January Reflections {2023}

I used to write a monthly blog about the things I learned each month. I decided to do something similar this year and call it Monthly Reflections. Just a chance to reflect on the month and all that it taught me.

In January I learned that…

It’s Okay If My Quiet Time Is Not Quiet

This month one of my goals was to wake up and spend time with Jesus before Jackson woke up. Um, it’s winter in Michigan and my sleep schedule is so off. We seem to stay up super later and sleep in most mornings. I’m usually doing my Bible Recap at the kitchen table while Jackson is watching something on TV. It’s anything but quiet. One morning as I was doing dishes and praying – a morning when Jackson had been up super early – I felt like God was reminding me that I don’t have to get up before Jackson; that it’s good for Jackson to see me on the couch with my Bible open. Making my time with Him a priority despite the noise and chaos of motherhood. That’s what it looks like to live out my faith.

Reading Fewer, Really Good Books, Is Better

This is my reading motto for 2023! If I don’t like a book, I’m going to quit it! I’m not going to rush through books just to mark them off my list. I want to enjoy the books I read. I don’t want reading to be a race to finish. If I read less (but better books) than last year, I think that will be a win! To see what books I read in January click here.

It’s Okay To Get Creative When Insurance Doesn’t Cover All The Therapies

After eleven years of raising/educating a child with unique needs there are definitely things I’d go back and do differently if I could. One thing I wish I would have done when Jackson was younger was set up a sensory area in our house, but we honestly didn’t have space. But now we have a basement!!!! (one of the perks to living in Michigan!) This month we set up a new sensory / learning area. One reason we decided to do this is because our insurance only covers 30 sessions of therapy a year. (Don’t even get me started). We really need to use those sessions for speech, so we’re getting creative when it comes to OT.

Jackson will do therapeutic horseback riding each week, he’s started a multi-sensory typing program, he will have his sensory gym at home and we’ll incorporate a lot of sensory play.He learns better when he’s moving! Now we have the perfect place to do that!

I REALLY Need The Sun

I’m just a Texas girl trying her best to beat the Michigan winter blues. They’re real y’all! We have gone SO many days without sunshine. When we decided to move to Michigan I knew it wouldn’t be the snow or the cold temperatures that bothered me, it would be the lack of sunshine. I keep telling myself the summers and Fall make it worth it. Also, 39 days until the beach!

I NEED some sunshine and sand between my toes.

I Should Really Stop Buying Clothes

Because I’m pretty much a joggers and sweatshirt girl in the winter and shorts and t-shirt girl in the summer. The only time I get dressed up is when I go to church on Sunday. I rarely put on a pair of jeans during the week. As I get older I’m finally realizing it really doesn’t matter what I wear. I came across a quote in a book the other day that really spoke to me. Shauna Niequist writes, “life is hard enough without walking around with something on your body that makes you feel bad.”

There’s a verse in the Bible that I’ve been praying and meditating on this month – a verse about contentment. 1st Timothy 6:6-8 says, But Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing we will be content with that.

That clothing doesn’t have to be the latest styles. It’s 100% okay for me to wear my comfortable clothes, because what matters most is what’s on the inside, not what’s on the outside.

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