2018, you were quite a year. (Don't believe me? Read the recap--book, baby, and so much more crammed into 12 months). I don't have big plans for 2019, but I'm thrilled it's beginning. I have book ideas simmering but no proposals or contracts in the works for a new book deal. We're not moving, changing jobs (God willing), or doing anything more crazy than homeschooling 4 kids on our little urban … [Read more...]
A Recap of Our 2018!
In some ways 2018 felt a million years long and in some ways it's just flown by--packed full of stuff. I wanted to share some of the big events with you (partly just to document for myself!). January: -I'm several weeks in to my worst pregnancy so far due to more severe hyperemesis gravidarum (I always think next time will be better..reader...next time is not better). -Netflix and La … [Read more...]
Parents, It’s Better When You Give Up
My 9yo son asked me yesterday if it was easier having a baby in the house with big kid helpers or if it’s easier to just have one baby in the house and no other kids to care for. (We just had our fourth little one in August.) I had to think about it for a minute. Having big kid helpers is so different than having only toddlers! It’s downright dreamy. But life is certainly pretty busy over here, … [Read more...]
How Can I Describe the Weight of You?
How can I describe the weight of you? Your warm cheek against my chest, limbs relaxed, eyes closed, breathing deep and even. The new baby smell from the top of your head that smells like heavenly bread. Your smiles in your sleep, the way your scrunch your face and stretch, almost waking and the relaxing again into my arms. I watch the soles of your feet touch together. I feel your fingers … [Read more...]
Motherhood Didn’t Squelch My Creativity, It Made Me a Maker
Having a book published has meant a lot of radio and podcast interviews in my life lately. And most of them I conduct in a HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL MANNER in my pajamas from my daughters’ bedroom, sitting on their bunk bed. If the interview is just audio than no one’s the wiser about the baby spit up stain on my shoulder or my bunk bed home recording studio. But video interviews give me away. “Are … [Read more...]
Do You Need to Remember You’re a Human Being?
One of the worst things about modern life is the push to live at high speed. Most of us are rushing around trying to keep our heads above water. Not only do we not have time for self-care, we don't have time to even figure out what we would do for self-care if we did! I think “self-care” is a tricky phrase. It can be interpreted as selfishness or putting our own needs before the needs of those … [Read more...]
Hildie’s Birth Story: Part II, The Wild Ride
This is Part II. You definitely want to start with Part I to hear about how I was sent home from the hospital and told I was "not in labor." Back at home I laid on the couch with one leg over a couch pillow while Daniel dozed on a yoga mat on the floor next to me, holding my hand through contractions. The contractions were becoming unbearable and I started to feel overheated during them and … [Read more...]
Hildie’s Birth Story: Part I, “You’re Not in Labor”
To arrive at our sweet girl’s absolutely wild birth story, the stage must be set. It was a rough pregnancy. 25 weeks of debilitating nausea due to HG followed by a third trimester of lightheadedness and the other perks that come with anemia. Then my midwife mentioned, “Hmmmm, looks like she’s breech. But don’t freak out because she has plenty of time to turn.” I did start to freak out and … [Read more...]
A Hospital Bag Checklist for the Catholic Mom
I am 38 weeks tomorrow. My baby girl continues to stubbornly stay breech and transverse in there so this week is chock full of chiropractor visits, more handstands at the pool, acupuncture, moxibustion, and if all that fails (as it has been) an external version at the hospital on Friday. I am feeling very not in control of much right now. But I can pack my hospital bag (and I plan to take it … [Read more...]
Our Chalk Paint Kitchen Cabinet Reno (And Free Stuff for You!)
We JUST put the finishing touches on our cabinet painting project! When we moved into our house in Waco two years ago the one thing I knew I HAD to change was the cabinets. They were an awful cherry stain that clashed horribly with the backsplash and floor tile. Ready for the before pic? See?! The bizarre combination of kitchen components made me wonder if the people who flipped the house … [Read more...]
