Cool Aunt Missy

I am incredibly blessed to have three amazing nieces who are beginning school next week.  I was an aunt before I was a mother and it has always been my goal to be "Cool Aunt Missy."  I've lived up to that in varying degrees of reality, but still make the effort.  

This year, Dayspring offered to let me review their Back to School line.  It is very cute and quite modern while still offering all the function needed by students.  My only daughter is just in kindergarten and so I'm sending the binders and folders to my dear nieces, since they were not on our supply list.  I hope that I earn more 'cool' points for this one!

Please note, Dayspring has a 25% off sale happening right now.  They have so many charming items that I have to be cautious about overspending.  There is so much that I would love to have. 

"I Know Where Love Comes From" line of school related products.



Are you done with your back to school shopping?  Do you try to encourage your student throughout the days and remind them of their spiritual heritage?  Do share!  There are great options for boys, too.

Note: I was not compensated but was given these products for review by Dayspring.  The opinions are fully my own and I really do love the products!

Don't MissThis

Thoughts on Recovering From Divorce - @ (in)Courage

My own Guest Post about our Swingset @ Money Saving Mom

Single Parent Homes from my blog-friend, April @ It's All About Balance

Grown-up Role Models

True Story: I usually park and walk my child up to school- mostly because we're often running on the late side and I don't want to risk the drop off line being too long. Also, I enjoy the last minute hug and sendoff rather than the car drop. One of the teachers commented, "You always look like June Cleaver...." I literally laughed out loud and though, "Things sure look different than they seem."

I had a quite idyllic childhood, and other than a few moves, there were no great tragedies in my young life. I married my college sweetheart and imagined that life would have some ups and downs, but completely thought I had the next fifty years pretty well planned out. I was completely blindsided and unprepared for the losses and betrayals that came my way.

So now I enter the second act of life. I'm still adjusting to being a single mother of three. I work hard each day but struggle to make ends meet. I love to be social, but have trouble finding time to be with friends. My mind is more free and creative than ever, but I lack the time and energy to put plans to my thoughts. I don't even know how to live in this imperfect way that I never planned. June Cleaver is so far from my reality that she wouldn't know where to turn in my topsy turvy world (though I'm certain she would rock a string of awesome pearls while trying).

In my previous path, I had strong, clear role models- like the June Cleavers of previous generations. But in this new walk, I'm not sure where to look. So what is the new norm? Where do I fit into the scene of family, career, personal life? Who is our new June? And if I'm looking for a role model, who is looking at me?

It's a brave new world out there and we get to define our own limits. I'm still learning that I don't have to have it all figured out and that letting go is full of gifts. Someday, maybe I'll be the new June- it is my middle name after all. So this week I'll really put on my apron, jump in with both feet and fully engage in the life I have; The one with little darlings that adore and depend on me. I'll primp and put on pumps for a day at the office and then change to work out clothes and enjoy a four mile walk. I'll call a friend and schedule a get together. I'll make the budget stretch further than I thought possible, but I'll be fully engaged, fully living and it will be fully mine. What are you going to do this week to make your life your own? What expectations have changed?

Step Outside

I live at the top of a hill and I often enjoy a breeze which is more noticeable than further down the block.  During the summer, I love to step outside after the children are in bed and take a deep breath.  When I am feeling down, discouraged or just tempted to feel sorry for myself, stepping out of the situation for perspective can give me the same sense of fresh air.

The Lord knows my inner temperature gauge, knows when the thermostat is rising and I'm about to blow.  I've been amazed to witness how he supplies, rescues and provides for every need and so many wants.  That history helps me deal with whatever current instability I'm facing.  He knows where I am and where I need to be.

Often the best thing for my self-centered ways is to step out of myself and into the path of others.  It's really not all about me.  Even meeting a friend and vowing not to talk about myself or my situation provides space to hear another's journey.  How do you step out of your circumstances and into the terrain of others?

Mothering in the Storm

Just as I was finally settling in to watch the news before bed, I heard thunder rumble.  It wasn't the distant thunder type, it was the "Get ready," type and was quickly followed by more ominous booms.  It was less than a minute when the first set of pitter-pats reached my room, and two more quickly followed.  When thunderstorms arrive all three little ones join me in my bed and we hunker down.  Sometimes we all sleep, more often we light candles, make shadows, tickle and giggle our way through the storm.  Even with the recent and horrible storms we've had, they always do pass.  It's natural for mothers to comfort their little ones, to keep them close and safe when storms enter our life and theirs.

 

The last few years have been stormy in our family life, but the last year was the most acute.  Here are some ways I think I've handled the division of our family well and poorly...

On My Own

From Pinterest

My children are vacationing with their father this week.  They are camping in Virgina and I'm sure they are having a blast.  Two big trips back to back...  What lucky little ones they are! 

Me?  I'm dealing better than before by spending some taking taking care of myself and our home, getting ready for back to school, which is just a week away. I've got several projects including more painting (it's what I did last year, too) and lots of organizing to accomplish.

This year, too, I'm intentionally enjoying the dowtime and a break from the daily demands of mothering.  Yes, I'm working extra hours to make up for my own vacation, and I can't ever not think of my children, but I'm trying to rest, to let go and bask in nothingness as much as possible.

Already I've wandered the mall, read for an uninterrupted stretch and taken two baths.  It's pretty luxurious for me!

You've got to do this!

Vacation was wonderful.  Wonderful!  This was the longest vacation I've had in ... four years?  Five days with a change of scenery, relaxed routine and no demands were amazing.  I need to remember to make this happen every year.  It is worth the expense, the hassel, the planning and laundry overload.  Coming home is always a wonderful feeling at that remains true.  All the major stressors are still here and must be confronted, but it will be much easier to manage the tasks now that my mind has had some downtime and my body some true rest.

I'm already planning next year's get-away.  I can't afford to fly us all to Florida again, but there are lots of options within a half day's drive.  It's so worth it to get away from life and then enjoy the return home.  I think the key for us was to have an extended number of days together outside of our usual schedule. I am paid hourly and have no paid vacation time, so I took advantage of the weekend and just took the loss of several days' pay.  I'm sure I'll cringe at my next paycheck, but I know in my heart it was worth it.  What are some other ways to get that vacation afterglow? How do you de-stress or retreat from everyday life?