Word of the Year 2020: Intentional

Each year I try to pick a word to focus on.  Some words over the past few years is Thankful, Content, Self Care, and Consistent.  Have you picked a word for 2020? 

As a work at home mom of 4 kids that range from teenager (high school), preteen (middles school), and 2 kids (elementary), wife of 16 year I have to be intentional in all those relationships.  All 6 of us seem to be moving in 6 different directions each year.  Many times I don't feel like there is enough of me to go around, let along keeping up with my own work, health and self care to be the best mom, friend & friend that I can be.  Each week I'm hoping to show one thing that I have been 'intentional' about.

Word of the Year: Consistent Vol 4

Consistent Vol 4

Exercise/Movement

con·sist·ent

adjective

1. acting or done in the same way over time, especially so as to be fair or accurate.
2. 
   

I kind of dislike the word 'exercise'.  When you hear me talk about what I do each day, I tend to call it movement.  Movement is just an act of changing physical location or position or having this changed.  While exercise is an activity requiring physical effort, carried out to sustain or improve health and fitness.  Why you ask do I prefer the word movement over exercise, cause some days I just move my body for mental clarity vs actual fitness.  Why do I move my body each day:

* clearing my mental cobwebs

* increase my heart rate

* loosening up stiff muscles

It wasn't until October that my hubby gifted me a gym membership with 8 personal trainer sessions that I realized my real passion for moving my body each day.  With 4 kids, I didn't take the time to have a 'structured' time to move my body.  Yes I have all the workout equipment here at my house but honestly it was too convenient and I tended to not use it.  I do only go to the gym 3 times a week and 'try' hit my treadmill in the basement the other 3 days.  To make this happen I schedule in my workout times onto my calendar. 

Have you moved your body today?

Word of the Year: Consistent Vol 3

Consistent Vol 3

Routine

con·sist·ent

adjective

1. acting or done in the same way over time, especially so as to be fair or accurate.

Let's talk routine quick, EVERYONE does better on routine.  Even if you don't think you are a routine person most people are.   I am use to be a VERY routine person.  Kids for one need routine but also disrupt routine.  Add 4 kids to that, let's just say we have a 'loose' routine at the Nelson Household.  

Routine during the school year vs routine during the summer looks different for us.  The last 2 weeks have really been hard on me for routine.  One we have had super icky weather.  Today we are on our 6th snow day since last Monday!  

Weeks like the last 2 weeks I struggle to be consistent in pretty much everything, more like fly by the seat of your pants instead.  Which tends to lead to WAY too much electronic time for my kids.   So today even though it is snowing like crazy it is FINALLY decent weather to play in our new snow.  Outside we went for an hour, eat lunch, reading time and no electronics for 3 hours. 

Hate to say it but this mom is ready for a more 'consistent' week again! 

Word of the Year: Consistent Vol 2

Consistent Vol 2

Vitamins

con·sist·ent

adjective

1. acting or done in the same way over time, especially so as to be fair or accurate.
2. 
   

So...I'm super forgetful!  I would forget my own head if it wasn't attached.  Which means I have taught myself to be consistent, what time I do things, where I put things, etc.  This is where taking my vitamins daily is so key.  With the quality of our foods these days our bodies need extra vitamins and minerals, especially being I know I am not always perfect with my eating.  

Putting them in my weekly container helps me remember to take them,

plus keeping right on my countertop helps also.

These are what I take and have been the best I have found so far.

* I have more energy

* Feel more rested

* Less brain fog

* Less aches 

Word of the Year: Consistent Vol 1

Consistent Vol 1

Quiet Time

 

con·sist·ent

adjective

1. acting or done in the same way over time, especially so as to be fair or accurate.

1. 

So I LOVE coffee which is probably the most consistent thing each morning, so I make sure my quiet time and devotions are linked with my coffee.  As a mom 'Quiet Time/Devotions' is not always easy.  During the school year I have an easier time with this than when the kids are all home for break. 

 

Here are a few ideas for quiet time, all paired with a good cup of coffee:

https://amzn.to/2AOd8RX

I love to start with a journal of 3 things I'm thankful for and 3 prayers I have each day.  Normally I just use a small notebook but recently a good friend sent it to me as a gift, knowing that I do this each day.  So I have an actual Gratitude Journal.  I still use a notebook for my prayers each day cause I find it is so important for me to write down those prayers.  It is so neat to go back and see where prayers were answered.  

