O V E R F L O W

         Fellow mommas, you have been on my heart a lot this week.  In a society where comparisons are readily available and judgement is easier than understanding, it seems that so many mommas are at war with each other and that breaks my heart.  Know that you are loved just as you are momma, and this is my ode to you:          Hey, first time Momma.   I see you.   How are you?   Since you’re a “newbie”, I know that everyone has opinions for you, most unsolicited.   So, let me remind you of this fact, you’re doing a great job!   YOU are the expert on your child, no one else.   Follow your gut, it’s a much better compass than some article a stranger at Target read on baby wearing.   If you want to let your baby cry it out at 4 months, do it!   Want to co-sleep until they are 5, great!   You do you, momma.   You are amazing !   Breastfeeding? YOU ROCK?   Formula fe...

          Now let me begin with saying that I am not certified in any capacity, so this is not professional advice, simply a fitness routine that works for me, derived from a lifelong commitment to moving my body.  Because I love reading actual facts and numbers when it comes to people’s fitness shares here are mine: I am 31 years old, 6 feet tall and weigh 150-155.  I do not follow any type of diet.  I think there is a time and place for a diet, but I find it more important to create a reasonable and sustainable lifestyle.  5 pounds will never be worth the sacrifice of carbs and sweets for me.  I would say that my norm is an overall healthy, well-balanced diet without any specific restrictions and lots of room for enjoyment.  I eat carbs, have cream and sugar in my morning coffee, eat sweets, have a cocktail... you get it.  I certainly overindulge sometimes, but that is my exception, not “the rule”.   In my opin...

     “There’s a war between guilt and grace and they’re fighting for a sacred space. But I’m living proof that grace wins every time”.  As I was working out yesterday, these words in Grace Wins by Matthew West totally pierced me!  I’ve been asking God to inspire my next post and here I am working out, mind not a bit on blog worthy content and He’s speaking to me.  I had a nugget of an idea about a grace-based post last week, but the inspiration stopped there, just an idea simmering away in my subconscious... until now.  Gosh, I love moments like this!         Grace ; synonyms: beauty, kindness, elegance, charm, refinement, loveliness, poise, style.   No matter which definition of grace you find, you hope that it can be used to define you; define your actions, your posture in life, your marriage, your friendships, your parenting.   I want to pour out grace like it’s a ½ off item in the Target dollar spot. ...

     I had a quite common and ordinary moment with my oldest, Ellie, today.  And while the interaction was one that happens daily, in one form or another with one child or the other, I was struck by the significance of the experience in a new way today.  Ellie made a poor choice and then lied about it when Suzie ratter her out (I love all the sets of eyes and ears I have looking out for me, lol).  Telling the truth is something we have worked on very intentionally in our parenting journey.  We literally created a family mantra for it: “The Janicke family tells the truth” and continued lying is met with a taste of white vinegar (IT WORKS, made on impact the first time for both girls!).  Anyway, when confronted with her lie, Ellie confessed, which was wonderful!  Done deal, move on, no looking back.  But what struck me was the sadness and shame that washed over her during our conversation.  Now, I was actually in total control of my e...

     “I’ve bought the materials to build the fence, but after that I’m done.   I’m just not cut out for home projects”.   Nick’s words stung like a slap in the face.   My sweet husband, who created home projects as an excuse to excitedly buy new tools, spoke with sadness and defeat etched in every word.   This statement followed our ½ bath gut and DIY re-tiling and happened in the dark of night; after I pressed and pressed because I could no longer endure the immense tension that sat like a wedge between us.   First off, let me express my immense delusion here— Yes, the tile work got intense when laying the last piece, and yes, I considered ripping it all out because the spacing in a few places was maybe 1/20 th of an inch off.   But had I been asked I would have said (AND DID) that the bathroom tiling went awesome!! HA! So you can only imagine my utter shock at this statement.   My gut sank; my skin got sweaty.   It wasn’t home pro...