I have a hard time finding my groove at the first of the year. Most people love a fresh start, but to be honest, January 1st just stresses me out. I feel like I have to do all. the. things. Make all the goals.
Why can’t I just keep doing what I’ve been doing? Why the need to change everything when the calendar flips to a new year?
It was a few days into the new year when I finally decided on a few things to focus on and said forget the rest!
Getting back to my blog was definitely one of the things I wanted to do and it has felt so good to write this month.
I decided I will get back to sharing a monthly post about things I’ve learned. It’s a fun way to reflect on the month as it comes to an end.
Here’s what I learned in January…
What An Elephant Sounds Like
We were at the zoo the other day and the baby elephant started to trumpet. It stuck its little trunk out and made a joyful noise. It was seriously the cutest thing I’ve ever seen and the coolest sound I’ve ever heard. I realized I had never actually heard an elephant trumpet in real life, and it wasn’t just any elephant, but a sweet baby learning how to make herself heard. Cutest. Thing. Ever.
When God Gives You The Word Expectant, Get Ready
This year I’m choosing to be expectant of all God is going to do in my life – homeschool, motherhood, friendships and all areas in-between.
Well, He’s already showing off and blowing my mind.
First, I stepped outside my comfort zone and invited a group of ladies to join me for Bible study at my house. I was shocked when the majority of them said YES!!! Our first meet up was a total God thing! My heart was overflowing as I sat in my living room listening to women who were craving connection just like me. I am so excited to see what God is going to do in and through this group!
Secondly, meet Ali.
She is an answer to many years of prayer and longings. She is spending Wednesday afternoons with Jackson. On Wednesday afternoons I get a break and Jackson gets to see someone’s face other than mine.
She has an art degree and she’s working on her teaching certification. She has experience with kids with special needs. She has a golden doodle, too!
She’s Mary Poppins, y’all!
See that paining of Optimus Prime? Her husband had a coworker paint it for Jackson because Ali told him how much he loves Transformers. When they gave it to him it was like God was whispering, I see you. I know exactly what you need. Jackson is in good hands.
Last week Ali told me what an intelligent and creative kid I have. Do you know how good it feels to hear those words when so often I only hear negative things? Last Wednesday Jackson told John and I to leave and go to Classic 50’s so Ms. Ali could come back over. We were just chopped liver compared to Ms. Ali and I was 100% okay with that!
Apparently Santa Brought ALL of Us a Trampoline for Christmas
Jackson can’t seem to jump alone. He always has to have one of us jumping with him. So we’ve been jumping a lot – even when it’s cold outside. He tells us to “bungle up and jump!”
On the bright side, maybe I’ll lose some weight??
Maybe Mobile Dog Grooming Wasn’t A Good Idea
I decided to try a mobile dog grooming service because our golden doodle has so much anxiety when I take her to the groomer. The drive to the groomer makes me want to jump out of the car – for real! I was willing to pay more to have the groomer come to my house if it meant a little peace of mind for me and the dog.
Well, the groomer came and took Jellybean out to his trailer and Jackson lost his mind. He started sobbing because he thought the groomer was taking Jellybean away. It was the saddest thing I have ever seen. Sobbing, y’all! He kept saying how much he missed Jellybean and how much he needed her. She hadn’t been out the door five minutes.
I can’t win. I take the dog to the groomer and she goes nuts. The groomer comes to my house and my kid looses his mind. *sigh*
What can I say, they love each other. Here’s a few pics from the puppy cake smash we had to celebrate Jellybean’s 3rd birthday. Yes, we are those people. We buy doggy birthday cakes.
Being Faithful Is More Important Than Being Succesful
That’s probably the biggest lesson I’ve learned this month.
This book has transformed the way I view my job as Jackson’s teacher.
Homeschool doesn’t feel as suffocating now.
God isn’t asking me to be successful, just faithful.
You can read more about my shift in thinking here.
Bumblebee is A lot Like My Boy
Watching him mesmerized for the entire Bumblebee movie brought the biggest smile to my face.
He smiled and laughed and enjoyed every moment!
At the end of the movie, Bumblebee tells Charlie, “thank you for helping me find my voice!”
That went straight to this Apraxia Mama’s heart!
Jackson and Bumblebee have something in common.
A Snowy Sunrise Sky Is Magical
The photo doesn’t even do it justice. On this particular morning, the pink in the sky was magical against all the white!
We had so much fun playing in the snow in the early morning hours.
Babies Aren’t The Only Ones That Teethe
Jackson was snotty and cranky. He had been running a low grade fever all day. I went to help him brush his teeth and saw some shiny new molars popping through. My 7-year-old wasn’t sick, he was teething. HA!