Yoga – Grief and Mercy

My Summer Bucket List in Review

December 18, 2022December 17, 2022 by Kaylee, posted in Goals, Self Care

Hi friends! As I’ve been tying up some loose ends and wrapping up 2022, I realized, I NEVER posted my summer bucket list in review. I am so sorry! This year has been such a whirlwind and transitional period that I truly just forgot. Anyway, better late than never right?

MY SUMMER 2022 BUCKET LIST

Grow a Garden and produce fruits, veggies and spices. ❎
Go on some sort of family adventure (the zoo, the beach, the park, garage sailing, tulip festival etc.) ❎
Establish a more consistent daytime routine for my Baby (Naps, feedings, playtime, tummy time, etc.) ✅
Publish my Memoir ❎
Start a weekly Yoga Routine ❎
Finish Knitting Charles Sweater ❎
Finish Reading the Entire Bible ❎
Reorganize my Bathroom ❎
Commit to going on Family Walks at least once a week, ❎
Create some New Recipes ❎
Introduce solid foods to my Baby ✅
Start teaching Baby Sign Language in our Home. ✅
Spend more time with my Family and Friends ✅
Do Art Projects with my Baby ❎
Reach 425 Written Blog Posts ❎

As you can see, I did not meet many goals on my bucket list this past summer. But you know what, I’m okay with that. Shortly, after having my son, I had many mom friends tell me The first year is just survival mode, especially with your first baby. So, I’m going to give myself grace. I’ve survived the summer and almost completely survived my first year as a mom. There will many other summers in the future I’m sure, that I will be able to set and accomplish goals on my bucket list. Until then I’m going to keep surviving and keep thriving.

My Summer 2022 Bucket List Check In!

July 31, 2022July 6, 2022 by Kaylee, posted in Goals, Just Me Blogging, Self Care

I probably say this every year, but how on earth is it July??? Not only this summer, but this entire year is flying by! Anyway, here’s a quick check in of my goals and how I’m doing. 😊

MY SUMMER 2022 BUCKET LIST

Grow a Garden and produce fruits, veggies and spices.

So, since we are currently staying with family, we haven’t quite got the plants in the ground yet… but we do have plants. Does that count? We have a little bit of an over population with the bunnies that we need to figure out before we try growing our fruits, veggies and spices.

2. Go on some sort of family adventure (the zoo, the beach, the park, garage sailing, tulip festival etc.)

This summer has already been so hot, that I have been hesitant about taking our son out as I don’t want him to get dehydrated. I’m hoping it can cool down soon and we can find something fun to do.

3. Establish a more consistent daytime routine for my Baby (Naps, feedings, playtime, tummy time, etc.)

Umm… yes and no. Every time I think we are starting to have a schedule, something always changes. I have discovered within the last few weeks that I have to limit Matthew’s naps. I also have to make sure his last nap isn’t too late in the day, otherwise he does not sleep well at night.

4. Publish my Memoir

I’m working on it okay. Writing and self publishing a book is hard.

5. Start a weekly Yoga Routine

Let’s not go there.

6. Finish Knitting Charles Sweater

It’s been a little too hot to knit these days.

7. Finish Reading the Entire Bible

Currently working on Isaiah, and hoping to start another book soon.

8. Reorganize my Bathroom

My bathroom isn’t really mine at the moment, since I’m sharing it with other people, so this goal is on hold for now.

9. Commit to going on Family Walks at least once a week,

Again it’s been too hot. But we have gone a few times, just not every week.

10. Create some New Recipes

I haven’t really had a chance to cook since moving, but I am hoping to do this very soon.

11. Introduce solid foods to my Baby ✔️

This has been a huge hit in our house. We have been trying solid foods since 4.5 months and so far Matthew has tried bananas, apples, prunes, peas, carrots, chicken, peaches, pears, cereal and butternut squash. We are hoping to try avocado and sweet potato next.

12. Start teaching Baby Sign Language in our Home. ✔️

Since starting on solids, we have also been teaching baby sign language. The signs we’ve used so far include milk, more and all done. Matthew hasn’t signed any of these back to us quite yet, but soon enough I’m sure he will.

