Social Distancing :: Day 22

Today the original stay at home order was supposed to expire, but they have now been extended through the end of the month {and Dallas County until the end of May, so I'm sure the dominos will continue to fall}. I know this is the reality of where we are, but it's still so surreal and sobering to hear. 

Yesterday was actually the first time I left our neighborhood in 21 days {so crazy}. I took a drive to pickup some medications for me and Sasha, armed with my Lysol wipes and hand sanitizer, of course :)  I didn't actually leave my car, but I was just so thankful to be OUT. There was still a surprising amount of traffic, but it was strange to see empty parking lots around stores and restaurants. 

Moving Everything Online

I am so thankful that we have the technology to "meet" together online. It's definitely not the same, but how incredible is it that we live in a time when we can still "see" each other, while safely social distancing? This was our first full week of moving most of our normal activities online: from church and community group to Bible Study and Skype/FaceTime sessions with family.

Haha- this is a very typical preaching stance for Zach :)

I was wrangling the kiddos and didn't get to enjoy the time with our Community Group, but we have been making every effort to connect throughout the week

I am so thankful for these wonderful ladies in my BSF group. And they are even posting videos with the children's story and songs that I got to sit and watch with the kiddos. They definitely miss their teachers and friends!

Potty Training Update

Just thought I'd give a quick update...so far, not too bad. We have had 2 accident-free days {though not back-to back yet}, and overall, Eli and Maddie are seeming to get into the new routine. We still haven't ventured further than our yard {so no walks for us the past week}, but I'm hoping we can try that soon. I have been surprised with how quickly Eli has caught on, simply because he was the one that had shown zero interest in potty training before we started. I have not been surprised at all with how my Maddie girl has responded...she's doing well, but like any strong-willed child, she comes with her own set of special challenges :)  But overall, they're doing well. I have just decided that I hate the whole potty training process. It's just so time-consuming and inconvenient and inefficient haha. Thank goodness we don't have to be anywhere anytime soon. 

We have used a modified 3-day method. They were naked for the first 2 days, but both of my kiddos HATED that. My little modest kids were so uncomfortable with that. So we skipped the commando step and went straight to underwear. And they did so much better with that. And they are even wearing pants now. No pull-ups for us {they're just more expensive, and we still have diapers to use at nap and bedtime}. We also haven't used a reward system {no M&M's or stickers}, but we have talked a lot about not going potty in their Mickey and Minnie underwear {respectively}. But don't worry- they get lots of praise and potty dances when they go in the potty :)

It is pretty interesting potty training two at the same time...it can easily become a competition of who gets to go potty first, who gets to flush the toilet when they go one right after the other, etc. But I think it has actually worked to our advantage to have them both learning at the same time. They tell each other "we don't go pee-pee in our underwear" and will even sometimes encourage each other too. Aiden is there the whole time, watching, trying to stick his hand in the toilet, or climb up the stool to try to wash his hands too. Maybe he'll get potty trained soon too!

More Outside Time

Since we have needed to stick close to a toilet during potty training, we haven't been on any walks this week, but we have done our best to get a lot of outside time. We pulled out our bubble mowers, and that has been really fun. Aiden got to play with Maddie's old broken one, but he's too smart. He quickly figured out his wasn't making any bubbles and didn't like that too much #littlebrotherproblems

Bubble mower races...

{iPhone Rewind} :: February

Uncle Michael came over and got to read special books before nap time...he definitely lives up to his Uncle Awesome title :)

I was able to officially kick off my birthday week with this yummy creation from Lindsay! It was every bit as good as it looks.

Celebrating her bravery at the pediatric ophthalmologist {her pick was Chipotle}. I love this girlie so much!

He's pretty easily entertained :)

You do you, baby boy haha. He asked for each one of these pieces. He's got his own sense of style :)

Actually getting to enjoy my Starbucks birthday drink {because it's just not always feasible to get to Starbucks for that birthday reward on my actual birthday. Just sayin' Starbucks...}

This group of ladies {plus several others} have been such a sweet blessing to me this year! I have loved diving into the Word with them in my BSF class!

