Welp. I’m BACK!!!!!
You guys. This past month was a flippin’ BLAST. B-L-A-S-T, blast! Honestly, I’m still processing all of the blessings that came out of it. Over the coming days and weeks, I’ll have more specific posts about what I learned (a lot) and about some of the changes around here (a lot, a lot!). For now, to ease back into things, I thought I’d share some of my month away through PICTURES, which really speak more than words most times.
During the month of July, the “Season of No”, I said YES to….
….Going to the pool at least three times a week You know on kids’ feet, where the tan top meets the uber-white bottom…yeah, I kinda love that line.
….Meal-planning every dinner. A FIRST for me.
….Eating said dinner, at the table, TOGETHER, every single night. A FIRST for us. And the best possible thing to do for family dynamics.
….Running through 3 miles of color bombs with good friends.
….Looking flippin’ HOT.
….Going to the gym…on MY time.
….Eating too many “snack plate” lunches to keep track of and learning that everything, bananas included, tastes better dipped in ketchup.
….Riding on ponies made of plastic and living to tell the tale.
….Taking evening walks. Sometimes down to the grocery store merely to get ice cream and a pack of cigs.
….Learning that the Ravine Floor will make or break the game. Oh and winning! I said yes to a lot of winning.
…Simply spending time together.
I said YES to everything that added value. I had time to say YES when Henry asked me to play Legos with him or when Clara wanted to do “ba-la-lay” (ballet). I had time to be lovely and frazzle-free for my deserving husband. I said YES to God’s word, to His ever-present Spirit. I said NO to so many things so that when needed, when asked, I could say YES to those that truly mattered.
It’s called creating margin. And it has made all the difference.
Mid month, I started panicking about what August would bring because life was too lovely to think of returning to the old normal. Moments later, I was calmed by a voice inside that said, “THIS right here can be your new normal. Don’t look back.”
More on that to come…
Happy to be back friends! Thanks for sticking with me!
QUESTION: How did YOU spend July?? Anything new that I missed??
splendid…lindsay
So glad to see you back, but even more glad that you had a wonderful month!!! Your kids are so adorbs. and yes, you ARE hot!
I love this idea! Sounds like an amazing month! :)
This made me so happy to READ this Friday morning! The pictures say it all and high-fives to you woman! XOXO
Sounds like a GREAT July!! I love it!!
Sounds like an incredible month for you. That’s wonderful!!
Love ya love ya love ya! Soooo glad you had a fabulous month, and yes, this can be the new normal. I’m taking steps there myself. :)
You’re baaaack! Yay!
I spent July sweating in the CA heat…oh, AND starting a blog AND starting my PT cert program! Good things to come :) Can’t wait to hear more about these mysterious changes!
sounds like a perfect month!!!
Sounds like such an amazing month for you! Love your season of saying yes to the things that matter most in life!
Can’t wait to hear about the changes!
Welcome back! It sounds like July held so many great adventures for you and I can’t wait to read more about all of them.
SO glad to see you took some time off to enjoy lief. Excited to hear about all the changes. And taking your kids at the pool … that sounds like my dream job.
Wow sounds like the perfect month! Like, if I had a family that is exactly how I would want to spend my time. :)
So glad you are back & that you were able to take some time off to say YES to the important things in life. :)
I’m so glad you’re back, however often you decide to stop by here. I’ve missed your beautiful posts, but SO incredibly glad that you had time to reconnect & prioritize the first things first. :)
I spent time with my guys! I haven’t blogged one time and I’m pretty sure I’m better for it this time around. I’m anxious to get back to it soon, but I have one more week with my guys before school starts back. So, I’m going to soak up every bit of time I can with them!
I’m glad you’ve had an incredible month Lindsay!
I am so glad you are back! I have missed reading your blog talk month but am so happy you we able to enjoy time off with your family! I am also happy to say I started my own blog a few days before the start of July. I am loving blogging so far. You were one of the main bloggers I have been reading for years and had gotten me inspired to start my own. So thank you for your great inspiration and blogging energy!
YAY! So glad you’re back, but more importantly so glad you enjoyed your time “off!” It looks like a truly marvelous July! :) :)
Soooo glad to see your month was amazing and family filled. You definitely said yes to all the right things and sound so happy girl :)
Love it! Keep saying yes to Jesus and your family above the blog and work – you’ve got it right! I’ve been saying yes to lots of clients lately – just the phase we’re in of working hard and I’m thankful for the full days despite being drained by day’s end. ;) I’m also saying yes to God’s timing – just like our kayaking trip, he filled our Grand Canyon trip with survivors (we leave Friday!) just yesterday! 29 strangers are going out into God’s wilderness to share life…Good things to come and I’m saying yes to that uncertainty. :D
…we all love you! Glad you’re back but super glad for those life changes – make them a sticking reality here in August and beyond!
Yay! Glad you’re back! Definitely missed you! Eating together as a family is something I will always, always, always make a priority. My family did it growing up, and I loved it. So glad you were able to cherish so many great moments with your cute family!
What a blessing! I’ve missed you and was so excited to hear from you this morning :). But even more excited to read about what God is doing in you and in the life of your family. Can’t wait to hear more! Love you lady :)
Yay! So glad you’re back! But even more happy that your July was the break you needed and you learned lots.
So wonderful to have you back! I’m so glad that your season of no turned out the way you wanted. I think that your premise is a lesson we all need to learn and I can’t wait to hear more about it.
I’m so excited you’re back :) Looks like July was pretty awesome for you!
I’m so happy your season of YES was a beautiful time with your flipping adorable family.
I have to say though, I’m still a little skeptical of the whole banana/ketchup thing. I love ketchup as much as the next girl, but I’m not sure I could get on board with that one ;).
I still don’t know about the bananas and ketchup… ;)
So glad you’re back, though I was FB stalking you the whole time. HA!
So happy to see you back but more happy to hear how wonderful your month has been. You can hear it through your words. Can’t wait to hear more about it. I’m planning on making August my season of saying yes to all the right things.
The new normal! I love that. I’m overjoyed for you and the time you got to spend – distraction free – with that sweet family of yours. Big hugs, mama.
yeahhh it is all about saying yes to the right things and enjoying each moment of life while attending to our responsibilities too
Excited to “see” you again! And more excited to hear details about your month. :)
missed you, love you, and i am beyond excited for you and what God has blessed you with. Thanks for encouraging us dear friend. Love those kids faces—> HAPPY!
So awesome, I can tell how awesome you feel by reading! Well July for me has been saying YES to Rocco, haha! Life with a newborn is demanding, as you know since you have little ones! I love ya girl and excited for the changes! I always wish you and your beautiful family the best! <3
you’re doing an amazing job with Rocco!!
Yay!! I was so excited to see your face this morning in my feedly reader :) I’ve missed you! looks like it was an amazing month of “yes” and can’t wait to hear all about the changes!!
making me smile! happy to be back!
Yay! Love your season of yes to the things that matter. It is something we both have needed.
I would say YES to hiking soon with you and Peter! :)
I agree with Clare!
excited to have you back, but more excited to hear about the changes!