I also use You Version Bible App verse of the day and one of their awesome plans.  What is nice with the app is you can set it to remind you each day if you haven't read by a certain time.  Sometimes I need that reminder on a busy day.  Even better, if I am not home I can take a few minutes on the car to read my devotions.  

I also attend a Mom's Bible Study group.  This is great not only for the companionship.  But also to make sure I really am diving into the word multiple times during the week.  Right now we are studying 'God of Covenant' by Jen Wilkin that covers Genesis 12-50.

Start small, all of these were not added into my morning at the same time.  

Join me each week on small ways to add 'Consistency' into your daily life!

Introducing My Word of the Year

Word of the Year 2019

As I thought of doing a word of the year, I felt a bit overwhelmed.  I actually considered having my word being overwhelmed.  Then I thought that it might actually make me more overwhelmed.  Today a dear friend posted in a business group this phrase 'you can do business part-time, you can do business full-time but you can NOT do business sometimes'. This is also so true in most things in our lives, you can take the underline business and substitute parenting, exercising, eating healthy, etc. This year, I want to be... 

con·sist·ent

adjective

1. acting or done in the same way over time, especially so as to be fair or accurate.

I am slowly working on being consistent in more areas of my life.  Follow me through the year on ways I am working to be more consistent.  

Word of the Year: Self Care Vol 19

Word of the Year:  Self Care Vol 19

What does self care mean?  Self care is any activity that you do voluntarily that helps you maintain your physical, mental or emotional health.  It can help you feel healthy, relaxed and ready to take on your work and responsibilities.

This morning as I sits next to the lake to work.  I'm so thankful not only for the gifts of the earth I have been given to help others especially moms and their families.  But that I also have a flexible schedule which means I can take 20 minutes and enjoy this beautiful fall weather this morning.  Tried out a new trail this morning that I think I will be taking advantage of more often.  I struggle to fit exercise into my life most days. In the next few weeks I am going to try and make that a priority a bit more.  Sitting in the sun next to a window that faces over a beautiful lake is just an extra bonus!  

These last couple weeks with Kezia in preschool I'm finding that I am a much better mom when I can set aside 4 hours each week to focus on my business and myself.  I always felt like a selfish mom when I did that but not only is she happier but so am I!  It's been a win/win.

Enjoying a beautiful fall morning walk

This view...now it's time to focus and work!

Word of the Year: Self Care Vol 18

Word of the Year:  Self Care Vol 18

What does self care mean?  Self care is any activity that you do voluntarily that helps you maintain your physical, mental or emotional health.  It can help you feel healthy, relaxed and ready to take on your work and responsibilities.

Fall means a bit more normal routine.  The three older kids are school and Kezia started preschool two times a week for a couple hours.  It will be good even though it means a LOT more time away from the house.  Occasionally I think it's good for me also being it keeps me dedicated in doing my daily devotions, more set work hours, etc.  

This has also helped with some of my overwhelmed feelings I tend to get.  We have company coming and did some last minute basement remodeling.  This has been the helper to keep me from grounded, just a couple rubs over my heart.

Took some time to do a fall decorating also.  Tomorrow hopefully I will take you through a small tour.

Word of the Year: Self Care Vol 17

Self Care Vol 17

What does self care mean?  Self care is any activity that you do voluntarily that helps you maintain your physical, mental or emotional health.  It can help you feel healthy, relaxed and ready to take on your work and responsibilities.

Let me be honest, this month has been crazy.  Busy schedules, vacation, etc.  Last night I took a few minutes to just sit on our deck.  It was hard to not dwell on all the work that I was seeing around but to just sit, enjoy the cool breeze, listen to the birds and just unwind. 

Realizing why I was having a hard time unwinding really helped.  After being on vacation, birthday, birthday party, my eating has NOT been what it should be and my body and mind is starting to let me know that.  So back to what my body prefers.  Cause if mama ain't happy....

