A Simpler Motherhood

Category: A Simpler Motherhood

Vanessa

5 Ways to Intentionally Love Our Kids

A Simpler Childhood, A Simpler Motherhood

This month is all about L-O-V-E. Although we don’t need a holiday to love our people, it gives us a good reason to get intentional about loving the ones closest to us, specifically our kids. I want to be super clear, these are things I am hoping to work on this month and the rest of the year. I’m preaching to my own little heart choir here. Let’s talk 5 Ways to Intentionally Love Our Kids.

5 Ways to Intentionally Love Our Kids

Listen.

I know this seems silly and obvious, but I think sometimes as parents we don’t do this enough. Listen to their stories, their tales, all the seemingly unimportant stuff. Listen to their annoyances, their fears, their plights for justice. I know we’ve all heard this quote: Listen to anything your children want to tell you. If you don’t listen to the small stuff now, they won’t tell you the big stuff later.

Let’s love our kids by listening to the small stuff.

Play.

This is a hard one for me. Not because I don’t like playing with my kids, but because I have four kids and they all play together while I do alllll the things. But whenever I make time to play with my kids, I get the gift of seeing the world through their eyes. I get to see the magic, the wonder, the silly. And as much as it fills me up, I know it does the same or more for them. I want to be clear, I’m not talking about entertaining our kids. I’m talking about entering in to their made up game or imaginary world. It doesn’t have to be hours of play, 15 minutes is a good place to start.

Let’s love our kids through play.

Build Up.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the things our kids aren’t doing. He isn’t picking up his room. He isn’t being kind to his sister. She isn’t doing her best on her school work. Although these things can be frustrating and will need addressing, let’s choose to focus on building up our kids. When we see one of our kids doing something kind or loving, let’s notice it. When we see a child working hard on some homework, let’s encourage it. And when we build our kids up, let’s use specific language. Instead of ‘Good job!’ Let’s use: ‘Wow, you are working so hard to get your school work completed today.’ Or: ‘Look at the way you put away your toys. I can tell you took your time to do it right.’

Let’s love our kids by building them up.

Do something together.

Shared experiences bring people closer. Find something you and your kid or kids can do together. Maybe it’s playing a card game (this gets played A LOT around here) or building a snowman. Maybe you read a novel together, paint a picture, or have a dance party. Or maybe you invite your kids into the kitchen to help you make a snack or meal. Find something you can do together and be present while you’re doing the thing.

Let’s love our kids by doing something together.

Date.

If you have multiple kids, chances are one on one time can sometimes be hard to come by. Let’s make time for it and date our kids. It doesn’t have to be fancy or extravagant. Simply playing a game with a child in their room without interruption can be a date. Having your spouse watch the other kids while taking a walk with a child is another way to get in some one on one time. And, of course, you can take your kid to dinner, ice cream, or a museum, too. Let’s not overcomplicate it. Keep it simple and make it work.

Let’s love our kids by dating our kids.

Intentionality helps us do the things we want to do. These 5 Ways to Intentionally Love Our Kids is simply a place to begin. How will you love your kids today?

Vanessa

What I Loved in January

A Simpler Motherhood

Usually I do a What I’m Loving post each month, but this month it turned into What I Loved in January. One month into 2022 and this year is off to a great start. Here is What I Loved in January:

What I Loved in January

Slowing down

Our January began slow and it was the ideal way to start the new year. We played a lot of games as a family, read books, went on adventures in the snow, and got in a lot of school. Unhurried isn’t always the pace around here, so slowing down at the beginning of January is something we savored.

Books > Shows

My husband and I enjoy reading a lot, but haven’t found time for it lately. We realized if we cut back watching a show a few nights a week we could recoup some reading time. This isn’t the first time we have had to (re)begin a reading rhythm. The pendulum swings back and forth and right now we are reading more and it’s been incredibly refreshing. Here are some books I’ve been enjoying: Love People, Use Things, We were the Lucky Ones, The Wish.

Winter gear

For Christmas I received some winter gear and I used it a lot in January. My Carhart hat has been keeping my head cozy. My lower half is snug in big, warm snow pants and winter boots. The winter gear has kept me warm on my daily walks as I try and reach my goal of walking 400 miles this year. I’m 30 miles in.

Chicken Bacon Fried Rice

It’s not easy to find something everyone in our family enjoys eating for dinner. Can I get an Amen? I stumbled on this Chicken Bacon Fried Rice recipe when looking for something to feed my crew with not a lot in the fridge. We have some non-rice eaters who will not be named, but those boys ate up the chicken, bacon, eggs, and veggies and all had good things to say about it. It’s the little wins.

