beloved weekly shares { 3/52 }

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 

beloved weekly shares { week 1/52 }

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 

reading | watching | listening

This post contains affiliate links meaning if you purchase something through certain links I will receive a small commission.  Thank you for supporting the writing here at Beloved Nest. :)

Here's a quick little slice of random: 
what I'm reading, what I'm watching, and what I'm listening to....lately. 

// r e a d i n g //

Oh man. So many great books sitting on my nightstand just begging to be cracked open. Ever since attending Allume Conference, my "to read" list has gotten so long it's comical. And because I can't pick just one to read at a time, I end up reading about five at once.  

Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World by Kristen Welch. I'm on the launch team for this book and I'm just getting started on it. After my two mission trips to Thailand, I have a new perspective on this subject, and I'm really excited to hear this mom's wisdom. (Available for pre-order here, with some extras included)

Simply Tuesday by Emily P Freeman. I love Emily Freeman and everything she writes. I'm not very far into it yet, but it's definitely making me rethink the small moments of my day. 

The Writing Life by Annie Dillard. I recently bought several different books on writing and this was the first one I picked up. It's all underlined and highlighted and dog-eared. 

Moms On Call: Toddler Book. Moms on Call books are my favorite parenting books, written by moms who are also Registered Nurses. They have a simple, common sense approach to help you understand how to parent with confidence, from new baby care all the way through handling your "threenager". (They have books for 0-6 months and 6-15 months as well.) These are all quick and easy reads that you can even use as a reference by topic without sitting down and reading cover to cover.

// w a t c h i n g //

In the name of transparency, I should let you know that Mickey Mouse Clubhouse currently rules our tv. But besides that, I have a handful of shows I like to keep up with right now. 

P.S., promise not to judge? kthanksbye.

Right now, like at this very moment, I'm watching The Family Stone which I watch every holiday season. It's sad and crass and funny and did I mention sad? And the acting is great. 

Fixer Upper: NEW SEASON! This might be my favorite show and by that I mean it IS my favorite show. Chip and Joanna = relationship/life/parent/career goals all piled into one. 

Marriage Boot Camp Reality Stars (remember that promise that you made? Well you can go ahead and engage your non-judgement now). This show is just one big hot mess but Catherine & Sean Lowe are on it....as are Honey Boo Boo's parents. Enough said.

Jill and Jessa Counting On: I'm so intrigued by their family and how they are handling everything that's come their way lately. I'm especially appreciative of how open and vulnerable they are being on this spin-off, which I don't really remember seeing before.

Kate Bryan's hair tutorials (The Small Things Blog): honestly, I need help with my hair, and she knows what she's talking about. Just go watch and see. My hair thanks you Kate. 

// l i s t e n i n g // 

First, Christmas music, OF COURSE. I lovvve it so it's playing constantly, and even though Christmas is now over, I'll listen as long as the radio keeps playing it. Yep, I'm one of those people. :) (here's my favorite new song from this season - BREATHTAKING) 

Lauren Daigle: I only recently "discovered" her but she is probably my favorite singer. I have yet to hear a song of hers that I do not like. I especially love listening to her music for my quiet time. This is one of my favorites. 

Jamie Ivey's Happy Hour Podcast: She talks with a different woman every week about life, faith, books, favorites...anything that would come up during a normal girl chat. Fun!

North Point Community Church Podcast: I like hearing Andy Stanley's messages, and I just finished a great series called "Crazy Like Us" about generosity. 

I know that was a lot to take in, but I like to share what I love! As a complete aside, thin Oreo mint cookies are basically my new drug of choice and you should just avoid them at all costs (aka drop them in the mail to me). 

Hope you had a magical Christmas! We definitely did. 

xo, 
Shanna