You Are More - Motherhood & Lifestyle

01/07/2023

I fight for myself, because I know in fighting for me, I’m fighting for them.

I fight for myself, because I know in fighting for me, I’m fighting for the little girl I once was.

I fight for myself, because I know fighting for me, doesn’t stop with me but it leaves a legacy.

The day I stepped into that counselors office was the day I was faced with a choice to fight, or run. But the chocie didn’t end there, I had to choose to fight every day. Because healing doesn’t happen over night, healing takes time.

We often leave the middle out. We tell the beginning, the life defining moment that changed everything. And we boast of the moment we saw the fruit of the work we put in. But what about that messy middle, does it not have a purpose too? What if it is more about the journey than the destination? What if most of our healing is lived in the middle? The story needs to be told here too. Other people need to know there’s hope in the middle.

I wish someone would have told me that I wasn’t broken. I wish someone would have told me that this journey would take a toll on me - all of me, and I would need to care for myself patiently. That while healing my mind, would also lend to needing to heal my body and spirit too. That it’s not all in my head, but it’s all of me that needs to heal too.

Stress, fight or flight, trauma, healing, anxiety…it wreaks havoc on our bodies. Our body feels the effects and the pain. Our bodies need to heal. Our faith gets put to the test. Our ideas, our beliefs, our questions of who God is get challenged. Our mind has to work in overdrive.

Mental health is more than just what’s in your head, it’s all of you. And all of you needs to be cared for - mind, body, spirit.

You’re not broken, you’re just healing.

23/03/2022

This kid understands life.

23/03/2022

I love this perspective. ❤️

22/03/2022

❤️❤️❤️

06/03/2022

🥺🥺🥺

The most beautiful photo I've seen today: Polish moms left strollers at the train station, for Ukrainian moms who may need them when they arrive in Poland with kids. 🇵🇱🇺🇦-Eduard Koller

Photo © Francesco Malavolta https://www.facebook.com/francesco.malavolta.3

04/03/2022

Oops.

03/03/2022

11/02/2022

Much of parenting is very much a learn as you go kind of situation. Sometimes, we’ve just gotta take it step by step, mess up and try again, and then modify as we go. Your parenting journey will be riddled with mistakes—your only job is to learn from them and keep trying. Your kids need all of you—the parts you're proud of and the parts you hope to improve.

09/02/2022

✨Family Command Center✨

Does your family have a rhythm or routine you follow with your kids? Anytime I share about this area, it’s a favorite. Why? I think we all crave routine, order, rhythm…something that makes our life feel a little more put together. It’s no surprise that we crave that, it makes a difference.

One thing you’ll discover as a parent is kids thrive on routine. Kids need to know what’s expected of them, and when. Often times struggles we face with our children can be prevented, or easily redirected, if we have expectations set beforehand.

Every once in awhile our life gets a little upside down and I revisit this corner. As life changes, rhythms and expectations need to change as well. So I step in and look these over to see how I can change my communication and set some expectations to help my kids grow in this new season.

So today, I’ll be updating this corner. And there will be a family meeting soon to set the expectations for this new season. Follow along on Instagram if you want the behind the scenes look!

30/12/2021

Some wisdom from a past year.

There came a time where I realized, I was just making it. I was just working on surviving every day and that was all I could see. I didn't realize that if I really dug in, if I really pressed forward, I could do more than just make it. I could flourish...
Mama, that's what I want for you. That's what I want for me. I want to do more than just make it. I want to flourish. To do so, I need an environment that enables me to grow. ..
Mamas we have the power to create that atmosphere. The words we speak. The thoughts we think. The life we live. We can create an atmosphere where we flourish. So let's do it this year...together.

17/11/2021

It’s that time again!! Give the gift that keeps on giving!

24/09/2021

It’s that time of year again… Swingset Factory Depot has their display sale happening N O W! Ready to enjoy those fall evenings with friends and family?! This is your backyard must have!! They’re the best in the STL area and you won’t find another like them!

23/09/2021

The internet needs more happy. ❤️

11/09/2021

As important as it is for your kid to find a solid peer group at school — and it is important — it’s also critical your kid knows that no matter what, they have a place to belong at home. When your kid is secure in their spot at home, it reminds them they have a safe place to be themselves, especially if they’re fighting to find their place at school... and that starts with establishing your family's rhythm. So, how do you find a rhythm for your family? Take some time to observe the natural routines at home. Then, lean into those, creating systems that make your life at home more manageable. Now, don’t go changing everything at once — establishing a routine takes time. Maybe start with a day that is a little low pressure first, then make your way to the Monday morning routine. What kinds of routines make things run smoothly at your home?