Time with Family

We took a trip with Kevin’s family this month and it was sincerely wonderful. Leaving the country isn’t super easy these days, but our time together was priceless. Cousins playing together uninterrupted, grandparents playing endless card games with the kids and all of us doing life together for a week. We are so thankful we were able to do this.

As a new month unfolds before us what do you want to do with it? What do you want to look back on in 28 days and said you loved in February?

Vanessa

5 Ways to Thrive this Winter

A Simpler Motherhood

For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, winter is upon us. Hats and gloves and snow boots and warm socks are necessities in our neck of the woods. Short days and dark nights are the story of our weeks and getting outside becomes a bit uncomfortable. While all these things are true, there are still ways to thrive this winter. We may have to look and try a little harder, but that gives us all the more reason to do so. Here are 5 Ways to Thrive this Winter.

5 Ways to Thrive this Winter

Get outside.

I know it’s cold. I know we need more layers. But getting outside is one way to thrive this winter. There are loads of science to back this up, but I want to focus on one big reason. Getting outside will boost your mood. When we are sluggish or feeling down because of the grayness of winter, getting outside can help improve our outlook. Natural daylight is thought to increase the brain’s release of the hormone serotonin. Serotonin is connected to boosting mood and helping a person to feel focused and calm. Even if it’s for 10 minutes, find a way to get outside as often as possible.

Plant something.

Seeing something grow is soothing and hopeful. While there isn’t a whole lot of anything growing outside my window currently, I do have some things growing inside. Almost every year I plant an amaryllis to watch grow tall as the temps drop low. It makes me happy watching something green grow when everything is brown and gray outside.

Whether you’re a plant person or not, planting something in the winter can bring a bit of joy. An amaryllis is a good place to start. Paper whites are also pretty this time of year. If you’re looking for something you can eat, herbs like basil or rosemary are pretty simple to grow inside. I’ve also grown microgreens in the winter to put on sandwiches and eggs. There are, of course, lots of other options. There is something nurturing about planting something and watching it grow.

Plan a summer adventure.

Did you know simply planning a vacation helps reduce stress? There are loads of other benefits you can find HERE. Whether it’s a summer road trip exploring a national park or a big trip across the country, planning a summer adventure is fun, gives us something to look forward to, and can help us thrive this winter.

Use winter wisely.

Depending on what life season you’re in, winter can be slower. There could be more time at home, less time spent outside because it gets dark earlier, and maybe just a little less to do. Let’s use winter wisely and be intentional about what we do want to do. What is something you don’t have time for during other parts of the year? Reading a book? Trying something new in the kitchen? Working on a hobby or project? If winter is slower for you, decide how you want to spend it.

Begin a new rhythm.

We are at the end of January and all the New Year’s hype is slowly fading. It’s technically still the first month of a new year and it’s never not a good time to begin something new. What rhythm would bring more calm to your day? Is there something you could do each week to ignite some joy and excitement for your family? It could be lighting a candle each morning or evening. Maybe it’s ordering pizza and watching a movie at the end of a long week. Or maybe it’s sitting in the quiet of the morning with a cup of coffee and a devotional. Winter is a great time to begin a new rhythm.

Winter doesn’t have to be dull or lifeless. It can be fun and hopeful and slow in a good way. How will you thrive this winter?

Vanessa

10 Ways to Simplify in 5 Minutes or Less

A Simpler Home, A Simpler Motherhood

Sometimes we need a win in a small amount of time. These small wins shouldn’t be dismissed. Today I’m sharing 10 Ways to Simplify in 5 minutes or Less.

10 Ways to Simplify in 5 Minutes or Less

Clear under the sink.

What’s under your kitchen sink? Cleaning products? Cloths? Dishwasher detergent? Grocery sacks? A mess? Take everything out, wipe down the cabinet and only put back what makes sense. Organize things in a way that makes everything easy to grab. A caddy for cleaning supplies. A drawer for microfiber cloths. A container with a lid for dishwasher pods. Clear it out and make it work for you.

Write down 10 weeknight meals.

Write down 10 meals you want to make this season. Meals that are easy to make, meals that you want to try, meals you will actually cook for your people. Use this list to meal plan this winter.

Grocery sack walk through.

