{A Glimpse into an Intentional Life}

January 21, 2017January 20, 2017 / Stacie / 1 Comment

Being intentional is easier said than done. It’s easier imagined than executed.

So here’s where we inspire you every week with a simple picture and a few words.

Think of this as a chance to help you realize the simplicity of intentional.

Be inspired. Allow gratitude and joy and beauty to sneak in with every intention. And then won’t you come back and share your moment with us? Or leave a link in the comments to your blog where you celebrate {A Glimpse into an Intentional Life}.

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Nature is all around us just waiting for the chance to be noticed. Maybe you don’t have time like Katie to grab your nature journal and head outdoors to write and draw what you see. But it doesn’t mean you have to rush by it from the car to the door either. Walk a little slower. Breathe a little deeper. Look around you. Make this moment intentional.

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Mindlessness

January 16, 2017 / Stacie / Leave a comment

I found this old post over on Standing Over Running Water and thought it was so relevant to the idea of being intentional that I thought it was worth sharing.

It’s happening again. Although this time I didn’t misplace something, unless you can misplace your thoughts. I’d like to think these are random events; the effects of being a busy mommy, rushing through the day, but I’m afraid it’s a little more than that. It’s mindlessness again.

When will I learn to be conscious of each sweet moment?

You think I’m exaggerating? Fine, I’ll confess my mindlessness. First instance that comes to mind was my shower the other day. I was almost finished washing up when I thought to myself, ‘gee, I don’t remember my soap smelling this way.’ I sniffed it again. It sure smelled familiar. Right. That would be because it was my shampoo. Yep, I washed my body with my shampoo. Well, maybe it was just a moment.

Fast forward a few hours. I was in the kitchen searching for the one cup measuring cup. It was getting a little frustrating. I knew Joseph and I had just used it very recently and I’m pretty sure I washed it. Where could it be? Maybe I put it away? Nope, there’s an empty box in its place in the cupboard. Strange. Oh my. I threw the cup away and put the trash in the cupboard. Is that normal?

Tonight I was making pasta, multi-tasking as women are so wont to do. I was stirring spaghetti sauce, talking on the phone, playing Bert to Joseph’s Mary Poppins, trying to console a fussy toddler. Did I put salt in the pasta? I’m pretty sure I did. I’m racking my brain, frantically trying to replay my actions. I just can’t remember.

It’s not forgetfulness. I promise. I have an excellent memory (believe me, it’s excellent…I can recite every single line of Mary Poppins…after all, sometimes I’m called upon to play Bert, sometimes I’m Mary, sometimes I’m Jane or Michael…I have to know my lines or it really slows down my little mimic).

So what is this syndrome I have? It’s mindlessness. Pure and simple. Somehow I manage to get things done, but half the time I can’t remember what all I’ve done. Again, just like before, I’m looking at my children but not really seeing them. I’m hearing my husband but not really listening. How can I possibly pass so mindlessly through my days?

We’re only given so much time here on Earth. Only so much time to soak in all the details. Only so much time to notice each passing moment. Our children grow so fast. Our lives move so quickly.

I hope you’ll take a moment today to really stop and savor the moment. And don’t choose an extraordinary moment. Choose one of the ordinary moments…the moment when your toddler puts his hands up and says, “Mommy Time”; the moment when your preschooler says, “Watch this Mommy”; the moment when your husband kisses you as he walks in the door…because that’s what makes our lives so incredibly rich and these moments won’t last forever.

Journaling: Keeping the Details of Our Lives from Being Lost

January 16, 2017 / Stacie / 2 Comments

In her book Leaving a Trace, Alexandra Johnson tells a story about how she was given a journal that was written by a woman who once lived in the house she now owned. She imagines the woman walking up the same steps she walked up every day and marveled at how the writer probably thought the details of her life were unimportant. Yet Alexandra was quickly captivated by the woman’s story, which took place in 1895, mesmerized by the smallest details, drawn in by the story. Later the journal writer records how, in an effort to gain a little extra pocket money, she and her sister had gone to a local cemetery, which was about to be relocated, to record names and dates on tombstones. After that her journal entries changed almost as if the time spent in the cemetery had made her realize that without a journal, no one would remember all the details of her life.

And so it goes with us. The details of our lives are ours uniquely. Without some type of written record our details will be lost to memory at some point.

Sometimes I wonder. One day, when I’m old and gray, will I remember all the little details of raising my children? Will I remember how Katie cups my face in her hands and tells me she loves me? Will I remember Andrew’s face when he discovers the tooth fairy left him some money? Will I remember the way William stood at the kitchen window while I washed carrots asking question after question? Will I remember how one day my sweet Joseph declared that he no longer wanted to be called Joseph, but preferred to be called Joey instead? Will I remember picking them up, carrying them, rocking them, singing to them? Will I remember losing sleep as I prayed for them or praising God for all their little smiles? Will I remember the way their downy hair smelled and their little button noses felt as they snuggled right up next to me to fall asleep?

