priorities Archives - Home With The Boys

They’re Speaking a Different Language, But I’m Still Listening

August 20, 2014 By Erin 10 Comments

The Star Wars obsession in our house has reached full throttle. Don’t get me wrong, I actually like Star Wars, especially the original three episodes. Han Solo is my favorite. Who is with me?!

The boys, however, have taken liking Star Wars to a whole new level. They want to watch it all the time. They check out books about it at the library. They play Star Wars games and play with Star Wars Legos and have lightsaber fights with the pool noodle lightsabers I made for Little J’s Star Wars birthday party.

STAR WARS EVERYTHING.

So when we sat down to watch The Empire Strikes Back, I wasn’t just getting Luke + Leia + Han + all the droids. I was getting full commentary on every ship, weapon, planet, and character that came in to view on screen. My brain just about exploded. I know the boys get their ability to talk for hours from me, but OH MY GOSH.

I will fully admit here that I wanted to tune them out for much of the movie. I don’t really care whether Chewbacca is using a Bowcaster gun or the stormtrooper’s BlasTech E-11 blaster during the battle at Cloud City. Are you impressed with my knowledge there?! All from my boys. And I think I can recognize an X-Wing from a Tie Fighter, but I don’t mind if I don’t know all the names of the other ships.

My boys, however, care deeply. They love learning about Star Wars and they love telling me about it. Most of the time, they sound like they are speaking an entirely different language, but I’m still listening.

I’m still listening when they talk on and on about Star Wars because I want them to know THEY matter to me. Star Wars isn’t my whole world, but these boys are, and I can show them just how important they are to me by just listening. I can look them in the eye and ask questions when I don’t understand. Their handsome faces just light up when I ask them to explain the droids to me or on which planet everyone has now arrived.

I’m still listening because I want them to keep talking to me. I want to listen when they talk to me now about what matters so they know I will keep listening as they get older and the things that matter to them change. It may be Star Wars now, but some day it will be friendships and peer pressure and deep faith questions and even girls…so not ready for that.

On the nights where I think we’re just settling down for a relaxing family move night and I, instead, get an earful about jedis and padawans, I am committing to listening and letting them know they are heard.

Keep speaking that strange language to me, boys. I’m still listening and I always will.

What do your kids talk to you about that you just don’t “get?” How do you make them feel heard in these situations?

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Filed Under: boys, motherhood, parenting, priorities

The Ultimate Guide to Brain Breaks eBook

Choose {Five-Minute Friday}

February 28, 2014 By Erin 2 Comments

I have included affiliate links below. When you purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting this site and our sponsorship of our Compassion child, Samson!

It’s Five Minute Friday with lovely Lisa-Jo!

Set a timer and just write. Don’t worry about making it just right or not.

For me? An exercise in letting go and letting words flow. Five minutes only. {yes, I do set a timer and it quacks like a duck at 5 minutes, which totally makes me smile}

Today’s prompt: Choose.

*****

And go…

This morning I made two small, but defining choices.

I got out of bed before everyone else.
I embraced my “learner” strength during my God time.

What a difference those two choices have made already in my day! I grabbed my Bible, journal, and devotional and settled in for some quiet time with God and Spurgeon. I stumbled upon a word Spurgeon used in his “old” style and had to look it up because he used it right before the word grace…

munificent – larger or more generous than is usual or necessary

I learned a new word! And it means so much when used with the word grace. Grace more necessary than I deserve. How appropriate as we move into the Lenten season.

Then I looked up the verse Spurgeon referenced in today’s devotion – Psalm 62:5 – in my amazing new Study Bible for Women. In the margin I discovered this word:

hupotage – Greek, act of subjection, obedience, submission; suggests a necessary connection between the acknowledgment of God’s power and authority and the ability to “cease” restless independent activity

Wow. Not just acknowledging His power, but ceasing any activity independent of Him. If anyone needs that reminder, it is me.

The way the two choices of getting up early and digging deeper to learn something new have already changed my day are just a sign of the hand of God in everything I do.