Grab the Target grocery sack you got with your last curbside order and do a quick walk through your main living area. Put trash and unwanted things inside the sack. Don’t let yourself think too much on this one. Let your gut do the decision making. Throw the trash away and donate everything else.

Organize the winter gear.

If you live somewhere it gets cold, chances are it’s cold right now. Quickly go through the winter gear and make sure each person living in your home has the essentials. If there is a lot of excess, consider donating to a shelter to help someone else stay warm this winter.

Think through the laundry.

Is your laundry routine working for you? Is there something you need to tweak or change or do you need a complete overhaul? Think through how you do laundry and what you can change to make it simpler. Maybe it’s a load of laundry everyday or maybe it’s implementing a laundry day. Think about what works for you, your current season, and your family.

Purge your bag.

Grab your purse or bag and quickly look through it for trash and unnecessary items. Let go of those things to make your bag more functional.

Throw away expired food.

Do a quick check in the fridge and pantry for expired food. Toss anything you wouldn’t let your kids eat.

Declutter a bathroom drawer.

Open any bathroom drawer and pull out things that don’t belong and things you haven’t used in the last year. Be ruthless. This task gets you a lot of impact in a little amount of time.

Do a brain dump.

Set a timer for 5 minutes and brain dump everything you’re keeping in your brain. Use this list for your to-dos for the rest of the week and month. Get ready to feel a whole lot lighter.

Opt out.

This one might be controversial, but I’m going to say it nonetheless. What chore or task can you opt out of? Maybe it’s dinner duty on Thursday nights and you order take out. Maybe you need some help cleaning around the house and hire someone to clean once or twice a month. Or maybe it’s asking your spouse to take over a chore that’s overwhelming to you. It’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to not do it all. Friends, it’s okay to opt out.

We can all simplify something in 5 minutes or less. If you want more ways to simplify, check out this post.

What can you do today to make your life a bit simpler?

Vanessa

22 Simplifying Tasks for 2022: Part 2

A Simpler Motherhood

2022 is in full swing. Everyone is decluttering, setting goals or words, simplifying, and ready for a fresh start. I love this time of year and the feeling of hope that comes with it. Let’s keep the momentum going with 22 Simplifying Tasks for 2022: Part 2.

22 Simplifying Tasks for 2022: Part 2

Clear a surface.

In my humble opinion, clearing a surface is the best thing we can all do for our homes and our brains. Visual clutter causes stress and reduces focus. We can improve our mental health by simply clearing the dining room table. Choose one surface to clear and keep clear. A kitchen counter? The dining room table? The kitchen island? The coffee table? We don’t need allll the surfaces clear, but one or two can make our homes and brains more peaceful.

Make a list of meals.

Getting dinner on the table can either be joyful or drudgery. Some of us love it and others of us just do what needs to be done. Making a list of meals we can use and reuse over and over can be beneficial for people in both camps.

Each season deserves it’s own list of meals. Since we are smack dab in the middle of winter, think warm, comforting foods your people will eat. Chicken noodle soup with biscuits, Beef stew with roasted carrots, Ham and cheese sliders with roasted broccoli, Change Your Life Chicken. You get the idea. I usually make a list of 10 meals I can rotate through every two weeks. You may need more or less depending on your family’s preferences.

Rethink the furniture.

Most of the time when we think of decluttering, the small stuff comes to mind. Trinkets and pens and dishes and toys. But big things make a big impact. Rethink the furniture you have in your living spaces. Is there a piece of furniture not serving your family that could go to a new home? Or maybe a piece of furniture isn’t working in one room, but can solve a problem in another room? Rethinking our furniture can make a big impact in our spaces.

Start a new rhythm.

With winter comes short days and long nights. With fewer daylight hours and colder temps, we are inside more this time of year. Beginning a new rhythm can bring a bit of comfort and joy to our days and weeks. What is something that could bring a little joy into your world? Maybe it’s lighting a candle each morning or evening when the sun isn’t up. Maybe it’s pizza and a movie on Sunday nights before the week begins. It could be turning on twinkle lights and reading for ten minutes after the kids go to bed. Or maybe it’s inviting friends over each week for soup and games. Starting a new rhythm is one small way to be intentional with our days.

Drink more water.

60% of our bodies are made up of water. We need water to survive, function, and thrive. Many of us don’t get enough of it. While how much you need can vary depending on a variety of factors, The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends 11 1/2 cups for women and 15 1/2 cups for men daily.

