Creating A Summer Routine

Summer vacation is officially 7 days away.

{But who is counting...right?!}

As I've mentioned previously, both Mr. Free and I are teachers.

That means 11 weeks of family time.

I.cant.wait.

Before the Little One came along, summers were pretty aimless.

Sleep in.

Go shop.

Grab a Starbucks.

Take a nap.

Maybe a chore or two.

Now that Mr. Levi is around, and I see just how precious each moment is with him.

No more mindless shopping.

No more random Target trips.

Why?

Because a routine is best for my child, and myself.

Being at home will help me with contentment in not wanting more.

Being at home will help me be a blessing to my family.

Because it will help me live at a slower pace.

I decided to take our normal schedule and tweak it for the summer.

Now...I've rephrased it.

It is our "routine" as opposed to a "schedule".

Summer is meant to be laid back.

Summer needs flexibility.

Summer is fun.

So, instead of a certain time each day an item needs to be done...it is just a general routine.

Here is how ours is currently looking.

My goal is to make memories.

To be intentional.

To enjoy each moment.

To be flexible.

To relax.

Mamas, if you are going to be home this summer with your littles...I encourage you to put some thought into creating your own routine!

Think about the non-negiotables each day (meals, naps, bedtime) and then plan some fun interactive and independent play time in there! May as well sneak in a little learning too!

Make sure to leave some room for yourself. Wake up early before the kids and start your day off with your Bible and some quiet.

During naptime, take a nap yourself! Read a book! Savor those moments!

Plan fun outings that you and the kids will always remember. There are fabulous day trips that can cost next to nothing!

For some of you, summer doesn't look a whole lot different than any other season.

Work is still the same, kids routines are still the same.

But why not add a little summer fun?

Maybe stay up a little later than normal and catch fireflies in the backyard.

Treat the kids to ice cream from the ice cream truck after daycare.

Build a fort in front of the TV and watch a movie.

There is something magical about summer time.

I can't wait.

P.S. I have a great idea for budgeting activities for your family for the summer. Stay tuned!

learning to let go

I'm going to give you a little peek into how my mind works.

Proceed with caution.

I'm not a naturally organized person.

I don't enjoy cleaning.

{I do enjoy the affects of such efforts though!}

I have many-a-times beat myself up for not being Perfect Mrs. Susie Homemaker.

I try, I really do. 

But it's not natural for me.

I have my chore chart and try my darndest to stick to it.

But sometimes, this situation comes up.

Levi is playing in the playroom, and I know I need to sweep and mop all the floors.

I have a choice to make.

Do my chore...or play with my son.

Sometimes I choose one, sometimes I choose the other.

Both bring guilt.

I beat myself up if I don't check off everything on my to-do list for the day.

I put myself down for being such a poor homemaker and wife.

If I have completed each and every task, I have crazy Mama guilt.

Those were precious moments I could've spent snuggling my son, chasing him, etc.

Both mindsets aren't healthy.

I'm learning to simplify and let go.

I take my role as homemaker, mother and wife seriously.

Keeping my home as a safe, healthy, comfortable haven is important.

But at what expense?

I have to change my mindset.

It is OK.

It is OK to skip mopping today to chase Levi around the dining room table.

It is OK to show Levi how to load the dishwasher.

It is OK to let Levi stay up a few extra minutes to finish watching his beloved Elmo.

It is OK to fold that laundry tomorrow when Levi wants Mama to push him in his car.

It is OK to have Levi help him "dust" the furniture.

So I'm ridding myself of the guilt.

I am going to enjoy each and every precious moment with my son, husband, family and friends.

At the end of my life, on my deathbed, will I really regret not scrubbing the bathroom floor in 2014.

No.

I'm simply letting go of the non-essential things.

 So, if you come to my house and my kitchen looks like this

and my family room looks like this

I'm going to welcome you into our well loved home,

offer you a cold drink

and not apologize for how things look.

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Anyone else ever struggle with this balance?

Whether it is work and family, chores and family?

How have you found a balance?

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Snow Day

So, Kansas City has gotten a foot of snow and counting.

Possibly up to 15" by this evening.

Pretty crazy.

Needless to say, Mr. Free and I (and Levi, by default) have a Snow Day.

