Here’s a short but honest gathering of what I’ve been thinking about this last month. As always, thank you for reading and being a part of my online community.
Feeling the value in noticing our thoughts, recording our experiences, and the impact our stories have on one another. I’m reading a couple of wonderful books. One is a memoir written from the author’s perspective when she was just 11 years old. She is about to learn the meaning behind her father’s legs having “permanently fallen asleep,” and her writing is equal parts poignant and funny. The second is a biography of a well-known Christian author and missionary. It’s wild to read small portions of the latter’s authentic journal entries, to see her life recorded in real-time increments and how, simply put, human she was.
Bookmarking two Mediterranean meals. One is a Greek orzo salad (fresh mint! lemon juice!), and the other is a Garlic Chicken dish with asparagus and lemon.
At Venice Beach with Maxwell when he was about 15 months old (current age: 12 yo)
Thinking back to my early motherhood days, when it was just me, Max, and Natalie. Every week, we met up with three of my mama friends and their children. We packed up diapers and snacks and fun things to drink; beach towels and a change of clothes, for everyone. We saved stories from the last few days so we’d have plenty to talk about, and we gathered at Venice Beach for the entire afternoon. Those days are so precious, so pivotal for my transformation into a mother of five. I couldn’t have imagined then what I’d come to experience and know as a woman and mother. I couldn’t have imagined making it through some of the tough days motherhood would so naturally, so quietly bring, without those friendships to lean on.
Noticing some of Natalie’s favorite books were my favorite books when I was her age: The Secret Garden, Little Women, and anything by Beverly Cleary. Seems like every week we have a new stack of library holds ready for pickup. I noticed one of her friends is reading The Saddle Club. OH, the memories! 😉 Brings me right back to my love for boxed book sets!
Smelling a lot of flowers inside our home. My kids, and Zack!, have been bringing me wild bouquets. Just this week, I had three scattered throughout the main floor of our home. I am blessed by their thoughtfulness.
Loving having an extra family member in our house for much of the month. It’s fun to have my nephew around. A couple of days ago, after he had been with us for a good week, I said, “So, is this what you imagined our home to be like?” He laughed and said, “Yup!”
Wondering how long our newest batch of markers will last. My kids have been on a long-running kick with coloring. Colored pencils and markers are their medium of choice, and printing coloring free pages off this site has been their weekly request. They color in the early morning while the house is still sleepy, and as a reprieve from the afternoon heat. It’s fun to see them create together and find a little quiet within our large family. Do your kids like to color?
Enjoying the phrase, “the kitchen is closed until our next meal.” Followed by, “which is in like one hour.” And then, “I do believe you can make it one more hour.”
Wishing for a tall glass of lemon water.
Reading the book of Acts with my Bible study girls. We discuss three chapters once a week. Oh goodness, I am so very grateful for this group of Saints. Three years ago, we gathered for our first Bible study (Remember Your Joy: A Bible Study of Salvation Stories in the Old Testament by Courtney Doctor and Melissa Kruger; absolutely fantastic!). We’ve covered 11 studies since starting in July ’22 🙂 and the personal growth has been inspiring and humbling!
Cooking a lot of our favorites right now: tacos, Swedish meatballs, sourdough pizza, grilling brats and burgers, sausage and pasta with a homemade creamy garlic sauce. What are you cooking?
Making sourdough bread! I haven’t been making too much this summer, but I’ve got four loaves in the works right now.
Singing a melody of thanksgiving over the healthy delivery of my friend’s newborn baby boy 🙂
RELATED POSTS:
- Why your girlfriends are so important
- How to survive mamahood in Los Angeles
- Previous “Thirteen Thoughts” blog posts…
- The joy is what remains
- Eleven things you may not know about me (this was fun to re-read!)
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