Category: about me

about me

Our Morning Rhythm

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Hey Loves!

I just posted a YouTube video on our mostly-daily routine and I thought I would share some deets here.

First, if you haven’t already, read this blog post on why it is called a “rhythm” or “routine” and/or check out this video.

Now to our mornings…

You should know I can never predict when my kids will wake up. I would say the window is anywhere between 6:20 and 8:15. There’s no rhyme or reason and, to date, how consistent I am on the routine of their days and bedtimes has no bearing effect. So our routine is as follows:

Kids wake, potty, get dressed, make their beds. (Yes, my children make their own beds and do other chores)

My husband basically keeps them away from me so I can finish my morning routine. (More on my current one later. The basics of it can be found here.) During this time, they read, talk to their dad, make goals for the day, and play quietly.

Then my husband or I, depending on time and availability (my husband works for an international company so sometimes they have meetings or trainings at like 7 a.m. EST to accommodate everyone) makes their breakfast.

After breakfast is when I take over. My morning time rhythm with the kids consist of reading a page of this book, learning or reviewing a prayer from this book, morning baskets and outside play. 

A note on morning baskets: If you haven’t heard of this concept, I will do my best to explain it to you. A morning basket is typically a varied lot of books and activities that families do together, stored in a basket. These activities are mostly completed in the morning. With that said, a morning basket can be any time of day and include anything you want.

Our morning baskets are fun thematic learning games that all of us enjoy but don’t’ necessarily want to add to our designated learning time. These themes can range from Valentine’s day to dinosaurs to knights and dragons to Shark Week. 

Our morning basket activities are about 20 minuets max. This year we are using the monthly theme packs from Let’s Play School FUNdementals and I am over the moon as this will cut out so much research and prep time for me while providing fun, interactive activities for my kids.

 After morning baskets, because it’s summer, we go outside. Then some reading, a snack and onward we move into learning time. 

Now, depending on time, other appointments, etc., this can change. This is why it is called a rhythm- so when schedules change, as they will, we can meet the schedule change and easily fall back into the rhythm. In the fall and winter our outside is later in the day because of cooler temps. A slight change in the rhythm is way easier to get accustomed to than a constantly changing schedule.

This routine also helps us all feel safe by knowing what comes next and especially helps me not get overwhelmed or stressed by a schedule, because no one needs that.

What’s you rhythm or routine?

Love you. Mean it.

about me

Interview with BabyDevotions

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Hey Loves!

I had the honor to do an interview all about my homeschool journey with an awesome friend and #momgoals Kayla Alonso of baby devotions.com, a website packed full of amazing tools, tips and tricks for discipling your little one. In short, she is the kindest genius ever. Check out my interview here!

Love you. Mean it.

about me

My Favorite Things- Dry Brushing

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Hey Loves!

Can I just say two things? 1. I never knew I would have a favorite things list. The thought never entered my mind. 2. I never thought I’d be sharing it with you!
Thanks for reading!

Now, let’s get to business. Have you heard of dry brushing? If you haven’t, it is ok. I had no idea what it was or the fact that it was a concept until my friend shared about it in her blog. Mind. Blown.

After reading her post, it occurred to me that we do the Wilbarger Brushing Protocol for our boys and I was shocked to find out something similar existed for adults not presenting with sensory complications. When I read up on the benefits, I couldn’t resist. Off to Target, I went for a drive-up purchase of this Eco Tools body brush. Then, I did thorough research, meaning I watched several YouTube videos, to find a routine that would work for me. Finally, I brushed.

Friends, it felt like I had new skin. Brand-stinking-new skin! For those of you who might be confused, that’s a good thing. I also really enjoy the satisfaction of doing good for my body. I mean, you only get one, so taking care of it is essential.

I typically dry brush about 3-5 times a week. There are times when life happens and I can’t brush as often as I would like. During those times, I crave it. It’s like my body is accustomed to dry brushing and will not stand for less. “Ahhhhhhhhhhhh,” is what my body says after I dry brush. I may or may not audibly join in. Either way, it feels sooooooooooo good!

Do you dry brush? If not, will you start? You must!

Love you. Mean it!!!

about me

My Favorite Things: Cold Brew Coffee

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Hey Loves!

Man oh man, in my morning me time, when I take the first sip of my coffee, I swear I can hear Sarah McLachlan singing, “In The Arms of The Angel”. I mean, I really feel like Gabriel himself engulfed me in a deep embrace of love, comfort, and eternal joy. It took me a while to get to this place. Coffee, for me, used to be reheated a bazillion times and drank to literally make it through the next 20 minutes. Savor what? Why? Give me the caffeine IV because I AM DYING! If I am being honest, even Starbucks in Target was kind of a treat but I downed it before I left the dollar spot. (If you don’t know what I am talking about… I’m sorry. This is one of those, “you have to feel me” things.”) 