Grab a large water bottle and make an ounces goal. I have a 30 ounce water bottle. I try to drink two full water bottles before 8 a.m. each day. And then I drink and sip as the day goes on. Staying hydrated always makes me feel like my best self.

Launch a Daily Delete.

Most nights after the kids go to bed, I pull out my phone and delete unwanted photos from the day. Some days there are no photos and other days there are loads. This simple practice keeps my photos in check and allows me to not feel overwhelmed by the tiny camera in my back pocket.

Call a loved one.

The art of a telephone conversation has been lost a bit with texting and messaging and emoji-ing. I’m not super good at it myself. However, whenever I call a loved one and have a conversation, it fills me up. Who is someone you would like to talk to, but haven’t in awhile? Take some time and make the call. It’s always worth it.

Try a No Spend week or month.

Last spring I did a Low Buy month, which is a version of the No Spend idea. You can find more about it HERE. There are lots of simple living enthusiasts doing a No Spend month right this minute. If you want to start small, try not spending for a week. If that seems impossible, try putting boundaries on what you do spend. For example, maybe you decide to only spend dollars on groceries. Or maybe it’s groceries and gas.

When our family did a Low Buy month, it allowed us to get really clear on where we were spending money as well as where are impulses were. This isn’t for everyone, but is a worthwhile challenge if you’re wanting to change and hone in spending habits.

Declutter and organize a pain point.

We all have a spot in our home that drives us bananas. The drop zone where everyone comes in the house. A storage space. A (not so neat) child’s bedroom. The toy room. The kitchen utensil drawer. Name the paint point in your home and finally tackle it. What are the things needing done? Write down the steps it will take to get that space from pain point to functional. Next, make time for those tasks on your calendar and than follow through and get. them. done.

Take a break from social media.

Whether it’s a day each week or an entire week or month, find some time to disconnect. I am off social media each Sunday and it’s such a good reset for me. I am hoping to do another long term break this year. Do a gut check and decide what kind of break from social media would be beneficial for you. Maybe it’s a day each week or maybe it’s an entire month. While social media is useful and entertaining, it can also be distracting and harmful to our mental health. Taking a break helps us to reflect on what is good about it as well as have more time for the people right in front of us.

Set a timer and play with your kids.

There are moms that love playing with their kids and moms who don’t love it as much. I am in the latter camp. I like to connect with my kids in other ways, but since play is important to them, I do my best to make time for it. Setting a timer to play cars on the floor with my boys is good for all of us. We can be present and enjoy one another and we also know the expectations of the timer. If playing with your kids doesn’t happen as often as you like, a timer is a good way to begin.

A new year means we have space to shape the days ahead into what we want. Let’s be intentional and lean into how we want our hours and days to look. What simplifying tasks will you try in 2022?

Vanessa

22 Simplifying Tasks for 2022: Part 1

A Simpler Motherhood

New. Fresh. The Present. 2022.

It’s a new year, a fresh start, and there is no better time than the present to simplify and begin anew. Today I’m sharing 22 Simplifying Tasks for 2022: Part 1. Since 22 tasks would be overwhelming, I have broken this post into two parts and Part 2 will go live next week. Some of these tasks are decluttering projects that may take anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour and some tasks are simple ideas to make room for the good stuff.

My biggest hope in sharing these tasks is to motivate us all (myself included) to take one step towards a simpler life and make more time for what really matters. If nothing on this list speaks to you, let this compilation inspire you to create your own task or tasks to take on in 2022.

22 Simplifying Tasks for 2022: Part 1

1. Declutter the junk drawer.

Pull everything out. Get rid of old documents, broken pens, parts for an unknown something. Only place things back in the drawer that are supposed to be there and organize in a way that makes sense for you. If you followed along with the Post Christmas Purge, your junk drawer is already decluttered.

2. Take a walk.

It’s cold. I get it. It takes a little extra motivation for me to get out and walk when it’s below freezing. But, bundle up, crank up your favorite podcast, and get moving. Maybe even try and walk a few times a week to get the blood flowing. The fresh air and sunshine always give me a renewed perspective. I whole heartedly believe walking is the number one thing I can do for my health right now.

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3. Tackle the shoes.

How many pairs of shoes are enough? This question needs to be answered before completing Tackle the Shoes. After deciding how many pairs of shoes each member of your family needs, make it happen. Only have shoes out that are used in the current season. Box up the flip flops and mules for spring and put them on a shelf or in a closet with a label. Leave out only the shoes your people are wearing right this second. This task leads to less shoe chaos.

