Hello, friends! Long time, no posts! Somehow it’s May and this is only the second post I’ve written in 2018 – how did that happen? I’ve definitely gotten out of my usual routine and rhythm of writing on a regular basis, but it’s been a very busy and full start to the year, so I’m giving myself some grace here. It’s nice to finally have a little bit of downtime to sit down and write, in addition to refreshing this little blog space of mine – note new pictures and updated widgets – a much needed change!
So, what’s been going on since I last posted in January? Let’s see …
- I accomplished one of my BIG goals for the year and FINALLY got my passport! I’ve already gotten my first stamp (in British Columbia) and I’m off to Ireland in August! Woohoo!
- I got my second tattoo (a small cross on my right wrist), and I absolutely LOVE it.
- Traveled to Colorado for our annual family skication!
- Traveled with the hubby to our “home away from home” in Ludington to check on things in the middle of a snowstorm – only in Pure Michigan!
- Ran my first race of the year (the Corktown Races Dublin Double) with my dear friend, Nicole, and her son, Owen.
- Hosted the 6th Annual My Favorite Things / Girls Night Out party (our biggest and best one yet); and my dear friend, Steph, along with her littlest one, Auggie, traveled here for a visit that weekend!
- Traveled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin (the land of beer and cheese) for a social services conference.
- Traveled to Washington (Seattle, Port Angeles, Olympic National Park) to see my dear friend, Kate, while she’s away for a worship internship, and got a visit into Victoria, British Columbia together!
- We’ve been fostering an abandoned baby bunny (named Boston) back to health and strength for the past month, giving her some love and attention before she’s appropriately released back into her wild habitat. She’s adorable.
- Celebrated the birth of my bestie’s baby girl, Nora Elizabeth, and got to be present for her arrival. One of the most amazing things I’ve been able to experience. And she’s precious!
In addition to all of the above things, there’s been a lot going on with work and on the home-front; both the hubby and I did the best we could over the winter months to clean out some of the clutter around here and get things organized in prep for the warmer months that include regular trips to our up north abode, vacations, and being outdoors. Now that time of the year is here and after MONTHS of cold, gray, snow, and ice, it feels INCREDIBLE!
I know that I echo the sentiments of many when I express how happy and thrilled I am to be in the spring season! Seeing the earth come back to life after the dead of winter and spending time again outdoors is beyond refreshing! I can’t get enough of the fresh air, sunshine pouring through the windows, green buds showing up on the trees after a hard rain, and bright blue sky with the gorgeous array of clouds when I’m on my morning runs. This time of year is a welcome change to the past several months and ushers in a time of doing the things that the hubby and I love most. In short, we need spring – for our bodies, minds, hearts, and souls.
So what am I looking forward to most in the spring and summer months to come?
- Getting our RV officially opened up and spending our weekends together lakeside (the ultimate relaxation in-between busy work-weeks)!
- Beach time, including swimming, jet-skiing, tanning, reading. YES, PLEASE!
- Running more races, including at least one half-marathon.
- Spending time with my brother when he comes back “home” for a week visit.
- Grilling out and enjoying the backyard deck and patio area.
- Working outside on nice “work-from-home” days.
- Spending quality time outside with family and friends.
- Going to IRELAND! EEK! (and all the anticipatory joy that comes from planning this trip in the meantime!)
I will say that I am in a place right now of wanting to cultivate simplicity and peace in my life. After a very packed few months with tons of activities and travel to start the year, it feels great to be getting back to the simple rhythms and routines that help me be my best self, and thrive in the everyday, ordinary demands of life. I’ve been diligent to start each day in God’s Word, praise, and prayer to set my days off on the right course (I’ve got a stack of bible studies I’m working my way through for the year); I’ve been dabbling in various creative things, namely bible journaling and now painting for fun; I’ve also been sticking to my goal of reading at least two books per month (one fiction and non-fiction), specifically reading before bed to help put my mind at ease and enter into deep rest at night.
I also started going back to a therapist at the start of this year, and having those bi-weekly appointments to process and work through various things has been a God-send. I appreciate having “someone on the outside of life” to talk to and get feedback from; the homework she’s given me to do has, admittedly, been hard, but it’s also been allowing me to recognize things that need to be unearthed and brought out into the light. And that has been so freeing for me. It doesn’t mean every thing I’m struggling with is going away, but rather, I’m gaining new perspective and a deeper sense of who I am and what God is doing in my heart and life. It’s humbling and strengthening, in the best of ways.
I don’t know where you find yourself in this particular season, friend, but I pray that you are feeling lighter and full of joy after the long winter days. I hope you are able to enjoy the things that bring you life and freedom in this sweet season of springtime, and that it gets you excited for the amazing summer days to come!
I hope to write more in the coming months as life settles into a slower, relaxed pace. In the meantime, here’s to new growth, new life, and this new season!