Then, I discovered Lucky Goat coffee… y’all, I most certainly am not a coffee snob but this stuff is a game changer (<— clearly, my new favorite phrase). Don’t ask me why. I don’t know anything about bean color, roasting techniques, sourcing or harvesting. I know it is good. Very, very good, in fact.

But, I live in Florida and in the summer it is 106 degrees at 8 a.m. so cold-brew is a must, for me anyway.  I looked up cold brew recipes and, let’s just say I never finished one. Why? Entirely too much work! Then, I stumbled across the “Coffee Sock” while getting a massage with a friend. (that sounded really snobby like I do it all the time… I DON’T). Y’all this contraption is easy, very affordable and makes an amazing cold brew.

Also, you should know I am not one of those people who can drink coffee without creamer. I’m very far from one of those people. I also have standards when it comes to my creamer. It has to be refrigerated. It must not contain dairy. It must increase the taste of the coffee to make me feel like I am drinking from the streams of Heaven. I have found two that do this. You should know that I have not looked at the back of the labels on these products because they are awesome and I am happy and I do not want my heart broken by numbers and words that are most commonly found on labels on the back of products. You do what you want and keep your findings to yourself please and thanks. Califia Farms flavored creamer is ahhhhhhhhmazing. It is pricey and sold at select stores and mama doesn’t always have time for that. So, I normally get Silk Almond Milk coffee creamer, Caramel flavor. 

Then, I drink it from a mason jar! How chic am I! (Please read above where I informed you I am not a snob and repeat it several times.)

Just a note, I make myself drink at least 20 ounces of water before I have my coffee AND after, because #selfcare is hydration.

Is there something I need to make this experience better? Tell me!

Love you. Mean It.

about me

My Favorite Things: Audio Books

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Hey Loves!

So, in my mothering journey, I surrendered. Well, that’s putting it very nicely. Truthfully, I gave up. I gave up on things I loved and adored, like reading. My entire pre-kids life I looked forward to losing myself in a story. Post kids, I really believed I just couldn’t read anymore. I was honestly quite baffled at those who did still read with kids my age. I mean, granted they had typical kids, but still, how? 

Also, if I am being honest, I didn’t want to be stimulated. I didn’t want to learn new things and grow. This should’ve been a red flag, but as you have read, I didn’t pay attention to those. Anyway, after I discovered podcasts, I discovered audiobooks. Again I say, game changer. Audiobooks are a game changer friends. 

Get this- I got them from my local library through apps for FREE (The apps I use are Overdrive and Libby). If this is not the definition of winning, I honestly have no idea what is. So here I am, just sponging up knowledge from my fingertips, any time of day. I’m learning, laughing, crying, pondering, talking… all the things! It is amazing!

There are a few audiobook subscription services that I have heard great things about, I just haven’t gotten to where I can pull that trigger.

I’m really into inspirational, self-improvement and autobiographies at the moment but the sky is limit. I just finished my first fiction book since the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy. I see your judgment of me. Stop it. I’m growing. Sheesh.

Lastly, audiobooks were a gateway drug. Now, via my kindle, I am actually taking the time to read actual words. Y’all, I am on the comeback! Lookout for quotes because they are coming.

What are you reading? How do you read it? I want all the deets!

Love you. Mean it.

about me

My Favorite Things: Podcast

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Hey Loves!

It is series time! Woooooooooohooooooo! I am very excited about this series (if you can’t tell.) I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I am taking me back! A year ago, I couldn’t even compose this list. Not only did I not have the headspace for it but I literally did not have favorite things. Yes, that is sad and if you are there, I am extending my hand to you. We will get there together. No, I am not Oprah, but if there is anything Oprah does it is share. So, I am receiving this from her and running with it.

Now, this series, it requires a disclaimer. These are my favorite things. Said things have not paid me or given me free products to be added to this list. Yay! Let’s get started on with the list!

Podcast

Let’s be honest, I am late to the game and that happens often. Any time someone or the world is like, “you should try this!” or, “this is so great!”, I respond with, “eh, I’m not sure that’s for me.” Nonsense. Just…nonsense.

Anyway, in very late March or early April, I was literally taking the first steps of fixing me and I didn’t feel safe with my own voice. (Just go with me on this.) I’d emptied out everything I’ve felt and said to myself for years and all of these new feeling and thoughts were coming from my mind. They were very unfamiliar. So, honestly, I just wanted a familiar voice. A voice that was true, unwavering and a voice I trusted.

So, I put my younger kid in the stroller and grabbed my phone. Hand to God, I have no idea how the podcast app opened. I do remember saying, “Oh! This! This could work. I can do this.”