4. Delete old podcasts.

If you’re like me, my podcast app is full of variety. And that’s absolutely not a bad thing. But there are times I have too many podcasts I’m subscribed to and am only listening to half of them. Although these aren’t taking up physical space, we see them every time we open up our app. If you’re anything like me, these unlistened to podcasts can cause subconscious feelings of guilt and urgency and even stress. Go through and delete podcasts that aren’t consistently playing in your ears. If you’re in a podcast rut someday in the future, you can always go back and resubscribe.

5. Declutter cosmetics and hair products.

We all have a random cosmetic or hair product that just didn’t work for us. If you’re like me, you sometimes hold onto said product for an exorbitant amount of time hoping that it might work someday. But that someday doesn’t come and it’s still in a drawer in the bathroom. Ruthlessly declutter cosmetics and hair products. Most cosmetics and hair products have a shelf life of a year after opening. Anything over a year that isn’t used at least monthly can go. I’m always shocked how this one little task frees up so much space.

6. Find 10 minutes for what fills you up.

We’re all busy. Life and work and kids and basketball practice and laundry. I get it. But we can’t do all these things on an empty tank. Find 10 minutes that are all your own each day and do something that fills you up. Walking? Reading a book? Sitting in the quiet? Praying? Drinking a hot cup of coffee or tea? Calling a friend? Find 10 minutes, put it on your calendar, and make it happen.

7. Plan an adventure.

Plan an adventure with your people, your spouse, or a group of friends. A summer road trip. A weekend at a water park. A few days off the grid. An adventure equals uninterrupted time and memory making with your people and I promise it’s always worth it.  Simply planning and anticipating an adventure can make you happier.

8. Do a quick clothing declutter.

Is there anything you or your kids haven’t worn so far this winter season? While now might not be the best time to do a complete winter overhaul, it might be a good time to let go of things you know you won’t wear this season. By donating winter clothing now, others can get use out of them during these cold months.

9. Clean out the car.

Our car is either clean or a disaster. There isn’t a lot of in-between. It’s hard to beat the clean car feeling. Take some time and take all the junk out, wipe down surfaces and vacuum, and then only put back what needs to go back in. We keep wipes, an extra diaper for my youngest, and jackets in the car. Although usually there is a LOT more than that in there, when it’s clean that’s what’s left.

10. Get rid of 10 things.

The easiest way to make you feel lighter: Get rid of 10 things and have your family join you. This is simple, straightforward, and elicits the least amount of groans when it comes to decluttering. Dangle some ice cream or hot cocoa when you’re done and it can be a very pleasant experience for everyone.

11. Say yes to your kids when you want to say no.

I’m going to end with this one because it’s extremely important, but also extremely hard. I’m preaching to my own little choir here. As we ease back into real life after Christmas, let’s give our kids a little extra love and grace. Take a baby step this week and say yes to one thing you would normally say no to. Yes to one more book before bed. Yes to playing cars on the floor. Sure to a trip to the playground when it’s freezing. Very well to the lollipop at the grocery store. Let’s love on our kids a bit this week as we all get back to the real world.

11+11=22 so this is where Part 1 will end for this week. Next week I will be back with 11 more Simplifying Tasks for 2022. What is one thing you can do this week to make life a bit simpler?

Vanessa

Post Christmas Purge

A Simpler Home, A Simpler Motherhood

Wrapping paper strewn across the living room.  Cardboard, those annoying white plastic strips, ribbon, coffee mugs, lone Reese’s tree wrappers and fuzzy blankets.  An accurate picture of our living room after the big day.  A picture of a morning savored.

In an ideal world, the kids play happily the rest of the waking hours as Kevin and I cuddle on the couch, drink our coffee, and sneak bites of quiche and muffins.  The quiet, slow beauty of Christmas morning is one I savor each and every year.  And every year I wish it would last a teensy bit longer.

But, it doesn’t and inevitably over the next week we teeter back and forth between routine and cookies for breakfast.  If you were around before Christmas, you know we did a Pre-Christmas Purge, but it’s inevitable we need to do one after the big day as well.

From experience, I think a good Post Christmas Purge is best done the week following Christmas.  A few reasons: 1. Kids are excited about new stuff and willing to part with old stuff. And 2. It relieves some stress and frees up space.

This year I have decided to do our Post Christmas Purge a little different and have a week of high impact categories to purge so we all can free up some space and feel a little lighter.

