Things I learned in April

Wait a minute. April is OVER? I just cannot believe it. I feel as though it just began and I was in the midst of getting our house ready for Master’s Week and preparing to go on vacation. But we did, it happened and it is over.

So I’m doing something new here today. Linking up with one of my absolute favorite writers, Emily Freeman over at Chatting at the Sky. I had the privilege of hearing Emily speak at Allume last year and she was fantastic. She hosts a fun link-up each month based on the things we learned during that month, and as there are always random things I mean to tell you– this is something I want to join in on. So here goes.

1. I learned that every bit of the 6+ months I spent planning our Disney World Vacation was 100% worth it. There were definitely unexpected things that arose, (like random, brief, stomach illnesses for both kiddos while we were there! Yikes!) but because we were blessed to be able to go for a full week, we were able to just relax, take it all in stride and not push ourselves. I am so very grateful for the time away which our family thoroughly enjoyed and desperately needed. Also, there is no substitute for watching your kiddos experience “The Magic!”

2. I was reminded of the Power of 10 Minutes. Years ago, when I was pregnant with our first — a close friend relayed a very important piece of advice from her own mother. “Never underestimate the power of 10 minutes.” Basically, no matter how overwhelmed and tired you are, when you look around you at a million different tasks which seem insurmountable together, take one– just one at a time and set a timer for 10 minutes. Most things can be either finished or certainly begun well in ten minutes. I used this tactic when I felt sick as a pregnant mom, when I had a newborn, when I had another newborn and a toddler, and just about every other stage of life. It is such a simple but valuable tool. Karen Stott came up with the #10minuterefresh concept on instagram and I have used the principle several times this week to really make a dent in my to-do list without becoming overwhelmed at ALL it contained. Here’s one example of when I used 10 minutes to tidy up the girl’s play room. It can get a little out of hand and they can keep it cleaned up so much easier when it’s picked up well once a week. Simple concept, I know but so refreshing! Search the #10minuterefresh hashtag on instagram to see some inspiring before/after shots and it will have you setting your own 10 minute timer!

3.  I learned that there is always, always, always room for another amazing book on motherhood. Lisa-Jo Baker released this beautiful book, Surprised by Motherhood: Everything I Never Expected about Being a Mom in April and it. is. simply amazing! I have been crying way too often whilst reading it– just because it is touching on parts of being a mom that I have never been able to voice. It is such a blessing and I can just about guarantee you will enjoy reading it. (affiliate link) It is real and honest and beautiful.

Read it with chocolate and tissues. 

4. This one may come as a surprise to some of you… but I sorta kinda like to …Spin. I started just before April began and it was without a doubt the hardest thing I had ever done– exercise wise. Even when I became a lot more serious about being active last summer, and we walked the hills of our neighborhood 5 days a week, I was frustrated with the results I was not really seeing — and so my workout buddy and I decided to try a spinning class. (It was my idea, and even though she had done it before– she didn’t discourage me with how crazy hard it was and how I was going to want to die 12 minutes in. Good friend that she is.) So we’ve been going for a little over a month now and I LIKE it. I don’t like it in the same way I like shopping for shoes while drinking Iced Coffee… but I like it. I love the music– I find that the music makes all the difference for me and I find myself humming the songs during the day ( I know. I’m a total weirdo.) Spinning was definitely something that has intimidated me for years. Something I never wanted to try because I didn’t want to fail. But, the class is full of supportive people and the instructor is amazing. So, there you go. A little humble admission of my new crazy spin fascination. If fascination can also mean– I do it because I know it’s good for me and I refuse to give up on it. But let’s be clear. It’s not what you would call, “easy” yet. Ha!

 

What did YOU learn in April???