as many of you know, we are in the process of moving. about six weeks ago, my husband lost his job and we made a decision. we decided that we could stay here and drain our savings trying to pay our mortgage while we look for a new job or we could use this as an opportunity to start something new. so, that's what we are doing ... and it has been a ride, thats for sure. fortunately, our house sold almost right away, but at the same time it's like okay, shit! what are we gonna do? we still do not have it all figured out, but come next week, we will be out of here and somewhere else. maybe in an extended stay hotel, maybe in a new house, i don't know. it's all really wild and exciting and terrifying, but we are ready. hopefully ten years from now we can look back on this crazy time and laugh about it. life is an adventure, after all.
okay, enough about that. i am sure some of you are tired of hearing about it ... i mean, i'm sick of hearing about!
anyway, with this new start, i have been trying to set some goals for myself. being at home everyday with my boys is so incredible. like, even when the days are super hard and i'm crying in a corner, i feel like i've long the lottery ... but i gotta say, i am kind of lazy. somedays i scroll through social media and other moms are cooking up a storm and they are all dressed and they're doing crafts and all kinds of absolutely wonderful things ... and for the most part, we are doing none of those things. i do mostly manage to keep my house sort of clean, but that's about it. i mean, the boys and i do a lot outside of the home, but i wish we could make our time at home more productive and flowing and educational and healthier. so, i made a list ...
1. get the boys and i ready first thing in the morning.
2. quit diet soda.
3. cook dinner every night.
4. turn off the tv, hide the phone.
5. only eat in the kitchen/dining area. (this has not been happening lately)
6. go outside.
7. make things.
8. quit diet soda. (did i say that already?)
9. put the laundry away right away.
but i mean, really ...
10. stop worrying about what other moms are doing and just do your best.
some of you may be like, you guys don't already do those things? and some of you may relate ... either way, i just wanna do better with these things because i think it will improve my happiness and theirs. what do you think? what are your things?
I love that you said this: "somedays I scroll through social media and other moms are cooking up a storm and they are all dressed and they're doing crafts and all kinds of absolutely wonderful things ... and for the most part, we are doing none of those things." That is exactly how I feel when I look at your feed. You're doing an excellent job, mama! Thanks for sharing bits and snaps of your life with us. You bring laughter, cheer and joy to many.
ReplyDeleteDear Kristen,
ReplyDeleteHappy week to you and your family, by far number 10 is my favorite of them all on your list. Truly the meaning of all of it is do you, keep being the best wife and mom you can be and just roll with it which is what I think you have been doing. I love following along because of just that! Your honesty and simplicity in life, and everything just falls into place. I do too look at social media and lovely photos of other moms and wonder "wow how lovely I wish and wish" but I couldn't just sit there and wish all day. So instead I do what I can with my boys even if it's staying home doing crafts and and relaxing on our weekends together (Because full time working mom) but you know what I give you lots of credit, stay at home moms work super hard. So girl don't be so hard on yourself, you are doing all your best and that's all it matters. Keep the light shining in your own way and it's all GREAT, you have a healthy lovely family and everything else will come along just like you said enjoy the ride!
XOXO
Thank you for being awesome and sharing!
Johanna Roman
I love this - totally relate and having had a bad day today made me think I need to get out more and not be afraid of outings with my two under two! You are doing a great job! Cheerio.
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ReplyDeleteThank you for this ! To let me know I'm not alone . IG can be a very hard place and make you have feeling you never wished you had . Xo
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how happy I am that I stumbled across your Instagram/snapchat and now blog. You and your family have a spark and you allow that spark to shine through, too many mums (myself included) are too busy trying to portray the best bits the 'I've got it all figured out' bits. But you are fearless in your words and I love that! You have an amazing family ❤️ I have some really lonely days being a SAHM and pregnant with baby 2 but watching your little snapchats and reading posts like this makes me feel real.
