Currently...

It's been a few months (and by few, I mean 7!) since I last wrote one of these bad boys. So. I figured it was high time for another. 

Currently, I am...

Loving...the beautiful Fall weather that joined us this week. Cliche? Yes. Beautiful? Absolutely. I just love this time of year, when it's not too hot and not too cold but juuuust right. For our family, this translates to outdoor playtime every.single.day. after naptime and a new Fall Bucket List full of loads of autumn-azing activities for us to do together (post on that coming soon...).

Reading...Am I Messing Up My Kids...And Other Questions Every Mom Asks by Lysa TerKeurst. I actually started this book as part of a 6-week Bible study on my own this summer but fell behind and just recently picked it back up so I could finish the series. Y'all. It is AWESOME. It's funny how God has a way of meeting you right where you are. I am taking so much from this book and have dog-eared so many pages I can't wait to re-read and then re-read again. I already have two more books in the wings waiting for me as soon as I finish this one that I can't wait to dive into!

Waiting for...really good health news for someone very, very close to my heart. And I would appreciate any extra prayers you could spare for both answers and successful treatment for this person. Thank you in advance. She means the world to me, and I am hoping for good news for her soon! <3

Excited about...the fun plans we have for the month of October! Every weekend is now officially full, including a Clemson weekend away with my hub and college BFF's, a visit from my newest niece (and her parents, too, of course!), a weekend away with my hub, and a neighborhood Halloween party, not to mention all the Halloween activities we'll be squeezing in. Whew! What.A.Month it's going to be!

Trying to...figure out a way to regularly exercise. Life has just been, well, busy since we added member #5 to our crew. I squeeze in workouts when I can, which often mean those things that incorporate my kids thanks to my traveling hub, but I am nowhere near where I want to be as far as a regular and consistent workout routine. One day...

Working on...Being okay with flaws. Both mine and others. I am not perfect. I should not expect myself to be. Others are not perfect. I should not expect them to be. It is a constant struggle, one that I've written about before and one that I'll write about again, soon.

Enjoying...my children. No, I mean really enjoying my children. Focusing on being in the here and now. Carving out time for them every day. Really, really enjoying them and their personalities and their ages and their awesomeness. 

Using...our family calendar, and my little planning notebook, more than ever these days! Between playdates and field trips and weekend plans and self-care and home needs and LIFE, these are busy times. And these days, if it's not written down, I won't remember it. So. I am regularly consulting our family calendar to remember what we have going on for the week and then using my little notebook to help organize what I'm going to accomplish for the week, down to the day. OCPD? Yes. But I just don't know any other way to try and stay on top of things!

Wearing...my ahhh-mazing new perfume, Lollia Calm, that I picked up from one of my Mill favorites, Bloom Beauty Bar, just today. One of my sweet friends owns Bloom (located in Baxter for those of you mommas who are local and ready to treat yourself to some beauty awesomeness); so, I love not only to be able to smell goooood (finally! I've been looking for the perfect scent forever!) but also being able to support her business. And you should, too!

Planning...NOTHING and it feels so nice!!! Seriously. Because I have five siblings, and my hub as two, who are the prime ages for weddings and babies and showers oh my!, not to mention our own three children as well as our parents, dear friends, etc., who are also in need of showering/partying/spoiling, I feel like I have been planning a shower or party or something every month for the last year. Whew! Needless to say, I am so happy to report that I have no parties or showers to plan until January. Not that I mind it--I love throwing parties and showers! But man...I have to admit...it will be nice to have a little break. :) 

Singing...the songs from Frozen. You see, like every other mother of a young daughter on the planet, I have a little girl who loves Anna and Elsa and Olaf and all things Frozen. So, when we're cleaning or errand running or cooking dinner or doing our morning walks around the neighborhood, I will sometimes surprise my Rals by playing the tunes from her favorite movie. And then we sing as loud as we can. And honestly? I think we're pretty darn good!

Needing...to re-vamp my wardrobe. Although I did just unpack several bags of clothing I had stored away since I was pregnant this time last year and couldn't exactly fit in them, I haven't bought myself non-pregnancy clothes in two years. I think it's time I add a few fun pieces to my wardrobe now that my maternity days are over, amIright?!

Learning...to be a more patient momma. There's something my friend and fellow blogger, Amy, once wrote that has always stuck with me: I cannot control my children's actions but I can control how I react to their actions. I think I've made great strides in this area, but it is something that I continue to work on daily.

Listening to...my older two children running around in the backyard with their Daddy, talking and laughing and chasing each other. The perfect soundtrack to close out my day. 

Wishing...that I would finally take the time to pursue publication for my idea. It's ready. And I always have great intentions of doing so, but then I get caught up in the moment and focus on playing with my kiddos or spending time with my hub or getting all the housework in order or something, letting it fall to the back burner. But one day...

Doing...consignment sale shopping for some staples for my babies' fall and winter wardrobes. Woot! There is a big one this week I've already visited once and will be re-visiting again when they re-stock in a couple days. 

Dreaming of...pursuing a crazy, and I mean cuh-ray-zee, dream next year or maybe the year after. This one is out there, but we shall see...any guesses??