8 Things I Learned in May

June 1, 2015 /

Another month has passed, and as we enter into June, inspired by Emily from Chatting at the Sky, I’m going to re-cap what I learned last month.  Sometimes serious things, sometimes silly; all worth remembering.

 

1. Road trips with my children by myself are pretty easy these days.  Everyone can walk, hold hands into the pit stop location, and feed themselves in the car which makes us reach our final destination much more quickly.  It also helps that we live closer to both sets of Grandparents now.  We are going to take FULL advantage of that this summer with visits to both sides, hopefully on multiple occasions.

Myquillin's kitchen

2. Myquillin Smith is just as genuine in person as she is on the internet and in her book.  I snapped this picture as she was explaining some of the details of their kitchen re-do.  I had the privilege of attending an event at The Barn for our Cozy Minimalist course.  I had such a fun day touring her property, seeing her home, and visiting with fellow Cozy Minimalists whom I’d never met.  I completely regret that I didn’t get a picture with Myquillin!!  I guess I learned that I get a little ‘star-struck’ and nervous.  I haven’t finished writing up all of my thoughts from that day, but once I do I’ll share some more pictures from inside the Nester’s home and barn.  You can read Myquillin’s wrap-up post where I even appear in a few pictures.

13 week baby bump 2

3. This is what it looks like to be 13 weeks pregnant with Baby #5.  Yes, we’re having another baby!  And, we survived the first trimester!  We’ve had pizza once a week for the past two months, Netflix has been a constant companion to my children, I’ve eaten more potato chips and popcorn than I’d like to admit, and I have even been found to crawl into bed to watch my own Netflix shows in the middle of the day.  But I think I turned a curve for the better over the weekend with renewed energy and less sickness.   This also explains my lack of writing as of late.  Sleeping in later than normal has been a necessity.  I’ve had some good Dr’s appointments so far, and it looks like we’ll meet this little one sometime around December 6.

queso dip

4. A jar of Queso dip fits perfectly into the cupholder of the van.  Why do I know this?  Read #3.  Also, once I got home this was completely disgusting.

Mason cute face

5. Mason thrives in therapy.  He’s doing Occupational, Speech, and Physical therapies four days a week.  It’s busy for all of us, but we are seeing progress in each of these areas.  He claps and cheers when we enter the parking lot, and has completely charmed all of the ladies who work in both offices.

salad

6. Salad tastes so much better from the grocery store salad bar.  I love eating salad, but I dislike cutting up all of the ingredients that go into a salad.  If someone could prepare a salad bar for me everyday, I’d be pretty happy.  This is also significant because, #3.  It’s all about the food lately.

7. Wee Structed makes some great products.  I learned about them via Natalie Falls’ Instagram feed (which, if you don’t follow, you really should), and I completely agree with their sayings.  Yes, raising and growing tiny humans is exhausting.

prayer from church

8. I’m beginning to truly appreciate reciting old prayers.  Our church has corporate times of confession each week in our service, followed by a time of silent confession, and although at first it felt strange to say prayers that had been written out, I’m finding them to be quite meaningful.  A phrase from last week’s prayer especially stood out to me:  “We mourn our response to you:  our cold hearts, short-sighted vision, slothful service, prayerless prayers, praiseless praises.”  Unfortunately, I find that my service to the Lord is quite slothful.  Whether that’s by actually being lazy and not doing anything, or neglecting what I should be doing, or simply begrudging what I do.  Either way I was convicted that I need to have a more diligent spirit in my service to the Lord.

What did you learn in May?

19 Comments

  • sherri lynn

    June 1, 2015 at 12:15 pm

    Love love love #3!! Can’t wait to meet that sweet baby, especially because s/he and my little girl will be the best of friends 🙂 That queso trick is valuable information! Last night I told Caleb that a huge pile of nachos sounded delicious… and he was grossed out. It is ALL about the food!

  • Debby

    June 1, 2015 at 12:43 pm

    Wonderful! Both your new expected little one and your post. I saw pictures of The Barn and thought how beautiful it must be in person. I’l going to peek at your notes. Also going to check out Wee Structed. This is exactly what I love about this link-up! Our church doesn’t practice the confessional prayers but I sure loved this one. Thanks so much for your post.

  • Carrie Devers

    June 1, 2015 at 1:51 pm

    First, Congratulations!!! So thankful for the healthy pregnancy so far. Thankful for your posts.

  • Margaret

    June 1, 2015 at 8:06 pm

    Wow! What exciting news! Personally, I think 5 is a great number! I’m glad you are feeling better and I hope to see you sometime during one of your visits to the Burg so I can congratulate you in person. (Also, cannot believe you met The Nester! I didn’t know her home was near VA beach.)

    • Lauren Washer

      June 2, 2015 at 5:08 am

      Thanks, Margaret! 5 is a little daunting, but we’re excited. Yes, meeting Nester was incredible! She actually lives near Charlotte, so Bradley allowed me a little getaway by myself, which was wonderful

  • Cindy Duncan

    June 2, 2015 at 8:21 am

    Oh Lauren! I’m so excited about baby #5!! Rejoicing with you, sweet friend! I will also check out the Cozy Minimalist course as we are about to buy another fixer-upper (remember our house in Columbia? I swore I’d never do it again. Never say never!). Many blessings to you and your family!

  • Jenn A

    June 2, 2015 at 11:43 am

    Congratulations on baby #5 and so glad that Mason is benefitting from and enjoying his therapy! My little guy loves going to therapy too.

  • Janet

    June 2, 2015 at 12:35 pm

    WE are so excited about your blessing. Mason seems to be a very happy little guy. Your family is a treasure. L&H

  • Sydni Jackson

    June 2, 2015 at 5:13 pm

    Congratulations on #5!! Glad your first trimester went well. Thanks so much for sharing these updates – I love reading them 🙂 Can’t wait to see the Nester’s home – that should be inspiring! #8 – I felt the same way when we started attending a PCA church in Blacksburg, but I quickly learned that I love corporate confession. It makes you feel like the church is connected… the acknowledgement that everyone does sin, but there’s grace.