So, I turned on “For The Love” Podcast with Jen Hatmaker solely because I trusted her voice, rather, I trusted her heart. Y’all, I didn’t even know how podcasts were organized. Somehow, I found one from September 2017 with Glennon Doyle. Oh. My. Word. I referenced her and her greatness in an earlier post but man, oh man, did I need the two of them that day. Then, the floodgates opened. 

I mean, I wasn’t sure about these new voices in my head but I did know I needed a supporting argument for or against what was happening. Enter Podcasts. 

I personally love ones that build all facets of me in any way. I also enjoy ones that are just plain funny. This is also a part of my me-time and I can do them just about everywhere! They have helped me use my headphones. Who knew???

In short, podcasts are amazing. I love them. Do you? If so, which ones? Spill. Now.

Love you. Mean It.

about me

What’s On My Christmas List

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Hey Loves!

For those of you who know me, this is not a shock. For those new here: Hi! I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE to plan. Love it. It makes my heart happy and quells my anxiety, so win-win. So, yes, I start planning for Christmas in June. To be fair, I’ve done the whole, “it’s Black Friday? What? Is Christmas coming? Who gets what? Why is this so hard? I’ve spent so much money!” thing before and it ain’t pretty. Also, ugly crying under the tree on Christmas morning because you are pregnant and sad that all that was under the tree for you were pajamas. Albeit, very nice pajamas, but pajamas. That’s it.  

Let’s also talk about not putting ourselves last and #selfcare. You have needs. You have wants. Recognize them and be aware of them. Now, there is nothing wrong with a social media research question proposed in a friendly post. There is certainly not one thing weird about asking Pinterest what you need in your life. If that is what you need, do it!

If you are looking for just a little inspiration, here is what is on my list.

  1. Make-up: Ok, go with me. I still struggle with spending money on myself. That includes good, nice makeup. I will buy elf products that all under $6. I will not buy the vegan black-owned lip gloss that I really really want and desire from my heart for $12. So, that goes on my list. Also, makeup helps me do something nice for myself. I put on some concealer, or foundation, a good lippie, fix my brows and go about my life feeling a bit more esteemed.
  1. Booties: These are so freaking cute and functional. They literally take an outfit from drab to fab. I neeeeeeeeeeeeeed these. Ok, maybe not need but… no, I need them. They can be pricey unless you score a target clearance WHICH I ALWAYS MISS. So, on my list they go.
  2. Airport Hat: Y’all this is surely a want but a hat can save your life. It just can. These new airport hats are all the rave and I can see myself rocking a low bun or old twist-out under it and changing the look of my athleisure or causal attire. Basically, I will wear this hat to death.
  3. Hair products: See number 1. Also, I have a tendency to be a #productjunkie so this saves us all. I research, make a list and send links to prospective buyers.
  4. Amazon Books Gift Card: This is biggie, friends! So, with all of this “finding me”, I have re-discovered books and sis, they some sort of amazing. However, my library doesn’t have everything and I can’t get it immediately. Of course, the homie Amazon has it and I can have it right now. Simple enough right? Nope. This gift is a challenge. I have never had a gift card that some portion of it didn’t go to something for my kids. This card will not. I am stating this you with both feet planted firmly on the ground. I commit this pledge with my whole heart and a sound mind. God be with me.

 

That’s it! Is that everything I want. Uh, no. I’m an American so I want all the things but these are reasonable gifts that will keep on giving. What do you think? What is something you really want? Is there something I forgot? Please tell me.

 

Love you. Mean it.

about me

Self-Care: What That Really Looks Like

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Hey Loves!

So, let’s talk about #selfcare. No, really, we need to because everyone needs it. For so very long, I thought that wasn’t for me. You know, I didn’t have time for an hour-long bath, weekly mani-pedis were not an option. So, I couldn’t participate, right? WRONG. Very VERY wrong!

 

If you ask me, self-care is a fluid movement in which certain practices enable you to be the best you and/or improve yourself. I should copyright that. That was a taste of the awesomeness that comes straight from my head that no one gets to hear because I am in negotiations in tiny dictators 90 percent of the time.

I digress. (this is becoming a theme…) My apologies.

So, self-care, what does that look like? Well, for starters, it looks different for most. It may be keeping your A/C temps very low. It could also be being around people who hold you accountable so you don’t do that harming activity.

For me, it is making time to do my nails. It is also investing in me. So, if that is spending $1.99 on a book I want but also carving out the time to read and reflect on said book. It is sometimes making my plate first to ensure I eat. (*see tiny dictators reference above). Being aware of my water intake-oh my word! How dehydrated I was! I also make sure I have time with friends and time to myself in the evenings-very small but extremely achievable and effective things that I can do regularly that improve my mood, my health, and my self-esteem. Things that expand my knowledge and encourage me to be more self-aware. 

Also, I tried baths. I like them but I can’t every week. It is a lot of water and a lot of cleaning after.

What does self-care look like for you? I’m dying to know.

Love you. Mean it.