13. Spend more time with my Family and Friends ✔️

As we’ve been staying with family, I have been able to spend more time with family and friends. ❤️

14. Do Art Projects with my Baby ✔️

Let me tell you, this has been an adventure. So far we had done foot print crafts for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Let’s just say Momma wore a lot of blue paint. I think Matthew had fun though.

15. Reach 425 Written Blog Posts

I’m still in the 300’s as far as blog posts but we’ll get there.

3 out of 15 goals met. That’s a pretty good start!

My Summer 2022 Bucket List

May 26, 2022March 15, 2022 by Kaylee, posted in Goals, Just Me Blogging

Another Summer, means another Bucket List! This summer is going to be interesting having a mobile infant around. I’m excited to see the many adventures and activities we’ll have together as a family 🙂

My Summer 2022 Bucket List

Grow a Garden and produce fruits, veggies and spices.
Go on some sort of family adventure (the zoo, the beach, the park, garage sailing, tulip festival etc.)
Establish a more consistent daytime routine for my Baby (Naps, feedings, playtime, tummy time, etc.)
Publish my Memoir ❤️
Start a weekly Yoga Routine
Finish Knitting Charles Sweater
Finish Reading the Entire Bible
Reorganize my Bathroom
Commit to going on Family Walks at least once a week,
Create some New Recipes
Introduce solid foods to my Baby
Start teaching Baby Sign Language in our Home.
Spend more time with my Family and Friends
Do Art Projects with my Baby
Reach 425 Written Blog Posts

This Summer is going to be fun! I can’t wait!!! ☀️

The Letter to Myself

February 2, 2021January 30, 2021 by Kaylee, posted in Goals, Just Me Blogging, Self Care

In my last semester of college, I was taking a yoga class just for fun. Ironicallly, it was the semester that covid hit the US, so I found it fitting that I was in a course that would help me relax amidst a crazy pandemic.

As the semester continued into the spring, and classes were forced to be taught online, I had the opportunity to practice what I had learned from yoga at home. My instructor posted weekly videos of different yoga practices and a quick reflection we were to complete after each practice.

For my last practice and assignment in yoga, I was to complete a three question reflection that was essentially a letter to myself. When writing this letter, I was asked to answer these questions:

What is something I needed to let go of?

What was something I was ready for?

What did I need to remember from the current time?

At the end of the letter, I asked that my yoga teacher send me the letter in 8 months. On a cold, snowy day in December, I received my letter and honestly enjoyed my thoughts and feelings I wrote to myself.

What was one thing I wanted to let go of? – The Media. At the time, and even now I’m so tired of the media. Everything from opinions and bias, conflicting reports, and over sharing of the same stories is simply exhausting to watch. I hardly ever watch the news anymore. Since, eliminating about 85% of the media in my life, I have found that my mental health is so much more stable. I’m not nearly as anxious as I was when I wrote the letter to myself.

What was something I was ready for? – To embrace a life without school. When I was writing this letter, I was so excited to not be in school anymore. After 6 years of nonstop college, I was ready to just work, be a wife, and start a family.

What was something that I needed to remember from that time? – That I’m a survivor. I’ve been through a lot, especially in the last 6 years. Life has really sucked at times, but I have learned to appreciate the good. I also told myself, that as life gets good, remember to pay it forward, and make others feel good too.

I have decided I am putting this letter on my fridge, as it serves as a good reminder through this year. Who knows what the year will bring, but when it gets hard I’ll remember, I’m a survivor.

How to Have a Self Care Sunday

November 15, 2020November 13, 2020 by Kaylee, posted in Just Me Blogging, Self Care

This year has been hard on everyone, and I know I’m not the only one in need of a little self care. Often times my work week is jam packed with endless to-do lists, meetings, daily tasks, and various deadlines that I must meet. That being said, it is no wonder why I am exhausted by the end of the week. Often times I try to reserve my weekends for self care and a chance to recharge. Sometimes that happens, and sometimes it doesn’t.

If I am unable to dedicate my whole weekend to self care, I at least try dedicating my Sundays to self care. This not only helps me to rest from the previous week, but also prepare for the week ahead.

Here are a few tips and tricks on how to have your own Self Care Sunday.

1. Wake up at a reasonable time. I’m not saying get up early, and I’m not saying sleep in as late as possible. What I am saying is, wake up at a time where you are able to sleep in some, but are not sleeping the day away. For example, during the week I usually wake up at 5am and go to bed at 9pm. On the weekends, I try to sleep in until 8am and go to bed at 10pm. This allows me to sleep in some, but not feel like I am missing parts of my Sunday by sleeping.

