These are a Few of my Favorite Things...

A text conversation I just had with Jonathan made me laugh.  I was telling him that I lost a receipt that I need to take some clothes back and I realized halfway through my search that I have already looked high and low for this same receipt with no luck.  I proceeded to tell him that not only was I losing receipts, but I'm pretty sure my mind is gone as well.  Thank goodness I know for certain that I'm in good company in feeling this way.  I've learned to laugh (most of the time) at those "mommy brain" moments, but thinking about this prompted me to write about something else I've been thinking about and working on in my own life.  In today's busy, busy world I feel like it really is so easy to lose yourself.  Whether you are in college, working full time, a stay at home mom, or a retired grandparent, I think some, if not most of us have those moments when we lose touch with who we are as an individual.  What really makes us tick.  What makes us happy and content.  I'm not referring to the deep, dark details of our lives.  Jesus of course is number one to me.  Without him I would be nothing.  Without him I would have no joy.  I'm talking about the small things, though.  The simple things that get pushed to the side because we think they just aren't important.  I've recently done some thinking about what can add a little splash of "me" to my the everyday life of cooking, cleaning, laundry and changing diapers?  What can make my home (or for you your workspace) a little brighter and more cheery?  Here are a few of my favorite things.

• Music playing on the radio!  I'll be honest here, country makes me the happiest, but I don't always like that to be what the little ears hear so my sweetheart made me a "Mixed Tape".  It includes Hanson, Elvis, Mercy Me, Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift, Songs from Wicked, and lots more.  Hey, no judging allowed!  
• Candles being lit and or my Scentsy warmer turned on.  I love any sweet smells like sugar cookies or cupcake.  Right now though I have a coconut lime candle lit and it smells like the beach!  Just heavenly.  It's crazy how a yummy smelling candle can completely change my mood!
  
• Iced Soy Hazelnut Lattes (with only 1 pump of hazelnut).  Sometimes it's just worth stopping at the coffee shop and spending a few extra dollars.  
  
• Wearing my favorite neon pink shorts, a t-shirt, and my hair pulled up off my neck.  Feeling comfortable, yet "put together" makes me feel like I can conquer the world (or at least the day). 
• Having all of the blinds open and letting as much natural light in as possible.  My dream house is just full of windows (take notes Dad ;)) 
• Taking a hot bath in the middle of the day when the girls are napping just because I can.  
• Fresh (ok maybe almost dead) flowers from my love on the kitchen counter.  I love that he spoils me and he knows they make me happy!
  
• Sweet smelling lotion and soap.  As much as I am trying to use more natural products I love Bath and Body Works and I'm ok with that.  It makes me happy.  

I'm sure I could add more to my list, but these are the first things that come to mind.  Each thing is so simple, but can completely change the tone of my day.  Taking time to remember what I like and what I enjoy.  Realizing that each part of me, even the part that loves candles and iced lattes was created perfectly by God.  I would love to hear a few of YOUR favorite things!

Seasons

If there's anything that I've learned in my short 27 years it's that seasons come and go and change is inevitable.  I used to fight it so hard.  Like the time my youth pastor left us for "some band" and the "new guy" was super hero crazy. Yeah, I fought that pretty hard (I love you Joel and Randy ;)).  I even cried the day I turned 16 and received my long awaited drivers license.  I realized that that particular season of my life, the one in which my mom drove me everywhere, was gone.  All of the sudden in a matter of hours I had so much more responsibility.  I wasn't a kid.  It was all just flying by so fast and I couldn't even fathom how quickly it was passing for my parents.  In the past six and a half years that Jonathan and I have been married there have been more changes, more seasons than we could have ever imagined.  Right now in our life we are in a season of transition as our best friends move to the Northeast.  I know you may be thinking "people move all of the time" and yes they do, but I hesitate to even use the word friend for these people because really, they're family.  So while that is making life right now a little tough, a little bittersweet, I also see another season blooming.  Kadynce is starting her last year at the preschool at our church and Lydia her first.  It is such a sweet, sweet time with these precious girls that call me Mommy.  Knowing that this season will also be so fleeting, makes me stare at their sweet faces harder, and watch them sleep a little longer.  It makes me want to savor the small things just that much more.  I want to enjoy and soak up each season of life because, the truth is, I look back even at the hard ones with fond memories and think "if I had only known then."  Well, I do know now.  I know that God has us right where he wants us right at this moment.  I know that I'm going to soak it up for all its worth because we've been put here for a purpose and I want to live it out to the fullest!    

You're the Best Mommy!

 Did you know that you're the best mommy ever?  Yes you!

-You with the bottle of formula feeding your precious newborn.

-You nursing your two year old before she goes down for her nap.

-You rushing around making lunches for your little one to eat at daycare while you're at work.

-You still in your jammies teaching the ABCs and eating breakfast at 9am.

-You picking up dinner on your way home at 6:00 pm.

-You that has had a full, organic meal in the crock pot since 6:00 am.

- You that spends your Saturdays making fresh, from your garden, homemade baby food.

-You that fills your buggy up with Gerber at Walmart.

-You wearing your sweet baby around the mall while shopping.

-You pushing that stroller around the neighborhood for an evening walk.

-You searching Pinterest for hours for the perfect DIY birthday party.

-You that finds the best deals for party decor online and has it shipped straight to your door.

-You that spends hours washing, drying, and folding your baby's diapers.

-You who are looking for the best Huggies coupons as we speak.

-You whose child has never watched TV.

-You that doesn't know what you would do without Mickey Mouse.

-You that rocks your baby for hours every day.

-You that lets your baby "cry it out"

The list could go on and on, sweet Mommy.  The point is that YOU are the best for your child.  God entrusted him and /or her to you.  If you are doing what you believe is best for them and you are loving them the best you know how that, my friend is enough.  No more hiding your bottle in public because you feel embarrassed or ashamed.  No more justifying what you are or aren't feeding your baby.  No more putting yourself in an "all or none" box.  It's ok to wear your baby one day and use a stroller the next.  It's ok to feed them homemade food at home and jarred when out.  Be confident in the decisions that you and your husband make for your family.  Be confident in the abilities and instincts that  The Lord has given you. Be confident that you are the Best Mommy Ever!