Head over to Corpus Christi Moms Blog to finish reading about how I journal to keep all the little details in our lives fresh.

{A Glimpse into an Intentional Life}

January 14, 2017 / Stacie / 1 Comment

Being intentional is easier said than done. It’s easier imagined than executed.

So here’s where we inspire you every week with a simple picture and a few words.

Think of this as a chance to help you realize the simplicity of intentional.

glimpse-intentional-life

I bet you’re just dying to know how cracking a nut could possibly mark an intentional life, aren’t you? Because taking a moment to “crack” my food from its natural state gives me a moment to appreciate it a little more fully. When I put time and effort into something, I’m more likely to be intentional about the fruit of my labor. When I’m not rushing to gobble down my food (’cause what’s the rush…I still have to crack my next bite!), I have the chance to appreciate the flavors that dance across my tongue.

How many times have I shoveled food into my mouth, rushing to get through a meal and completely lost appreciation for the flavor, the texture, the substance? Being intentional about what we put in our body is not just about choosing our foods, but choosing to actually eat with intention as well.

Savor the goodness. Make it intentional.

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{this moment}

January 13, 2017 / Stacie / 1 Comment

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you’re inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama to leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.

A Letter to My Hardworking Husband (from a stay-at-home mom)

January 11, 2017 / Stacie / 3 Comments

Dear Hardworking Husband,

The alarm clock rings. I barely register the sound in my subconscious. Quietly you flip the switch and pad noiselessly into the hallway. You sneak out under the darkness and begin your day, careful not to disturb the sleeping souls you pass on your way out.

Meanwhile, I snuggle a little deeper under the warmth of our duvet, resting my head next to a sweet baby’s cheek. Daylight slowly creeps in. Little feet pad into my room and crawl up in bed with me. Tiny voices whisper sweet love songs into my ear as we snuggle and watch the rays of light dance across the bedroom floor. I am grateful for this moment.

Out in your office, you down a few cups of coffee and hit your day head-on. The phone rings, text messages buzz and the fax machine hums. You, my introverted loner, plunge head first into a day full of noise and people. Today’s equivalent of slaying dragons. And you do it for us.

I spend the morning knee deep in mundane tasks…making the beds, cooking the breakfast, washing the dishes, doing the laundry, but unlike your day, my day is interrupted by gleeful accomplishments (the baby said “mama!”, the toddler learned to hop, the preschooler read his first word, our school age children learned a new skill), little hands pressed into mine and moments of gratitude.

You spend your day busy, staring at a computer screen, calculating numbers, running averages, estimating costs. Or perhaps the monotony is broken up by an appointment with a client. A meeting with co-workers. A training session. Even jury duty when the time comes.

It’s not all drudge for you. You have the luxury to make it through a task without getting sidetracked. You can make a phone call without an interruption. You can listen to music while you work. You can concentrate. If you need to run an errand, you can do it without buckling anyone in or keeping anyone’s hands off of everything in the store. You can set your own schedule, change your mind on a whim, potty without an audience.

I spend my day chasing children, cleaning up messes only to discover new ones in my wake, educating (sometimes ungrateful) bright minds, juggling four little souls with all of their idiosyncrasies. I cook, I clean, I wash, I educate, I discipline, I love.

But if I had to choose? Between your world and mine?

I’d choose mine. Time and time again. Hands down. No hesitation.

I am grateful that I am able to stay home and witness the growth and change in these little people we created. I am grateful that I get to experience the power of innocence and the wonder of childhood. I am grateful that I get to fill hungry little bellies with good, home-cooked food. I am grateful that I can stop in the middle of a moment, grab four eager little listeners and snuggle up on the couch for a good story. I am grateful that my kids know the security and familiarity of a steady home. That they get to continue growing and thriving alongside me, the same me that nurtured them inside my womb and brought them into this world. I am grateful that I am the one that gets to wipe fevered brows and rub upset tummies. I am grateful that it’s me they run to for comfort, it’s me they ask for advice, it’s me they write love letters to.

I realize that for all my gratitude, my life is nothing without you. Without a foundation, a home has no ground on which to grow. You make my lifestyle possible and it is because of your hard work and sacrifices that I get to stay home and count my blessings.

So thank you. Thank you for getting up early. For thriving in a world that tests your limits. For responding with earnestness to the genetic call to care for and provide for your family. For slaying dragons on our behalf. Our kids don’t realize how incredibly lucky they are. But I do.