A sign of His munificent grace.

Stop.

*****

What little choices could make a big difference in your day today?

Don’t forget to read lots of lovely thoughts from the Five Minute Friday gang over at Lisa-Jo’s today!

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Filed Under: five minute friday, priorities

VITALITY in Self-Care + Personal Growth

January 31, 2014 By Erin Leave a Comment

As I was exploring vitality as the my word for 2014, the areas for goal-setting were clear to me: faith, marriage, motherhood, ministry…

…and wasn’t there something else?

What about exercise? nutrition? rest? reading?

There were all these little but important leftover areas I wanted to see changes in for 2014, but they didn’t fit in anywhere.

Except…wait…they all had to do with ME. My personal growth, taking care of myself, my health and well-being, both physical and mental.

I’m at a place in my life where I’ve finally realized how much better I am all around – Christian, wife, mother, friend, writer – when I take care of myself. DUH!

So that’s where I’m wrapping up my vitality goals for 2014 today: self-care and personal growth…

food as fuel

I really like eating. I am not a dieter and I never will be because I LOVE food and I don’t like being told I can’t enjoy the yummy stuff. But I HAVE to take a different approach with food this year. Since becoming more active, I am much more aware of the effects food has on my body, both positive and negative. On a regular basis, each and every day, I need to think of food as fuel for my body. For me, this means more real food, more protein, vegetables, and fruits, more of what my body NEEDS not WANTS. You bet I will still thoroughly enjoy some of my favorite indulgences, but only in the context of a much healthier diet overall.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

~1 Corinthians 10:31

challenge myself

Last year, I tried several new things in the area of fitness, but I also had a few periods of time lacking motivation and gusto. Not this year. I’ve got a plan to attack my physical fitness and strength, and if I ever feel myself dying off, I’m coming back to this goal. As of now, I’m not planning on any new distances for races, but I would like to set a new PR for a 10K. A half PR? Maybe! I broke 2:00 last year and that was my ultimate goal! We’ll see about getting faster!

And I’m not just challenging myself with events, but with a few tougher or new workouts a week. It might sound crazy, but my Tuesday evening speed work runs at the gym are super hard but make me feel AWESOME. I want more of that this year.

Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint. ~Isaiah 40:31

water, water, water

There isn’t much to say here: I just need to drink more water. The winter months have me reaching for coffee much more often, but I’m trying to down a whole Camelbak of water in betweens cups of coffee. I also grab a glass of water FIRST when I feel hungry to see if that satisfies me. Lots and lots of water this year, people. Bring it on.

motivate others

I have seen firsthand what taking better care of myself has done for every aspect of my life and I want to tell the world. Well, really I just want to come alongside other women, especially other moms, to say, “If I can do this, you can do this.” I was not an athlete growing up. I only started running less than two years ago. We have three kids, my husband is a resident, I homeschool and write and… I still find time to workout and my body thanks me for it!

I want to dedicate time this year to cheering on women who want to get started on this path or want to reach a new goal or need to get back on the treadmill or bike or whatever they were doing to improve their health before they stopped. {If you’re one of these women, please email me at homewiththeboys at gmail dot com and you will have yourself a health + fitness cheerleader!} This may not seem like a goal about personal growth, but I feel more alive and inspired myself when I’m connecting with and encouraging others, so there you go!

Then, by the will of God, I will be able to come to you with a joyful heart, and we will be an encouragement to each other. ~Romans 15:32

finish more books

I made this big long list of books I wanted to read last year, and I read many books, but not the whole list. I also started a lot of books that I never finished. I’ve started this month with finishing off a few books I didn’t quite finish in 2013. I’m fitting more reading in here and there, keeping books all over the place to grab for five minutes of reading here and there as suggested by Crystal Paine in her book Say Goodbye to Survival Mode. And my appetite for reading has definitely regained vitality. And I’m not putting a reading list out this year because new books keep popping up all the time and I don’t want to be tied down!

rest

Sleep. Analog weekends. Family cuddles. Feet up, deep breaths, stillness. I need more rest in 2014. Earlier bedtimes are in order. I take a “quiet time” in the afternoon while the boys do as well and all of me breathes easier for the rest of the day. I’m finding at least one day a week, usually the whole weekend to unplug and just be. Taking time to rest used to seem to me a hindrance to getting all the things done. Life has shown me differently.