And I can bet, tomorrow too...

So, we are snowed in...what shall I do with my time?

So far we have...

 

Enjoyed homemade waffles and eggs for Brunch

(Levi slept in....a Snow Day Miracle!!!)

I've made homemade hot cocoa (recipe here!) and sat and watched the snow as Levi took his morning nap.

What else is on the agenda over the next few days of being stuck inside?

....make a ton of laundry detergent.

 .......sew my booty off

.......lots of playtime

 

.....even more snuggle time

....and naps. Lots of naps.

And if I get really bored....may even clean my house! (haha)

Luckily, we have baked potato soup in the fridge, a whole pile of leftover waffles and extra hot cocoa.

I'm thankful (despite the dangerous conditions) for these days to simply be at home with my family.

Best wishes Kansas City!

Praying everyone is home safe!

Our Love Story

I totally copied the idea for this post from Amy over at He Graces.

Sharing our love stories is the perfect idea for Valentine's Day!

Our love story is a total God thing.

I am forever thankful for the man He chose for me, and the lack of heartache I was saved from.

Praise the Lord.

So....the story begins in the early '90s.

Mr. Free was 5, I was 6.

We both began going to the same church.

The first 10 years of our lives knowing one another were pretty uneventful.

We had those kiddie church musicals together, we share the same friends, but nothin crazy.

In high school, my little sister actually had a crush on him.

I thought she was crazy.

I said he was "gross". Haha.

While in high school, I of course, longed for a boyfriend.

I was very set though, that dating should lead to marriage.

I shouldn't date someone I couldn't consider marrying.

And I had always felt that I would marry someone from our church.

I distinctly remember as a teenager laying on my bed, trying to "figure out" which boy at church I would marry.

I remember getting to Mr. Free, and saying "No...his dad has diabetes, and my dad has diabetes, so our kids could get diabetes. Won't marry him." (Little did I know a few years later, I'd have diabetes myself!)

So...in high school we shared the same friends.

His best friend, and my best friend began to date.

We went to church camp.

At church camp, there was trouble in paradise.

Mr. Free and I would sit together at lunch and discuss what we could do to help our friends relationship.

And somehow....we both began to be interested in one another.

I remember on the way home from camp...riding in the sweet church van, I looked at Mr. Free and just saw him differently. He was no longer like a brother. He meant more.

So....now we are in the year 2002. Instant Messanger was all the rage.

Mr. Free was all I could think of.

He was so dreamy.

I was IMing his best friend and happened to mention my feelings for him.

I felt silly.

Then, went and ate dinner and came back to the computer.

His friend has messaged back, "He likes you too."

I danced.

No boy had ever liked me.

At least, no boy worth my time.

I was giddy.

We spent so much time together.

Then, Oct. 18, 2002....he asked me to be his girlfriend.

I had just been diagnosed with type 1, so my life was a little crazy.

The huge blessing, was that his dad had type 1. 

The thought of a "diseased girl" didn't scare him one bit.

In fact, it was normal to him!

Our parents were already friends through church, and we knew each other's families.

Mr. Free and I dated through high school and at the end of college, we got engaged and married.

Funny facts:

-My mom gave Mr. Free trombone lessons in our living room when he was in elementary school. I'd sit at the top of the stairs and watch.

- I used to get Mr. Free's big sister's hand-me-downs. It was like we were meant to be sisters : )

We began dating 10.18.02

We got engaged 12.23.06

We got married 6.9.07

We welcomed our son 2.8.12 

Mr. Free and I have been "together" for going on 11 years now.

We've had many, many ups and downs.

High school

College

Finding Careers

Getting Engaged

Marriage

Buying a Home

Miscarriages

Fertility Testing

Our Baby Boy

Parenting

God totally picked Mr. Free just for me.

He is such an example of a godly man.

He is a prayer warrior, and I am so thankful for that.

He knows how to love people.

He doesn't know a stranger.

He shows the gospel to others with hospitality.

He knows how to live and love life.

He fully trusts in God.

He has been my rock as we have gone through life.

I am so thankful God chose him for me.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Best.Christmas.Ever

It's not even officially Christmas, and it's already the best yet.

