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(1) MEMORIZING LATIN IS HARD.
I got a wild hair to memorize the Pater Noster (the Our Father in Latin) and wow. So hard. I listen/watch the chant on Youtube (with the words – crucial) almost daily and am making small victories. You know you’re a little bit crazy when the house sounds like a monastery and nobody bats an eye! I told Mark that when I get it down, I’m going to stand in front of the living room and present it like I’m in the fifth grade, hah!
(2) TODDLER WEANING IS ALSO HARD.
TJ will be 18 months in March and I’m ready for a break! Unfortunately, this is the first time that I’ve had a baby who shows no interest in weaning and I’m trying to figure out what to do. We’ve reduced nursing to nap and bedtime, but he’s not above having a full-out fit when he doesn’t get his way. It’s totally a battle of wills and I’m exhausted already.
TJ will be 18 months in March and I’m ready for a break! Unfortunately, this is the first time that I’ve had a baby who shows no interest in weaning and I’m trying to figure out what to do. We’ve reduced nursing to nap and bedtime, but he’s not above having a full-out fit when he doesn’t get his way. It’s totally a battle of wills and I’m exhausted already.
(3) GOD’S TIMING IS MYSTERIOUS, BUT I’M GETTING BETTER AT ACCEPTING IT.
You don’t have to read here long to know about me and my never-ending quest for contentment. We had yet another teaser of an opportunity fall through and while this one stung, I’m slowly learning to accept that God knows best. I’ve also been repeating the phrase, “And if not, He is still good”, which is sort-of based on Daniel 3:18. I’m still not sure if God’s answer to our prayers is no or not yet, but God is faithful and I have peace.
(4) MY NEW FAVORITE SAINT IS JOSEPHINE BAKHITA.
I am ashamed to say that I had never even heard of her before working on February’s Living Seasonally post, but after hearing her story, I feel connected to her in a special way. Not because our stories are similar in any way (the suffering she endured throughout her life was absolutely horrendous), but because I feel she has so much to teach me.
I am ashamed to say that I had never even heard of her before working on February’s Living Seasonally post, but after hearing her story, I feel connected to her in a special way. Not because our stories are similar in any way (the suffering she endured throughout her life was absolutely horrendous), but because I feel she has so much to teach me.
(5) THERE IS A LOT TO LEARN ABOUT THE STARS.
I’m taking a new class on The Great Courses Plus called Our Night Sky. When I chose it, I thought, “Huh. I don’t know much about the constellations and it would be fun to learn along with the kids.” Um wow. Astronomy is no joke! The professor is knowledgeable, but talks fast, and I’m trying my best to keep up! I’m easily lost when he starts in on how this planet is this many light years away (all of the numbers, ahh), but I’m excited to save up for a telescope and actually learn through hands-on experience. Until then, I downloaded the Google Sky Maps app on my phone and that’s been really fun to explore with the kids. (Another good resource: printing off the month’s Evening Sky Map)
I’m taking a new class on The Great Courses Plus called Our Night Sky. When I chose it, I thought, “Huh. I don’t know much about the constellations and it would be fun to learn along with the kids.” Um wow. Astronomy is no joke! The professor is knowledgeable, but talks fast, and I’m trying my best to keep up! I’m easily lost when he starts in on how this planet is this many light years away (all of the numbers, ahh), but I’m excited to save up for a telescope and actually learn through hands-on experience. Until then, I downloaded the Google Sky Maps app on my phone and that’s been really fun to explore with the kids. (Another good resource: printing off the month’s Evening Sky Map)
(6) WHEN SOMETHING ISN’T WORKING, IT’S OKAY TO CHANGE THINGS UP.
I’ve been in a big exercise rut the last few months. And then came the “DUH” moment: as much as I love a plan set out for me, sometimes you just need to shake it all up and try something new. I’ve been trying a variety of exercises and trainers and I’m actually waking up excited to work out!
I’ve been in a big exercise rut the last few months. And then came the “DUH” moment: as much as I love a plan set out for me, sometimes you just need to shake it all up and try something new. I’ve been trying a variety of exercises and trainers and I’m actually waking up excited to work out!
(7) MY LAUNDRY DRIES FASTER AND SMELLS BETTER TOO BECAUSE OF ONE SMALL CHANGE.
Through the rabbit hole of Pinterest, I came across this blog post and knew I had to try it myself. I found a wonderful seller on etsy (more about that shop soon!) and tried them out right away. And all of the claims in that post are true!
Through the rabbit hole of Pinterest, I came across this blog post and knew I had to try it myself. I found a wonderful seller on etsy (more about that shop soon!) and tried them out right away. And all of the claims in that post are true!
(8) I SEE COOKING AS A DREADED CHORE AND I WANT TO CHANGE THAT.
I’ll blame it on my very stressful toddler (sorry TJ), but I just have zero enthusiasm for the kitchen right now. Every meal seems like a chore and I get embarrassingly stressed about what to feed the family and myself. I stare blankly at my meal planning notepad. I just can’t get it together and it’s something I want to change. And that’s got to be the first step to improvement, right?
I’ll blame it on my very stressful toddler (sorry TJ), but I just have zero enthusiasm for the kitchen right now. Every meal seems like a chore and I get embarrassingly stressed about what to feed the family and myself. I stare blankly at my meal planning notepad. I just can’t get it together and it’s something I want to change. And that’s got to be the first step to improvement, right?
(9) I’M STILL BABY STEPPING INTO ESSENTIAL OILS AND VERDICT: SO FAR, SO GOOD!
Last month, I was pretty overwhelmed with all there is to learn about essential oils. When there is a steep learning curve, I tend to paralyze myself with uncertainty: where do I even begin?! In February, I decided to just jump in somewhere. I finally tried the Stress Away from the Starter Kit, which has a roller attachment for applying to your wrists and neck. (Mark likes it too.) I took a class about the digestive system and am experimenting with ways to heal some symptoms I’ve been having. I purchased the V-6 Vegetable Oil, so I can start trying the oils topically. I have also been adding a few drops to my dryer balls and love the subtle scent on our clothes.
(My member number is #3507725 if you ever want to order something!)
Last month, I was pretty overwhelmed with all there is to learn about essential oils. When there is a steep learning curve, I tend to paralyze myself with uncertainty: where do I even begin?! In February, I decided to just jump in somewhere. I finally tried the Stress Away from the Starter Kit, which has a roller attachment for applying to your wrists and neck. (Mark likes it too.) I took a class about the digestive system and am experimenting with ways to heal some symptoms I’ve been having. I purchased the V-6 Vegetable Oil, so I can start trying the oils topically. I have also been adding a few drops to my dryer balls and love the subtle scent on our clothes.
(My member number is #3507725 if you ever want to order something!)
(10) WHEN YOU FEEL THE PROMPTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, ACT.
Too often, I ignore that feeling in my gut for so many reasons: I doubt my ability, I don’t want to impose, I’m afraid I’ll look silly, etc etc. Trying to remember that trust and going outside of my comfort zone can create good things in this world, if only I have the courage.
Too often, I ignore that feeling in my gut for so many reasons: I doubt my ability, I don’t want to impose, I’m afraid I’ll look silly, etc etc. Trying to remember that trust and going outside of my comfort zone can create good things in this world, if only I have the courage.
What I Learned Archives // January