17/08/2021

Taco Tuesday always. Sunday family night (movies, games, maybe a trip!). Once a month family store. And I’m sure there will always be more!

Never underestimate the power of Taco Tuesdays, Friday night game nights, and Saturdays at the pool. Your family’s routines, no matter what they are, have the potential to make your kid feel safe and secure in their place in the world because they know they have a place to belong.

Name some of your family’s favorite routines and traditions in the comments. There may be some fun ones we haven’t considered yet!

27/07/2021

I’m in tears watching her interview.

I’m in tears seeing people say she wasn’t tough enough, strong enough, good enough.

I’m in tears watching her make what I know has to be one of the hardest decisions she’s had to make.

I’m in tears because I know what it’s like to have the pressure that you can’t stand under, the anxiety that you can’t control, and the body’s response to it all…

I know the bravery it takes to say “No” because your mental health matters more…

And Simone Biles did just that. She stood up for herself despite what anyone else would think or say…

If you ask me, she’s someone I would celebrate my girls looking up to.

I’m so proud of you. Your mental health is more important than a medal because you, my girl, are more important.

You Are More. ❤️

Simone Biles says her early exit from the women's gymnastics team final was for her mental health.

12/07/2021

🤍💛🤎

Cassandra Speer

30/06/2021

So what’s on your kids to do list tonight?

26/06/2021

My sister calls around 9 a.m. We’re not everyday callers, or even weekly chatters. We live six hours apart and don’t see each other very often. We keep in touch via text, the occasional Voxer message, and heavily-filtered, highly-ridiculous Snapchats. Phone conversations? During the morning rush...

25/06/2021

It’s no question that owning a back yard swing set is any kid’s dream. There are hours of fun to be had on a backyard swing set and you don’t even have to leave your house. A swing set brings all the fun to your back yard making it simple for mom and dad. But did you know a swing set is much more than just hours of fun in your backyard?

https://youaremoreblog.com/2021/06/benefits-of-a-backyard-swingset.html

28/05/2021

Seriously. I think the more kids I have, the less each one sleeps. Jase slept through the night at 7 weeks and never went back. He also would sleep in until 9am many days! Elyse pretty much the same…

Then came the two caboose kids. One decided no more napping at 3 and used to wanna stay up until 10pm. This girl can’t decide what she wants. He’s the fourth baby so she says she makes the rules. 😂

Are your kids good sleepers? Or do you have a mix of everything like we do? 🙈

26/05/2021

When everything else seems hectic, just make the bed.

When I was in high school I went to help out Pastor’s Wife with a few things at her home and she told me, “If I can just make the bed for the day, I feel a little more put together.”

All these years later I’ve never forgotten it. When the day is full of chaos, just make the bed. When you can’t seem to check anything off your to do list, just make the bed. When the kids won’t stop fighting, or crying, or whining, just make the bed. If you’re feeling discouraged or overwhelmed, just make the bed.

Something about just making the bed can make a difference in the day. Even if it’s the only thing you accomplish all day, just make the bed.

What is the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you that you’ve never forgotten?

25/05/2021

The deck is done! And dare I say it’s our new favorite spot to hang out?! If you’ve missed out in stories, you’ll want to check back for all the reveals and behind the scenes!!

This deck remodel has been a long time coming. If you saw the before pictures, you know it was in desperate need of some TLC. It wasn’t even safe to be walking on near the end. So we have been saving and praying for the opportunity to get this done so we could feel safe with our kids on the deck…

But also….because we knew this would be a place for hundreds of family memories. A friend told me recently that money spent in areas that will built lasting family relationships and invest in our time together is money well spent. She was so right. We have been outside almost every day - unless rain has stopped us.

We’ve ate dinner on the deck. We’ve ate lunch on the deck. We have celebrated birthdays on the deck. Watched children run through water with friends. Made some killer BBQ. Read some really good books. Met Jesus. And. So. Much. More.

Here’s to many more family memories in this space. Is there a place in your home that shapes a space for many family memories?

25/05/2021

Hi. It’s me. Wanna be friends? 😴