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Solidify the Fun List

Revisit the lists. What do you need to do to make some of them happen? Which are realistic for this month? Affordable? Free? Which ones take pre-planning? Which ones can you transfer to a long-term goal list? Which ones could be spur of the moment? Start making plans to make them happen. Writing down plans or what you need to succeed is a great step in the right direction.

Friends & Family

Who do you want to hang out with this summer? Who do you want to see? Meet up with? Chill by the pool with? Who do your kids want to spend time with? How can you incorporate friends and family into your summer story? Start writing down the “who” and reaching out to others so you can start coordinating schedules.

Fun & Rest

Take a look at your lists. Are there active AND restful items on the list? What could you add to the list that would be easy, peaceful, and promote rest? Add things to your list that capture the essence of summer laziness.

Today’s Goal: Do Something Fun!

Then write about it—capture the details, the clothes, the food, the smells, the weather, the fireworks, the look on your child’s face, the music—all of it. Think of it as practice writing for your summer story.

You: The Details

Yesterday you made a list of ideas about what is fun for you…now what can you do to put it into action? Write out what it will take to make your summer fun come true. Schedule a sitter, coordinate schedules, etc. Get all your ducks in a row. Set yourself up for success.

You

You’ll hear me say over and over that “you cannot pour from an empty cup.” So what about you, mama? What sounds fun to you? Write it down. I really want you to complete your fun thing first. Be the model. It’s okay for you to go first.

Your Summer Story

Bring your family in on this month’s challenge from Day 1! Let them know that you’re all going to work together to write your family’s Summer Story. The goal is for each family member to do at least one thing this summer that’s fun for them.

Start brainstorming! Make lists. One big list, lots of individual lists…you decide. You don’t have to commit to anything on the lists…this is just the idea part. Let your kids know that, too, that this is just the idea stage. Get your family thinking about what sounds fun. Spend a few days coming up with the list. Put the list in plain sight. Add to it as you think of things.

You can prompt them by asking what would feel like summer: Swimming? Popsicles every week? A new pair of flip flops? Watermelon for lunch? Making homemade lemonade? A road trip? A hike? A picnic? Fishing? Water balloon fight? Flashlight tag? Catching fireflies? Find out what’s sounds fun to each person: write it all down, even the impractical. Today is about dreaming big…we’ll work out the details later.

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Happy monsteras? ✅
Happy Hawaiian scheffleras? ✅
Happy Fiddle Leaf Fig that I have always dreamed of having? ❌

Consider this my SOS from one plant loved to another…any insight into what I’m doing wrong? 🤪 Let me know in the comments! I need your insight! 🌱💕
My many years of trial & error Sourdough Biscuit r My many years of trial & error Sourdough Biscuit recipe is now available in my highlights! 😍 Enjoy, friends! 👩🏻‍🍳😘

#sourdough #sourdoughstarter #sourdoughbaking #sourdoughbiscuits #sourdoughlove #sourdoughbaker #sourdoughbreads
From the blues of Maui to the blues of Idaho 💙 From the blues of Maui to the blues of Idaho 💙 You Guys. We went for a drive &  made Chris stop the truck when I saw this bright blue spruce next to this perfect lavender and this whole color palette has taken over my visions for my home😍

Do you have a favorite blue? 💙🥰
We’ve officially known each other for 12 years o We’ve officially known each other for 12 years on 8-8-22. Twelve. Years. We jokingly say we have been married for that long even though it’s really only been 9 years. But my gosh. 12 years of loving & living & growing with someone. That feels like something. 

We met at Kimo’s on Maui. Shared a chair. Listened to Willie K. All by chance.  We talked for quite a while before we even kissed. Things were a whirlwind from there. It feels like we lived together right away and got married right away even if there were a few years in-between sharing that chair and sharing our vows 😉 

This life is better together. It just is. We were gushing about it just last night. Our marriage isn’t perfect. We have our squabbles like everyone. But we also have moments where we’re still blown away…moments where we reflect with joy “that someone else could love me that much.” We both feel that way about the other. 

Marriage is the best. I do need a man. I want a man. And he wants me. And needs me. I can tell you that whatever lies our culture tries to tell you otherwise, this. is. it. Marriage is the best thing ever. 💕

Photo: @daniwalkerphoto_
Don’t underestimate the power of a book. This bo Don’t underestimate the power of a book. This book—The Biggest Story Bible Storybook—is one that I keep out in the open for my kids to see. They pick it up on their own all the time. They have carried it with them on adventures in the truck and to church. It’s probably the thickest, heaviest book they have ever lugged around or held on their lap. The images and stories have brought up countless conversations and encouraged endless questions. And this is ONE book in our home. One. Let that sink in. 