ReplyDeleteI only wish I lived in America so you could be my friend 😀😂
Lots of love to you xx
I sure appreciate this post... And you, and your honesty. I have a lot of goals and things I'm struggling with and this sweet little post makes me remember that I'm not alone... We're all trying and growing and moving forward. Love you.
ReplyDeleteYou have a beautiful life, and you are the envy of many, mama - even if you're in pjs all day eveyday. I always say, teaching 60 inner city kindergarten kids was a hell-of-a-lot easier than PARENTING three. I've only JUST started getting dressed in the morning {six years later}. Stay-at-home-mommying is hard work, but you totally rock it. Everybody has their thing, y'know? Like I love to do art with my kids, some like to cook, you love dancing, music + making pies. �� Good luck with the move, and may this be a chapter of pure adventure {+ minimal stress} in your book of life. x
ReplyDeleteYou have a beautiful life, and you are the envy of many, mama - even if you're in pjs all day eveyday. I always say, teaching 60 inner city kindergarten kids was a hell-of-a-lot easier than PARENTING three. I've only JUST started getting dressed in the morning {six years later}. Stay-at-home-mommying is hard work, but you totally rock it. Everybody has their thing, y'know? Like I love to do art with my kids, some like to cook, you love dancing, music + making pies. �� Good luck with the move, and may this be a chapter of pure adventure {+ minimal stress} in your book of life. x
ReplyDeleteLOVE Rufus's face in the first photo - made me lol. Anyways, you're an amazing mother Kristen, everyone faces obstacles in their lives, just STAY POSITIVE. Because I know you can. You are awesome. And amazing. Never forget it! :)
ReplyDeleteOh I feel you. I have tried really hard to stay off social media, at least when my boys aren't napping. Some days I do, some days I don't. I do feel a lot happier when I limit my time on it, or at least have a purpose with my time on it rather than checking out of habit/boredom/sneakily checking on the lives of people I don't know.
ReplyDeleteHi Kristen, although I believe people had their own problems. I kind of never saw it on your snap.
ReplyDeleteYou always look happy and thankful.
And that was the reason why i have one goal especially inspired by you.
Can't wait for the post of your new house, Kristen!
Best regards, have a nice day.
all very true words -- i have been working on three main things as of late:
ReplyDelete1. self care -- something highly neglected since we too, have moved this summer (pittsburgh to minneapolis!). this has come in the form of taking a yoga class once a week, painting my nails when i can, and diffusing some essential oils.
2.also cooking at home! when we first moved i relied so very much on eating out and kind of got used to it! my kitchen here is very tiny and not as fun to cook in, but i'm trying my best. minimalistbaker.com is my favorite blog for recipes, if you need any inspiration! they are all plant based (as i am a vegan) but the main reason i love her blog is that most of her recipes come together in around half an hour and as a mama, that's a big win.
3. slowing down and not documenting. -- i love love love photography and love capturing tiny little memories. however, just like the comparison thing we humans love to do when it comes to social media, i also find myself guilty of capturing things for the sake of social media itself. i don't even have a lot of followers so it's not about likes/comments/numbers. we just like our life to look a certain way to others, ya know? anyways i am working on trying to just enjoy moments physically instead of always documenting with my smart phone or dslr camera. this one is the hardest for me!
i hope your adventure is going well -- i know you had mentioned that you all were at a very inconclusive stage at the moment. praying for direction and guidance for your fam !
not even kidding, your list looks exactly like mine except that diet soda would be coffee in my case. i honestly look up to you, you inspire me in ways i don't think you even realise you're capable of. you are wonderful, and honest. your children are beautiful and your home is just ♡ everything i've seen here and on instagram is just so REAL -- i can't help but fall in love with your family! keep 'em coming. i missed you during your blog-break.
ReplyDeleteyour kids are so cute..
ReplyDeleteMcx Crude Oil Tips
Hi, gosh your life in pictures is like a lovely old fashioned American dream . Just curious.. do you think you will have another baby one day? You seem like you could happily cope with a big ol brood ❤️
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