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Take Time to Process

Our culture doesn’t encourage taking time to process, well, anything really. It’s a culture of instant gratification and quickly moving on to the next thing. But this is one topic that needs intention. It requires our time, attention, and focus. Take some time today to process.

Check in with yourself: how are you feeling at this point? Are you comfortable with your choices in your will/trust? Can you see that your answers aren’t set in stone and can change over time as needed? Really try to get some perspective today by writing about how you’re feeling up to this point.

Have the Hard Discussion

You know which one I mean. The one where you have to talk about who your kids would live with if you die. It sucks. It’s a moment where we have to face our own mortality and it’s enough to make many of us start to panic. It’s talking about worse case scenario stuff and it frightens us. Deep breaths, mama. It’s part of the process.

For those of us who have partners, this discussion can bring up all the truths. We might not want our kids to go with say our sister-in-law’s family, but our SIL might be on our partner’s list of people they trust. Then comes all the “whys.” “Why don’t you want to choose her, why do you want to choose that person, why don’t you like my list, why don’t you like my family…”And it’s really hard to hear the truth behind hesitations and reasoning when it comes to our kids and “last wishes.” Here is where I would lovingly recommend having a third party involved (like a therapist). It can help some couples prepare for the conversation by talking about it before hand a little at a time. Remember to acknowledge over and over that this is hard, that there are some of our most extreme emotions involved, and that there are going to be disagreements and differences that will need to be worked through.

Write down your thoughts before going into the conversation. Come up with a timeline/plan for when the discussion is going to happen and then make the heart and head space for it.

Will/Trust Hang-ups

Let’s take a moment today to write about why this is difficult for us. Acknowledging our mortality is hard enough in our culture…talking about our wishes at the time of our death is even harder. Write about the hard today. Acknowledge it. Get it out. Write about how your heart has changed since becoming a mom. Write about our connection and deep love for our children that makes this hard. Get it on paper. The simple act of writing about it and acknowledging it will help us get to a better spot so we can move forward and take action (i.e. finish our will/trust). It’s a very sensitive subject so talk it out if you need to, too. Process it in a way that works best for you.

Will/Trust: When

Today is a practical day. Look at your calendar and map out a timeline for when you want to complete your will/trust. List research days, deadlines, etc. Mapping it out can help make it come to life.

If you’re following along with the Guided Journal timeline for this, my personal deadline is going to be by the end of May 2019, specifically May 28th. That is the day I have marked down to turn in our will/trust to our lawyer. Come up with a deadline that works for you, write it down, and make it happen.

Will/Trust: Who

I only recently found out that when deciding who we want our children to go to if we pass that it is encouraged for us to have a list of 4 different people/families (with our first choice as #1). This was a shocker for me. It’s hard enough coming up with one let alone 4.

Spend some time today thinking about those 4 people/families in your own heart and mind. It doesn’t have to be an outside discussion, just one that you feel comfortable with inside your own being. Write down your thoughts, feelings, and ideas about this. Write down your list of potential people. There might be some emotions to work through today, and that’s okay. Nothing is happening today other than us thinking about it in our own hearts and minds. Talk about it with a neutral party if that helps you. This is just the first step in the process. There’s nothing final about a brainstorm. It’s the beginning not the end.

Will/Trust: Why

This week is going to be uncomfortable for some of us. Talking about our will and who we want to take our children if we pass is super hard for many of us. I’m just going to come out and say it: this sucks.

But it has to be done. It’s part of our responsibilities as a parent. And discomfort is a call to grow and change. We can see this week as our chance to finally get this obligation off our to-do list. So let’s start out at the beginning and look at our “whys.”

Why have you been hesitant to complete your will/trust? Take a few moments to figure out your why.

Now ask yourself why you are going to move forward with it now. Take a minute to write about it.

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Glacier 2022, our first RV adventure We caught t Glacier 2022, our first RV adventure 

We caught the travel bug in Glacier. 😍 Now we want to see all the parks & RV everywhere! 

Last fall we rented a travel trailer (to test out a trailer vs motorhome) and drove to Glacier National Park for a few days. We stayed at the West Glacier KOA… full-time travelers told us it is one of the nicest KOAs in the country and that we set the bar too high for a first trip 😂 

Stay tuned for more about our #roadschool adventures ⛰🚐
Align your actions and your values. It’s how tru Align your actions and your values. It’s how true change happens and where peace resides.

I was such a “good customer” with Target, they moved me to the front of the line to speak with a customer representative. I was referred to as a “frequent” for years. No more. I’m walking the walk and deleting everything Target from my life. If you feel convicted, stirred, or uncomfortable with the swift downhill slide of Target, I want to encourage you to sit with thise feelings…then align your actions and your values.
Imagine if more of us could see that living is lea Imagine if more of us could see that living is learning and learning is living. And that we spend our whole lives learning well past any graduation ceremony. The world would be a different place if we embraced and encouaged a #lifelonglearning mindset. Childhoods would be different…dare I say happier? Easier? More fruitful?  I’m not going to give up on the paradigm shift that is happening, one homeschool family at a time 🙏🏼 #realeducation #realeducationreform
I get asked ALL THE TIME…”Why Idaho?” Chri I get asked ALL THE TIME…”Why Idaho?” 

