The first days of summer are here. The days are longer. It’s my birthday week! 

For weeks, our academic schedule has been lighter. We’ve got a “summer fun list” in progress. And while it all should be slower paced, it has actually felt disarrayed and much more busy.

 

This is why I’m giving myself the gift of a consistent, daily rhythm for my birthday—to help me stay connected and nourished [1], loved and kept [2], and intentional in my everyday, every day. 

My friend and time-management coach for mothers, Melissa, lovingly and wisely guided me in mapping out a simple system to save me. The first and most important part of it (as Melissa deems for me the uninterrupted hour of self care in the morning, preferably between 6-7 AM) will mark and align my days:

 

 

 

Offering myself a vessel to be poured and, in turn, poured into each morning is a non-negotiable—a thing I literally need in my day.

 

So, I’ve resolved to follow this pattern I've dubbed “Morning Pour” every-ish morning, revamping a little of what I currently practice at the start of my days. 

 

Drink a glass of water.

 

Get outside to expose my eyes to sunlight (I mention more about this below to make it make sense).

 

Praise. [3] Repent. Ask God to Fill My Cup (IYKYK).

 

With a notebook then and my notes app later—ask and be ready to hear throughout the day, for the day: what do you want of me? Inviting him to lead. And, what do you want for me? Cultivating my surrender. 

 

Some moments will be short, possibly interrupted, but with the right perspective, sweet. Other days, it’ll be lengthy and deep. And if the time fits, I’ll also take a walk or complete a workout—because the aim is still whole and holy.

 

But no matter what, my prayer is that it will be anchoring, rooting me in him for the day, allowing me to move with more energy, more love, more joy, and more patience. Because a rhythm can reset everything.

We live in a body. We have a soul. We are a spirit. 

The reason to get outside as early as you can: "Exposing your eyes to sunlight in the morning increases daytime energy & mood etc. & improves nighttime sleep, but it also triggers a cascade of short, medium & long-acting peptides & hormones that powerfully modify state of mind & body in other (positive) ways too." - Andrew D. Huberman, Ph.D.

 

The chimichurri and the meatballs in these recipes. Both, 10 out of 10.

 

Between swim team and the sweltering heat, we are always in a pool. One of my girls began this season developing hives with each visit. In turn, I found this Swim Spray by Rowe Organics that neutralizes chlorine and protects skin and hair from exposure. We're now using it before every swim and she hasn't had an adverse reaction since! I'll be making our own spray, in these bottles, soon to make sure we're never without (because it's often sold out!).

 

This is the electrolyte supplement I add to my water every morning (refer back to my Morning Pour) and to the girls' anytime they're outside playing, swimming, running, etc. It's sugar free and can be added to any liquid.

Just because we have to carry a lot doesn’t mean we have to harden. The quote is a sermon in and of itself. And, I'm here to attest that #1 does make all the difference in a girl's day. At the start of last year, I committed to wear my favorite perfume everyday, even if I'm staying home all day #chasingsoft

 

A summer bucket list is for more (than your kids). Our family's “summer fun list” is posted on this and in a place we constantly see. Make slushies. Bake an olive oil cake. Start and finish a Wooble. Hike a new trail. Host an ice cream crawl. Visit a new state and/or country. Memorize Psalms 1 and 91. And soooo many more things.

 

Let the Alabaster Break and every other Lizzie Morgan song. On repeat.

I want to get back into the practice of asking myself, my husband, my kids, as well as my extended family and friends “Where have you seen God today?” everyday. To awaken our awareness and to simply be emboldened and encouraged.

 

I've mentioned before that in recent years, I've chosen to read the Bible “in a year” every other year. During the opposite years, I've studied portions of the Bible in various ways, alongside study groups and through self-study. A dear friend recently invited me to study the life of David along with her, which will differ greatly from how I'm used to studying and is frankly, exciting. 

 

Do you have a Bible commentary you'd recommend? The New Testament in Color: A Multiethnic Bible Commentary looks great (but doesn't include the OT, obviously) and I've heard good things about this free online commentary.

The Boston family is one huge reason my family decided on a homeschool lifestyle for ours. The youngest is on a journey of a lifetime and I'd love if we could encourage the excellence of this young man and help fund his trip to literally reach the stars Serbia! In advance, thank you!

 

I'm reading Church Girl, Before the Mango Ripens, and The Wedding People. And I'd like to use this tote for my books and my snacks at the beach.

 

The everyday baseball cap I'm buying myself for my birthday. Because the logo is mini. 

 

Hack. Instead of paying a million dollars to keep both chocolate and vanilla protein powders in my pantry, I've started investing (why isn't protein powder cheaper??) only in vanilla, which I use most often, and adding a tablespoon of cacao powder when I want a treat. Full chocolate flavor and anti-inflammatory. [4] Win-win.

 

This summer, my girls and I are finishing the Investing for Kids Activity Book in line with Ramsey's four main areas of money that children need to learn.

 

Because of the academic year, I usually plan in planners July through June. I loved using the Sugar Paper planner for my personal calendar and to-dos in 2024-2025 and found the same weekly/monthly layout for 2025-2026 here and here. [5] Now, I'm just waiting with bated breath for those teacher and student planners sold by Aldi!

 

Popular opinion: We Don't Have to Give In to the Smartphones.

 

I'm not sure who this is for, but Panera is giving you unlimited drinks for 3 months for FREE.99.

[1] John 15:1-11 TPT

[2] To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. Jude 1:1

[3] Praise may be called a sacrifice because it’s sometimes the last thing we want to do. But, when we praise him, he gives us his presence (Psalm 22:3) and our spirits times of refueling and refreshing (Acts 3:20).

[4] Cacao Powder Health Benefits, Web MD, October 2023

[5] If you know of or find another store that sells these planners and this layout, please let me know!   

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