We Go Together

Community is not a luxury or privilege, I believe it is necessary. I know I'm not meant to journey this life alone but alongside others that love, support and encourage me and that I right back to them. This became more challenging for me when I became a mother. Prior I had pools of people from school, my career and nonprofits. 

When Vivian Louise came into my arms I was lost! (and in the trenches!) I was older, bound by schedules and in the daily maze of navigating her needs. I had needs too. Needs to fellowship, laugh and share with likeminded adult ladies. I remember saying one day there needs to be an app for friends lol. 

I would see other Mammas strolling, playing and going out together wondering how they found each other and how do I get invited.

When Vivian started preschool I joined a Tuesday morning bible study, signed up for group workout classes and learned about a group called MOPS - Mothers of Preschoolers. I joined and found community! Flash forward and this past year I LED this group alongside a gal who has become my dearest friend.

I look back in amazement at how my community came to be.

While I've often been referred to as a 'perfume lady' because I'll approach anyone #extrovert this is not easy nor does it come natural for most. In a world that's more virtual than ever I see the need for face-to-face.

Here are some encouraging ways to grow your community ....

SHOW UP

When invited, say yes! When you see a school event, neighborhood gathering, gym class, bible study, play date, etc .... GO!!! say yes! That probably means embracing some discomfort but you'll thank yourself later.

EXPECT GREAT THINGS 

Assume others want to make friends too rather than the negative thoughts like 'they already have friends' or 'I don't fit in'. I bet they're thinking the same thing. 

INITIATE HOSPITALITY 

Open the doors of your home to others. The season is warm so you can host outside. Squash the insecurities of having a magazine worth home (no one has one). Treat your neighbors with a sweet treat, organize a park playdate or ladies happy hour.  If you ask - they will come! Think about how you feel when you're invited to something :)

Note: not everyone is meant to be your bestie and that's ok! Be unoffendable to differences and keep seeking those that align with you.

I wore this pink dress to the last MOPS meeting that we 

hosted as a tea. I cried sharing my final words up front while also 

feeling more loved than ever by the treasures in the room.

I encourage you to pray and put yourself out there to find community!

Dress Beautifully in Community

XOXO Sarah Louise

Mamma Monday: Cheer Squad

They say it takes a village to raise a child, I say it takes one to raise a mother. 

Friends are important. Call them a tribe, gang, village, posse, homies, or what I use, cheer squad! We aren't made to journey alone but rather God gave us one another to bear each others burdens, celebrate the blessings and to love as He loved us!

When Vivian started preschool at just 21 months old I heard about a group called 'MOPS', Mothers of Preschoolers. It's national so if you're a mother of young children, I encourage you to look to see if there's one that meets near you. I was hesitant but knew deep down I had to try. I was LONELY! I was LOST! I had decided to take a break from my career to be with Vivian and had no clue how to navigate this new season.

I remember picking out my outfit to meet these new gals for our first meeting, being nervous about what I'd say and what they'd think of me. Turns out they're all Mammas doing their best just like me.  We are all so unique that it makes for well rounded perspectives and lots of laughs! 

It's been 2 years now with this group of Mammas and despite the circumstances we've stuck together meeting virtually, in backyards and even in a parking lot. 

I want to share with you just a few pieces of encouragement I've received from my MOPS cheer squad ...

1. Have Fun 

Life is to be enjoyed. Make sure despite the responsibilities and to-do's you have fun. Children are a lot of work but they're also a lot of fun. Do the things that make you smile and laugh. 

2. You're Doing God's Work

Raising children is challenging. Give it ALL to Him for strength, patience, endurance and guidance through it!

3. Chose Joy Over Perfection

Let's be real, I'm a type A person that thrives in control and within my perfectly defined schedule. I'm literally giggling because life just doesn't go they way I plan it to. It's not picture perfect, but it is perfectly & purposefully designed for me. A happy Mamma who chooses to do things that bring joy over an expectation of how & what things should be shares that joy with her family. 

4. Give Grace

Give grace to yourself, your children and to others! 

5. Do it ALL in Love

Whether it is the chores, errands, playtime, or fellowship, fill your words and actions with love and gratitude. Think about it with the perspective that you 'get to' rather than 'have to'. Be a blessing to those around you. Share God's love!

Dress Beautifully with Your Cheer Squad

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Dignity in Motherhood

 She is clothed in strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future. 

Proverbs 31:25

THERE IS GREAT DIGNITY IN MOTHERHOOD.

This has never occurred to me. Dignity isn't a word that I have used nor thought about much.

