sheri Wall was just released in August 2020. The rhyming text and vibrant illustrations follow several families and their holiday traditions. From visiting pumpkin patches to spending time with family near and far, watching parades, preparing special dishes, and serving the needy, this book is sure to get your family in the Thanksgiving spirit. I especially love that the author included several ways for little ones to show gratitude at the end of the book.

Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message by Chief Jake Swamp is an older book that contains a timeless message. Giving Thanks provides a model for how we should show our gratitude for all Mother Earth has provided us with; the water, stars, plants, animals, and more. This is a children’s version of the Thanksgiving Address, a traditional morning message of gratitude, that is still provided at Iroquois ceremonies.

Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora is not specifically about Thanksgiving, but it’s always seasonally appropriate to read a book about good food, generosity, and community. Omu, which means queen in Igbo (a Nigerian language), is cooking up a delicious stew that makes everyone in the neighborhood come knocking on her door. Maya was genuinely concerned when she realized Omu had given all of her stew away. You’ll have to read this one to find out what happens next!