Post Christmas Purge

Why a Post Christmas Purge?

Stuff affects us whether we want to believe it or not. Research shows clutter affects anxiety levels, sleep, and our ability to focus. I don’t know about you, but I struggle with some of those things without the clutter. I don’t need anything else getting in the way. Getting the excess out of our homes, simply put, is good for our health and the health of our families.

How does it work?

Everyday for the next seven days there will be a category of items to purge or declutter. I chose these categories for a few reasons. The first reason is because they are bite sized categories and I believe they are attainable for all of us. The second reason is because these categories will have a big impact on our home, lives, and the way we live.

The categories include:

Junk Drawer

Christmas Decorations & Decor

Toys & Shoes

Dishes & Small Appliances

Pantry & Refrigerator

Car

Books & Games

The Goal

The goal is to get our homes in better shape than they were yesterday. Progress not perfection, friends. Our primary objective is to purge or declutter. If time allows, organization comes next. Let’s not get caught up in making the space look perfect, instead let’s focus on getting stuff we don’t need, use, or want out of our homes and into the hands of others who can use it.

The Daily Process

Each day we will purge a category of items. This can be as surface level or deep as meets our time and energy capacity. Maybe you have 5 minutes to declutter the junk drawer or maybe it’s an hour. Any amount of time spent purging is time well spent.

As we purge each category, we will ask ourselves the following questions. These questions are meant to guide and get us in the right headspace to purge the unnecessary. They are progressive. If the answer is yes, go to the next question. Answer yes to all the questions? The thing can stay. If not, it’s okay to let it go.

Is this thing useful or beautiful to me or someone in my family?

Does this thing help my space feel the way I want it to feel?

If I were in a store today, would I rebuy the item?

Remember, these are guiding questions. They absolutely DO NOT need to be precisely answered to declutter anything. You are in charge! If you want to keep an item, keep it. If you want to let it go, let it go. Don’t let these questions hang you up. Skip them if they don’t work for you.

There is no right way to purge, except for the way that works for you.

If you’re in a good place with the amount of stuff in each of these categories, another option is to organize instead. Take time to organize the stuff within each of these categories so your home can function better for you and your family.

More motivation

I think we all are more motivated when we do things with a friend. Head over to A Simpler Motherhood on Facebook and Instagram where I will be sharing my daily purges. I hope you will join me over there and share your progress as well. You can use hashtag #asmpostchristmaspurge or simply tag me in your posts.

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like a little reward for their efforts. Let’s reward ourselves for our hard work. It could look like a coffee or tea when you’re done purging for the day. Or maybe you will listen to your favorite podcast while digging through the junk drawer. Or maybe at the end of the week, you reward yourself with an adult only romantic comedy and a glass of wine. What motivates you to purge a little more? Make it happen. There might even be a few little giveaways over on Instagram for those of you who post your purging.

Are you in for a Post Christmas Purge?  Grab a garbage sack or an Amazon box. We are all going to feel lighter when we’re done!

Vanessa

5 Ways to Enjoy this Week

A Simpler Motherhood

The anticipation is building as the Christmas season comes to it’s climax. I don’t know about you, but this month sure flew by for our family. Lights and gifts and gatherings and cookies. It has been magical and overwhelming and lovely and exhausting and perfectly imperfect. And there’s still a whole lot left.

If you’re like me, the next few weeks are some of your favorite. The time together. The slowness. The rush. The birth of our Savior. It’s all so good. But, sometimes I can let the hiccups and last minute whatevers get in the way of being truly present and enjoying this week and the week that follows. Today I want to share 5 things I’m going to try to enjoy this week.

5 Ways to Enjoy this Week

Prepare.

This seems a little annoyingly obvious. I get it. But, what if we do a few things in the next day or two to prepare for this weekend. What if we prep Christmas breakfast or finish wrapping the gifts or get an extra hour or two of sleep so we are ready for the 5 a.m. wake up on Saturday morning?

What is one thing you can prepare now to make sure you’re more present, rested, and ready for the rest of the week?

Do one thing that makes Christmas feel like Christmas.

What makes Christmas feel like Christmas to you? Is it baking cookies with your kids? Sitting in the quiet enjoying the Christmas tree? Driving around to look at lights? Watching a certain Christmas movie? Whatever it is, make time for it this week.

For me, watching a Christmas movie with some peppermint hot chocolate makes it feel like Christmas. A few days this week I am going to forego my to-do list in honor of making Christmas feel like Christmas.

