Faith & FamilyPaint Splattered Wine Glasses January 10, 2018Yes, I did say this post would be up last week. And y’all, I didn’t have any doubt it would be. I’ve learned not to say when a post will be up unless I’m ABSOLUTELY sure because I’ve realized this season is filled with the unexpected. Well, now I need to learn to just never say it at all because you mamas know, life is unpredictable. Life with toddlers and babies is even a step above. But in the spirit of this year and all I’m trying to do where work is concerned, I’m shaking it off, and diving right back in where we left off! Let’s get to it, y’all. I’ve been open about the hard months 2017 was filled with and as I said in my last post, God showed up in real, brilliant, timely ways and started shutting the lies down. During a two week stint, on the heels of months and months of doubt and despair, God started writing what felt like a love letter. Right when I’d be at a crossroads and the load felt too heavy, He’d send someone. In a way I never have before, I felt the veil between Heaven and earth thin and had several incredibly surreal moments where the person in front of me faded, the moment slowed and I palpably felt God there saying, “This is from me. Listen.” I could write a hundred pages about how God filled my darkening heart with light through person after person He sent. There were many. It was a chilly October morning when He first put someone in my path to turn around my toxic self-doubt. All of my feelings of failure and questions about work were mounting and I was driving the kids to Target to buy diapers. I’d just discovered we had one left in the entire house, the diaper bag stash already depleted. I was talking with Chris on the phone and contemplating shutting it all down and walking away because I was just so sick of dropping balls, failing, and not being able to chip away at my huge dreams for this passion of mine. But I also was struggling with Godly purpose. I was doubting the dreams I once had and if there was any good in them God could use. Or was I just contributing to the rampant consumerism that surrounds us in our culture? I was sprinting down rabbit holes of dark doubt and one just led to the next. I realize now that I’d started feeling deep shame. Shame over failures, missed e-mails, broken promises. Shame over this blog and the negative effect I dreamed it was having on many, maybe even anyone who read it. Shame over my dreams. Shame over every detail of myself and my life that just six months ago was overwhelmingly beautiful to me. I pulled into the parking lot, hung up my phone, and wiped my tears. I uttered a short plea to God to provide direction and to lift the heavy emotional load I was so tired of carrying and wrestling through. I got out of the car and immediately ran into a then fellow local blogger (now a dear friend) and without me saying a word about my struggles, she started pouring truth over me. She started talking about the purpose she saw in my story series and how cool it was to see that God was using this blog as a light in a dark, materialistic world and when she looked at it, she saw Kingdom purpose. It was so clearly Him speaking and I started finally believing God when He said that all I could do in this season is enough and He’s using it. Even if it only affects one person, that is success. Over the next week, something happened each day. E-mails started pouring in suddenly about my story series that I’d posted six months before. Comments came in from some of you that encouraged me deep in my soul. I had another parking lot encounter with an old bible study friend I haven’t connected with in awhile. Like my other friend, she spoke the truth to me right when I needed it, embraced me and prayed over me there in the parking lot. Yet another seemingly chance encounter that was so clearly God providing clarity of purpose. I had coffee dates with a few friends I’d been trying to catch up with for months and our schedules hadn’t aligned. Of course, they all ended up scheduled back to back within a few days. Each encounter brought more truth and the confirmation that what I’d been struggling with were LIES, not conviction. And I had to shut them down, re-embrace my purpose and calling during this season, and move boldly in that direction. During this two week period, there was someone else I’d been trying to schedule a meeting with. A local magazine that I love, TALK Greenville, had photographed The Buffalo Bungalow for this year’s Christmas issue last year. But they hadn’t interviewed me yet for the article. The editor, Kim,Hassold, e-mailed me at the start of this two week stint to schedule that interview. I immediately recognized her name. She’d been the editor for fourteen years and I knew she was also a successful artist in town. She’d had a long, beautiful, creative career. We had trouble scheduling our interview because with me being at home and Chris working out of the house full-time, I have very limited childcare. We kept trying and it kept not lining up and every single time, I was so embarrassed to tell her, “I can’t come to this interview because