And so dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. ~Romans 12:1

*****

Hmmm…turns out I had a lot to say about taking care of myself!

On the topic of self-care, can I share a few of my favorite reads for moms? Jessi from Naptime Diaries and Hayley from The Tiny Twig have been writing many encouraging things lately in this area. Please take some time to read and be inspired by these ladies.

How are you doing with taking care of YOU? What do you want to focus on for your personal growth this year?

Read more about my goals for vitality…

The VITALITY Series

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Filed Under: fitness, healthy living, inspiration, priorities, reading, Vitality, women, word of the year

Say Goodbye to Survival Mode!

January 20, 2014 By Erin Leave a Comment

I have included affiliate links below. When you purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting this site and our sponsorship of our Compassion child, Samson!

My focus this year is on vitality. In all areas of life. No longer just surviving, but rather living a full, energetic, passionate life. Choosing a word for the year is not just about having it there to motivate you – you have to do something. And while I was wanting to leave survival mode behind, I needed a plan to jump start my year of vitality.

That’s when Crystal Paine’s newest book, Say Goodbye to Survival Mode, came into my life.

I often love the concepts presented in non-fiction books like this one, but I have a hard time finishing them. I get overwhelmed by all of the things I should be doing and put the book away before applying any of the concepts.

Say Goodbye to Survival Mode is a totally different story. I felt like Crystal was telling my tale of being overwhelmed, easily distracted, and just plain tired. As a fellow mom of three little ones, reading about Crystal’s path out of survival mode provided me with a lot of hope!

And along with hope, Say Goodbye to Survival Mode serves up nine strategies for moving forward with intention and life! My favorite strategies are along the lines of time management because that is where I struggle most. A few of my favorite tips:

Record what you do every half hour for 2-3 days.

I actually did this and WOW. So much wasted time here are there! But even just the act of recording what I was doing with my time made me be more intentional. I wanted to make better use of each chunk of time and I stopped doing a few unnecessary things that were showing up too often on the list!

Use those five minutes here and there.

Crystal includes a great starter list of things you could get done in that extra five minutes you have here and there instead of mindlessly surfing Facebook. I’ve started my own list to hang on the fridge to remind me that I own my time and can make it work better for me if I don’t waste it!

Set focused work time.

As an easily-distracted person, I have a hard time using time wisely. I have too many open windows in my browser. Multi-tasking is often my enemy and the thief of some of my vitality. I’ve been scheduling my days better since reading this book, and my writing time has been a lot more productive. Focused work time also means my time with my family is more focused as well.

These were my biggest “aha” moments, but Say Goodbye to Survival Mode is so much more than this. You’ll also find Crystal’s help to:

feel healthier and more energetic by setting priorities and boundaries
eliminate stress with savvy management of your time, money, and home
get more done by setting realistic goals and embracing discipline
rediscover your passions—and the confidence to pursue them

I don’t know many women who WOULDN’T benefit from reading this book, trying Crystal’s strategies, and finding life beyond just surviving! I am grateful to Crystal for sharing her life in such an honest and inspiring way and I am thrilled about the direction Say Goodbye to Survival Mode has me moving in for 2014!

SPECIAL, LIMITED TIME OFFER:

To celebrate the release of her book this week, Crystal is offering a collection of amazing prizes for those who buy the book. Simply go to www.GoodbyeSurvivalModeBook.com now for details. And there are lots of special giveaways every day this week as well! You can also pick up the book anywhere books are sold, including Amazon.

Are you in survival mode? What area of your life could use a new strategy?

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Filed Under: book review, home, motherhood, priorities, reading, reviews, simplify, Vitality, women, word of the year

Divine Service

December 12, 2013 By Erin 5 Comments

My focus has been off lately. My heart has not been in the right place.

