Hope Heart Village

Selling some great homeschool items over at my page here on IG.

Right now they are only available to my followers, but soon I will be posting on the local homeschool sites. So grab what you can while you can!

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen his father sit this same way for long periods of time. 🥰

2020 has obviously been difficult for all. For me, it’s been trial after trial after trial: my personal business and vision for women and this Hope Heart Village community needing to be drastically revamped due to social distancing; relationship difficulties and “heart surgery” and repairing on myself; confusing health symptoms that doctors swore was MS leading to multiple tests, no clear results, and no diagnosis but still many strange symptoms; our family’s business taking a major hit when schools shut down due to Covid that still is a wait-and-see reality; another Big unexpected medical blow that led to a diagnosis of early onset menopause (and, yeah, I’m only 37, but at least that explains some things) plus other major, not-so-fun female medical issues (that I’m happy to share 1:1, but will spare my male friends from the TMI); and then today, a mammogram and ultrasound on a very suspicious breast lump.

It’s been a taxing, heavy few months. But there’s also been a lot of joy and freedom too. At the beginning of this year, the Lord spoke to me loud and clear that this would be the year for “Releasing & Abundance.” This is partly why I released (launched) Hope Heart Village & . There was some abundance there for sure. But most of the releasing came in unexpected ways: letting go of old things, old habits, old ways of life, old mindsets.

And the abundance came equally unexpectedly: freedom, finding myself, independence, peace, joy, grace for myself and others, new perspective, and an open future with endless possibilities before us. I am abundant with so much hope for what is to come. It’s a good place to be.

So, today, (and before transitioning in a few days to a gluten, dairy, mostly-egg, mostly-sugar free lifestyle, not diet, for said medical issues) I’m CELEBRATING!

Celebrating positive mammogram and ultrasound results on my lump (Lord knows I needed good medical news!!). But mostly, celebrating all the hard realities I’ve been walking through in faith, God’s grace and provision, peace beyond my understanding, the personal growth I’ve made, freedom and joy, and all that’s to come.

Thanks for one last shake. 🥤

Happy Monday, Y’all. It’s gonna be a good one.

Woke on time.
Hydrated then caffeinated! 💦☕️
Quiet time + Meditation
Warm up jog, HIIT workout, and a little bench action.
Hot tub alone on this foggy morning + practicing Gratitude.

Self-care at its best.

How are you treating g yourself well today?

Long weekend getaway with friends. Any guesses where we are?

Love going out of town with these friends . Laughing, practicing freedom, celebrating, sometimes crying and seeing each other at our worse (aka, usually they see Rhett and I arguing at least once on our trip 🙋🏻‍♀️). Looking forward to the food, exploring, and laughs to come! 💗

THIS. 🚨

Having clear, straightforward rules and standards for your home regarding body safety can’t be stressed enough + CANNOT be overlooked.

After a minor incident with a child a few years ago, we made this a priority by:
(1) having something posted on paper that was simple and crystal clear about our expectations
(2) by reviewing it with our kiddos regularly
(3) posting it in a public location so all guests will see it, read it, and know our expectations even when we don’t talk about them directly (we keep a laminated copy in our main guest bathroom that everyone will see while washing their hands - and it’s Bright Orange, so they see it 😉)
(4) EVERYTIME we have a new sitter watch our kids, we gather them and our kids and this paper and read it aloud. Then we look that sitter in the eye and make them answer the question: “Do you agree to uphold all of these rules and not put our children in danger or take advantage of them?” They know we mean business. And our kids know we strive to protect them. And if someone feels offended or awkward about us asking them that question, then I don’t want them watching my kiddos. Period. (And hint, neither should you)

If you don’t have open conversations about body safety in your home, please start doing so. It’s never too young. Our oldest was 7yr and youngest 1yr when we instituted this. Make this a priority today - copy my list or make your own version. Your child’s safety is your responsibility, so don’t make excuses for not getting it done. Just do it. 🧡🧡

What body safety practices do you practice in your home? What do conversations look like between you and your kids and childcare providers?

