Currently...

It's been a solid eight months since I last wrote a post like this, so I thought I was due for another! Here, a look at the things I am currently...

Loving...the photos my dear friend captured for our family photo shoot this year. I'm sure most mommas could agree: the hours (days? weeks?) leading up to family photo shoots can be a leeeeeetle stressful #firstworldproblem (please imagine me rolling my eyes as hard as I can at myself here). I spend way too much time envisioning coordinated clothing for my peeps and then crossing my fingers we get a few good shots from the session. And you know what? I don't know why I stress. For starters, it's family pictures. I mean, come ON, Lindsay. I think it's because I treasure the images so much, and love seeing our family grow and change year after year, that it feels so important to me. But in the grand scheme of things? It's family pictures, Lindsay. Chill out, already. (Can someone re-direct me to this blog post next Fall when family pictures roll around?). But also? My girl, V, has a gift for making magic out of mayhem. She is so good. And she worked her magic this year. <3 Here are just a few of my faves (I also used a few to update my blog header, as well as on my tab pages, all listed above :) ). 

Reading...I just finished Girl, Wash Your Face (so good!), am about to start The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah (author of The Nightingale, which is great!), and am currently reading Created for Connection and Grace-Based Parenting. Will report back on all! Oh, AND, my mama passed along the craziest book to me a couple months ago, called Bird Box. It was so different but I could.not.put.it.down. And then I passed it on to my friend, who also devoured it, and then she passed it on to her mom. And guess what....we just found out that Netflix is releasing the movie of it, starring Sandra Bullock, in December! We cannot WAIT to watch it, right Megan? Right? ;) 

Waiting for...Halloween fun!!! I can't wait! Halloween is my favorite social media day of the year. There is just NOTHING cuter than kids in costumes!!! Bring it ON!

Excited about...an impending getaway with my hub. So, so excited!!! With the chaos and craziness that is life with four littles, it is easy for the focus to be taken off one another. So, I am ecstatic to have a couple days with just him and me. Tomorrow morning, we are headed to the mountains. And then we'll be spending the weekend with our college best friends, watching our Clemson Tigers take on Louisville. And I cannot wait! <3 And a big ol' thank you to the best Nana and Pop in the world for hanging with My Lu Crew so we can sneak away for a few days. We are so lucky to have them! <3

Trying to...become one of those people who can start her Christmas shopping early. But it's like I have this mental block: I just cannot make myself buy a single Christmas gift before Black Friday. Now, if any of y'all hear of any great deals going on before then, help a momma out and drop me a line! Maybe I'll be able to change my ways after all... ;) 

Working on...re-prioritizing my life. Weeding out the unnecessary. Re-focusing my time, energy, and effort where it matters most at this stage of life. 

Enjoying...my Barre3 and my running. Wait...did I say running?! Who am I?! Well, as I've mentioned before, I took up running last year when we first brought Bella home from China and I didn't yet feel comfortable leaving her in the childcare area of my beloved Barre3 (because #attachment. She needed to know she was ours before we left her under another's care to try and avoid feelings of abandonment and insecurity). Anywho, I am not a runner. I did it begrudgingly to get exercise when I couldn't barre. But now? It's a loved part of my weekly routine! I wouldn't say it comes easy to me, but there is just something about putting on a good podcast (which is what I listen to when I run - no music for this girl!) and pounding out the miles. Some days, every single step is a battle to keep going. Other days, I only stop due to time constraints. But always, whether it be running or barre, I feel better having done it. (NOTE: any of my local friends want to hit up Barre3 with me? Let me know! You can try for free. And no kickbacks for this momma. I just love it and think you will, too). 

Watching...a few new shows! At the recommendation of friends, my hub and I just started watching Amazon's Jack Ryan, and we are really liking it! The first season is eight episodes, and I'm told the storyline will wrap up by the end (but also, that there will likely be another season!). It was a little tricky at first to not visualize Jim Halpert trying to pretend to be a federal analyst, but John Krasinski does such a great job as Jack Ryan that it was an easy obstacle to overcome! 