What can you do in the next few days to make Christmas feel like Christmas?

Reminisce.

For many of us, Christmas is a time to be nostalgic or reminisce about times past. Take a moment to remember and to celebrate or grieve the past. Or maybe a bit of both. Maybe this means flipping through pictures on your phone or in a memory book. Maybe it means calling up your Grandma to chat. Or maybe it simply means quietly reflecting and remembering. Reminiscing can bring a lot of feelings to the surface, which can sometimes be hard. But, I believe acknowledging them allows for growth, reflection, and making the most of this Christmas season.

I like to look through pictures of Christmases past with our kids. They love flipping through their memory books and Christmas is the perfect time to slow down one evening and do it by the tree.

How can you find time to reminisce? There’s value in doing this both alone or with a friend or family group. How will you reminisce this year?

Embrace.

There is going to be a whole lot of joy this week. And there also might be a whole lot of disappointments, meltdowns, and what-in-the-worlds. Try to embrace it. All of it. I’m preaching to my own little heart choir here. Let’s embrace the hard and unflattering and annoying. Let’s let go of all the shoulds and go with the right nows. As we walk through our everyday Christmas moments, how can we embrace the mess and imperfect moments? How can we walk with our people through the disappointments and (dare I say) temper tantrums?

This week my mantra is Embrace. I am a realist and know this week won’t be perfect. It will be messy because I am an imperfect human living with five other imperfect humans. But they are my humans and I want to be here with them, in the mess and beauty and miracle of celebrating the birth of our Savior. This week I want to be present and embrace all of it.

Don’t forget the sprinkles.

This week comes around once a year, friends. Let’s not hold back on celebrating. I believe there is always reason to celebrate, but with Christmas there is no question. Bring out the sprinkles. Get out the whipped cream. Stay up late. Go to bed early. Let the kids eat cookies for breakfast. Make a four course meal. Have a movie marathon. Hello The Family Stone. Stay in pajamas all day. Get fancy and dressed up. Whatever matters, really matters, do it this week. Pour sprinkles on all of it because this is a special, magical time of year.

This is the only Christmas ever I will have a nine year old, seven year old, four year old, and two year old under my roof. I don’t want to forget that. I’m planning on doing all the things that matter to us this week. Movies and pajamas and lights and {extra} cookies and time together. The sprinkles will not be sparse.

What matters to you and your people? How can you add sprinkles to this week?

I love this time of year and am grateful I get to spend it with the people I love the most. How will you enjoy this week?

Vanessa

Pre-Christmas Purge

A Simpler Home, A Simpler Motherhood

Christmas morning. Saying those words brings me back to my childhood. I remember sneaking out of my bed before dawn as a kid.  My brother, sister, and I would round the turn at the top of the stairs and peak around the corner at the tree in all her glory with presents scattered around the living room.  It was an extraordinary morning and almost always ended with a surprise.

My mom did Christmas well when I was a kid, keeping the magic alive and curating an environment that made Christmas morning special, magical, and full of wonder. I can maybe (maybe) tell you a handful of gifts I received on those mornings growing up, but I can absolutely describe the way Christmas morning made me feel. Safe, warm, loved, cherished, celebrated, and part of something bigger than myself.

Before we get to the magical few hours on Christmas morning, what if we prepare?  Prepare our hearts for the miracle of Christmas and our homes for the abundance Christmas brings.  The past few years we have done a Pre-Christmas Purge to prepare for the gifts coming into our home.  It is always well received because we do it under the pretense that Christmas will be here soon and others may find value in the things we no longer need or want. A Pre-Christmas purge can help us with A Simpler Christmas.

You may have seen a version of this on social media. Families are setting out a box labeled ‘Old Toys for Santa’ or a box with the child’s name on it. The idea is for kids to go through their toys and donate toys no longer used. Essentially, this is a Pre-Christmas Purge.

Maybe you are needing to implement a Pre-Christmas Purge into your home.  You see the knick knacks, the books, the Chick-fil-A-whatevers piling up.  Here is a breakdown of how our family does a Pre-Christmas Purge.

Pre-Christmas Purge

Get it on the calendar

Since Christmas will be here (like really soon), try and implement this in the next few days or week. Put it on the calendar or your to-do list in the next day or two.

I understand there could already be 1,000 things on your to-do list at this very moment, but a little Pre-Christmas Purge doesn’t take long and I personally think it’s incredibly worth it.  But if you can’t find the time, feel free to stop reading and come back after Christmas when we will do a Post-Christmas Purge.