I don’t have someone to watch my kids.” While I love being a stay at home mom and this is exactly what we felt God leading us to, there’s still that dreamer part of me that loves the idea of a thriving creative career. While I’m not saying you can’t have both to some extent (I now realize that I do), I do think one has to take the front seat. You can’t do both equally well. For every family that may look different, but for us, we don’t have a doubt that means me being home during this season and focusing on the kids first each day. We finally got the interview scheduled one afternoon right after this series of encounters above. I kept thinking, well it’s divine timing because this is really bothering me, but these last two weeks have affirmed my purpose now is with the kids, so it is what it is. It doesn’t matter if anyone thinks I’m unprofessional. And wouldn’t you know, I ended up ten minutes late to the interview because of the change-over between Chris and I at the house and sighed as I had to text her I would be a little late…again because of the kids. She’d always been incredibly gracious, never giving me a reason to doubt, but of course I did anyway with all I’d been processing. And this is where things get crazy. We were meeting at her art studio in a cool art district in town called The Village. Kim met me at the door and I was immediately taken by her whole countenance. She was dressed in a stylish flowy top and jeans, cute jewelry, but had some paint splattered casually on it all. She was beautiful with a wide, warm smile. She was holding a paint-splattered wine glass in one hand and enveloped me in the kindest hug with the other, calling me by name and making me feel like there was nowhere else she’d rather be than right there in that moment meeting me. She welcomed me into the studio and as I stepped in, time slowed as I took it all in. I scanned the small studio space and saw a painting area to the left. There were several easels with in-progress paintings on them, canisters of brushes and paint palettes, and the walls were filled top to bottom with her gorgeous floral artwork. Straight in front of me there was a small table and chairs and I noticed another room to my right that had a living room set up and a large table/desk of sorts. Every detail was breathtaking to me. There was artwork everywhere you looked, the most creatively designed spaces, color, quirk…it had it all. I want to live there. {This is one of my favorites of Kim’s work, though I have many. You can view her website here and her Instagram here.} It was a place that spoke straight to my soul like no other ever has. I said how much I liked her studio, probably stumbling over my words, as I looked around. She thanked me and as she was talking about what a special place it was for her, that it was like her creative little haven away from everything else, I thought… {Kim’s website, Kim’s Instagram} She invited me into the living room area and we sat down at the table there, my spirits a bit deflated because I felt like I was seeing what I can’t have, and will only dream of. She offered me wine and while she was getting my glass, I uttered a little apology about how hard it’d been to schedule due to my kids and our family’s schedule. I was even more embarrassed after seeing the thriving creative life she lived. And I clean spit up all day. She waved off my apology as she brought me an equally paint-splattered glass of white wine. She said she totally understood. She’d had four kids of her own. She asked how old my kids were and I told her. At this point, she knew nothing about me except what I’d just shared about our kids and the photos she’d seen of our house. She’d never read my blog. She had no way of knowing anything about my heart, what I’d been processing, struggling through. And yet, she smiled and immediately began talking about how hard those little days can be. How full, how hard it is to do anything else, how hard to see past it. She shared that she too had stayed home with their kids and that her career had begun as they were grown. She gestured around the room and said that she didn’t even paint her first painting until her kids were grown and now, I knew, she had shows all over the South. She said she wakes up each day pinching herself that this is what she gets to do…her art and editing a successful, local, lifestyle magazine. And these are the words that will stick with me for the rest of my days. She said that what she does now is so fulfilling and it’s what she would dream of while raising her babies, but she still looks back and longs for the days when her kids were little. And then she paused, leaned forward a bit in her chair and her tone changed. It slowed, more serious and she looked straight in my eyes. She said, “The moments you’re in now with those little ones may seem mundane, like they don’t matter. You may be frustrated that you can’t do more. But those very moments will add up to shape them into the people God made them to be. One day, you’ll have time. You’ll have time to pursue all kinds of creative things that seem impossible now, but you’ll miss