Each time I sit down to have some time with the Lord, I feel it heavy in my heart. But each time I also hear specifically from Him about how to turn it all around.

And He did so again last night, after a morning of power struggles with a child and an afternoon of trying to clean up the full cup of coffee that spilled all over the presents and tree skirt and carpet…

For three days in a row, I had written in my journal something on the matter of focus.

Focus matters.

Where is your focus, Erin?

The focus of my heart is not on Him…

The day-to-day, the little disasters and pitfalls, the crazy of this season had narrowed my focus on to only me. And, if there is one thing I’ve learned, when I focus on ME ME ME, I am NEVER happy. Or at least, not for long.

This especially goes for my views on motherhood and homemaking. With my heart in the wrong place, the children and chores are annoyances and interruptions to my day. And as I threw a pity party over these very things yesterday, God interrupted ME with these words from Charles Spurgeon…

We’ve always had the verse before this in Colossians posted in our homeschool room:

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. ~Colossians 3:23

I have not been modeling this well for our children, working more for what I want or to please other people, not wholeheartedly giving myself to the work God has give me to do.

And it feels horrible. And stressful. And not at all what He intended for me.

The Morning + Evening devotion I was reading concluded with this…

“Divine service” is not a thing of a few hours and a few places—but all of life becomes holiness unto the Lord; and every place and thing, becomes as consecrated as the tabernacle and its golden candlestick!

I found so much hope, so much beauty in these words. The laundry room is just as holy as the church sanctuary when I consider the work I am doing as unto the Lord. Changing diapers and washing dishes are acts of divine service, not to be met with disdain, but embraced with joy.

Each and every hour of my day is holy when approached as divine service. Each and every place I set my foot in the perspective of divine service in motherhood and homemaking and marriage and writing is holy. And to do each of these things to glorify and serve God is joy.

My heart wants more focus, but not just any kind. Jesus, joy, and divine service are the path He has set me on and I will keep my focus there.

Where is your focus right now? What divine service has He called you to?

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Filed Under: faith, homemaking, joy, motherhood, priorities, service

Day 24: I Don’t HAVE to… Do Everything for My Children

October 27, 2013 By Erin 3 Comments

Moms, we have a problem…

A school administrator recently told a friend of mine that all the stuff that kids have these days isn’t what spoiling them; it’s their moms. Moms who hover. Mom who step in to fix problems. Moms who coddle. Moms who do not allow their children to suffer the natural consequences of their actions. No wonder a 25-year-old can be found still living at his parents’ home. ~Kay Willis Wyma, Cleaning House

It may or may not be hard for you to believe this, but I have already seen the beginnings of entitlement in our seven and five-year-old. It is my fault. I don’t really want to be one of the moms mentioned in the quote above, but I have underestimated over and over again what my boys are capable of, done it for them, and in the process, created boys who don’t think they can – or don’t want to – do the necessary things for themselves.

Does any of this sound familiar?

They know how to fold laundry…but it goes much faster if I do it myself.

They know how to clean the sinks…but I’ll probably just have to clean it myself again afterwards, so I’ll do it myself.

They know to make their beds…but they’re in such a hurry in the morning, so I’ll just do it myself after they leave.

Even at seven and five, my boys can actually do much more than I give them credit for, but I have to LET them do those things! In the past year, they’ve learned how to vacuum, fold laundry, dust, take out the trash, and do the dishes. They do these things quite well IF I don’t do the chores for them!

As moms, we need to recognize the value in teaching our children to do the things they should know how to do, around the house and in life. Yes, it takes a little more work right now, but it creates much less work for you and I in the long run!

And even though our kids ~~might~~ will complain at first, they will actually be empowered by this experience…

Our kids want us to challenge them to do more, particularly once they experience firsthand how much better it feels to be productive rather than to be catered to. – Kay Wills Wyma, Cleaning House

I’m fighting the grumbles of my kids and my own do-it-myself attitude this week to teach the kids some new skills around the house. I’m thinking big picture. I don’t want them to have life handed to them on a platter. I want them to know the value of hard work and the reward of a job well done, whether it be making their bed or putting together a big report for school on their own.

