Category: new normal


Jan
2021

[fresh]

categories: covid-19, family, five minute fridays, new normal

2021 did not start well for us as a family…COVID knocked at our door but thankfully only one of us tested positive with little to no symptoms. But it stopped us in our tracks for 2 weeks while we quarantined. A few other “annoying” issues came at us and while it seemed like they wouldn’t stop coming, things have leveled out and life is somewhat back to normal (whatever that means these days).

We were given a fresh start that included all 5 of us together 24/7 for awhile. While we did manage to get on each other’s nerves some, we haven’t had this much time together as a family in a really long time. And it did this Mama’s heart good and I am thankful for it.


Jan
2021

[one word 2021]

categories: new normal, oneword365, purposeful

The last few years I have prayed about what one word I would focus on for a year. To be honest I have failed miserably at keeping it in front of me during the year. If I had to guess it’s because I stopped praying about it once the word was chosen. 

I have great ambitions at the beginning of a new year as I suppose many do.  And like many, after a week or two they fade with the day to day minutiae that we call life. 

After 2020 caused us to slow down and change our everyday lives, it’s time to settle into some kind of new normal. You would think that after 9 months I would already be in a new routine, but in reality, I’m not. I haven’t mastered working from home, the new way my kids do school or keeping my house clean (I doubt I’ll ever master that!).

I’m not sure what 2021 will look like, or if a new normal will ever really exist, but my word for this year is “steady.”  Continuing in the habits I was able to get better with, like reading my Bible, engaging in Bible study, investing in others, daily quiet times, walking/running regularly, serving in Youth Ministry, and deepening relationships with my husband and kids. Treasuring up in my heart the moments that turn into years very quickly. 


Aug
2020

[a thing]

categories: change, faith, family, intentional, new normal

I did a thing a couple of weeks ago. If you had asked me ten years ago if I would ever get a tattoo the answer would have been a resounding no. But seasons change and a few years ago I started thinking about it and over the last year started thinking about it a lot.

I spent a lot of time figuring out what I wanted. I wanted it to mean something to me if I was going to place something on my body for the rest of my life.

I had decided what I wanted and with some good advice waited to make sure it was really what I wanted. But about 3 months ago I changed my mind. I had seen a quote from Jim Elliott that I hadn’t heard before.

If you don’t know who Jim Elliott is, click here. He, along with 4 other missionaries, were killed in the 1950’s by the people group they were trying to reach. While their deaths were tragic, through their deaths a people group who had never heard the Gospel did hear it. And they heard it from the families of those they killed. A movement of Jesus in that tribe was born.

When I started this blog a few years, I had grandiose ideas that it would take off and that I had something to say that others wanted to hear. Well, it really only serves for me to capture my thoughts in writing. The title “random thoughts of a wife and mom embracing this season of life” birthed from conversations I had with younger moms of littles who were overwhelmed and tired. My words to them were always to enjoy the season you are in because it goes by so quickly. When my kids were little I never wanted to wish away those years. Yes I was tired physically, but I knew they would one day be gone. And when I am emotionally tired with teenagers and young adults today, I don’t want to wish this season away either. It too will be gone one day.

So the quote “wherever you are, be all there” sums up my life motto. I don’t always get it right but it brings peace to my soul and a desire to trust God everyday that He has me right where He wants me.

“He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” Psalms 1:3 CSB


Apr
2020

[another]

categories: covid-19, five minute fridays, intentional, new normal, purposeful

Today ends another week of quarantine…5 to be exact.  In some ways I haven’t seen any major changes.  As an extreme introvert, staying home for days on end doesn’t bother me one bit, but my kids and husband not so much.

The first few weeks were tough as we tried to get into a rhythm of working from home full-time, 3 college kids trying to finish out the semester online and one high schooler trying to do the same. No homeschooling for me as I know some parents of smaller children are having to do, but let me tell you no matter how old they are they can still be high maintenance 😊

As we adjust to another week of not leaving the house, all using the wi-fi at the same time, Zoom meetings, conference calls, etc., there have been some positives.  We are all healthy and we still love each other (for now).  I have made dinner more over the last 5 weeks than I have over the last year.  I have spent more intentional, purposeful time in my Bible and I have actually finished one book and am partially through another.  

I know all of this will pass and to quote a sister in Christ, let’s not waste this quarantine.  So that’s what I am trying to do, not waste it, as we head into another week of this new normal.