this.” She went on and told the most beautiful story about her son, who’s now 30 years old and 6’7″, and how he still tells people about this moment that defined his childhood. And it’s a moment she doesn’t even remember. It was a freezing day in the winter, she pulled up to get him at school, and he was standing there on the sidewalk shivering. He got in and she handed him a warm chocolate chip cookie with a smile and he says to this day, he thought, “I have the best mom in the world.” And she can’t even remember the day. But he surely does. We started talking about our story, our last house, and I answered all of her questions. Looking back, I don’t even know if I made sense because I was stunned. All she had shared was like a script of exactly what I needed to hear, written just for me and all I’d said were how old my kids were. We finished the interview portion and I stood up to leave. As we stood back in her studio, starting to say goodbye, she said she hoped she hadn’t overwhelmed me by all she said. But that years ago, she felt God calling her to minister to young mamas. She said that looking back now, that time in her life had been the sweetest, but then…she missed it. And she didn’t want other mamas to miss it. She said that God has always nudged her to say or do certain things with people, as I believe He does to all believers. But that she rarely listened. A few years ago, God nudged her to say something she thought was so strange to one of the girls she was then ministering to and she did. And now, that young woman shares that as a turning point in her story. So now, she asks for God to help her see those nudges and help her be faithful. Again time got still and quiet as she said, “When you walked in this door, God nudged me and said you needed this encouragement.” {Kim’s website, Kim’s Instagram} Oh y’all. The next few seconds felt like an hour. I looked at her, looked around the room and felt Him whispering firmly into my spirit. We said goodbye and I walked in a surreal fog back to the car. I sat in the driver’s seat, without cranking it up yet, just processing. I had witnessed a miracle. There’s no way she could’ve known what I needed to hear and God used her specifically to leave no question it came from Him. This interview was supposed to have taken place last Christmas when they photographed our house by a different editor. And at the last moment, they couldn’t come. God knew then I’d need this encounter now. I couldn’t believe it. And then again, God’s voice, “Why can’t you believe it? Do you not think I love you enough to work miracles for you? I died for you.” I drove home in some of the best communion with God I’ve ever had where He felt right there and we had a real, honest conversation, the noise of the world quieted, the distractions around me stilled. I realized that I’d been putting myself in a box and I thought I had to choose what box I was going to fit in. Was it the mom box? Was it the blogger box? I was firmly in the believer box, so didn’t that mean I couldn’t be in the business woman box? How could promoting my business go with promoting Jesus? Isn’t that just promoting yourself? How can that be Godly? I thought back over my meeting that night and realized she was an example of what I wanted to be in many ways. A mom who loved her children immensely and her main goal was to raise them up. A creative who was walking confidently in her giftings every day. A businesswoman who was using her those gifts to provide for her family and sharing God’s love with others. Her humble confidence in her work, her hospitality, her warmth…all of it is where I hope to grow. I don’t want to ever forget that night…how her studio looked, her smile, how her demeanor drew me in and made me right at home, how she spoke straight to the very core of my struggle for purpose. That’s the closest I’ve ever felt God and I never, ever want to forget. Just as her obedience to God’s nudge was key in another young mama’s story, so she was in mine. I sat at home later that night, still processing, and I knew that was an encounter that shifted my life. And that one day, when I look back at the core moments that God used to shape me profoundly, it would be near the top of the list. {Kim’s website, Kim’s Instagram} God worked a miracle in me those two weeks, culminating in that night. Ever since, the doubts about work are gone. When they rear their ugly head, I immediately see them as a lie and shut it down. I don’t know what my future holds, but I do know that life comes in seasons, that God’s plan for us evolves and shifts over time, that His giftings aren’t accidents, and that I’m in one of the sweetest times of my life….I’m determined not to miss it. As I move ahead this year, here are some things you can expect: *MORE IN-PROGRESS UPDATES – My goal when we started this reno was to post little updates often, showing every detail of putting a room together instead of waiting for big reveals. Well, that was the goal, but that hasn’t really happened. There are a lot of reasons why that’s been the case. There was so much less time for writing and less energy for it and