Best You

Like I told you all earlier this week, I had a great time at The Belong Tour. My head has been spinning with a few of the things the different speakers shared, so today I thought I'd share what I've been thinking about. Shauna Niequest spent a lot of time focusing her talk on her journey to get back her "best self," the self that God had created her to be. I thought this was really interesting. She asked us to all think back to when we think we were our all around best, and use that as inspiration. 

I'm sure different thoughts went through everyone's head. Some probably thought about when their body was the best and most healthy- for me it was probably my senior year of college. However, just because my body was best, I definitely was not my best self. Plus, that self was single, selfish and self-centered.

Some people probably thought about when they were at their best with their walk with God. For me I was having the most impactful quiet time for about the two years leading up to getting pregnant with Hannah, so I don't want to be there, because that means no Hannah. 

Some people might think about when their relationship was the "loviest." For me, that was probably when Brian and I were doe-eyed newly weds, totally unaware that marriage takes work, and that there will be challenges we will have to face, coming out better on the other side. 

Then I decided, this is exactly where I want to be. Now. Even though my body isn't at it's best, I can struggle to get in quality quiet time with God, and I realize marriage takes work. God can use me each day right here- in the messy house, the noisy kids, the and the often less than perfectness of everyday life. He can use you too.

It's though each stage of my life, I've learned so much. I know I am a much more patient person now than I ever was. I have also learned that it is not about me the majority of the time, and that others can teach me just as much, if not more, than I teach them.

This also makes me think about what Patsy Clairmont said, "If you know something to be true, make adjustments and stop whining about it." If I know this is where I want to me and am listening to God and allowing him to use me right here, I need to stop whining about the messy, the crazy, and the fact that it is not about me most of the time. I really am happy in in "the now," so why whine? 

I do want to continue to be better each day, but I think "best self" is a work in progress, not a destination.

What do you all think about the concept of finding your best self? Are you where I am, or do you have a different take entirely?

Absolutely nothing I am wearing is new, but I am excited to pull this dress out again! I got it from thredUP (use this link for $10 off your first purchase), for less than $20, and I hadn't worn it since I was pregnant, for obvious reasons, but now that I'm back to school and nursing during the day isn't an issue, I've been really enjoying wearing dresses again.  Although this dress is old (ish) JCrew has a really fun option this year, and it's on sale!

Life Lately

Today I thought I'd share a recap of life Lately via Instagram.

Recently I got another pair of Nickel & Suede earrings in the mail! Love those things! I also lucked out and found "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" at our neighborhood Little Free Library. I'm still working on another book, but I can't wait to read this one!

The Belong Tour Recap

This last weekend I had the opportunity to go to the Belong Tour in Lincoln, Nebraska with one of the great friends. It was so much fun and today I thought I'd share my experience with you!

The Belong Tour's purpose is to create a space that will bring together women, so we all can embrace our stories with courage and honor. It's a wide open space where women can share, heal, connect, learn, laugh. It's an opportunity for us to to dive into who we really are at our core, and how we can best become who we were created to be.

I will add, this is NOT "Women of Faith 2.0." Each of the women's stories are filled with ways in which God's presence in their lives has helped them become the best version of themselves. Books of the Bible are mentioned, as well as verses, but the actual verse is not cited. This really seemed to bother some people on the Facebook group specific to the Lincoln event, so I want to share that now, so there is no confusion. It didn't bother me, as it didn't change the truth of God's word for me. Plus, if you're considering coming and the idea of Bible verses seems overwhelming to you, the way stories were shared was very understandable without being overwhelming.

What I really liked the was "realness" of each speaker, so whether the concept of God is something that is ambiguous to you, or you consider yourself a Christian walking in faith daily, this tour is for you. 

Time

I recently had an IG buddy wonder how I had time to be a mom, wife, read, work, blog and keep my house clean (ha!). She joked I must have found some kind of time space continuum (I wish!) But, in all honestly, I could really use a bit more time in each day. Couldn't we all?

School is keeping me extra busy with huge curriculum changes, and I've been carrying a book around for the last week and haven't had time to crack it once.  I had a moment last night (right before I wrote this) where I was like, "Oh yeah, I need to get a post ready for tomorrow..." I hadn't written it over the weekend, because I had nothing interesting to say, and I still don't. Whoops! I also have nothing planned for next week either, and honestly, I'm ok with that. 

I have the Belong Tour this weekend, which I'm really excited about, but that means no time to take pictures, which is fine by me. I'm hoping to share a recap of the event next week with you all, we'll see what else I have time to share. So, moral of the story, I'm not aware of any time space continuum, and now I'm going to finish up this post and go read my book while sitting next to my husband....that's quality time right? ; )

I just got this top and love it! It's so fun and different and it's less than $20! I wore this outfit last weekend. It was pretty cool, so it was nice to get out my flares again!

