Last week was particularly busy, but thankfully I had my planner to help me sort through my thoughts and to-dos. I was exhausted by the time I got home from work each day, so I didn’t pop on to blog at all (GASP) and I didn’t get to show you my week 4 planner spread (DOUBLE GASP). But hopefully that means today is a treat because I get to show you both planner spreads for week 4 and week 5! Mini-celebration, woo!
2019 planning is in full swing. For those of you who just started using your 2019 planner, how is it going for you? Do you feel like you are keeping up with it? I used to be rather wishy-washy with planner usage, but since getting the Blessed Is She planner, I’ve completely committed to writing everything out. I also use it as a memory keeper too. It’s just the best.
Happy planning!
Read MoreExcuse me while I compose myself, because I’m sobbing like a baby. Well, not like a baby. I am sobbing like a mom. And you know what that looks like. It’s eyes filled to the brim while I gaze upon my little girl who is growing right before my eyes. I am smiling and crying at the same time. I am looking at this little four year-old but simultaneously seeing the little baby I used to hold in my arms and a young lady stepping further into independence.
Emma started ballet today. We have been talking about getting her into ballet since she was two. She has always enjoyed dancing and twirling. I could tell that she wanted to dance before she even formed complete sentences. It was important to me that this be her choice. I did not want to project some ideal of my own for wanting a little ballerina in the family. I waited until she kept asking and seemed serious about starting something she could claim as her own.
There is a local ballet academy that is considered to be more serious and structured in which I thought Emma would thrive and enjoy. And today, she started her first pre-ballet class and I am beaming with joy and pride and mom-sized emotions.
Read MoreOver on my Instagram, I get this question a lot:
How do I handle work/life balance?
I have a love-hate relationship with this question. On the one hand, it’s an honest question. I work full-time out of the home and I have a family and other stuffs going on that need my attention. How do I manage this someone might wonder. But on the other hand, I know this whole balance phenomenon is really another way to make women feel badly about themselves because we go straight into the comparison game. Because the truth is, what works for one family and one working mother is different than what works for another family. Balance is a myth, an illusion. Because everyone’s balance scale is made differently. How we divide our hours or household duties or parenting responsibilities is completely unique to each family. So now that that’s out of the way, I can tell you what works for me.
I’m always learning and our situation is always changing and our stage of life is ever-evolving, so this is what works for me right now. (Legal disclaimer - I have no idea what I am talking about. Okay, maybe not a legal disclaimer, just my general motherhood motto, ha! *upside down smiley face emoji*)
Get all our stuff ready the night before.
Heading out the door, I’ve got to grab my lunch, the kids’ lunches, pumping parts, purse filled with my planner and wallet and anything I’ll need, jackets, spare diapers, tuition checks, breakfast, etc. I have found that our mornings run much more smoothly when we have things ready the night before. Emma lays out her clothing. The lunches are packed. Bottles are clean. My outfit and accessories are folded nicely in a little pile. That way, I can wake up early, get ready in the bathroom, then wake the kids and feed them breakfast and head out the door. It’s much easier than wondering WHERE THE DANG SHOE WENT. You know what I mean.
Read MoreI promised myself that when I went back to work, I would keep up with regular posting. We’ll see how well I do at keeping that promise. I may just have to type out posts after all the kids go down or, in this case, while Theo is sleeping on my chest and I’m balancing my computer on my lap with pillows. But I’ll cut to the chase so on to the planner!
For my planner spread this week, I used my new sticker book with boss babe themed stickers in honor of my return to work. I’ve been experimenting with my layouts, so I like how this one turned out. Which reminds me, I need to show you my bullet journal spreads too. I’ll add that to my “to blog” list.
Here is this week’s spread! I am all heart eyes for it.
Read MoreMy dear Theo,
Things may seem different today. You do not have a concept of time quite yet, but you may feel that things are different. You may be wondering where I am or why I’m missing from your day. Well sweet boy, I have returned to my work outside the home. At home, I take care of you and your big sister and brother, but at work I take care of other people who need me. It is important work, I think. But I want you to know, raising you and your siblings is the most important work I’ll ever do, the most important thing I’ll ever do.
I want you to know that I love what I do outside the home too. I love taking care of my patients and making them smile. I hope I am part of, however small that part is, improving their quality of life. I hope they feel that I care and that I empathize and that I want to be a partner in care with them.
I also want to show you, Emma, and Henry that you can use those qualities God has given you to help others and be uniquely able to improve the lives of others by your own special gifts. I have felt called to care for this population of patients and I hope one day you answer whatever call God puts on your heart.
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