several reveals had to go up due to sponsorships, regardless of what’d been shared yet. But there are no sponsorships ahead and I have so much to finish with this house. I’m excited to take it bit by tiny bit and share more of spaces as they’re coming together. *MORE POSTS – I’m not promising any kind of a schedule. I’ve learned so much better than that. But posting so little the last several months has stemmed from so much more than the busyness of renovating and raising two kids. Of course that played a role, but much of it was that this heaviness was crippling. I questioned every thought, every post idea, even every word! Now, I feel lighter. Writing here again feels restorative to my soul. I crave it. And I feel less pressure for perfection. My gut says that all of these factors combined will result in me being able to show up here more often…I hope it will. *A FINISHED BUFFALO STONE COTTAGE – We will be officially finishing this house this year. We’re close! So that will mean a lot more updates, room reveals, and renovation details to come. *SPECIFIC CONTENT AREAS – In addition to the renovation and design posts that’ll always be a huge part of this blog, faith posts, and the occasional family post, there are some things you can expect to see added/expanded this year. I already felt called to include these and then got questions about them, so that solidified it! –Simple Living – I’ve gotten a lot of questions about how we’re functioning in this house, what we’ve streamlined, how we’re living simply and I have soooo much to say on this topic. I’ll be sharing a lot about this as we go on, as it’s very near to our hearts and a big part of our life right now since we’re learning to live as a family of four in 1100 square feet…with a Great Dane. –Health & Recipes – I’ve gotten a lot of requests for dairy free and gluten free recipes I’ve mentioned as well as healthy living tips and tricks. I’ll be sharing some of our favorite recipes, cooking tips and hacks I’ve come up with for these allergies, oil-based recipes, gardening, you name it. This is a huge part of our life and it feels natural for it to be a more common installment here, rather than a random occurrence. –Family Culture – While I share plenty about our family, a huge thing that kept coming up for us in 2017 was developing and refining our family vision and culture. We’ve gotten some pretty specific ideas on what that looks like and it’s governing our decisions today and for the future and it affects things I do everyday with the kids. I want to share more about what this looks like for us as the year goes on and as we put more of it into practice because this process has been life-giving for us! *& MORE….I hate to do that, friends. I know I’m bad about that…there’s more to come, but I can’t share yet! But there is, haha. Last year felt giant to us in many ways, but all of it is leading up to this year and beyond. I’ve shared that we felt like last year closed up phase 1 of our adventure and this year begins the next. We’re still figuring out what all of that looks like. It has a lot of moving pieces, there are a lot of different ideas and dreams for our family and this passion of ours, but I can’t wait to bring y’all along for the ride!
Holly Sharp says January 11, 2018 at 6:39 am This is beautiful, Lindsay! Please make sure you share this with Kim. It will encourage her to know how much her words and her time encouraged you!!! She is certainly a gem … as are you! Also, can I say this? I felt a lot of these same things after having baby 2. It ALL just felt like so MUCH. I’m so glad that you’re listening to Truth and asking God the questions you are. And beyond grateful for the peace He has given you in the midst of the chaos. Reply
Haley says January 11, 2018 at 10:18 am wow! This is so good. Kim’s words brought me tears as I have been struggling lately with little ones and finding time for myself. Thanks so much for sharing! Reply
Lindsay says January 12, 2018 at 9:56 am Oh Haley, I’m so glad! It’s so powerful to me to see how God uses our stories to encourage one another! Reply
Christie says January 11, 2018 at 11:17 am Your story is so beautiful. I love how God gives us similar experiences of truth yet which are so uniquely felt as individuals! Reply
Lindsay says January 12, 2018 at 9:55 am Yes, thank you, Christie! He surely does and I love how we can learn from each other and grow together! Reply
AmandaKB says January 11, 2018 at 1:39 pm So many powerful words here. So much truth. Thank you for sharing your heart with us. I yearn for this kind of honest conversation, where the public facade of perfection is pulled back. We all have struggles. We all go through seasons. It’s how we grow. It’s how God reveals our purposes. It’s how we lift up others. I think we all battle with ourselves as we try to discern the difference between truth/convictions/lies. We get all of these ideas in our heads about what we “should” be doing, or how we aren’t doing enough, as if we all should be perfect people. We compare ourselves to others and what they’re accomplishing… yet God is writing unique stories for all of us. No need to compare. We are all works in progress. There is purpose in going through a variety of life seasons. I know some seasons are horribly difficult, but rest assured that it seems you are taking those seasons, seeking truth, using it for your personal growth, and moving on even stronger than before. God is doing great things through you. I don’t think you ever need to doubt that! I’m not in the season of parenthood, but I can relate to a lot of the feelings you expressed… yearning to be doing other things, feeling like you’re dropping the ball, and the self doubt. I appreciate your honesty, and I admire your desire to seek God and His plans and purposes for you and your family. Reply