Chris & I are planning on sitting down and recording our “why” in an @elevatingmotherhood podcast episode (sorry it’s taken us so long 😂), but I’ll give you the short list. 

We were looking for a place that was:
1. Majestic (Maui is majestic…we were hoping for water and mountains and North Idaho has those things in spades) 

2. Homeschool Friendly (Idaho is the most free homeschool state in the USA) 

3. Freedom Loving (check!) 

We came to Idaho for those 3 main reasons and have discovered 100 more reasons to stay! The people, the community, the churches, the small businesses, the beaches, the lakes, the big sky, the accessibility to other places…the list goes on. It’s the people that touch us the most. We have been embraced by the community—I am overcome with gratitude. They show up in for each other in small and big ways. To be part of something this amazing has blessed us beyond beyond! 

So “Why Idaho?” Pull up a chair—I’ll our you a cup of PNW coffee—plan to stay awhile, because the list of reasons is long and amazing. ⛰☕️🥰

#idahome #mauitoidaho #homeschoolidaho #northidaho #idaholife
There was an election this week. I don’t miss an There was an election this week. I don’t miss an election. 🇺🇸 I vote in person out of conviction. I take my kids with me every time. I share the whole process with them so when it comes time for them to cast their vote, they won’t hesitate to let their voices be heard. 

The volunteers at our voting place are so kind to my family. They recognize us, encourage me as a mother, and dote over what “happy voters” we are. It makes for an incredibly pleasant and empowering experience. I’m so grateful to live in a place where voting is taken seriously and honored as the important responsibility that it is. It’s one of my favorite life tasks…which means it’s one of my favorite homeschool activities. #alloflifeislearning The conversations we have within our family about elections, issues, politics, and community is more inspiring than any conversation I’ve ever been coerced into in a school. 

From Kindergarten to Grad School, I always felt like my thoughts were being guided in one direction—that of a teacher or an agenda. It was one filled with peer pressure and conformity. As an adult and parent outside of that space I can see clearly how my opinions were guided by people who were not invested in me. They did not share with me in a way that instilled confidence  in who I am, what I *actually* believe, nor did they give me a spirit of knowing it’s okay for me to have opinions that are different than others. 

That ends with me. I’m doing things differently. I’m educating my children differently. Change doesn’t look like talk—it looks like action. And action is more do-able than most people would have you believe. It’s as simple as taking your babies with you to vote. It’s as do-able as having open conversations with your children (with lots of listening). There are many different ways to approach heated topics like politics and elections that don’t involve division and hatred…ways that include less talking and more action. Don’t be afraid to take action, mamas. Your growth, example, and bravery make the biggest impact 😘

#vote #idahovotes #homeschoollessons #lifeschooling #lifeschool #homeschoolmama #mamabear #lesstalkmoreaction #homeschoolidaho
Our Garden in the Burbs 👩🏻‍🌾🌱 We’ Our Garden in the Burbs 👩🏻‍🌾🌱

We’re not gonna wait until we have more land to start living an Idaho homestead life. 🥰 We’re filling pots, digging holes, keeping chickens, sowing seeds, and farming as best we can. People like to share the end results of their garden, but I figured I’d share this growing season’s humble beginnings 🥰

So far we’re growing echinacea, borage, yarrow, onions, garlic, strawberries, squash, zucchini, cinderella pumpkins, thyme, basil, jalapeños, bell peppers, dill, cucumbers, beans, raspberries, roses, lilacs, mock orange, rosemary, sage, & tomatoes 👩🏻‍🌾 

What are you growing? 😍🌱👩🏻‍🌾
Idaho Summer Vibes ⛰🤙🏼 *wait until then t Idaho Summer Vibes ⛰🤙🏼

*wait until then the end…we saw a baby 🐐 on the beach*

The last few days I’ve reflected on how grateful I am to be in Idaho. This is where my family is supposed to be right now. We are surrounded by beautiful scenery & beautiful people…just like we were on Maui.

It turns out the world is filled with beauty. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise 🥰 

#idahome #mauitoidaho #mauinokaoi #idaho #idahome❤️ #idahomom #homeschoolidaho #homeschoolfreedom #openroad #godisgoodallthetime #northidaho
Big cheesy I love being a mom grin…that’s all Big cheesy I love being a mom grin…that’s all you’ll get from me in Mother’s Day photos 😂

Happy Mother’s Day!!! 😘😘😘
I didn’t get what I asked for…the door was ope I didn’t get what I asked for…the door was opened 3 times. Even the cat is reaching under the door. 😂

I know this isn’t my usual encouraging post, but there are a lot of expectations around Mother’s Day. And as the planners, event coordinators, and celebrators in our homes, Mother’s Day can feel…all kinds of things. Disappointing. Extra. Frustrating. Cute. Messy. Grief ridden. Charming. Memorable. Did I already say disappointing? 

Mother’s Day disappointment is real. A lot of moms experience it. I just wanted to acknowledge that with a bit of humor. I wrote a blog post about it on my original blog years ago and it remains my top article. If I find a minute today I’ll try to link to it in my stories 😘

Wishing you a Happy Mother’s Day whatever kind of day you’re having 💜😘

Baby Tula

Tula
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