Taking the Train

I had to post this on my simple retreats blog, because my husband and I are truly enjoying our very own simple retreat as I write. We are on our way to Seattle by train and you should have seen our faces as we walked to get on board! We were like two little kids....no extra bags in tow, starbucks in hand, magazines ready to go and no kids!! There is definitely something to be said about taking the train! I love it! It's so relaxing........

Day 10-Lighten Up

It's so hard not to get caught up in the "trying to have everything perfect" place, especially when you have kids because it makes things easier right? Well, I will be the first to admit that I'm STILL trying to adjust with having a second baby and it's been over 8 months now.....it's hard! For all of those people that said going from 1 to 2 is hard....well, you are right! It's SO good, but it's a challenge. My daughter put me in my place the other day when I was rushing (again) as I was trying to get out the door with both kids running a tad bit late and could barely squeeze through our condo door with car seat in hand along with the diaper bag, purse, Jada's lunch and her tagging behind while trying to make sure everything was in it's place before we left. Simply put, I was a bit frazzled. Jada said, "Mommy, it's ok, God will help you. He's here to help us because he loves us, just ask him for his help." I stopped instantly in my tracks and looked at her with so much love. Not only because she has ingrained God into her life but because my 4 year old was advising me. It was amazing, but it did make me stop and think, "ok, things don't have to be perfect, just lighten up a bit."

Day 9- Give Yourself a Massage

Ok, enough of the massages! We know that they are important for our body to relax and release stress and tension! I can't say that I've actually given myself a massage, I much rather have one from my husband or get one from the spa but giving massages are just as important as receiving them! Spread the love to others by taking the time to give a massage to your loved ones. I know that my babies love getting massaged while I apply their lotion after bath time. Can you imagine?! How lovely would that be if we could be massaged after getting out of the shower or bath everyday? Lovely. Spread the love. GET or GIVE a massage!

Day 8-Enjoy Massage Pleasures

The thing I most enjoy about a massage is the lasting mark that it leaves on your face after you leave and why does it last so long? It's not like it even goes away after a half an hour! Getting a massage always makes me feel like a new person and it's so needed for our bodies. Working those muscles out is so important for our bodies to release those toxins that build up and it's a good excuse to get that 6-8 glasses of water a day in right after. Challenge yourself or "treat" yourself to a massage a month and see how you feel!

Day 7-Come Aside and Rest Awhile

Have you ever felt like melting into your bed and reading a book, skimming a magazine or taking a nap on a dark and dreary rainy day? I know I have! Maybe not in the last few days as it's been SO nice here in Portland..spring is here! But I must say that there are days when I do just want to cozy up and rest. A friend of mine moved into their new house not too long ago after a huge remodel and a few days after moving in (which she is now a complete champ at) and said that she was going home to take the afternoon to rest and read a book..... I was thinking, well at least your kids are grown up now and what a luxury that sounds like! The simple things in life are what truly gives us joy and it's fun to embark on them.

Day 6- Try Your Hand at Creativity

You can never have enough hand painted treasures by your little ones, but when the parents get involved (even if they aren't an artist) that is what makes it even more fun. These photos are the finished product from our visit to Ready, Paint and Fire here in Portland. We took Jada on her day off of school last week and to weave in the child like play into our daily life was really refreshing. We gave her the choice between OMSI and "the paint" place and that was what she chose.... so much fun!

I definitely recommend having your son or daughter make a set of bowls or plates for Mom, Dad or Grandparents....they make a special gift!

Andrea's serving piece

Jada's bowl for her BFF Pie

Jada's mug for Grammie's bday

Desmond's abstract plate

                                              

Day 5-Hide Out For A Day

Last night's dinner with my family at this fabulous little Swedish restaurant here in Portland called Broder was the perfect ending to my "Hiding Out for the Day". Desmond had taken the kids down to Salem for a birthday party and I had the chance to take part of the day for myself without feeling rushed. I went to work out, grabbed a cup of coffee with a girlfriend, and went grocery shopping without getting an uneven arm work out from the car seat that is constantly being toted around. Not to mention, there wasn't a car seat that took up half of the grocery cart, I actually had time to stroll the aisles, and I didn't have to prepare a bottle in the middle of the produce department. It was pleasant.

Enjoying days like these are what makes me a better Mom.

