I don’t do it enough. When I do, I wish I did it more. It’s always fun and filled with laughter or sometimes tears. But it feels so good! Going out with the ladies for lunch is one thing I aim to do more this season. Nothing fancy, but a salad in an outside cafe. Good conversation overflows, life problems attempt to be solved, much-liked podcasts are shared, heartfelt stories about loved ones are honestly put on the table for all to support. We share dilemmas faced with aging family as caregiving shifts from the young to the old. We shed light on our faith, seeking God to continue to guide us and continuously grateful for our blessings. We sit for hours as time flies by, my heart overflowing for these women who grace my life. Ordinary moments that are often overlooked, and not done enough. No particular reason or specific milestone celebration causing us to schedule a lunch together yet our friendship should be the best reason of all! ❤︎
Yes, life has big moments that are to be celebrated. But there are many, many little moments in between. And somehow we forget that these little ones are really important. Cheers to pausing and noting all the little things in our lives that are so very essential to our happiness…
✹chosen friends that become family
✹backyard bbqs
✹a sunny day
✹impromptu cornhole tournament
✹dance party in the kitchen bc a good song came on
✹a beach day!
✹empty day on the calendar
✹long weekend
✹long-overdue catch-up phone call
✹family walk
✹unexpected visit
✹good book
✹new recipe that becomes a family favorite
✹surprise flower delivery
✹tiring workout
✹s’mores by the outdoor fireplace to end the night
This is what causes me to get annoyed before school!After seeing an older sibling’s room stay tidy, my youngest now starts her day like this!!
Nagging…who doesn’t get tired of hearing their own voices?
“Make your bed! Open your shades!!” I remind almost EVERY morning! I’ve tried multiple strategies, yet the beds don’t get made most days.
So today I tried something new….My middle was up and lounging on the couch for a few moments before he left for school. I happened to peek into his room and lo and behold the room was dark and the quilt and sheets were jumbled in a pile.
Instead of my usual rant, I calmly suggested, “Would you please set an example for your younger sister and get your room ready for the day?” Well, that boy let out a long, loud sigh but then he got right up and went to tidy his room. Siblings can be great teachers to one another and this was a way to use his positive influence. Because it is true…as a 17 year old young man, his 12 year old sister is looking to him to see what he does, how he talks, how he acts, what he prioritizes, when he does homework, when he’s on his phone, how he talks to his parents, if he puts his dishes in the dishwasher, how he does his chores, if he puts away his razor in the bathroom and if he makes his bed. He needs to realize that his actions are speaking loudly and influencing her at a very impressionable age as well. Wouldn’t you know, both beds were made, laundry was put away and shades were up!
Now let’s see how long this lasts…♥︎
Positive sibling influence can make your home a happier place for all!
Encourage your children to inspire one another with…
completing chores (without reminders is even better!!)
preparing for the day ahead (packing backpacks, lunchboxes)
starting homework after a snack or practice
keeping bedroom/bathroom organized
setting a timer to be on time for a sports practice or extracurriculur acitivities
choosing a nicer outfit for church
picking up the phone to call a grandparent
**Did you try this?? Share your stories with me at lauri@theessentialistfamily.com
Husband & youngest daughter spending time together
This past Sunday at Church, our Deacon enlightened the children that love is a verb. Think about that for a minute…love is an action; it’s something you do, say, show. I couldn’t help but think what an important reminder for adults too. Imagine if we all showed affection more often, spoke kind words more than others, and did small acts of lovingkindness throughout our days. Treating love as an action to our children will encourage them to reciprocate it not only to the family but to those all around. Now that’s something to pass on…❤︎
5 Ways to Show Love to Your Kids
leave “Just Because I Love You” notes in lunchboxes, in sport bags, on bathroom mirrors, on pillows
give a hug & kiss, cuddle up, walk arm-in-arm,
say, “I love you!” “You mean SO much to me!” “I’m very lucky to have you!”
make their favorite meal, snack or dessert
plan one-on-one time together (neighborhood walk, bike ride, trip to the mall, ice cream outing, board game)
I recently took a pause from working out of the home and am back home-momming, as my kids call it. And do you know one of the first things they got excited about? After-school snacks! Unbeknownst to me, I hadn’t really planned ahead for food when we all got home in the afternoon. It was a free-for-all of grabbing something from the fridge or pantry. But I never thought too much about it because life at 3:30pm was a craze and survival mode said, “all left to their own food choices.” Apparently, my kids didn’t appreciate this. They had most looked forward to a homemade treat. I realized that while they did like creative alternatives to the bag of Smartfood or apple and peanut butter, it was more about the time we spent talking while eating the snack together. The grab-and-go option wasn’t as fulfilling emotionally since it didn’t make us slow down together and debrief about our days. Now that I’m home-momming 2.0, I can’t help but exercise my baking skills more often. It’s not the homemade options necessarily that show love, it’s the time and effort I make for a few moments in the afternoon, sitting at our kitchen island sharing, laughing, and comforting. However, homemade banana apple muffins warm out of the oven never hurt (see recipe below). ❤︎
I made 1 dozen muffins then used remaining batter for a breadHere’s the recipe from the Sept 2024 Costco Connection magazine (Instead of 2 bananas, I substituted one with apple sauce; I used whole what flour instead of all-purpose; I replaced 3 cups of apples with 3 whole apples.)
I try to leave my kiddos notes to show them I’m thinking of them, loving them, praying for them. These notes go into lunch boxes, taped to bathroom mirrors and even hidden in suitcases. But to my surprise, I get notes too! A simple message to show they are thinking of me and it means way more than they could imagine. “Have a great day,” was secretly written on my office calendar by my eldest daughter, brightening my day and my heart immeasurably.
And I usually don’t think they’re listening to me, but they’re definitely watching.❤️
Summer beckons bucket lists of activities that get pushed aside during the busy school year. It’s a time to plan adventures near and far to simply spend time together. Backyard adventures could be making different types of s’mores (PBcups are my favorite) to constructing a zip line to turning on the sprinklers on a hot day and running through them.
Local adventures turn into visiting as many ice cream shops in a 20 mile radius, keeping a running list of local trails hiked or taking a guided history tour in your own town.
A pillar of strong families is spending quality time together.
Get curious together &
Adventure On…
Exploring newly discovered, Spohr Garden in nearby Falmouth, Ma
One of my most beloved heirlooms is my mother’s Fanny Farmer cookbook! My go-to, never disappoint assortment of recipes sure to delight all! Summer vacation allows time to get back to baking much more frequently than the school year. Out comes our cookie jar and smiles abound knowing that a sweet treat awaits.
Today’s recipe: Cape Cod Oatmeal Cookies! Yum! What makes them different… molasses! It’s totally worth buying a container even though you don’t use much. These may quickly replace your traditional oatmeal cookie forever!
Cape Cod Oatmeal Cookies
Preheat oven 350
Sift:
1 1/2c flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
Stir in:
1 beaten egg
1c sugar
1/2c melted butter
1tbs molasses
1/4c whole milk
1 3/4c oatmeal
1c raisins and/or walnuts
Place on greased cookie sheet by teaspoonfuls and bake until edges are lightly brown (approx 12 mins).
Now you can fill that cookie jar and watch the smiles grow. Enjoy!
“Joy is the realest reality, the fullest life, and joy is always given, never grasped. God gives gifts and I give thanks and I unwrap the gift given: joy.” 57
What a simple gift to give ourselves and our children: the power of giving thanks. With continual thanksgiving, joy flows, worries lessen, internal peace comforts. Feel joy, share joy, give thanks.
the Essentialist Family 