I love you,

Your Stay at Home Wife

Filling My Mind: Intentional Reading

January 11, 2017January 11, 2017 / Stacie / 3 Comments

I don’t have to read these days. For myself, that is. I am not officially a student of any sort nor am I working in a place of establishment that requires reading (reading to and with my children is a completely different topic). But I enjoy reading and I consider myself a lifelong student of the world and so, with intention, I set out a reading list at the beginning of each year.

“It is what you read when you don’t have to that determines what you will be when you can’t help it.” Oscar Wilde

My list isn’t written in stone. Sometimes something strikes me mid-year and I obsessively pour over every book written on the topic; other times, I pass through a used book store and happen upon a special little gem and so my list grows. Sometimes I start a book on my list and find myself distracted or uninterested and so I set it aside and my list shrinks a bit. It’s a give and take. But, for the most part, it is intentional.

My time is precious. There isn’t much to spare these days and I have to make the most of the moments I have in this busy season of my life. But my mind needs sustenance…goodness, beauty and truth. Intentionally reading helps me achieve that goal.

I have divided my list into books for my mind, books for my body and books for my spirit (and I have now divided my post into three posts…mind, body and spirit…even I was feeling a little overwhelmed looking at my list in its entirety). There’s a whole slew of books that are just for pure pleasure which I’ve categorized under spirit since I consider pleasureful reading a boost to my spirit (many of which you’ll notice are youth books…I like to pre-read the books I plan to assign to my kids…that way I get a feel for whether it’ll be a good fit for each child) .

Please don’t look at my list as a benchmark. My intentional reading journey should look nothing like yours if it’s truly meant to be intentional. This isn’t a “print and do” kind of list. It’s a list simply to encourage you in making one of your own. If you borrow a title or two from my list, then it was worth my time to list each title individually (and if you don’t, well then hopefully I inspire you to create your own and that makes this post every bit as worthy!).

If you don’t currently have a habit of reading, start small. Aim for one book a month (Modern Mrs. Darcy had a lovely Reading Challenge checklist last year and I’m sure she’ll have one this year to help you narrow down the vast array of books available). Also, don’t forget about audio books. Lovely, lovely audio books. You can subscribe to audible or use the Overdrive app if your library offers it. Audio books make mundane tasks like folding laundry or washing dishes so much lovelier.

Without further ado, here is the intentional part of my reading list for 2017 that focuses on my mind. I include any heavy duty classic pieces of literature here since I feel that the content tends to be a little meatier, the vocabulary tends to push my brain a little further and the story typically plants ideas in my mind that give me something to stew over.

(Books marked with an * are re-reads for me because sometimes I intentionally do that…just to soak up something new or to enjoy something old)

Books for my Mind:

Books for Encouraging my Journey in Understanding Oneself:
- The Five Languages of Apology: I have loved all of Gary Chapman’s books but I missed this one. I’m intrigued to read and understand how people speak “apology” differently
- The Highly Sensitive Person: I became fascinated with the idea that some people are “highly sensitive” and after taking the test and learning that both Dax and I are “highly sensitive” people, I am eager to read about what EXACTLY that means
- The Enneagram Made Easy: I’m obsessed with putting people in their character boxes…it offers me insight into me and the way I interact with others
- Leaving a Trace: a book dedicated to journaling? Yes, please.
- Nurtured by Nature: another “put people in their boxes” type of book, this one being specifically for giving me insight into my children
Books to Nourish the Mind of a Homeschooling Mama:
- The Pleasures of Reading in the Age of Distraction: I just started this one and while I don’t agree with everything the author states, I do love his message that reading should be pleasurable
- *The Living Page: a closer look at the notebooks that Charlotte Mason, a 19th century educator, used
- *Consider This: another look at Charlotte Mason’s philosophy of education
- Norms and Nobility: a look at classical education and what it offers for today’s students
- *Ten Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child: Through humor and clever, biting wittiness, the author of this little gem guides us to do exactly as his title suggests if we want our children to be products of contemporary culture
Books to guide me down the Turbulent Road of Parenting:
- Calm and Compassionate Children: I don’t really remember where or why I picked this one up, but it’s been on my shelf for awhile and it does look interesting
- Beyond the Birds and the Bees: Just so I’m ready ’cause I know my time is coming when one of these little guys will start asking questions.
- Strong Mothers, Strong Sons: I like Meg Meeker’s books and her suggestions
- *Hints on Child Training: I loved this the first time and I imagine I’ll love it a second time. He wrote it over 100 years ago, yet his advice is still incredibly wise today
Classics to Nourish my Brain with Goodness, Beauty and Truth:
- Anna Karerina: Mostly because I just like Leo Tolstoy but also because I’m pretty sure I’m missing out on something when other famous authors refer to a book as “the best novel ever written” (William Faulkner)
- The Jungle: I’m not really sure how I missed this one so I plan to remedy that
- *The Pilgrim’s Progress: A classic allegory worth the time to re-read
- The Count of Monte Cristo: I’m in the midst of reading this one. I started it last fall and got distracted but I’m determined to finish. It comes highly recommended.
- Lonesome Dove: Because it’s time to decide if all the raving reviews are accurate

I would love to hear what books you plan to intentionally read this year. Really, I would. Mostly because I’m a book junkie and maybe you’ve got a great suggestion but also just because it’s encouraging to see that I’m not the only one with reading intentions.