Uncle Michael spent the night, which made for some pretty happy kiddos :)

Nothing like a giant birthday banner colored by your kids to make your birthday that much more special!

My little book worm :)

Grandma and Papa sent fun Valentine's Day presents, and Eli loved the lace cards he got! Maddie got frustrated and gave up, but Eli played with them all morning.

I can't make this stuff up. 

They LOVED building a snowman for Valentine's Day haha! My kids have never seen Frozen but they know Olaf...and think he lives in our neighbor's yard :)

He sure loved the Valentine's cookies that Aunt Lindsay made!

My lap buddy for the morning

Master painter #1

Master painter #2

Fun at Crayola Experience!

Mike tried his hand at cutting Eli's hair...and did pretty good for a first attempt!

When you set out chairs for community group and let Aiden roam free...

He's going to be our funny one, I just know it :)

"Don't you want to go play?" "No, I want to snuggle with you, Mommy."

"Beeeee" {aka "cheese!"}

Donut snack run

Taking a phone call

2019 Goals :: December Check-In

Wrapping up my goals for the year! Whew :)

Goal #1: Drink 60oz of water every day

I again averaged about 30 ounces a day, and I had to work really hard for that...

Year Review :: Truth be told, I didn't shine on this one this year. It's really something I need to continue working on for my overall health, and I will continue to fight to drink a healthy amount of water on a daily basis.

Goal #2: Increase my fitness level

We faced a lot of sickness this month, so fitness {even our little walks around the neighborhood} took a nose-dive this month. 

Year Review :: Overall, I increased my fitness level from where I was at the beginning of the year. I still have a lot of fitness goals I'd like to achieve, but like I mentioned last month, I have to readjust my expectations on what that looks like in this season of motherhood. I still want to make it a priority; I want to be healthy! But I also don't need to freak out that I'm not running marathons {which I wouldn't do anyway} or attending all the mommy boot camps right now. There will be time to add in some more of those rigorous routine elements of fitness, but for now, I will focus on just staying active with my kiddos!

Goal #3: Listen to the Audio Bible daily

This month I listened to Hebrews 1-7.

Year Review :: I didn't listen to a lot this year, but I was consistently in the Word, so that's a huge win for me! I like having the Audio Bible as an option in this crazy season of motherhood. But I also feel like I was able to rely less on it this year and actually open up my physical Bible more.

Goal #4: Read 55 Books

I read 7 books this month, which got me SO close to my goal!

Year Review :: I didn't hit my goal of 55 books, but I'm ok with that. Reading 52 books is still a huge accomplishment for me, so I have no regrets on this one! I'll post my yearly review at the beginning of January, like I usually do :)

Goal #5: Participate in the #150hoursoutside project

This month we didn't get outside as much {again, due to sickness}. But I am so glad we both met and exceeded our goal for the year!

Year Review :: We exceeded our goal for the year! We ended up logging 202 hours of outside time, and I am so glad that we did this! I still want to increase the amount of time we spend outside, but I think this was a pretty good start, especially considering the craziness of our year!

Goal #6: Do something creative every month

I didn't do a single creative thing for myself this month, but I'm totally ok with that.

Year Review :: I am so glad I had this on my list this year. While I still have a laundry list of projects I wish I could be working on right now, I am thankful that I got to work on so many fun things this year. Having a little bit of a creative outlet is so fun and relaxing for me!

Goal #7: Be more intentional with discipling Eli and Maddie

This month, we focused on Advent. While we did the Shepherd's Treasure activities, I found that to be more of a fun Christmas activity thing, rather than an Advent one. But we did our Jesse Tree ornaments, along with our nightly Bible reading, and it went so well! Eli and Maddie loved reading a story every night at dinner time, and I really tried to focus on keeping our conversations on those stories and Bible truths throughout the day. 

