Summer Reads for Parents for Any Mood

Hey Loves!

Summer is in full swing and I live by a good book anytime of year, but there is something about summer that makes reading incredibly nostalgic. Here’s a few book ideas for whatever you are in the mood for!

Romance: Alisha Rai’s modern romance series was a 3-book series I finished in a couple of days! I loved how the author discussed other issues like harassment, anxiety and grief while providing steamy romance with some relatable laughs. 

Self Improvement: The Lazy Genius Way is worth gold. Legit. The book 13 amazing principles that will really help you enjoy this thing called life. 

Parenting:  Adventuring Together by Greta Eskrudge honestly changed so much of the things my kids and I experience together. It’s has helped shed fear and shame and allow us to embrace adventures in all sizes. 

Faith: Try Softer by Aundi Kolber is really good for anyone who has experienced or knows someone who has experienced anxiety and/or trauma. The clinical knowledge and biblical truth combine to give the reader a fresh approach and sweet joy!

You can find all these books here! Hope the recommendations make it to a book shelf near you!

Mom Travel Essentials and Tips

Hey Loves!

Are you over hearing about my momcation? Well I won’t bore you with details but I did learn a few tips and have some unusual travel essentials for you. (If you do want details on my momcation, you can read about them starting here.)

Travel Tips: 

  1. Choose a mode of transportation that will gladly leave without you. Plane, train, or friend caravan, for example. As a mom, I know all too well how guilt or things to do will delay or even cancel your trip. Don’t let it. 
  2. Once you plan the days you will be gone, choose departure and arrival times that will give you the maximum time away. If you have fly out at 6 a.m., to enjoy the entire day and fly back 8 p.m., do it!
  3. Bring entertainment-traveling by yourself is way different than traveling with kids. I actually got bored in the airport and on the plane. So get an audiobook, download a movie or get ready to play games. 

Travel Essentials:

  1. Pajamas- I know this sounds odd but a huge part of momcations is the rest. Ariana Huffington says in her book that pajamas prepare your body and brain for rest. She is correct. It didn’t matter what time of day I put pajamas on, my brain slowed and my body stilled. 
  1. Electronics-  I’m sure you’re like, “duh” but as a content creator the mental space I had to create was vast. It was a bummer when I didn’t have all I needed to really work well and efficiently 
  1. A Budget- again, duh. I got out a cash budget. Well, that was before I realized cash isn’t accepted everywhere. So maybe grab some Lyft gift cards or gift cards that can be used anywhere. 
  1. Flexibility- If you are anything like me when you travel, you want to see and experience as much as you can. On a momcation, there’s no way you can do that and have adequate rest. So, be flexible and be ok with not seeing and doing all. 

Hope this helps dears!

MomCation- The Worship

Hey Loves!

If you are new here, you should know I am fully in love with Jesus. So in love that I knew this time needed to involve sweet communion and fellowship with Jesus.

I worshiped. Not just Listening to some songs to get  through but  legit marveling at all of the love, grace, blessings and provision.

I prayed. Well, I guess it was more like non stop talking about all the things but it was faith restoring.

I reviewed sermon notes. That sounds kinda shallow but I take a lot of notes and the goal is to absorb and apply. I was missing that last step quite often.

This time also allowed for meditation on our homeschool word and verse for the current and for next year. This girl is excited for what God is doing!

MomCation-The Work

Hey Loves!

So, I would love to tell you this time was spent pool lounging and at the spa but, le sigh, work must be done. You would think working would be the antithesis of vacation but, in this case at least, the mental freedom paired with an empty “to do” list made for an amazing working experience.

The mental clarity allowed me to see the proverbial Forrest and not just one tree. I could plan out blogs for the next quarter, review my goals and essentially pivot. 

However, I still had to go slow and not get sucked into getting it all done to maintain the refilling. 

So, I wrote a ton of blogs, happy reading.

I edited some videos. Happy watching.

I shot and edited lots of self shots for content.

I also created my media kit and worked on a brand partnership.

Was it everything I wanted to get done? No. Am I pleased with the way I balanced work and rest? Yes. Very.

MomCation-The Sights

Hey Loves!