Dignity according to the dictionary means worthy, noble, elevated rank, and bearing conduct and/or speech indicative of self-respect.

At my last MOPS meeting we discussed dignity in motherhood and after having a lot of thoughts about it, I decided I wanted to share them with you in hopes they will be uplifting as they were to me.

There's this notion that prestige exists only in a clean, fancy and sophisticated environment and that the environment of motherhood is messy, disheveled and rudimentary. Lies.

But I believed that. Before becoming a mother I was working hard in the corporate world and knew with certainty that I would continue to do so in addition to having a child. Never say never. Here I am out of the office and more content that I have ever been.  The funny thing is I find myself fighting my own contentment, thinking I'm less than for actually having joy outside the hustle & inside my home with a child. All because it wasn't my plan. And a less than mother for missing that hustle every single day. It is utterly frustrating to battle our blessings and it makes no sense.

Fact: His plans are always better than ours.

The truth is wherever you are, whoever you are and whatever you do, you possess dignity!

Dignity is revealed to us in our struggles not in the ease of things. We can choose to rise above and persevere with self discipline and endurance. Most of all we can have faith & trust in God's promises of a perfect plan, protection and provision.

Dignity is amplified when we come together. When we walk alongside each other with encouragement, support and a helping hand. 

Dignity transcends all experiences. Whether it is changing countless diapers and chasing a toddler or having tough conversations after a long day at work with a teenager, each and every one of us is deserving of dignity. We are raising and caring for God's greatest gifts. The impact we make is paramount. 

There is dignity in the way we regard ourselves. I encourage you to remind yourself and to extend dignity to others. For the mothers of full arms, of hope and of one day, you are worthy of dignity!

Dress Beautifully in Dignity

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Mamma Monday: Have More Fun!

I joined a group called MOPS this year, Moms of Preschoolers.  It’s a national organization that fosters gatherings of mothers while providing encouragement & support. One of the biggest things I’ve learned once I embarked on this motherhood journey and in life is that it most certainly takes a village.  

The MOPS group I joined meets at the church where  Vivian goes to preschool every other Friday and provides fun child care for Vivian! 

MOPS groups vary in size but I’m excited that ours is small, under 20 mammas. We all live fairly close which is so nice for the when the opportunity to be there for one another arrises.

One gal lives down the street and said  ‘I knew I recognized you, you must be a fashion blogger. I see you taking your pictures outside my neighborhood’.  I felt a little ‘busted’ as it’s so darn awkward standing on the sidewalk of a street in your get-up hoping no one you know sees you, but she’s so kind and I'm tickled to have a new gal pal around the corner. 

I found this on google and even though it has some typos I love it!

The MOPS’s theme this year is ‘Have More Fun’. Count me in!! Since having Vivian I can truly say I’ve had more fun.  Eh ok how about since she’s turned 1. The first year I would call it more sweet and precious.  But now that she runs and plays I also run and play.  We have so much fun with slides, sidewalk chalk and play doh. Oh play doh, you are the current prized possession in my daughter’s life.  

We as mammas talked about how we can incorporate more fun into our lives.  We looked at our schedules and wrote out our typical days of the week. I imagine all of ours had work type tasks and and chores.  But I hope that though we have lots of to-dos that keep our households running we also spend time laughing. 

I can honestly say my days do have lots of fun in them: 

Exercise

Play Outside: Playground, sidewalk chalk, bubbles

Play Inside: Gymnastics, Library, home (play doh, blocks and paint with water are the current favs)

Blog

Shop/Errands (thank you preschool!)

Bible Study

Junior League Activities

Gal Pal meet ups

Date Nights

BUT there’s those chores UGH I’m particular about having a clean house and almost every mamma groaned about laundry.  Laundry’s not so much a big deal in our house but it’s also just us 3 and Ryan wears scrubs every day. Toddlers are messy and create clutter so I’m battling every day. 

You can pause those tasks or delegate (another blog post).

Or just chose to postpone to do something fun.

Life is to be enjoyed! You’ve been blessed with it and with a family to share it with.

So what are you going to add to have more fun??

I’m adding reading and more exercise classes to my workout routine.  Both of these things have happened less since Vivian was born. Reading takes time and classes are at scheduled times and that can be challenging to coordinate with child care and to align with her awake/nap schedule. 

Whatever fun looks like to you, maybe it’s baking (bless those that actually like being in the kitchen), crafting (can’t understand that either) or a sport. Do your best to incorporate that.  I encourage you not to stress about how often but just that it happens.  Alone time is refreshing but sharing your fun with your family can be so rewarding. 

Dress Beautifully While Having Fun

XOXO Sarah-Louise