Year Review :: I have really seen so much fruit from doing this! Eli and Maddie are still learning and piecing together general Biblical concepts, but it has been such a joy to watch them learn and remember simple Bible truths. I love singing songs with them, reading the Word with them, and talking about how good God is with them. This will continually be a challenge for me to keep conversations focused on Christ throughout our day, but I am so thankful for so many great resources!

2019 Goals :: November Check-In

I'm pushing through to the end of the year! I'm ready for these check-ins to be done, anyone else? :)

Goal #1: Drink 60oz of water every day

I think my "normal" is about 30oz per day, which is about half of where I need to be. So I think it's official that I didn't hit this goal this year... and yet, I don't think it's a complete loss. I think overall, I drank more water on a daily basis than I normally do {except when I was pregnant}. I'll just keep working on it.

Goal #2: Increase my fitness level

Still about the same as last month. We had some really lovely weather that allowed us to take more walks and get outside. But that was about the extent of my fitness this month. And while it's still something I want to do better with and incorporate into my daily life, I don't feel as stressed about it anymore. I know this is just a season {a short one, at that}, and so once my kiddos are a little older and more self-sufficient, I think this will be easier to accomplish in a way that I really want to, rather than in a "make it work however I can right now" kind of way. And I'm ok with that {for now}.

Goal #3: Listen to the Audio Bible daily

This month I listened to Acts 12-15, the book of 1 Peter, and Galatians 2.

Goal #4: Read 55 Books

I read 3 books this month. 

Goal #5: Participate in the #150hoursoutside project

We had some beautiful weather this month, which meant some good time outside! Of course, we also had some super cold days that kept us bundled up inside, but we tried to take advantage of the nice weather when we could! :)

Goal #6: Do something creative every month

I didn't do much creatively this month, but the bulk of it was for Eli and Maddie's birthday party. I also worked on some aprons and shirts with a company logo for my sister-in-law. She was show-casing her cookie decorating at an artisan fair and wanted to have her new company logo on some shirts and aprons. That was just a simple iron-on project, but still fun!

Goal #7: Be more intentional with discipling Eli and Maddie

We still make every effort to get to BSF every week. We have had to miss some due to sickness, but we are looking forward to continuing the last few weeks strong! We finished up the names of God cards from Tiny Theologians, and then we took a little break. We're gearing up for Advent, and we have lots of things planned for that!

Bible Study in the Season of Littles

One of the hardest things I have discovered in this season of raising littles is the difficulty in staying consistently in God's Word. And yet I have found myself needing to cling to scripture more than ever.  There have been a lot of ebbs and flows over the past few years, and Bible Study has seemed to look a little bit different in varying stages of motherhood so far. I certainly haven't figured it out, and have learned that it is just going to be a daily battle. But it's a battle worth fighting!

When the twins were born, we basically lived in survival mode for the whole first year. My normal routine of sitting down in the quiet, with a hot cup of coffee, and uninterrupted time reading my Bible was no longer possible. I tried. And failed miserably. Listening to the Audio Bible became my lifeline. Once babies were sleeping a little more, I found myself sitting in one place A LOT while feeding them. So we listened to the Word together during those 8-10 scheduled feeding times. I also listened to a lot of sermons, as well as several gospel-focused podcasts. And my sweet friend Laura also came to my rescue, asking me to do a Bible study with her. So then I could get into the Word with some accountability, without having to leave my house, which we were just not prepared to do yet haha.

After surviving that first crazy year, we were already preparing to add a third, and now Eli and Maddie were running around all over the place. They were sleeping more, yes; but my body was in recovery mode from all the lost sleep, and I found it really difficult to get up any earlier to have quiet time in the Word before the crazies were up. That's an excuse, I know. Full disclosure: I chose sleep during that time. So I continued listening to my Audio Bible. I also would read short devotionals before I went to bed at night. Definitely not the meat that I would normally recommend, but thankful for a small way to stay focused on God's Word. 