Announce the Pre-Christmas Purge

It’s time to let everyone know. Tell your people there is abundance in the house and you need to make room for all the fun things coming at Christmas.  This would be a great time to discuss how it’s important to give to others.  We always tie this in as one of our gifts to Jesus on his birthday.  If you have littles, maybe start with having them find 10 things they would like to donate or give away.  We always start there.  Most of the time it snowballs and turns into much much more.

Get to it.

It’s time to get to it.  I think the best way to begin a Pre-Christmas Purge is by Mom or Dad initiating it.  We need to lead by example. Go to your closet, the bookshelf, or the kitchen drawers and find 10 things you no longer need. Grab an empty Amazon box and put the items inside, while talking to your family about it. Encourage each member of the family to find 10 things to put in the bin. As your family goes through items, decide if the items need to be recycled, trashed, or still have life and can go to a new home.

Praise.

After everyone has found the things they want to donate, PRAISE your people!  We all love some good words said about us, so let’s not hold back when our family has done something to make our homes simpler and more manageable.  Praise the ones you love for purging before Christmas.

Donate…soon.

Take 20 minutes and get those items out of your house.  Find a church, school, or mission-oriented organization and donate those items.  I speak from experience when I say if you keep them around, there is a good chance those toys and books and what-nots could creep back into your home.  Make it a learning experience and take your kids to help you with the drop off and grab hot cocoa after.

A Pre-Christmas Purge always makes me feel lighter and the incoming plethora of gifts from the ones we love more exciting and manageable.  It allows me to accept the gifts without thinking about where we are going to put them or how we are going to manage them.  The Pre-Christmas Purge sincerely allows me to enjoy the season a tiny bit more.

Tell me, will you do a Pre-Christmas Purge this year?  If time isn’t on your side, stay tuned for a Post-Christmas Purge coming after the big day.

Vanessa

What I’m Loving in December

A Simpler Motherhood

Where do I begin and how do I choose? There is so much to love about this time of year. Here is my narrowed down list of What I’m Loving in December.

What I’m Loving in December

The Tree

I couldn’t not begin with this one because it’s simply true. Having the Christmas tree up to gaze at is one of my favorite things about this time of year. It’s also a great symbol of me letting go of control. My kids took the reins this year with decorating the tree and although I wanted to micromanage where the ornaments went, I let Jesus (and the kids) take the wheel. They did a good job and knowing they worked hard on it makes looking at it that much sweeter.

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel

When I had babies and toddlers, my nails never were rarely (if ever) painted. Now that I have a few more minutes in the day, I sometimes get the chance to paint my nails. It brings me a bit of joy and makes me feel a little more put together. It takes me about 45 minutes start to finish and lasts a little over a week. When a nail salon isn’t in the cards, this polish is a great substitute.

Time Together and Apart

Last week my husband and I got away together. It was wonderful and restful and reflective and always gives us a renewed appreciation for our babes and our life together. Before we left, we were intentional with spending quality, distraction free time as a family. Knowing we were going to be away made us more intentional and strategic with our time with our babes. Absence makes the heart grow fonder is cliche, but true. Now that we are back, I’m soaking up all the fun, festive things we will do together as a family during this season.

Goat Cheese

Okay, this is obvious, but I have been loving it {extra} lately. While I type this, I am currently smothering some goat cheese with honey on gluten free crackers. If there is something on the menu with goat cheese, I order it. If there is goat cheese at a gathering, I eat it. If there is a recipe with goat cheese in it, I try it. I indulge a little more this time of year and I never regret splurging on this treat.

A friend shared a recipe for Roasted Carrots with Candied Pecan and Goat Cheese with our Cooking Club last month. We tried it out for Thanksgiving and you better believe it was my favorite thing on the menu. Maybe because it had goat cheese? Probably. Yes. If you need a side dish, this. is. it.

Lowering the Lights

This time of year it is dark, like really dark, at our house a little before 5:00. There is part of me that is a little upset about this and another part of me that wants to embrace it. Instead of fighting back with all the artificial lights, I have been leaning into it a bit more. Our bodies weren’t meant to take in light all day. So after dinner each night, I turn off as many lights as makes sense and light candles and turn on twinkle lights instead. It slows the movement around our home and allows us to ease into our nighttime routine. Our biological clocks have been thanking us for this small practice with better sleep.

There are so many things to love about this time of year. What are you loving in December?