Day 4-The Morning Shower-Alive, Awake and Alert!

Well, this is definitely something I can't say that I've excelled at in the last few years. Not that I'm dirty, but because I simply laugh at the days that I literally shower at like 5pm. Ever since I adopted the mommy role,  mornings can simply be... well, I'll use the term hectic. We're up, I sit there and feed the baby his food while my daughter takes an hour to eat three bites of her breakfast, it's off to school and then to work out. If there were only a few more hours in the day, then I might be able to say that I'd be alive, awake and alert at say noon! God only knows I don't want to have to shower twice in one day as that is just a waste of time, so I guess I'll grin and bear it until the 5 o'clock hour on most weekdays. ( Thank goodness for Lululemon)!

I love the difference of how hot water vs. cold water can make you feel. Have you ever noticed the difference? Hot water is so relaxing like you just want to melt in it and cold water completely wakes you up. It revitalizes your system awakening your body, which is why most people can say that they are alive, awake and alert by 8am. For me, those days will come....but when?!

Day 3-Restorative Bathing Rituals

www.glassybaby.com

Oh how I love a bath! What is better than sinking into a deep tub filled with bubbles, hot water, essential oils with a scented candle lit? Can anyone say relaxing! My last bath was actually the best bath I think I've ever had and SO needed. I hadn't had the best day and was feeling very overwhelmed...(oh yeah, it was the day I started this blog and felt that I hadn't accomplished anything all day long because I was messing around trying to create my two blogs...yeah, that day) There was no way that I was going to end that day a bad day and obviously neither was my husband. He had gone into our master bathroom and dimmed the lights, put moodscapes on the surround sound, lit three cream glassybaby votives( for those of you who don't know glassybaby, they are one of my favorite things, see above), rolled a towel for my neck and put this book down at an angle so that I could dive into another chapter of peace for myself. It was amazing. I felt like I was in the 2009 best spa pick of Portland for that 20 min. or so. Indulge in a bath! It's worth every minute....until your baby needs you!

Day 2- Start your day Refreshed

So....at this time in my life, waking up refreshed after a night of waking up to midnight "moans" by our son and then him dictating when wake up time is seems like it may be a far fetch, BUT I am very blessed to say that it is another day! My favorite morning ritual consists of pulling an intention for the day, or maybe like 20 since I have 20 decks of cards that I enjoy pulling from....when is it enough? Oh yeah, my kids have a deck of cards too that they pull from. Getting them both started early! Jada started pulling from her "Manifest your Magnificence for Kids" when she was around two years old. My four favorite decks of cards are:

*pocket prayers by June Cotner
*Inner Peace cards by Dr. Wayne Dyer
*Angel Cards by Kathy Tyler Joy Drake
*Well-Being cards by Esther and Jerry Hicks


Today my angel card was communication. Communication is key in everything we do and so important that we communicate the right way! Funny that I pulled communication because just yesterday I was in a discussion with some people about how technology has completely taken over.I was telling them that I just started a new blog but that it was a catch 22 for me because personally communicating somewhat goes out the window. For me, there is the simple joy in receiving a hand written letter in the mail, but these days we get caught up in texting/e-mailing. What happened to catching up over a cup of coffee or tea? Read my blog...you'll find out what's happening with me! Looks like I hopped on that wagon by mistake...oops! Just make sure you carve quality time out for your loved ones....it's important!

Day 1- Breakfast in Bed

So, I really can't remember the last time I had breakfast in bed..... Mother's Day is just around the corner though! So, what would the ideal Mother's Day breakfast in bed look like? Well,I'm thinking that maybe Elijah, my 8 month old, will decide he wants to sleep in a little and then say "Mama" as his third word ( since Dada was first and then Jada was second), Jada would come running in with the most adorable homemade Mother's Day card served with huckleberry pancakes(sort of like my Mom's) or this asparagus dish that my husband made up one night that was SO good...anything other than the usual bowl of oatmeal every morning that I make myself.

The truth is I'd be completely content with a scone and hot cup of tea.

Getting started Julie and Julia style!

My plan for this blog is to reflect in my own way based on each little "retreat" from this book. I throughly enjoy every chapter and see it as a small retreat for myself to reflect in my own life and take personal note on what God has blessed me and my family with.I am so thankful in many ways for what he has done in my life!

simple retreats for a woman's soul