Lindsay says January 12, 2018 at 9:55 am Thank you so much for sharing that, Amanda! You are ALWAYS such an encouragement. And I love how you shared that! It is so true, these struggles are so much bigger than motherhood, career, or any specific circumstance. I’m realizing that – throughout our life, God will gift us and call us to certain things, Satan will attack and try to stop it, and we will have to sort through: lie? or conviction? And move past it….over and over again! And I think each time we do that, it makes us stronger and more equipped to fight it the next time. I love this journey of life 🙂 So glad you’re here friend! Reply
Michelle says January 11, 2018 at 3:15 pm Wow. Thank you so much for sharing your story with all of us. I found my self tearing up reading your words. I can relate on so many levels to your story (1200 sq. ft house, family of 4 and a Bernese Mtn. Dog for me). I left my corporate job when I was 6 months pregnant with my second baby because I was so unhappy, and I had a bit of an identity crisis wondering what God’s plan was for me. Would I ever be truly happy splitting my time between my career and a mother?I don’t know what He has planned for me, but I do know that I was lead here to your blog for a reason. <3 Reply
Lindsay says January 12, 2018 at 9:51 am Michelle, thank you so much for sharing this! I’m so happy that God led you here and that these words Kim lovingly shared with me are an encouragement to you too! I love seeing how the reach of our obedience to God is so much further and deeper than we could’ve ever imagined! It’s not an easy decision to put a career on hold or put your personal passions on hold to love on babies, whether it’s coming home officially or doing less to prioritize them, but it’s so worth it! God is writing a beautiful story through you and your family and those babies, I know it! And I LOVE that you can relate to small living with two kids and a BIG BIG dog 🙂 Reply
Kathy Frye says January 11, 2018 at 5:22 pm Lindsay, thank you so much for this post! It touched me so deeply, as I’m sure it is touching many, many others. I cried reading it as it brought back memories of my children being little and all of the special moments I missed because I had to work outside the home to help make ends meets, as well as the creative ideas I had, that had to be put aside until they were grown. I love your blog. You are real, you are human, you are imperfect and you share all of that with your faithful readers. I subscribe to other blogs and their perfectly cleaned, exquisitely decorated houses make me feel less than. You never have! You’ve always been real, sharing the good and bad, beautiful and not so beautiful, and I feel connected to you on so many levels, even though we have never met. Your blog gives me inspiration, not only creatively, but to remind me that we are God’s greatest creation. God loves us so deeply that He gave His one and only Son….and God can handle whatever we face, whatever we feel; when we are lost, we just need to hand it over to Him and He will answer in ways we may not expect…even through others. You, Lindsay, are the Godly nudge I needed. You (your blog) came into my life when I was searching and seeking a healthier lifestyle but wasn’t sure what way to go or how to go about it. As I have told you many times, you are a true blessing and inspiration to me. Blessings to you and your family Reply
Lindsay says January 12, 2018 at 9:48 am Oh Kathy! I’m in tears reading your sweet comment, friend. As I said in the post, I think this does look so different for each family. As Kim shared with me, a million small moments you shared with your children added up to make them who they are! I dont’ know if it’ll ever feel like we did enough, cherished enough, enjoyed enough, but this encouraged me so much that all of the little daily stuff counts! I’m so glad God led you to the blog and oils and health changes and that we’ve become friends through that! Seeing how God led you here for many reasons (as He’s led me many places for many reasons) is so beautiful! Hearing about your incredible health changes the other day just brought tears because it’s so amazing to get to be a part of other’s lives changing…faith wise and health wise! Love you!!!! Reply