2. Plan your day. Every morning, I review my planner, rearrange what I need to , and prepare for the day ahead. This allows me to know what I want to accomplish in the day. Often times my weekend to-do lists are things that I neglected throughout the week. Since this happens, I also choose to schedule in things that will allow me to have some self care. For example, I may schedule a nap on Sunday. I may schedule a reminder to write a blog post Sunday night.

3. Wake up slow. Allow yourself to wake up slow. For example, on Sundays I’m in my pjs at least until 11am, unless I have to go somewhere. I also take my time sipping my coffee, watching the sunrise, and catching up on what’s going on in the world.

4. Do something productive before you do something super relaxing. This is a hard one, but it honestly helps. I have found that if I do something productive, before I get comfortable and relax I feel more accomplished. Whereas if I relax and take a nap, or get into a really good tv show, then I will not get what I need to accomplished and feel defeated. So whether it’s those dishes in the sink, the laundry piling up, or the trash that needs to go out, I highly suggest getting it done first before spending the rest of your day relaxing.

5. Lastly, consider doing a relaxing activity before going to bed. Some ideas could be… yoga, prayer time, taking a hot shower, knitting or crocheting, painting, writing, reading, coloring etc.

My Summer 2020 Bucket List: Review

August 30, 2020 by Kaylee, posted in Goals, Just Me Blogging

Today’s the day! It’s August 30th, which was the deadline for my summer bucket list. To be honest, I did not get nearly as many goals accomplished that I had hoped. However, my summer has been quite more busy than I anticipated as well. So, I’ll take what I can get. I hope everyone’s summer has not only been productive but also restful. The following is a list of my summer goals, and how I may or may not have accomplished them.

Goals Met This Summer

1. Grow my Plants and Produce Fruits, Veggies and Spices

This summer, I am proud to say that I actually had a successful garden. I think I planted a total of 13-15 plants since April. Out of all of those I have had about 7 survive. And considering the fact that I used to kill all my plants I ever owned, I would say it was quite an accomplishment. This summer I was able to successfully grow and produce a ton of chives as well as four green peppers!

2. Visit the Lake Shore At Least Once.

In late June, I was able to complete this goal when going on a weekend vacation with my friend Alli. It was warm, beautiful and wonderfully relaxing.

3. Have a Game Night with Friends

In June, Charles and I also had a dinner and game night with friends in our apartment. It was fun to be able to entertain and visit with company.

4. Create and Commit to a Yoga Routine.

This goal was hard to complete, but I would say I have definitely gotten a routine down and completed this goal. For a while, I was very unmotivated to do yoga. I was exhausted, eating junk and living off caffeine. So much so, I forgot how to breathe and how to relax. But now, I have been doing mini yoga workouts a few times a week. I have even taught my preschoolers a few poses.

5. Write and Publish a Children’s Book.

I think everyone knows I completed this goal, and I am so excited for it. My book launched at the end of July and has been pretty successful. I am so thankful I have been able to create something in honor of my babies, and in order to help families who are coping with pregnancy loss.

Goals Not Met This Summer

1. Finish First Draft of Memoir

I haven’t finished this goal yet, but I have made some progress. I am strategically working on different chapters, in hopes of having the first draft done very soon.

2. Crochet a Large Blanket

I didn’t end up finishing this goal either. To be honest, I was not in the mood to crochet much this summer. It has been very hot and just not something I found myself interested in.

3. Apply and Receive my Family Life Education Certification

I haven’t completed this goal yet, and frankly I kind of forgot. It was something I put on the back burner, hoping to get to after Covid. But since Covid isn’t going away anytime soon, I guess it is probably something I should try and figure out.

4. Write and Post 200 Blog Posts.

I was so close to this goal, but I just didn’t quite make it. Including this post, I have written 180 blog posts! I was 20 short of my goal. But that’s okay, maybe next time.

5. Buy a Coffee Table for my Living Room

I haven’t completed this goal. I have had a few expenses come up including a flat tire, a kitten, an antenna etc. Eventually though, I hope to get a coffee table.

Thanks for reading! ❤️