Before Aiden was born, I got the idea in my head that I could be part of a weekly Bible study that I could join via a video call. BSF offers satellite discussion groups, where you can talk about the weekly lesson with a small group via a Zoom call, and then you can get the lecture and notes online. I was super excited to join this study! I thought, surely I can make this work if I can do it from home, right? Well, enter newborn baby #3 who wasn't exactly on a schedule yet as a tiny 3-week old baby, the craziness of 3 under 3, and then my unexpected hospital visit that just threw all of life upside down. I felt so sad to have to leave that group, but the few times that I actually made the video call, I had to be on mute the whole time because Aiden was screaming in the background, as I was trying to feed him without flashing my poor Bible study group. So not exactly the organized/focused study I was hoping for...

During that time, I continued to listen to my Audio Bible, and I was meditating a lot on specific scripture verses. As I struggled with Postpartum Anxiety, one thing that really helped was to have Bible verses taped to my walls and written down within easy reach. So again, not the in-depth, pick-apart-the-passage study that I am used to, but still a way to stay connected to God's Word. 

And now? I felt like this summer I was finally emerging from the fog and chaos of new motherhood. And I was determined to get to a formalized Bible study. So I signed up for the Acts and Letters of the Apostles study with BSF, and I committed to get all 4 of us out of the house and to class. It has been HARD. Every Wednesday morning is nothing short of chaos. And I am completely exhausted by lunch time. But to be back in the study of God's Word, week after week, with other women who are earnestly seeking Jesus in this season of motherhood...it has been balm to my weary soul. I didn't realize just how much I had missed it. And I love that my kiddos are getting to study the same things that I am studying, just at their level {even Aiden!}. 

So what's the point in sharing all of this? Part of it is my own record; being able to look back over this season of motherhood and "remember when." But mostly, I want to encourage any other mamas who might be struggling. Mama to Littles, I want you to know that you need God's Word to make it through this hard season. Don't give up. It's going to be a daily battle, and it's not always going to look the way you thought it would {or should}. But keep fighting. It's 1000% worth the fight to stay in God's Word, whatever that looks like. Use this unique season to choose specific verses to spend days meditating on. Post it on your bathroom mirror, by your kitchen sink, somewhere you will see it all day long. 

This season is intense, and I know for me, it just seems like all you do is pour yourself out for other people. Which is why it's so important to be sure you are filling your soul so that you can sacrificially and daily serve your little people well. But Mama, give yourself some grace too! I had to let go a little of my "vision" of what Bible study should look like during this season. And I had to recognize that it is just that: a season. This grace isn't a free pass to drop God's Word or find some watered-down version of Bible study. But it is a recognition that God's Word is sufficient, and He is our strength and our shield. We can let go of the legalism of checking our Bible study box, and ask the Spirit to bring His scripture to mind throughout the day. We can find grace in digging back into God's Word, no matter how long it has been.

But whatever Bible study looks like in this crazy, unique season, I highly recommend having a Laura. Everyone needs a Laura in their lives {for multiple reasons!!} But what I mean by that is, make sure you have accountability. Have the friend who is going to constantly ask you what you have been studying in His Word. The friend who will walk through a book with you and have the craziness of all the babies in the background and love you when you didn't quite finish answering all of your questions again. The friend who will send you links to encouraging gospel-centered podcasts, or have an Amazon delivery sent to your house with a pretty devotional book. I am forever grateful for my dear friend, who is constantly pointing me to Jesus, and doing so in a way that lovingly keeps me focused :)  {Love you, friend!}

Hang in there, Mama to Littles! You can do this. Cling to God's Word however you can! I promise, it's worth it.

2019 Goals :: October Check-In

I am currently working to persevere to the end of the year with my goals. I am definitely losing some steam on things, but I think I have developed some good new routines overall, so that's got to be a resolution win, right?

Goal #1: Drink 60oz of water every day

I did well at the beginning of the month, but as it got colder, things started dropping off again. I tend not to drink as much {of anything} when it's cold outside.