This book is not just an item on our homeschool “to read” list that needs to be read and then checked off. It’s a book full of life. Homeschool (and life) is not something to merely check off and move on. It’s a way to hold space for living & loving. 

What a gift we’re given to slow down and do just that. And what a gift we’re giving by encouraging our kids to slow down and savor the good stuff (sometimes on repeat). 

Mama, you don’t have to “hold the space” all by yourself. There are amazing things at your fingertips that can help. Things like one miraculous book that will hold the space with you. 

Feeling overwhelmed by your to do list or to read list as you start this school year? Remember this. Sometimes it’s one thing of your desire revisited many times that makes a bigger impact than many things checked off of a list that was created by someone else. 😘
My babies aren’t this little anymore, but it sho My babies aren’t this little anymore, but it shows a time when I questioned my patience levels as a mom. The world around me was pouring messages into my mind that led me to believe that I didn’t have any patience or I wasn’t enough unless I could be even and calm, cool and collected every single moment of every single day. And that just wasn’t true. It isn’t true. Then there were messages telling me that if you “lose your shit” on your kids all the time, you’re also an awesome mom because kids are annoying and in the way. Also not true. But these extremes have led us to believe that we aren’t enough no matter what we do. It’s a myth that you don’t have enough patience to homeschool your kids. An internal belief that has been heavily influenced by outside messages like the ones above. But the truth? Such messages lead us to sell ourselves short. If you believe you don’t have the patience to homeschool your kids, you’re selling yourself short, mama. We learn beside our children. We learn with them. We are learning all the time. And if patience is an area that you feel you need to learn more about, homeschool is an opportunity to do just that. We ALL wrestle in this motherhood journey…with a wide variety of emotions, tasks, schedule snafus, sleep deprivation, health concerns, relationships, self esteem—so many things. But we are here on this planet and in this role as mother to learn. We’re here to improve. And our children are the greatest motivator for self improvement. We are here breaking generational cycles, becoming better, and ever evolving into the mother and woman we want to be. Improved patience is something you can and will learn when homeschooling. It won’t be automatic, it will be gradual. But we can show up with a willingness to work on patience, grace when that growth is hard, and dedication to being/doing better. Because our kids are worth it. We are worth it. We are capable, loving, and kind. We can do this. YOU can do this.

Photos: @kristycopperfieldphotography
School is right around the corner for most of us! School is right around the corner for most of us! 📚 And I’m sure you’ve at least been *thinking* about the need to get more organized so you and your kiddos feel ready for the school year. 

Want to feel more prepared? Have I got an amazing treat for you! The opportunity to learn from and ask questions of a professional organizer and author for FREE! 🥳

Next Monday, August 8th at 7pm EST, 4pm PST, 1pm HST join @jenniferfordberry and I for a LIVE zoom meet up! 🙌🏼

Jennifer is going to share all kinds of tips to help us get ready for the school year and has generously offered us the option of a Q&A at the end! Free class + personalized access to a professional? YES PLEASE! 🤩 

Have a back to school organization question you hope she answers in the class? Share it in the comments below! 👇🏼

Jennifer is a wealth of information and has been a personal inspiration for me to get my life aligned and in order. My life is better with Jennifer’s influence and encouragement in it 💕 

Sign up via the link in my bio…and mark your calendars for August 8th! 🥳
Someone said to me this week, “You live for your Someone said to me this week, “You live for your children, everyone knows that.” I was stopped in my tracks…Is that true? Is that what people think of me? Is it obvious? How do I feel about this statement? And the truth is, I was flattered. Her statement made me feel appreciated. I felt seen. I felt understood. I didn’t feel anything like “Oh gosh, does this mean I’ve lost myself?” Not at all—instead I felt validated and honored. Do I live for my children? Yes. Do Chris and I both live for our children? Yes—we moved our whole lives to give them better opportunities, security, and more adventures. My life DOES revolve around my role as a mother and I’m not anything but THRILLED by this. What a deep, deep honor it is to be the mother to these four beautiful children. A week later, I’m still humbled and elated by my friend’s passing comment. Would that we all feel so seen and honored this week 🙏🏼

Photo: @daniwalkerphoto_ 💕
Summer Bucket List: ✨ Pick Huckleberries ✨ A Summer Bucket List: ✨ Pick Huckleberries ✨ 

And we did! 😍 With the help of a sweet new friend and her amazing kiddos…and bear spray & babywearing. My heart is still on a high from this adventure! 💜🌿 We saw so many plants and views 🤩 And ate and ate huckleberries. I did bring home about 2 cups to freeze…7 people + 2 hours = 2 cups of berries 🤣 That should tell you something 😉

I’m so so so grateful! 💜 We love our new Idahome and all of the beautiful, generous folks who live here! 💕

Baby Tula

Tula

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