Next up will be my Intentional Reading List for the Body…any good suggestions? I’d love to hear them!

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{this moment}

January 6, 2017 / Stacie / 1 Comment

Bike Trails of South Texas

January 5, 2017 / Stacie / Leave a comment

Gone are the ribbons and bows, the wrapping paper and holiday bags. Now all the gleaming toys sparkle as they wait to be used. Chances are pretty good that in that pile of stuff, one of your kids may have received some new wheels… a bike, a scooter, rollerblades. In a city of sunny days and beautiful weather and bike trails to explore, there’s no excuse not to get out there with your child and make the most of that new gift.

For those of you in the South Texas area looking for hike and bike trails, head over to the Corpus Christi Moms Blog to see which trails we’ve been exploring!

Daybook

January 2, 2017 / Stacie / 1 Comment

Outside my window…I hear the roar of dragons. Katie is playing with her mama and baby dragon and Andrew has made his own daddy dragon out of paper. Thankful for little people and big imaginations.

I am remembering…our night of Christmas caroling. This little choir of angelic voices sang their hearts out and we were humbled again by the beauty of something so simple.

I am thankful for…Christmas with my family. Mom made it home from the hospital about a week before our celebration and we had the opportunity to practice compassion as we helped care for Granny.

Mom and Dad’s house was decorated beautifully (despite the fact that Mom spent the 3 weeks prior to her homecoming in a hospital room in San Antonio), the meals were delicious and memorable and the company was, of course, delightful. It was beautiful and special and my heart is happy that we shared another holiday all together.

If awards had been given, Dad would have won the Most Creative Gift Given award. He put 25 $1 gold coins in a little pirate bag for each of the kids. The kids are still lugging around their coins in their little bags, pretending they are sneaking away with their loot, all rich within their imaginations.

I am watching…Season 2 of The Man in the High Castle on Amazon Prime. I have been sucked in even if I do end up a little confused at some points.

I am listening…to North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell on Overdrive.

I am laughing…at this photo. I missed snapping the photo of Dustin opening his gift so this was a reenactment…his acting skills are an accurate reflection of his enthusiasm.

I am reflecting…on being intentional. You have been to visit our new website, right? If not, hop over there now and sign up to receive our posts by email. We promise you a year of thoughtful reflections and hopefully insight into being intentional…at least that’s our intention ; )

In the schoolroom…it’s a new year and a new semester. We have lots of brilliant books on our reading lists. 2017 is going to be lovely.

Around the house…we are enjoying the fruits of our labor (literally) from both canning and the garden.

In the kitchen…New Year’s French Canadian Tourtiere. It’s a tradition from my father’s mother’s side. It’s a meat pie that combines ground pork and beef, potato and carrots with delicious spices and wraps it all up in a flaky pie crust (who can resist anything wrapped in pie crust?). It’s a bit of work but well worth it when I imagine myself reconnected to the women that made it long before I was ever a thought on the horizon. A simple pie suddenly is transformed into some kind of spiritual connection with my ancestors. That thought makes it totally worth the effort (plus the pie is incredibly delicious).

I am wearing…shorts. Because it’s a piping 81 degrees here today. Weirdest.weather.ever.

We recently enjoyed…a Hanukkah party we attended. It was so well thought out and the kids not only had a marvelous time dancing and singing and playing, but they learned so much.

Someday I am going to miss…watching these two with their Legos.

I am reading…a slew of books as we prepare for a new semester. Trying to get a bit ahead on my boys’ readings so we can have real conversations. And I’m working on my personal 2017 reading list which I promise to share soon over at With Every Intention.

I am amazed…by this kid. He plays the guitar beautifully.

One of my favorite things…visits to the Texas State Aquarium. Glad we’re members again so we can soak up all the fun they’ve added since the last time we visited. A touch tank of sharks and another of jellyfish plus a shark exhibit and a Caribbean exhibit soon to come. Even though Katie has been dozens of times, it’s been long enough now that I’m pretty sure it was as if it were all new to her. She delighted in watching the blue crab dance across the tank, giggling as the crab attempted some form of handstand. We also managed to collect three pink roseate spoonbill feathers and one beautiful duck feather to add to our nature treasure box.