In Kay Wills Wyma’s book, Cleaning House, she goes through her 12-month journey to rid of her family of entitlement. In the second month, she teaches all of her children how to meal plan, shop, cook, and clean up from the meal. The month had major ups and some downs, but I love her observation at the end of that month…

I didn’t realize just how much I’ve shackled these kids by racing in and doing for them. On autopilot, I’ve shopped, cooked, and so much more, failing to see the countless opportunities to teach them about life and build self-esteem by helping them do what most of their friends have never considered doing.

Time to stop doing it all for them, moms. Myself included.

What could you teach your kids to do for themselves this week?

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Filed Under: 31 Days, family, home, kiddos, NOT Having It All, priorities

Day 17: I Don’t HAVE to… Post on the Blog Every Day!

October 21, 2013 By Erin Leave a Comment

My 31 Days of NOT Having It All series was well planned out, but I did not write all of the posts ahead. Bad blogger, I know.

When last week became very busy, I had to decide whether to cram in some hurried blog posts just to fill the 31 days OR be present in my “real life” and help diffuse some of the crazy. Real life won.

I stressed about messing up the whole 31 days things for about an hour. Then the guilt went away. And I had an AMAZING weekend.

I missed writing a little bit, but I knew, after living some great offline life over the weekend, I would have a much clearer mind, fuller heart, and the fresh motivation to continue where I left off.

Bloggers – you don’t HAVE to post every day. Take a break. Live life so you can write about it. And feel no guilt in the process. Your readers AND your family and friends will probably – or definitely – be grateful you did.

A few highlights of life while I was neglecting 31 Days…

Carb loading at HuHot…

Waiting in the cold with one of my bestest friends {of 25 years!} to run the Fargo Mini Marathon…

Janna, The Hubby, and I all PRed in the half, despite the COLD and WIND!

My goal was to break 2:00 and I NEVER would have made it in that wind without Janna pushing me the whole way. I sounded like I might die during those last few miles in the wind, but we finished strong, her at 1:59:29 and me at 1:59:32!

The Hubby was WELL ahead of us, finishing in 1:34:36, a new PR by 21 seconds. Yes. He is SUPER fast.

And the best part is he was waiting for me at the finish. Totally the best. I absolutely love running races with this guy.

We also got to celebrate my dad’s birthday and The Hubby’s dad’s birthday this weekend. They both turn 60 this week, just four days apart! It was so special to celebrate with each of them!

My dad…

And the fam…

And while we were off running, the boys had a blast at Grandpa and Grandma’s and made these adorable pumpkins!

Happy fall! And stay tuned as I play a little catch up with 31 Days this week!

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Filed Under: 31 Days, Celebrate, family, fitness, NOT Having It All, priorities, running, word of the year

Day 11: I Don’t HAVE to…Be On Social Media 24/7

October 11, 2013 By Erin 4 Comments

With all this talk of the negative effects of social media on our own contentment, let me say a few words about this steady stream of communication and information.

I really enjoy feeling connected. I like to be “in-the-know” and I love sharing what I learn with others. As I mentioned on Day 7, I like to be included, be a part of the conversation, be heard, and be known. Social media – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram – they all facilitate this very well for me.

However, social media is also very addictive and sucks time away from the things I call priorities in my life. And I think a lot of others could say the same thing if we’re all really honest with ourselves.

Here’s the deal: If you have a business or a blog, social media is a way to spread the word and drive traffic or sales. If you have long-distance friends or family, social media is a way to stay connected. If you enjoy connecting with others, social media is a way to instantly feed that need.

But social media is better in smaller doses. And taking breaks from social media is the best thing you’ll ever do in making it work for you. Trust me.

