Mamma Monday: The Gift of Carpool

Monday through Friday twice a day for about 10-15 minutes I am sitting in the carpool line.  At first I found it to be a frustration and grieved the amount of time lost in my car. But this time spent in carpool isn't a thief, it's a gift! 

I decided to change my attitude towards the AMAZING blessing of Vivian being able to go to school.  I'm choosing to see this time as an opportunity to have focused time together.

Here's How I'm Spending Time in Carpool

Morning Carpool:

• Teach/Memorize bible verses with Vivian
• This is something she does at school and it has been rewarding for me to add more scriptures to memory for myself and our family - She's memorized Matthew 22:37 & Proverbs 17:17 It's the sweetest thing I've ever ever heard! 

• Sing Songs
• Before Vivian I thought it was silly to sing children's songs but you know what ... It's fun and instantly puts you in a happy mood

• Pray
• We do this out loud together and it really starts your day off with a grateful heart 

• Facetime
• We share a quick 'Good Morning' and best wishes for the day with grandparents & cousins

• Read
• Gracious Vivian Louise loves books and I truly hope that never changes! I keep a basket in the car and she often 'reads' to herself on our trips.

Afternoon Carpool:

• Make Lists of To-Do's ... I thrive via list making
• Yes I use a hardcopy planner #oldschool

• Connect with family & friends with a quick phone calls or texts

• Daily Devotional
• These books are on my Christmas list - Focus & Be Still

• Sip Silently
• Brew yourself a piping hot mug of coffee and sip in the peace #winning

• Primp
• Throw some make up in a bag and add a little color so you can face the rest of the day with a bit more confidence. 

Clearly wearing NO makeup - but the silent sipping is beautiful (and the hat helps)

Even if you're not in a carpool line, I encourage you to find moments of time that you can use to add joy!

Dress Beautifully in Carpool

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Back to School

Today's the day Vivian starts a new year of preschool. Not only has she moved up into the 2's class, but she will be going all 5 days of the week! 

As the Summer was coming to an end I found myself so sad to say goodbye to our days of fun in the sun.

But after meeting her teachers and setting up her new backpack (quite possibly the cutest one I've ever seen) my feelings have turned completely around to excitement!

Butterfly Backpack

My gal pal of Gray's Goods created the name patch

Before Vivian, the end of Summer/beginning of school wasn't a big change for me.  There was the dreaded increase in traffic and the start to things like a new bible study and Junior League year but for the most part it was business as usual.

Now, it's more of a drastic change in routine.  Laying out our outfits the night before, packing lunch in the morning, carpool lines and the best part, nearly 4 hours of freedom.  To my toddler Mammas, can you feel the joy?!!

I had originally planned to venture back into the workforce but given the world's current circumstance I'm going to hold off for a bit.

I'm taking this first week to enjoy myself and to set up a game plan for how I want to organize my days so that I can work towards reaching goals and completing projects.

We are also renovating 2 bathrooms, our sunroom and laundry room along with some exterior repairs this month. Stay tuned it's going to be an exciting transformation!

I know as I share this back to school experience for us, that it may be more challenging and highly unexpected for many others. 

The new routine may look like nothing you've ever imagined but I want to encourage you that it's not a surprise to God and He has blessings for us in this time.

He timing is precise and purposeful.

No matter your school situation or even if you don't have children we can take this new season and make it great! We can face it with a positive attitude. It's contagious you know and can be shared even behind our masks :)

So set some goals, clean out some things (closets, habits, priorities what ever is junky in your world), reorganize and face a new semester with confidence! 

Dress Beautifully for Back to School

XOXO Sarah-Louise

#bestsummerever

Well gals, that's a wrap.  Yesterday was the last day of our #BESTSummerEver!!!!!

Today, our darling Vivian Louise started her first year of preschool! I'm so excited for her and all that she will learn and the friends she'll make.

I truly believe this was the most fun I've EVER had in my entire life! I've worked every Summer since I was 16 and even though I had last summer with baby girl, she couldn't even sit up and napped 3 times a day so there was little we could do outside of our eat, play on a mat and sleep routine.