Also, I started watching The Good Place on my flight to Vegas last month and was quickly hooked! I am now all caught up and am watching the new episodes when they air weekly. The acting is fantastic, the plot is funny and clever and different, and I am loving it! A great, light-hearted watch. 

What is not a light-hearted watch? A Million Little Things. And doggone it, I just don't think I can watch it, as much as I want to. It is SO good and reminds me so much of several shows I love (This Is Us; Parenthood; Friday Night Lights). BUT the storyline hits too close to home, and was pulling up too many hard things for me personally, for me to continue watching it. It was just not good for my mental health. So, sadly, I am no longer going to watch it. 

Using...Radiant Defense by R+F. Listen, I don't plug or blog about stuff I am not well-researched in or haven't tried and used for awhile myself. With that being said, I can tell you firsthand that this product is my favorite product I have EVER put on my face. It is the perfect combination of soft, light-weight coverage with a dewy glow, and I am obsessed!!! If you want to try it out, let me know! I wear it every day, including on our recent family photo shoot, and absolutely love the perfect amount of coverage it provides! 

Wearing...my slippers! Yeehaw! I mean, I love me some summer, but there is just something about the first few weeks of Fall that are my favorite. And since the temps decided to take a dive this week, I've been wearing my slippers daily and can often be found curled up under a blanket in front of a fire. Which is exactly what I'm doing as I write this! 

Planning...some seasonal fun! It is BANANAS to me that November will be here tomorrow. I am trying to get my calendar in order but the holiday craziness takes over life as we know it! ;) 

Singing...The Greatest Showman soundtrack. This is our most favorite family movie to watch together, and one of my favorite Pandora stations. Our whole family can belt out these songs by heart, and they just never get old! 

Needing...to offer grace to those who have hurt the ones I love. Gosh, y'all. I struggle with this so much! I ask God for grace all.the.time. for me and my many, many (daily) mistakes. I ask that He forgive me daily. And yet, when someone hurts someone else I love - I hold a deep, stubborn grudge. Or, I try to forgive, but I struggle to forgive completely. How hypocritical is that? "Jesus, please forgive me for my mistakes," in one breath but then in the other, "How DARE he/she do that thing/say that thing/act that way to hurt someone I love?" Jesus, take the wheel. Please make me more like You and less like the hypocritical sinner that I am. Ugh. Anyone else struggle with this? :(

Listening to...some good stuff lately! First, when it comes to podcasts, there's Serial Season 3 (the first season is still my fave but this season is a good one, too) and S-Town (listening to it again! YES! It is that good. John B. Macklemore is one of the most fascinating personalities with one of the most heart-wrenching stories. S-Town is my all-time favorite podcast (it got me through the final legs of my half-marathon)! Also, I listened to two really TED Talks two weeks ago at the advice of a trusted source: Brene Brown's Talks on Shame and Vulnerability. Each is only 20 minutes and well worth the listen. So good!

Learning...about ways I need to make changes to be my best self. I have high hopes that 2019 will be a great year, full of good changes and a fuller life with a more Christ-like heart. <3

Doing...the ol' closet swap-a-roo. Now that the weather finally changed, I've spent several hours going through clothes that are too big, too small, and just right for my four little nuggets, taking inventory of what they still need as the colder months approach. Almost done!

Wishing...we could solve this one medical mystery that still has us scratching our heads about Bella. Luckily, we have a fantastic pediatrician who is working with us to make the right referrals to try to finally get to the bottom of this mystery, once and for all! And I will be less elusive (i.e., less annoying) once we hopefully get some answers. 

Dreaming of...Christmas break, when we have a couple weeks off to just enjoy each other's company with no homework nor studying nor therapies nor extra-curriculars. And at this rate, it'll be here before I know it! 

And that's a small snapshot of my life...currently! Have a lovely rest of your week, friends! And Happy Halloween! :)