I think – I know – we feel like we may miss something if we step away: a friend will announce something big or a flash sale will happen and you’ll be away from the computer and totally miss it. Your post will go live on your blog and you feel like nobody will read it because you are not on social media to share it. You feel like your business will lose out on sales if you’re gone from social media for even one day.

Anybody identifying with these feelings or is it just me?

This all sounds exhausting and full of anxiety. Well, it doesn’t just sound exhausting – I’ve felt all of this. And I’ve checked in a million times a day on all the platforms because of those very reasons.

I’ve also felt the absolute freedom of taking what Hayley and Jessi call an “analog weekend:” stepping away from all the social media networks starting Friday evening and not coming back until Sunday evening. These analog weekends give me room to breathe, think, write, create, LIVE without the pull, interruption, or influence of all the voices on social media. I’ve read more books because of analog weekends. I’ve had more inspiration for writing because of analog weekends. I’ve gotten more done around the house because of analog weekends. I’ve enjoyed my family more because of analog weekends.

Community is happening on social media and I LOVE community. But we don’t all have to be a part of it every waking moment of our day. If we are, we’re missing the community right in front of us, in person, in our homes and churches and neighborhoods.

Let’s all just take a break this weekend, ok?

If you’re worried about missing business opportunities or not being able to spread the word about your posts while being offline, can I suggest scheduling a few tweets or posts before you go dark? Buffer is a great way to do this, but you can also schedule directly from TweetDeck and from Facebook Pages. Take a few minutes today to line up a few posts for while you’re gone and then walk away! You can do it! {Let me know if you don’t know how to use these features – I can help!}

And if you feel like you need more help in getting away from too much time online, I must highly recommend my friend Sarah Mae’s book, The Unwired Mom {affiliate link}. This book is full of encouragement and practical help in getting offline more and enjoying REAL life. I think this is an important book whether you feel like you are addicted to social media or not. There are great time management tips, ideas for Internet boundaries for the whole family, and even a two-week challenge for making your online habits healthier.

There is no social media police telling us we NEED to be on there more to be useful/important/relevant. Step away and do it often and you will find both social media AND your real life much more rewarding.

Do you identify with me in this pull to be constantly connected with others? What is your biggest struggle with social media?

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Filed Under: 31 Days, NOT Having It All, priorities

Reading, Writing, & Summer Bucket Lists!

May 14, 2013 By Erin 1 Comment

This post contains affiliate links. When you purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting this site!

I sat down to write and my mind was pretty much blank, mostly from being tired in all the good ways that involve playing and sunshine and long runs and family and much more!

But that also means at this very moment I don’t have a lot to say. I have a lot swirling around in my mind and I know it will come out at some point, but right now, I’m good with letting it process while I get attacked by light-sabers and toddler slobber!

Don’t worry – I’m not sitting in front of a computer frustrated! I’ve been keeping plenty busy, especially with these two things:

1. Summer Bucket Lists

The Hubby challenged each of us – minus Double J, obviously – to make up “summer bucket lists” with all the fun things we want to do this summer. The boys made lists of 50+ items each {including building a Lego city with all of their Lego sets as seen above}! The Hubby and I have 100+ on each of our lists. They involve travel and games and food and dates and all sorts of other things! A lot of fun ideas for the boys’ lists came from KidVentures and Fifteen Minutes Outside: 365 Ways to Get Out of the House and Connect with Your Kids. Mine also includes some projects I want to do around the house and a whole lot of this…

2. Reading

I pretty much just want to sit on the deck and read all day long. I have SO many good books waiting to be read on my Kindle! This past weekend I finished 24/6: A Prescription for a Healthier, Happier Life {which is only $2.99 for Kindle!}. It’s about the importance of a Sabbath and I found it very refreshing and inspiring! I’m over halfway done with Start by Jon Acuff, the first book I’ve read by him. I now must read everything else he has ever written because he is freaking hilarious AND motivating. I have a bajillion other books I want to read this summer as well, so I’m sneaking in reading time whenever I can! I’ll keep you updated as I check them off my list!