This year we PLAYED! We played at so many parks, at the pool, at the splash pad, in our garden, in the backyard, and at the best place ever, the beach! We've definitely lived our best lives!
As I share this joy, I should have first given thanks to God for the blessings to even do these things together #amen!

At the beginning of Summer I shared with you my Summer goal List on this post , an activity I've done since I was a kid.  Here I am passing along my Mamma's traditions.
I'm happy to say that I did very well in accomplishing what I set out to do.

1. I studied the book of Ruth alongside my middle school students in my Sunday school class - I definitely want to have the character traits of Ruth! ... PS I get up really early to do ALL the things.

2. Sadly I didn't tackle the pull up like I intended - but you bet I'll have mastered them by the end of year.

3. I was just shy of hitting 100 miles.  I blame the crazy hot weather, a cold, and Vivian because well you can't be mad at a toddler ... but can you??!!! seriously though she can put some constraints on my to-do list and that's ok.

4. I intended to have a lesson with one of my Sunday school students but we couldn't coordinate our calendars, but I did purchase the paints and supplies and made decorations for a bulletin board in our classroom.

5. We blew this one out of the water hahaha we went as much as we could this Summer and I darn near cried on Sunday as I knew it was our last splash.

6. I read 5! so close but I focused these last few weeks on being outside.

7. Didn't even put a dent in it! #shame ... again busy outside.  I must say our garden did far beyond what we expected.

8. Didn't even put a dent in this one either. Now that preschool has started, I'm going to work hard to get all her pictures organized.

9. Absolutely I prioritized my dates with Ryan! My favorite being our 9th anniversary. Cheers to us for making more time to enjoy each other.  The first year of parenting was much harder.

10. Absolutely nailed this one too! Face to face time is so important.  I'm blessed to have fabulous gal pals to fellowship and laugh with :)

Swinging into a New Season with Big Smiles

Dress Beautifully Stepping into Fall

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Mamma Monday: Back to School Prep

Happy Monday Mammas! Back-to-school is my all time favorite shopping.  I'm NOT into Christmas or even birthdays but the start of a new school year with fresh supplies and a new beginning with endless learning potential, now that's excitement I'm thrilled to prepare for!

After earning my degrees my school days are over, and sweet Vivian Louise is just 19 months old so her back-to-school consists of a small backpack, a few new outfits and lunch essentials. Although we are working with big crayons and finger paint but honestly it's just a swirly mess.  She'll be attending preschool a few days a week starting after Labor Day.

I'm not going to try and source ALL the back to school things for your littles because well that's just overwhelming.  What I will share with you are a few extra things I found that are fun for Mammas and kiddos of all ages to prepare for the year ahead.

Labels:
We use these bands on Vivian's water bottles and stickers on her clothes, diapers, wipes, etc...
They're fantastic for preschool, church and all our activities away from home.

Water Bottle/Cup Bands

Sticker Labels

Lunch Box Notes:

I'm obsessed with hand written notes! I send out correspondence in the mail every week.  I suppose I got this from my Mamma.  She would always put encouraging and loving notes in our lunches. 

These are cute and simple.  As soon as Vivian can read she will receive love notes in her lunch!

Lunch Box Notes

1st Day Picture Signs:

Because we have to document every month their first year and ALL the other firsts #momlife

Pennant

Vivian's not quite old enough for these yet, but I would be using them if she was!

Label Board

I'm using this board to title her 1st day of preschool photos and for the years ahead.

Organization

I live a VERY organized life!!! There is NO clutter in our home during nap or once she's in bed. EVERYTHING has a home (and our living space is NOT a home for her toys). We have baskets, bins and shelves to contain her belongings.

Those backpacks, lunchboxes, paperwork and sports equipment need a home.  Prepare now with wall hooks, bins, wall shelves etc... 

Because no one has time in the mornings to be hunting for your stuff or a mess! 

Storage

Creating a space for homework is important too.  A place where your kiddos can sit and focus. Have drawers/shelves dedicated to housing supplies such as paper, pencils, markers, scissors etc..  This also avoids mess!

High Five for Vivian's 1st Year of Preschool!

Dress Beautifully Preparing for a New School Year!

XOXO Sarah-Louise