I also just got these Nickel & Suede earrings on sale.  I'm pretty sure I want to add every color to my collection at this point....

Food for Thought

Last week I saw this video on my Facebook feed. It's all about how we as adults talk to kids and it specifically was talking about the school setting. You should seriously take two minutes to watch it! It really made me think. As teachers and adults in general, we make such an impression on the children we teach, as well as our own children (obviously).

We can easily get annoyed at our students and our children, but how we respond has such power over how they feel about themselves. I notice that it's usually pretty easy to keep my cool with my students, but I can easily lose it with Grant at home. I want Grant to know he is loved, so my words and actions should be showing that. 1 John 4:19 says, "We love because he first loved us." God has always loved me, even though I don't deserve it, so I'm really out of excuses when it comes to showing love to others.

My current goal is to make my interactions with my students, as well as at home show love, even when I don't feel like it. No excuses.

I've been wearing this top like crazy. I wore this to church recently and ended up adding a white cardigan, since it was a cool morning. These red pants are also one of my favorite purchases this summer, I've been wearing them nearly each week, and hope to carry them into the fall too.

8 Months Old

Hannah is officially 8 months old! It seems like a lot has happened since I did her 7 month update. This month has been crazy with back to school and girlfriend had a cold that just wouldn't quit. It was her first, and I know I should be grateful that she went 7 months without getting sick, I still hate it.

Getting Hannah to sit still for a picture this month was pretty much impossible, I gave up after a few minutes, because it's so true to who she is right now. She wanted, me, the camera, and to crawl, she did not want to pose for a picture. ; ) She wants to crawl so badly and keeps getting on all fours...than going backwards. Whomp, whomp.

Hannah is generally a pretty great eater when it comes to cereal and baby food, while she'd gotten a bit finicky when it came to bottle and nursing. She was getting so distracted, so anytime she nursed I had to go to her room. Then she was sick and suddenly she was all about the nursing and literally turning her nose up to baby food. Luckily, she's eating baby food pretty well again, but she was totally stressing me out! There's nothing worse than a sick baby who can't tell you what' bothering them!

Hannah also got her first tooth! Finally! I'm assuming number two isn't that far behind, but she HATES when I try to check out her mouth for more teeth.

She's also starting to cruise a bit, but I wish she knew she needed to learn to crawl first. ; )

Hannah has started babbling and say consonants on repeat, which is super fun. She also thinks it's super hilarious when I say them back to her. I see "mama" and "dada" in her near future.

She has also started to get super excited when I pick her up to daycare. She's reaching for us at home and thinking about waving too.

I know I've said this a million times, but we are so blessed to have this little girl in our lives! I'm excited to see what this next month has in store!

In the Groove

Ok, I'm going to say it, I feel like we're getting into a predictable routine around with the house. Brian and I are getting into a flow of getting everyone out of the house by about 7:15. My days at school fly by, then I'm able to get the kids around 4:00, come home, play with the kids, then get dinner ready while Hannah takes a nap.  I'd really hoped she'd be down to two naps by now, but her naps at daycare are not great, whomp whomp, so girlfriend is tired come 5:00.Then, it's time for me to cook dinner and clean up the kitchen. Then, we eat as a family once Brian is home. Hannah is up at 6:00, and it's dinner for her, baths for the kids, then some playing before bedtime. That leaves about two hours for Brian and I before it's time for us to go to bed.

If you'd asked me last spring is I felt like I was in a groove, the answer would be a resounding no. I was stressed about getting dinner cooked and totally exhausted from being up at night with Hannah. Now that she (pretty much) is sleeping through the night I feel like a new person! There is light at the end of the sleep deprived tunnel! I feel like we are finally getting this "family of four" thing figured about and I know I'm doing a much better job of "letting" Brian help, and he's doing a much better job of taking on tasks with the kiddos too.

There are plenty of times when #momminainteasy , but man, we need to celebrate when times are good, then remember them once they get tough again too.



A little note, I tried to take pictures Saturday and it was windy and gross. The picture above was a one take shot by Grant Sunday morning, and it was way better than any picture I tried on Saturday. The two below are from Saturday. I switched up the jewelry above and and didn't pull my hair back. Real life, people. :)

I just got this dress in the mail and love it! The style is fun and flattering, and the quality is great too. For reference, I got a medium.  Also, let's talk about these shoes for a minute, they are the best! I had a 30% off coupon for our local department store, so that helped with the price, but I think they will be worth every penny. I'm not sure if it's getting older, or what, but heels and I just aren't getting along like we used to. I'm pretty sure these will be on constant rotation!