Spent the other day working in my flowerbeds and this beautiful guy came crawling up out of the dirt while I worked. It was such a bright purple all over! Made me think Matthew 6 where we are called to not worry because even the fields are clothed by God. If He will take care of the field, how much more will he care for us?

This felt even bigger. At least we can see the the flowers clothing the field. This guy was beautiful and yet is has been hidden in my yard going unseen but doing valuable work!! It reminded me that clearly God is taking care of all the things.

You may be transitioning into a new, scary season of life, and yet, there will be unexpected help and surprises along the way that will be like this little, unexpected, beautiful, purple beetle.

May those surprises be lights in the darkness for you. May they be reminders that God is with you, even in the hidden, unseen, dirt of life. May they be a glimpse of God’s love & provision. He is working even when you don’t feel it or don’t see it. 💜

🌱

Not excited about my school room looking like this for the next several days.

BUT!... I am excited that all this misplaced “stuff” means my hubs is transforming our old laundry room/office into a new laundry room/WALK-IN PANTRY!! 💪🏼🤗

..aaannnnd I’m thankful that I’m out of town a few days later this week and won’t be looking at or walking over the mess while trying to do school. 🥳

Chaos & Homeschool: going together like peanut butter & jelly since forever 😉

Generally, I always have a plan for my day.

Sometimes I do really good at them.

Other times...I wake up, forget there ever was a plan, and have to scrap it til the next day.

Swipe to see the Plan vs Actual 😅

At the beginning of each school year, I take time to really sit down and consider each of my kiddos and myself. I look forward to this day each year, as it’s so refreshing and reminds me how grateful I am for my amazing family.

This is my day to really SEE my kids. This is the day I look at how to equip each of them and how to resource them or love them.

This exercise also reminds me how individual and unique each member is...their special gifts and super powers they bring to our “Band of Barbours,” as well as how and where they each need us to step in and support them so they can grow and succeed in their struggles.

Really Seeing and Knowing your children is such a gift - it gives so much clarity and direction for what we’re doing and where we need to head as a family. It also helps me appreciate how hard this job called Motherhood truly is - so many moving pieces (Look at these pics and see how different they all are). This makes me appreciate why I’m so exhausted...and why I’m so valuable to my family. I AM MANNING THIS SHIP DAMN WELL!!

And, here’s the thing...not only do I consider my kiddos, but I consider myself as well (see last pic). Our ship only moves as well as me, the Captain. If I’m not well, if I’m not meeting my needs (aka, lots of quiet time alone and slow starts to the day), then we all suffer. And it’s easy to fall into the lies of “I’m not doing a good job right now,” but when I step back off the edge of self-condemnation and emotion, I see that I’m right on course. We’ll get there...and it will be a beautiful journey together.

Ps - this planning society, along with many more, are included in my online e-course

He’s so much better than me at taking time to play. Spending so many of my hours with the kids each day tends to me attempting to do all the non-mom things when I have free moments (bills, shower, nap, catch up on al the things). Sometimes I forget to just take me time and have fun or do more than just veg. Thankful he reminds me to do otherwise and is my date for adventure and fun! 💗💗

Are you now a Forced-at-Home-Mom stuck balancing both work ANNND your kids’ school? 🤦🏽‍♀️ 😩

I’m guessing this wasn’t the job you signed up for, nor what you pictured for your 2020 school year.

I went from wanting 0️⃣ kids to now managing 5️⃣ in our home school every single day. . . with peace and joy at that. BONUS: most days are completed in just 3-4 hours total! 💪🏼

If my story of how I made the shift from no kids to 5 and homeschool them all each and every day intrigues you, then click the link below. Learn more about my quick podcast-like course, that you can complete at your own pace, & register for my upcoming training. It’ll be the best $27 you’ll spend this year!

And here’s the thing:

I know you’re swamped & overwhelmed 😱

I know you have very little time ⏰

And I know you need Real Help RIGHT NOW 🚨

So that’s what I’m giving you. Short, to-the-point, how to transform your year from hopeless to manageable, even enjoyable. 😉

Enroll in my “Tap In!” e-course to tap in to the tools you need instead of tapping out of 2020.

Link in bio