Val says January 12, 2018 at 7:33 am I’m constantly amazed to see how God’s timing is so perfect Lindsay! This is such a beautiful story! I always enjoy how open, real, and warm you are. I have a 7 and 3 year old and already feel like I wish we could have spent more intentional time together. We are trying to do this now because I feel like time is going by so fast. I’m so glad that Kim was able to encourage you. I definitely feel like God will honor those desires that he has put into your heart. Reply
Lindsay says January 12, 2018 at 9:45 am Thank you so much, Val! Yes, isn’t His timing so perfect?! This encounter was the most beautiful example of how He is writing our stories, down to every detail! Down to the last editor not being able to make it eleven months before, and down to the very day that our schedules aligned so we could meet! It was EXACTLY when I needed it. So glad that you’re doing that! The kids are so little, but already it just feels like it’s flying by! We’ve made some changes to our days and rhythms and are trying out some new things this year and it has made such a difference already in how we’re embracing and enjoying our time! It does fly by 🙁 Reply
Sandee says January 12, 2018 at 1:24 pm I love your honesty. You inspire me…..even though I am old enough to be your mom and don’t have kids. ( I do have cat kids). I see such goodness and talent in you. I bet you are a wonderful mom? Reply
Lindsay says January 17, 2018 at 7:50 am Thank you so much Sandee! I try to be, but fail soooo many times every single day. Rosie has memorized the phrase, “Mommy needs Jesus, will you forgive me?” I’ve heard her say it to her babies, haha! Reply
Paula Warren says January 14, 2018 at 10:00 am I am 65 years old, stayed home with my daughters now 30 and 34. We all have self doubt about our ability to raise a family and still keep sight of who we, as an individual, are. All I can say is live in the moment. The past is the past and the future hasn’t happened yet so all we have is this very moment. I stayed home with my girls because that is what I wanted at that time of my life. I live in the moment. Now they are on their own and doing great in their lives. I got my wishes answered. Treasure your time with them but don’t lose yourself. Always have dreams because at some point you will live your dreams. Reply
Lindsay says January 17, 2018 at 7:49 am Thank you for that wise, “on the other side” encouragement! It means so much hearing from somebody who lived it and can look back and see it all more clearly! Reply
Amy Allen Clark says January 15, 2018 at 2:58 pm Lindsay- I know we don’t know each other personally, but the blog space always feels so small and intertwined (I love that about this world). I’m sitting here with tears streaming down my face because this is exactly where I am at too. The shame, the overwhelm, the making sense of balance (when there is none). I just wanted to thank you for sharing your heart and creating that space for others. Reply
Lindsay says January 17, 2018 at 7:48 am Oh Amy thank you for saying all of this! I’m always blown away by how God uses our journeys and what He does to speak to so many….the reach of our obedience is so far! Thank you for sharing your sweet comment 🙂 Reply
Lani says January 16, 2018 at 8:57 am Well that had me crying this early morning, as I wait for my almost two-year-old to wake up, and the 40 week belly to birth another baby girl (any day now!). I had just prayed for an idea or some way I can contribute creatively and financially to our home and life, and I always love reading your blog. Thank you for sharing your journey! I don’t want to miss these days either, and trust that God sees my heart and desires and will form and make it all in His time! Reply
Lindsay says January 17, 2018 at 7:47 am Oh Lani, what a special, magical time you’re in!!! I remember those days when Dax was due any second. There was so much anticipation, some anxiousness about the change to come, trying to hang on to each second with the one you already have…so much wonder awaits you in the coming days as your family grows! I think what you said is so true. Pray for a way that your passions could help create an outlet for you and income for your family…God knows your giftings, your heart, the future of your family. And I’ve seen Him time and again (with us and others) provide something better than we could ever imagine! Saying a prayer for you right now as you wait for baby #2 and as you enter this new season. Give yourself all the grace to treasure each day and not stress about the long-term adjustments, finances, whatever it is! I’ve blinked and this baby is almost ten months and is crawling all over the house and saying Mama….I’m trying to do more treasuring of each day and less stress over what is to come, but it’s often hard to do! Reply