Goal #2: Increase my fitness level

I increased my fitness from last month {which isn't saying a lot, considering that I didn't do anything last month haha}, and I have just resolved that my grand plans of fitness just aren't going to happen right now. I'll keep trying and working at it, but right now I am doing well to just remind myself to stay active. Having toddlers helps that, it's just not the fitness active that I would prefer to be. Maybe I can pursue more specific fitness goals later, when I can carve out a little more time for myself. For this month though, my "increase" was just more walks with the kiddos while the weather was nice.

Goal #3: Listen to the Audio Bible daily

Again, still listening to the verses in my BSF study, so less quantity, just more frequency. This month I listened to Acts 5-11.

Goal #4: Read 55 Books

I read 4 books this month. It felt good to be reading again :)

Goal #5: Participate in the #150hoursoutside project

For a good part of the month, we had GORGEOUS weather, so that made getting outside so fun! The past week or so has been super cold and rainy, so we didn't make it outside for several days haha. We'll just plan to enjoy the outdoors when we can!

Goal #6: Do something creative every month

This month, I worked on decorations for Eli and Maddie's third birthday! I'll be posting about their party soon, so you can see what I have been working on then :)

Goal #7: Be more intentional with discipling Eli and Maddie

We have continued with our Acts study in BSF. Eli and Maddie are still loving their class, and I love hearing about all they are learning! We also finished up the attributes of God from Tiny Theologians, and then started the names of God. These cards are really pretty...but not exactly toddler-friendly. Since the letters are in script, my kids don't recognize them. And the names were a little hard for little ones; I haven't heard my kids repeat the names as often as they did the atributes. We will still finish the alphabet and use them in the future, but they are definitely geared more for older kids {probably more school age}.

2019 Goals :: September Check-In

September felt off in a lot of ways...I definitely got out of some good rhythms, but also started a few good new ones. So we'll see what next month holds!

Goal #1: Drink 60oz of water every day

Meh. I probably averaged about 30-40oz a day. Not awesome, but not terrible.

Goal #2: Increase my fitness level

Hahahahahaha. Yeah, this definitely didn't happen this month. I found comfort in my "I workout. Just kidding. I chase twins." shirt. Surely that counts, right?

Goal #3: Listen to the Audio Bible daily

I started going to BSF again {yay!}, so I have been listening to the verses for the week. I don't listen to as many chapters, but I listen to the same verses repeatedly throughout the week. So this month I listened to Acts 1-4.

Goal #4: Read 55 Books

I read 0 books this month. ZERO. My guess is that I probably won't hit my goal this year {I have read 38 total, so I'd have to read 6 each month going forward}, but we'll see how close I can get. 

Goal #5: Participate in the #150hoursoutside project

We still had 90-100 degree days, so our time outside was pretty limited. But we did get outdoors some mornings before it got too hot. We're definitely looking forward to cooler days!

Goal #6: Do something creative every month

This month, I worked on a wood/vinyl sign for my Grandpa's 90th birthday party. I also started working on some things for Eli and Maddie's 3rd birthday {what??}, but I will wait to share that until later :)

Goal #7: Be more intentional with discipling Eli and Maddie

I was excited to start this Fall semester! I finally made the leap to get back into formal Bible study; I have desperately missed it. It is WORK to get everyone ready and out the door and to class on time. But it's SO worth it. I am studying Acts and Letters of the Apostles with BSF, and I am really excited that Eli and Maddie {and Aiden!} get to be a part of the preschool program. They walk through the same Scripture that I do, so then we get to review it together throughout the week. Aiden's leaders send home these handy cards that help us review the lesson together each morning at breakfast. I love that their little hearts are learning {and even remembering} truth!

We are also currently walking through some attributes of God. I bought the ABC's Bundle from Tiny Theologians, so we review one attribute each morning. Right now, we're doing good to repeat the attribute name- they see the letters and associate them with other things they know. So they see "A" and I ask them "A is for what?" and their answer is "Aiden!" Every time. Haha. But we'll get there. I look forward to using and reviewing these cards a lot in the future!