Being a Mama at Christmas is the best!!!

We are blessed with a ton of family, so Christmas began this past week and will continue through the new year!

This week started with a beautiful snow

That's our backyard.

It was a perfect mood-setting snow.

This past weekend we went to my Aunt and Uncle's for Christmas.

The spoiled him with some books, puzzle, clothes, stuffed animals and Little People truck!

My Aunt gave Levi a book that was my Dad's as a kid.

Sidenote: My dad passed away when I was six years old. So for Levi to have something of his grandpa's is extra special.

Levi is loving all his new toys!

 Yesterday, on Christmas Eve Eve, we celebrated Christmas with my mom and sister.

He got lots of books, clothes, toys and goodies!

His favorite gift was probably his Lightning McQueen ride-on walker toy.

Levi has been getting very close to walking, and with his walker, he just takes off!

Check it how cute he is!

Then....Santa came this morning!

Mr. Free grew up with Santa coming on Christmas Eve morning. This is because Santa knew how busy they were visiting family on Christmas, so this let them be home and play with their toys all day.

We decided to continue that tradition. So here's what Santa brought him...

Santa went a *wee* bit overboard. 

I was just so excited to have a little boy to spoil!

And he's getting so big! He was ready for some bigger boy toys, books and clothes! 

 I made sure to video his whole unwrapping, but snagged one pic of him opening gifts with his Daddy.

We then sent most of the day down in his playroom playing with all his toys.

And yes, his playroom looks like Toys R Us.

And yes, Mama is glad to have a playroom to contain all the fun into...

 So Christmas hasn't even begun and it's already been fantastic.

My Mama heart is so full celebrating this joyous time with my husband and son.

Next year I am excited to share the true joy of Christmas with Levi and have him understand a bit more.

How he is SO loved that God sent his very own son down to earth to later die for us.

That that is the best gift of all time.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Thanksgiving Recap

Levi's First Thanksgiving!

First of all....with both Mr. Free and I as teachers...our schedule is awesome.

Can't beat it.

We had off Wed- Sunday of Thanksgiving week and enjoying every.single.second. of it.

Wednesday

We slept in.

It was awesome.

Then piddled around the house, slowly decorating for Christmas.

Mr. Free hung the lights and I worked on the inside.

We are keeping it on the simpler side this year due to a mobile child.

Makes a big difference.

No more glass ornaments in a glass bowl on the coffee table!

No no!

Then we wrapped a few presents

And went to my Mom's for Thanksgiving dinner!

After the yummy and oh-so-filling dinner, we went to see Christmas fireworks.

Levi slept through it. Haha

Thanksgiving morning we watched the parade a bit, and I made my kinda-famous garlic bread stuffing (recipe to come soon)

 We went to Mr. Free's Nana's for Thanksgiving lunch and the cousins had fun playing.

 And Levi decided to show off his new standing skills.

That night we went to Christmas in the Park to see Christmas lights.

Levi loved them!

 Friday and Saturday were filled with Christmas shopping and I'm almost done!

We had a very full, fun Thanksgiving.

And I am so.stinkin. excited for Levi's first Christmas!

We are going to be doing the Advent season with Levi, and I'll be posting how we plan to do it within the next couple of days!

Happy

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, 

but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

Proverbs 13:12

I am so stinkin' happy.

I feel so incredibly blessed.

The verse above was a particularly touching verse during the dark time I struggled to be a mom.

 I prayed and prayed that my longing would be fulfilled.

 And here he is.

Being a mama has made me so incredibly joyful.

I love our little family of three.

I've been madly in love with my husband for many many years.

He is the most loving, hilarious, godly, good-looking man ever.

And seeing him as the Daddy to my son makes my love for him grow deeper.

I'm so happy to have the job of my dreams.

That I can be "mostly home" with my baby boy and bless our home and keep it.

I'm so happy to be creating beautiful things from beautiful fabrics.

 And that my little Etsy shop is up, running and thriving!

I'm thankful to have pictures of a chubby, blue eyed baby boy in our home.

And my husband's art on the walls.

Just remembering how dark and depressing life was two years ago...

My heart is just so full of joy at the blessings God has poured out on us.

 

I'm happy.