Prioritize Yourself!

For nearly 12 years, I have focused the majority of my time and energy on my kids.

Sure, Dan and I will go on dinner dates from time to time, but unless a grandparent is visiting, we’re always home in time for bed…

Until August 30th.

As ridiculous as this sounds, that particular Saturday felt magical to me.

Heading downtown Chicago with friends…

Late at night…

To spend the evening letting loose and seeing The Lumineers.

Truly euphoric feels.

Music is my love language.

Since a young age, it has touched my heart and soul.

To be so fully immersed for the first time in years reminded me of who I am – mom aside.

So I’m curious…

When’s the last time you did something solely for you?

Something that allowed a magical wave of calm and joy to wash over you?

When’s the last time you prioritized your significant other? Went away with friends? Or did something without your kids?

Being a mom is such a beautiful privilege….

I love my kids deeply…

And…

In order to fill them with love and light, I have to be full of it myself.

My Friends, this concert fueled me up.

If you’ve been feeling down, bored, lonely, or just plain blah…

Think up what once brought you immense joy, and plan for that!

Put it on the calendar.

We plan for so much as parents, but we often forget to plan for ourselves.

It may be hard to imagine now…

But one day…

Our kids will be out and on their own.

And we’ll have to figure out life without them.

Start now!

Get curious, uncover your passions and desires, and prepare for your future!

We do it for our kids…

And we’d be wise to also do it for ourselves.

Believing in us, always.

My Boyfriend & I

Every summer…

Our family gathers at my parents’ in Iowa.

This is something that we all look forward to, all year long.

A few weeks ago…

I received a call from my mom (while I was driving – so, the kids could hear)…

Sharing a new idea where all the grandkids come to the farm first

And the parents meet them a week later.

My kids upon hearing this question?…

Ecstatic! 

“OMG MOM… YES YES YES!!!”

Despite schedule conflicts and all the questions and thoughts flowing through my head…

I had to admit…

What an amazing opportunity for these kiddos!

I ended up moving my youngest’s birthday party up a couple days…

And on July 12th, their Papa braved the 6.5 hour train ride back to IA… with 6 grandkids! 

Now, everyone kept asking me what I was going to do with my time…

And don’t you worry, I created quite the to-do list!… ;)…

HOWEVER…

My consistent reply was…

“Dan and I are gonna date.”

And that is just what we’ve been doing.

Patio lunches, live music, cooking together, visiting the gym, walking our dog, smooth-going errands… 

We’ve simply been ENJOYING each other.

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I have to tell you, it’s all been a blessing in disguise.

We all love our children – of course!

They become our world.

But as this happens…

We often forget about the person we were… pre-kids…

We forget about the couple we were…

Before so much of the focus goes to parenting those kiddos.

Having this incredible opportunity to focus my energy on my husband…

To have the uninterrupted moments to not only hear him…

But truly listen.

Sharing in common interests without having to take anyone elses’ into account… 

It’s been such an unexpected gift to our marriage.

A gift that has reminded me…

We DO have something special…

And we DO like being together.

It makes me look forward to our empty nester days…

Knowing that we still have a great time, just the two of us.

My encouragement today…

Don’t forget to date your person!

We can’t all have a week without our kids…

BUT… 

Date!

Make time to talk.

Ask for help – so you can.

Because one day…

God willing…

It will be just the two of you…

And my goodness…

By making the time to tend to and nurture your relationship NOW… 

You’ll be that much more able to reap the rewards in the future! 

Believing in us, always.