Meg says January 16, 2018 at 12:20 pm “One day, you’ll have time. You’ll have time to pursue all kinds of creative things that seem impossible now, but you’ll miss this.” that stopped me dead in my tracks. I am a single, full-time working mom with an hour plus commute each way daily. I struggle with not having the perfect house, perfectly clean, decorated, cared for and not having time to do the things I did before I had kids. I get frustrated nights where bed time takes forever and I’m left with 10 minutes to myself after cleaning up, washing dishes, making lunches, doing laundry; before I need to head to bed to get at least 5 hours of sleep. And reading that brought tears to my eyes and reminded me that I need to take those extra 5 minutes of laying in bed with my daughter as she tells me a silly story, or to be patient and savor those 3 times my son gets out of bed because “I just need a hug from you” instead of getting annoyed. I’m stressed and tired and overworked, but my children bring me the most purest joy I’ve ever experienced and I need to live in the moments. My house will be clean and decorated when they are grown, and I know, in the future, I would give all of it up for one more story, one more hug, one more soccer game in the front yard, one more coloring session. Reply
Lindsay says January 17, 2018 at 7:42 am Oh Meg, your comment just brought tears to my eyes because it’s so true! One day there will be time for the extras! So glad you shared this 🙂 Reply
Megan M says January 21, 2018 at 10:07 pm HI Lindsay– I’ve been a follower for a long time and I’m deep into the same season as you. It’s so reassuring to hear people talk openly about how hard it is raising littles, making time for ourselves, the struggle of working/notworking, remembering our purpose, etc. I feel ya 100%! My new goal is that I’m trying to find time for myself whenever I can fit it in-paint my nails in 5 mins or spend a few minutes doing a simple craft for a shower a bunch of us are hosting, plant a few flower seeds, hot shower, whatever it is. Everything is scaled down these days and I’ve stopped putting times/dates on when things will definitely happen. I’m just doing what I can when I can. I’ve had to completely scale down what I do, but I’m trying to make it meaningful whenever I take the time. My new years resolution is just to go easier on myself because I’m doing the best I can with what I have and I tend to be super hard on myself. Some days it’s great, some days it feels crappy, but never the less, we move forward. The journey is humbling and lovely all the same time. Best wishes to you and yours. Reply
Lindsay says January 22, 2018 at 8:41 am Megan, thank you, thank you for what you shared! That is so powerful…take the small amount of time you have, whatever it is and do something restorative! I love it! And be gentle with yourself and gracious 🙂 Thank you for that encouragement! Reply
Carmen says January 22, 2018 at 9:13 am Hello Lindsay, just want you to know that I’m your reader from Australia. I can’t even remember how I came across your post but I remember your detailed post of the birth of Rosie strengthen me a couple of years ago. I was always in fear of giving birth and your post made me feel that I can do it too. Now I’m a mother of Carlene who is four months. Yay! I love how you are so open and honest about your life. As a christian, I’m always thinking of mission opportunity and your life and sharing inspire me. Thank you!! May God continue to use you and your family for endless Kingdom purposes! Reply
Carmen says January 22, 2018 at 9:17 am Oh and plus I love upcycling and avoid creating waste. I think your blog encourages that a lot yet not compromising the sytle! I wish that culture can soon spread around the whole world – but gospel first hehe Reply
Lindsay says January 24, 2018 at 9:38 am OH Carmen thank you so much for your sweet words! That means the world to me. I’m so glad that comes across and I’m trying to move even more in that direction as we’re feeling more and more of a call to simplify our life and bring in more and more intention. I’m determined that can be done while still having a beautiful home that speaks to your heart! So glad you can relate 😉 Reply
Lauren says January 25, 2018 at 5:50 pm This is hands down my favorite post you’ve ever written. I have to admit the title made me pause .. I thought, “a wine glass DIY project? That’s not like her.” LOL. I almost didn’t read it but I’m SO glad I did!!! Tears streaming down my face!! Thank you so much for sharing with us. I have felt all the same feelings in my journey of motherhood. The guilt of wanting an outlet, something that we worry is maybe selfish and promoting materialism and things that don’t really matter. But they DO matter! There is nothing wrong with making a warm, welcoming, beautiful home and wanting to share that with others. It reflects well on our husbands and shows love for our families. And my boys aren’t even all the way grown yet (I have a 9yo Dax myself, and another boy almost 13) but I already look back at those frazzled, oh-my-word-we-have-no-diapers days, messy noisy days at home with little ones, and MISS them so much!!! Its so hard to treasure those exhausting years but you are doing such a good job. You will NEVER regret putting your children first. Your creative spirit shines through in your mothering and in the beautiful homes you’ve created for your family, and even if the blog goes quiet sometimes we are all still here patiently waiting for your next post. Never give up. You are doing a wonderful job. Reply