Week 3/52: Beloved Weekly Shares
Three weeks in and I already missed week 2. Ha! It happens. Welcome to my perfectly imperfect blog. :)
I loved reading this wisdom from a mom looking back over her last 20 years of mothering. This is a really sweet read for those of us with littles, especially in the beginning of a new year.
I listen to just a few different podcasts, but Jamie Ivey's "Happy Hour" is probably my favorite. This past week she chatted with Korie Robertson and it was really interesting to hear from her.
Two tips from The Nester to keeping your house tidy. Really smart.
From a healthcare standpoint and as a mom, I found this article really intriguing. Aven was estimated at 7 1/2 lbs on her last ultrasound, and the next day was born at 9.4 lbs! (I am SO glad I was unaware of her size or it totally would have messed with my head!) I wish more doctors would remember that it's only an ESTIMATE when discussing method of delivery with expecting moms.
I have a goal to read 30 books this year and many of these book recommendations are on my To Read list. I'd love to hear any of your recent favorite reads.
The Nester (my favorite home blog) has an amazing course in home design called The Cozy Minimalist where she covers all the basics and teaches you how to build a room step by step while using mostly what you already have. I loved going through this course, and registration is open again, but only for a few more days.
hope everyone has a great week! I'm hoping to kick this sinus infection to the curb.
xo,
Shanna
Sometimes your shortcomings just smack you in the face. Like, for example, the other day when I told my kid, "you do you." As soon as the words left my mouth I braced myself for her to repeat my snarky comment back to me but thankfully it kind of zipped right by her.
Clearly, there's always room for improvement when it comes to my mothering.
There is one area in particular I know every mom can use some work in, because it's one of my biggest struggles.
The one theme I want for my motherhood this year is this:
Kindness.
Namely, to myself.
I can be pretty hard on myself. I'm still feeling out this motherhood role, and I want so badly to "get it right." ALL THE TIME. I mean, we all do. But that's just an unrealistic and unfair standard to hold ourselves to. So this year, I will be kind to myself.
I will grant myself permission to not be perfect.
I will focus more on my mom wins than my mom fails.
I will speak truth and life over my daughter and myself, not words of negativity.
I will brag on other moms and cheer them on rather than wasting time comparing and judging.
I will be easy on myself as I inevitably approach a new stage of motherhood with new challenges. In the midst of that, I will be intentional to show myself grace, allow mess-ups, and forgive myself quickly.
Worry less, revel more.
I will value what veteran moms have to say because I have so much to learn.
I will teach my daughter that kindness has to be extended first to yourself before you can genuinely show it to others.
When I'm struggling, I will not hesitate to ask for help or guidance. I will lean on my village.
I will cultivate a sense of gratitude for this sweet season of life; motherhood has been so good to me.
I will rest on the truth of what God says about me: I am a good mom, I am doing a good job, and this job matters SO MUCH.
I will choose to believe that I am the best one for THIS specific job: mama to Aven.
I will see my truest reflection not in my bathroom mirror, but in my heavenly Father's kind eyes.
Let's be kind this year, okay? Starting with ourselves.
xo,
Shanna
Guess who's back? Back again...
First, Happy New Year!
Back in October when I jumped on the #Write31Days bandwagon, I left my Beloved Weekly Shares in the dust. But I've missed sharing my favorite finds and links every week, so I'm starting off the new year with my first post of 2016 and a new round of BWS!
Welcome to week 1/52:
In this piece, I see myself as I am now: mom to a toddler, oftentimes frazzled and just trying to get through Target with everyone still smiling. But I also see my future mom self; who I'll be when my babies are grown, and what I'll say looking back over the most precious years of my life.
These fox flats. I die. So much so that I bought another pair a size up for Aven because her current ones are a little too snug. *P.S., they are on sale right now. :)
Sleep is important. I could have confirmed that for you right about Day 3 of Motherhood, since you really learn this lesson when it's TOO LATE, but this article actually backs it up scientifically. Pretty interesting stuff.
Sometimes I get on an organization kick, and I love my house so much when everything is in it's place. (I just wish it came naturally to me!) Scrolling through this list of Jen's top organization posts makes me want to spend ALL DAY getting things in order.
Thanks to a mom on a mission, so many children with Down Syndrome in China now have the chance to join families and flourish. This makes me smile, all the way from my heart to my face.
And if you'll let me, I wanted to share a piece of my own. It's the first piece I've had published somewhere other than my own site, something I hope to do more of in this new year. I snapped this Instagram picture several months ago when my new North Face jacket arrived in the mail....and was promptly hijacked by my toddler. It made me realize all the many, countless ways we moms give of everything we have.
I'm really looking forward to this next year, and I can't wait to share with you as I go. Thanks for being here!
xo
Shanna
