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intentional living, little by little
A collection of our ordinary days, recorded every week. At the end of the year, I’ll publish them into a keepsake to treasure.
Around here, I have been:
prioritizing my daily to-dos differently. I am typically a brain dump/get it all on paper kind of planner. But lately, as I’ve felt constantly behind and generally unaccomplished, I’ve realized my technique may actually be causing more stress. So instead, I have started writing three big items that I want to accomplish that day. Just three. I write down other things too, but the goal is cross off my top three. So far, it’s working and I’ve been going to bed feeling peaceful.
delighting in my children. Motherhood is HARD but it doesn’t have to be miserable. After a draining winter, I’m adopting a new mindset and wow, my soul needed it. Trying to find the good in my everyday, intentionally being joyful and mirroring that to my children, and remembering how truly blessed I am. Everything I have is a gift.
reading A Fifty-Year Silence: Love, War, and a Ruined House in France.
cooking lots of new things. I’ve made pancakes twice for breakfast and am perfecting my hearts and stick men. I also made Smoked Sausage Alfredo Bake and One Pot Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli and Rice. Both were delicious.
laughing at J as he repeatedly calls shorts “short sleeve pants”.
ordering M’s standardized testing. It is a homeschooling requirement in our state and I’m curious to see how he’ll do. He’s a little nervous, so I’m already making plans to make the day special. Maybe some Smarties candy between tests?
dying at the way Sophie says silly – she pronounces it “see-yee” with a little twinkle in her eye and it’s the cutest thing ever.
running without music during my short runs. Another attempt at less noise, less auditory clutter and more quiet.
caring for D, who has been feeling sick most of the week. I’m not sure if he’s come down with a spring cold or maybe it’s allergies. Thursday morning, he asked if he could just lay on the couch and rest. So unlike him! He also skipped out on soccer voluntarily, so I know he’s feeling crummy. Hopefully he’ll be back to himself soon.
watching episodes of Fixer Upper and wishing I could renovate an old home! My dream of owning a farmhouse is back with a passion.
making Big White Farmhouse a priority again. The ideas are rolling again and I’m feeling really excited for what’s to come. We are currently having a big spring sale until next Wednesday: 20% off with the coupon code “HELLOSPRING”!
homeschool notes:
+ We had a really great week in history. We read the story of Cyclops and made origami eyes. We also learned all about the first Olympics, made olive wreath crowns and are gearing up for a family Olympics this weekend. Sunday dinner will also be a Greek feast!
Back in 2013, I started the William Morris Project on my blog in an attempt to intentionally make my new house feel like home. I started strong, but quickly fizzled as I compared myself to others and felt like what I had to share didn’t match up. My project died just five posts in.
Fast forward to today and my attitude has completely changed. My home will never be perfect or Pinterest-worthy and that’s okay. What matters most are the people who live here and the memories we create. My style is all my own, a hodgepodge of “modern farmhouse” meets “industrial” meets “I have five kids”…I love it.
So today begins another attempt at my William Morris Project, a visual reminder that I am so incredibly blessed. First stop: Sophie’s room.
There are still a few things I’d like to do:
+ Install her gallery wall (I have most of the frames, I just need to measure and hang!)
+ Purchase better storage for toys
+ Find coordinating shams and add a few throw pillows to the bed
+ Add shelving for books
+ Buy a kid-sized table and chairs
There really is nothing like watching your child begin to read. My oldest is in second grade and he has gone from a slow, hesitant reader to a confident one who can’t get enough! To help him grow in confidence and fluency, we searched Amazon together to find books from all types of genres. I like to read a wide range of books and I was hoping to instill that in him as well. Today I thought I would share a few of his favorites. Linking up with Jenna today!
The Knights of the Kitchen Table (Time Warp Trio series) // This series is a mix of fantasy and history and a little humor too.
The Case of the Stinky Socks (Milo and Jazz Mysteries) // I’m a big fan of mysteries and M is too. We like this series because the stories are intriguing without being scary. Each book also includes spy activities in the back, which is a fun addition.
Flat Stanley’s Worldwide Adventures // Remember Flat Stanley? This adventure series is a spin-off from the original book. The first four books have Stanley traveling to Mount Rushmore, digging for artifacts in Egypt, seeing a ninja in Japan and skiing in Canada. All fun introductions to the world around us.
The Adventures of Sir Lancelot the Great (The Knights Tales Series) // This is my latest find and M devoured it. The series is a great age-appropriate look at the knights of the round table. It mixes legend with some silly humor too.
The Search for the Missing Bones (Magic School Bus Chapter Books) // I loved Magic School Bus as a kid, so I was so excited to find these chapter books! These are fact-filled but interesting and we always learn something new.
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