Twenty-Seventeen has come and gone and I honestly can say I'm glad to see it go.
It devastates me to ponder on the previous year and recognize so much stress, fear, doubt and unhappiness when in reality I was so blessed.
How sad that my day to day recognition was clouded with so many negatives despite actually being surrounded by a sea of positives daily.
Never have I ever been more physically and emotionally exhausted as I was treading water for 365 days in 2017 because I kept looking for more.
How grateful I am for those special trips to California, Toronto and Cancun and the few responsibilities of my church calling and as a mother, that kept my head above the water.
Maybe it was turning 30 last month, or the possibilities and opportunities that lie before me and my family in this new year, but I'm feeling a love and strength within my mind and heart that this year will be a year of incredible purpose.
In the last few weeks my outlook on life, my goals, wants, desires and focuses have somehow shifted in a direction I never expected.
I have so much to share about my personal struggles this last year because I feel so strongly against this plague of self doubt, comparison and the always wanting more way of life that is polluting and restricting our lives as women, spouses, mothers, fathers and good human beings... But that's for another post so I can truly open my heart to you.
I will however share with you my WORDS for 2018 that have me refocusing and re purposing my life and our family lifestyle as well as my January Library Haul so you can see where I'm finding inspiration and encouragement for a happier and more truthful year.
2018 Words:
Intentional
Purposeful
Simple
Essential
Minimal
Humble
Faithful
Present
Less
Breathe
January Library Haul
If you can sense the theme between all these words and books, you'll recognize that our goals this year will include slowing down, de-cluttering our home and schedule and most importantly actively fighting the "keeping up with the Jones" disease that sickens and darkens every home.
And trust me, that last part is what's going to be the hardest change with the insistent world of social media (which we absolutely have a love/hate relationship with) that is always telling us we'll be happier with more when in fact what we already have is more than enough.
We are anxious to learn and grow more about a purposeful lifestyle as we find a balance between what we really NEED and what we want.
We hope you'll stick around for some exciting and NEW things that are coming this way this year.
We're more excited than ever to share with you our journey as we make a shift in our lifestyle and focus of this blog in hopes for a happier and simpler life with more time for the things that matter most.
What are some of your words, goals and books lists for 2018?
Last month, I had the opportunity to host the first annual, Back To School Mom's night out event.
As a family lifestyle influencer, I have this beautiful platform that I've always looked at doing more with, and an intimate motherhood, community event seemed like the perfect way to share a message.
Sure, it's fun to share travel tips, family friendly activities, recipes and of course cute photos of my adorable children, however, being a voice a in the community, a cheerleader to encourage unity, love and support among women, has always been the direction my heart strings pull.
I have felt a responsibility to LOVE everyone, which I'll be the FIRST to admit is pretty darn hard sometimes, and to see past their imperfections, difference and struggles to see them as a higher power sees them, equal.
As I've grown, I've experienced heartache, loss, judgment and pain sometimes that felt unbearable and would lead to my certain demise. However, each time I had one of these life changing experiences, it taught me more about the type of wife, mother, daughter, WOMAN and human being I want to be. The type of example I want to set for my daughter, and to any person that ever crosses my path.
(Setting my self standard pretty high, I know)
The idea for a Mom's Night Out first came about as I prepared to send my first child to Kindergarten this fall. I knew I was going to need support and words of encouragement from mama's who had already been through that "first child goes to school" tearful day.
I thought; an intimate party set in a private backyard in the cool summer evening, dinner, drinks and a guest speaker, would be the ideal environment for a conversation that I wanted to have about the upcoming school year.
After weeks and weeks of planning, support from local businesses, encouragement from mama's throughout the community and a heartfelt desire to make a night for these women they wouldn't soon forget, the event came and went.
AND. IT. WAS. PERFECT.
I feel blessed to have been surrounded by many incredible women, who shared similar goals and dreams, but were also able to share their different types of motherhood lovingly and in supporting enviornment.
The evening was full of laughter, getting to know new friends, eating a delicious dinner, sharing ideas and love for each other and hearing uplifting and inspiring thoughts from the wonderful Kim Christenson from Talk To Wordy To Me.
Kim, a journalist and writer by trade, was our speaker of the evening and her thoughts on Mindfulness Motherhood touched each one of us as we listened and felt motivated to better ourselves which in turn betters our family and those we interact with.
Kim taught us that we shouldn't be just surviving, but THRIVING.
I love how she said to quiet the distractions and that we can control the weather in our homes.
She also said to stop apologizing, let go of perfection and normalize mistakes!
Some of my biggest take aways from her message were, "It start with ME, and how I feel INSIDE", that I shouldn't let my dreams die, just because I'm a Mom, that I should start talking back to those nasty thoughts I have about myself, my body, my home etc... and to make a Happy List, a simple list of your favorite things, activities and experiences that bring you joy.
I've linked Kim's blog and social media accounts because if you're ever in need of pick me up, a little encouragement or just having a down day (which WE ALL HAVE), Kim's thoughts are a place for you to go, read, be inspired and reassured that you are enough.
This event would not have been possible without our incredible sponsors and collaborators.
I am so grateful to each of them for their support and donations to make this evening special for these women.
It's with companies and people like these that encourage and support women, small businesses and events that uplift and inspire, that we are able to build a community of happy, confident, loving and strong women.
Thank you again to each of them.
Dinner provided by: Mt. Vista Catering Co. - @mt.vistacatering
Tables/Chairs/Linens: Excel Rental
Decor: Utah DIY Weddings - @utahdiyweddings
Photography: Jessica Katherine Photography - @jessicakatherinphoto
Designs - Breezy + Co. Custom Design
Swag Bags Sponsor and Collaborators:
Bag Sponsor - Junes Bags
Kidz Shake
Woven Pear
Daly Bird
JoJos Chocolate
Moms Stuff Slave
Sodalicious
Five Sushi Brothers
Gathre
H&C Designs
A Priortized Marriage
