A heartwarming list of “things I love and don’t want to forget” this January:
1. if you ask Natalie, “what’s your name?” she puts her hands to her chest and while grinning says, “Nani”. And we can not (seriously, can not) get enough
2. red checkered tablecloths. The festive pop of color with the yard-covered snow in the background is so beautiful and fun
3. seeing Zack’s face on FaceTime! Friends, I miss him so much! Yesterday was three full weeks since I kissed his face — he flew back to Los Angeles to finish up work. But today we are at the “three sleeps until we see daddy!” countdown, yeow!
4. every day at 10am my dad calls Maxwell on the telephone. I love hearing him shout, “HI GRANDPAWWW”, and then proceed to walk around the house with the phone ;)
5. all the daydreams about our new house in Madison Heights. I picked out a new headboard for our bedroom (!!!), and I’m thinking about fun new ways to decorate Max & Natalie’s bedroom. Also, this living room is pretty much spot on
6. freshly washed flannel sheets. Yes please, and thank you.
7. this journal. I don’t sit down with it every day, but I do aim for every other day. So grateful for Gretchen and her wisdom for the Word. (This 31-day study is also excellent!)
8. meeting a friend for lunch on Sunday, one I’ve known since early childhood. Andriana, you are a gem!
9. finding a new sweater to live in ;) #letsbehonest
10. the kids seem to have “favorites” these days: for Maxwell, it’s shoveling snow with his grandpa’s; for Natalie, it’s wearing her pink plastic bracelet. And admist this being a tiring season, it’s a real treat watching these kids grow up and become their own little people. I feel like I’m in a movie sometimes, with the last few years as their mama replaying in my mind like a favorite film. It brings me a lot of comfort to have these memories with and of them…
Plus a few bonus loves:
11. very very very much looking forward to finding a new church family!
12. this blog post by Edie of life{in}grace: The Power of How You Were Made (seriously, a must-read for all women)
13. having a new weekly planner for 2016 — the outside color is amazing!
14. in case you missed it last week: 8 tips to help you thrive as a mama!
15. a fresh snowfall… there’s just nothing else like it :)
So that’s my list. How about you? What is heartwarming to you? What are you reading? What piece of clothing is your favorite? What is something about your tiring season that is making you happy?
PS. our Detroit-metro meet-up will be happening late-February — if you’re in the area, please do email me! I’d love to have you join us and meet you :)
Every night we sing “Jesus Loves Me” before bed & then say a prayer… last night, as we started our song, Z-man starts singing “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus” in a sing-song voice! I basically melted. And then when we were almost done singing he started saying “Pay? Pay?” (Pray) And trying to keep his eyes closed. #iamapuddle :-D
Of course, when we were actually praying, Miss T was grabbing at his hair so they were both giggling and not really paying attention…
That is amazing he’s picking up on your evening routine, I love that :) it’s so affirming as a mama!
My daughter deciding it’s cool to sleep through the night.
Getting to shower before she wakes up.
My husband getting home an hour earlier from work everyday (so sorry it’s been 3 weeks for you :(
And My daughter discovering that climbing on me as soon as I lay down is fun :)
Those are all amazing! Yes! :) thanks so much for joining the conversation by commenting.
madison heights? sounds like we will be neighbors! i am back in Clawson :)
yeow! ♥
Madison Heights…. all the memories. I lived there as a newlywed. Gospel Life Church (on 12 Mile) would be a good church to check out. Best wishes!
Thank you for the recommendation!
Thank you so much for the link to the Give Me Jesus Journal! I am looking for daily devotionals to use after my baby is born (due in February) …. something structured for that newborn stage when I won’t have a brain!
I had mentioned in an earlier post that we are moving to Detroit in April and hopefully we can meet up sometime. (I know your baby is due in April, so likely not right away!) The reason my husband and I are moving to Detroit in April is to lead the Youth & Family Ministry for the Detroit Church of Christ. You can check it out. They meet in Livonia.
FINALLY, THINGS I LOVE:
1. Book: Forty Days of Prayer, by Kit Cummings.
2. The YNAB budgeting app. Just started using this Jan 1. LOVE IT!
3. DETROIT…so many cool things there!
I love hosting meet ups, hopefully we can connect once you’re settled and you can join us! Send me an email and I’ll add your email address to my contact list ♥
PS. both of Gretchen’s studies that I linked to are seriously amazing, make sure you check them out! She is such a sweet woman and I learn so much from her.
I don’t have littles anymore, but I love that my 14 year old tells me everything and is not afraid to tell me things and especially that he still gives me a hug and kiss before he goes to bed…..my 11 year old daughter and how she just always has a smile on her face even when I am upset and she seems to tell me everything too especially since she will be starting middle school next year. My seven year old just watching the things he loves to do and what he is learning even though my heart is breaking since he will probably never be in a regular classroom and do the things that his siblings get to.
Still, this is a precious time for you as a mama. So glad you commented and joined the conversation :)
I’m so glad to see that you write in a planner too! Digital planners just don’t work for me, and the men I work with make fun of me. Lol!
I use a digital calendar for appointments, to keep Zack and I connected, but for many other things I write in a paper calendar. I love how easy it is to makes notes in, and I’ve even found myself writing down ideas for blog posts or projects… since it’s so handy and I always have it around! :)
I have a two year old and a one year old, and the two year old has been an absolute sweet heart lately. He is in a great stage of life! He’s jabbering up a storm and learning how to make his little brother is best friend. I love watching this in the mix of days that can easily become difficult at home as a mom.
I recently read Crystal Paine’s Money Making Mom, and I thought it was excellent. Even for someone like me who isn’t in a crazy hard financial place, I thought it was an excellent book! I would recommend it for any mom. It’s inspiring, engaging, and encouraging!
You nailed it when you write, “in the mix of days that can easily become difficult at home as a mom”. I read something recently about a new way to consider situations when our kids are being disobedient… that it’s not them trying to be naughty, instead it’s an opportunity for us to teach them right from wrong. That little bit of advice has helped me so much during this long transition back to Michigan from California. xoxo