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Well folks, we’ve survived.

As I walked Abby into her new 4-year-old Pre-K class this morning, she promptly dropped her backpack and made a beeline for the Barbie table without looking back.

Summer break is over and every member of this family is thrilled!

Back in May I wrote a post about how I was preparing myself for summer (if you missed it, you can find it here.) So today I thought I’d follow up and let you know what worked, what didn’t, which grand plans I ultimately abandoned, and what unexpected things I actually loved about summer.

Continue reading “An Introverted Mom Reflects on Summer” →

Encouragement

How I Fight My Battles

August 9, 2019August 11, 2019 Jessica Tanderup

It’s been a weird week. Some combination of pregnancy hormones, stress about Dave’s job search and our uncertain future, anxiety over going back to work myself with a baby on the way, and the regular ready-to-be-done with summer emotions I get this time every year, all struck this week and I’ve been a bit of a wreck.

In the past, I’ve given into the emotions. In fact, that was my standard MO for years. Only recently…really, since marrying Dave seven years ago and getting his feedback on what I assumed were unchangeable patterns in myself…(marriage is sanctifying y’all…) have I begun to learn how to stand up to the feelings which overtake me from time to time.

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Uncategorized

Decisions, Decisions – Summer 2019

June 21, 2019June 21, 2019 Jessica Tanderup

Welcome to the second installment of the Decisions, Decisions feature!

As the self-identified Indecisive Mama, obviously choices aren’t my forte. But occasionally I make some really good ones, and when that happens, I like to ~~brag about~~ document them here.

I’m blogging this week from a standing desk in the lobby of a Hilton hotel, where I’m attending an interpreting conference. My brain is tired from workshops today, and my feet and back aren’t going to put up with this for too long.

So without further ado, some good decisions I’ve made so far this summer!

Continue reading “Decisions, Decisions – Summer 2019” →

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What I Learned This Spring

May 31, 2019 Jessica Tanderup

I’m always baffled by the fact that summer doesn’t technically begin until late June, when the summer solstice occurs.

I mean, 1) School is out, and also 2) it hit the upper 90’s (F) here this week.

So, even though I am aware the calendar doesn’t doesn’t support my conclusion, spring has come and gone in my book.

Emily P. Freeman agrees with me. This week I’m joining her seasonal practice of looking back on what I’ve learned this spring (ie. March – May.)

Continue reading “What I Learned This Spring” →