Just so we are clear, before I even begin this blog, I understand the incredible privilege I have to have been able to enjoy and share this experience. I do not take this for granted and I totally understand if even reading this series is too much for you right now.

So, I was burnt out. I don’t know the term for this level of exhaustion but it was stirring up some serious anger. I needed a full entire break. So, I took one. 

I chose a location that was stateside but still touristy and where friends or family wouldn’t be vying for my time. It sounds selfish but I did not have the capacity for meet-ups.

Here’s the problem with choosing a touristy location-There is so much to do and see and experience! I needed this to be a refilling experience so I had to decide immediately that I might do 1 tourist attraction. I gave myself permission to not to do anything more and be ok with that.

This was actually difficult as I typically do the most when traveling. I want to see, do, and experience it all. That’s not what mattered most. I made the mental adjustment. 

It just so happened my lodging was in the most touristy part of this city so just walking to eateries and shops, I could experience culture, history and architecture.

That was enough for me. This isn’t a “how to see the sights” blog, it is more of a “how to not be overwhelmed by the sites” and honor what matters most. 

MomCation- The Rest

Hey Loves!

So, yes, I ate more in 4 days than I have in 4 months but that was not the intent of this escape. Respite, refilling and rest was the intent and I think I understood the assignment.

For starters, I didn’t know I needed this amount of mental rest I got. I can’t quantify it, but not being “on” all hours of the day, every day was a vacation in itself.

Then, I caught up on sleep. Like, I took a nap every day. I also took extremely long very very hot showers just because I could.

I needed a break. The thing is,, I waited too long to take this break so by the time I got here, I was beyond depleted. There really wasn’t any to “refill” because my well was bone dry. I needed just filling. So, I did that through actual rest-lots of naps- and sleep, mental respite from literally going slow and being off.

My goal is to make every effort to do this annually and find ways to radically refill quarterly so I won’t be this depleted again.

 Hey Loves!

If you haven’t heard, I flew myself out with some vouchers and took a much needed MomCation. Just me. Not a girls trip, not a family trip, not a BaeCation-just me and, y’all! If you haven’t done this, I invite you to do so. 

Let’s get to the purpose of this blog and discuss what matters, the food!

Do you have any idea how freeing it is to choose a place to eat based solely on what you want? If you can imagine that you can also imagine how overwhelming it was considering I never know what I want to eat in my own city.

So, I decided once- I was going to eat locally, no chain restaurants. Then, I narrowed it down to mostly walking distance as my hotel was in a touristy area and there were lots to choose from. Then I used my resources (Google Maps) and simply chose places that were in the above parameters and saved them. This prevented overwhelm and provided a great experience.

If you know me, you should know I typically eat pretty clean and intermittent fast regularly. That did not apply on this trip. I did not “eat to live ” I ate what I wanted, when I wanted because I could. That didn’t mean my IG tract was pleased though so I made sure to bring and take my probiotics.

I also enjoyed a nice beverage with every meal. Again, the same rules applied.

Most importantly, I savored each bite. I ate slowly. I took my sweet time and I delighted in the peace of not hurrying. Say it with with me, YUMMY!!

Summer Learning Plans

Hey Loves!

I feel like we were skiing only a month ago and now it is somehow summer. Time flies when you are having fun and that is exactly what we have been doing!

We explored, adventured and grew a ton this year. I have no regrets. That’s why I can welcome the calling of rest and connection. My soul requires silence and solitude and time with God. My mental health requires some new habits to take root and grow. My heart desires the sweet communion with close friends and family. The creative in me is working on several projects to share later.

So what does all that have to do with summer learning, you ask? Well, a lot. Just as I am listening to myself and my needs I am doing that for my kids. They need consistency. They need connection.They need soul rest.

With that, here is what I have on deck for summer learning.

Math: Continue our next books in Singapore math

LA: Starting a new reading curriculum for Jude and finishing grammar and All About Reading for James.

Science: Review our Sassafrass Science Books

Spanish: Review and get into a new Spanish podcast

History/Geography: Finishing Curiosity Chronicles and Brazil Unit Study

Morning Starters: New Comprehensive workbooks from their summer baskets

Bible: Armor of God study

That’s it. Review, finish and connect.