One other thing has kept me a little distracted from writing this week and that would be the little old half-marathon I’m running this weekend. No big deal. But since we’re talking about it, would you please say a few prayers for me and all others running, for the weather to cooperate {storms in the forecast}, and for the fundraising I’m doing for Team Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child?!

We only have a few days left and we still need over $300 to reach our goal! I would so appreciate if you can donate any amount and any help you provide in spreading word about our fundraiser!

There you go! A little update on life here at Home with the Boys!

What’s happening in your neck of the woods? What things are keeping you the busiest these days?

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Filed Under: family, priorities, reading, summer, Uncategorized

Realistic Refreshment

April 15, 2013 By Erin 1 Comment

I just adore that two lovely blog friends have been focusing on refreshment lately. Jessi and Hayley are doing such a wonderful job encouraging us as women to step back and fill up our own tanks before we burnout. Last week they focused on refreshing yourself with some new fun and easy hair, makeup, and wardrobe tips, as well as sharing some things they find refreshing in their own lives.

I’ve latched on quite tightly to one of their “movements” the last few weekends and it has been my biggest source of realistic refreshment: analog weekends.

From Friday evening to Sunday evening, I stay off of social media. I focus on home and family and reading and writing and interacting right here, right now.

This was my third weekend of social media blackout. I can’t even tell you how freeing it has been. I say “yes” a lot more to my family. When there’s some downtime and I’m tempted to reach for my phone and check Facebook, I grab a book instead. More projects are getting done.

My head is clearer and my thoughts are more my own. It’s funny how clearing the social media voices out of the mind can do that!

I didn’t go to a spa. I didn’t go away for the weekend. I didn’t take a bath or get a massage. I was with my family all weekend {except for my running & working out time}, but I still feel refreshed and ready to take on this next week. Between managing homeschool and little ones and a doctor’s schedule and managing a few websites and… {I’ll just stop there} weekends like these are what I call realistic refreshment.

And this is what realistic refreshment looked like this weekend…

French dip for Friday supper, leftovers all weekend.

Our little bread lover!

Monkey bread. Enough said.

1000 piece puzzle picked out by Big J at Costco Friday. Started Saturday. This much done by Sunday night, mostly by The Hubby, some by me, a little by Big J.

I want to issue a challenge to you this week. First of all, read the Refresh posts from Hayley and Jessi. Pick one of their refresh ideas and run with it this week – try a new hairstyle, change up your make-up, put together a new outfit from clothes in your closet. And then take the week to think about this…

What is ONE way you could find refreshment this upcoming weekend?

The challenge part is that the ONE thing cannot involve leaving your house, hiring a babysitter, or spending any money. How is that for realistic? Pick something now and then make plans this week to make sure it actually happens!

I can’t wait to hear your answers! Let’s inspire one another!

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Filed Under: family, inspiration, joy, priorities, reading

They’re Speaking a Different Language, But I’m Still Listening

What do your kids talk to you about that you just don’t “get?” How do you make them feel heard in these situations?

Choose {Five-Minute Friday}

What little choices could make a big difference in your day today?

VITALITY in Self-Care + Personal Growth

food as fuel

challenge myself

water, water, water

motivate others

finish more books

rest

How are you doing with taking care of YOU? What do you want to focus on for your personal growth this year?

Say Goodbye to Survival Mode!

Record what you do every half hour for 2-3 days.

Use those five minutes here and there.

Set focused work time.

Are you in survival mode? What area of your life could use a new strategy?

Divine Service

Where is your focus right now? What divine service has He called you to?

Day 24: I Don’t HAVE to… Do Everything for My Children

What could you teach your kids to do for themselves this week?

Day 17: I Don’t HAVE to… Post on the Blog Every Day!

Day 11: I Don’t HAVE to…Be On Social Media 24/7

Do you identify with me in this pull to be constantly connected with others? What is your biggest struggle with social media?

Reading, Writing, & Summer Bucket Lists!

1. Summer Bucket Lists

2. Reading

What’s happening in your neck of the woods? What things are keeping you the busiest these days?

Realistic Refreshment

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