Word of the Year: Self Care Vol 16

Self Care: Vol 16 Dirt Therapy

What does self care mean?  Self care is any activity that you do voluntarily that helps you maintain your physical, mental or emotional health.  It can help you feel healthy, relaxed and ready to take on your work and responsibilities.

Earlier this week, the kids and I stopped and picked up some flowers to pot.    With crazy schedule this summer, an family reunion half way across the country, I wasn't sure I wanted to put a garden in or not.  Thankfully my father in law came and tilled it earlier this week.  So yesterday Kezia and I went out for some dirt therapy and planted a small vegetable garden.  Amazing how a little bit of good ole Vitamin D, dirt under your nails does for ones mood! 

Word of the Year: Self Care Vol 15

Self Care Vol 15 Overflow of the Heart

That phrase has me thinking of one of kids favorite songs that is from Luke 6:45

A good man produces good out of the good storeroom of his heart. 

An evil man produces evil out of the evil storeroom, 

for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. HCSB

Good reminder for me today.

Check out Instagram tonight...County Road Homemaker, in my stories I will have the kids sing the song after they get home from school!

Word of the Year: Self Care Vol 14

This week has been another interesting week for me.  Crazy schedule needing to be in many locations, etc. I'm so thankful my toddler does MUCH better this year on being on the go so much.  I know this is just an season in my life so trying hard to enjoy it as it comes.  Yesterday Kezia and I totally did a 'self care' day.  I went and got my hair touched up (yes I'm more blond again) and as we were leaving I decided we weren't going to go home and do normal household chores.  Instead her and I had an impromptu playtime at a park, short walk, followed by an scenic drive home.  It was just what I needed to recharge for a crazy evening.  

Word of the Year: Self Care Vol 13

Self Care Vol 13 Doing Something For Someone Else

What does self care mean?  Self care is any activity that you do voluntarily that helps you maintain your physical, mental or emotional health.  It can help you feel healthy, relaxed and ready to take on your work and responsibilities.

Month or so ago, we moved Kezia upstairs with the rest of the kids.  With her moving out of the 'nursery' all of a sudden we had a room open we haven't have open in a few years!  After leaving it empty for a few weeks we came to a final decision as a family we were going to turn it into a  music room.  Things slowly started to morph...it has become the 'Music Room/Study/Dad's Room'.  

The room also kind of became my way of serving and surprising my husband with something just for him.  I bought a brand new reclining chair to go in there, a clock, and a new lamp.  Coming from frugal me, this was a big deal!

Still a couple more things to do like find the instrument hangers.

The organ moved from the playroom/office area to in the music room.

All in all it gave me just as much pleasure to put this room 

together as what my hubby felt when he came home to it!

Word of the Year: Self Care Vol 12

Vol 12 Unplug and/or STOP Making Comparisons! 

What does self care mean?  Self care is any activity that you do voluntarily that helps you maintain your physical, mental or emotional health.  It can help you feel healthy, relaxed and ready to take on your work and responsibilities.

It's so easy with social media to make comparisons and be discontent.  If that is you, it might time be a good to unplug from social media or even really monitor how much time is spent 'online' for a bit.

All the resources online are great and staying current with friends/family from far away.  Yet sometimes it's easy to fall into the pit of comparing yourself and family to others.  Remember social media tends to only show the best.  While working through this mini remodel that we have been working on it's been slightly eye opening for me. Love the resources like Pinterest but in the end I'm content with making it my own and my own style.  Yes I LOVE input from others and will probably get some this weekend when everyone is here but it will be just that, input.  Be on the look out for both sides of our project, I will share the craziness that went along with the project not just the good that honestly that all I really want people to see.  Yet it's all a process.  

Word of the Year: Self Care Vol 11

Vol 11: Taking time for a project that bring a smile to your face

What does self care mean?  Self care is any activity that you do voluntarily that helps you maintain your physical, mental or emotional health.  It can help you feel healthy, relaxed and ready to take on your work and responsibilities.

One, yes I know it's not Thursday, I've been a bit busy.

Two, I've actually been working on a couple projects in the last couple weeks.  And honestly this is bringing me MUCH joy plus some added stress!  Decisions can sometimes be hard to make but am so thankful that I have the time, energy, and motivation to work on a few projects in the house.  I will be revealing these projects in the next couple weeks as I finish them up.  

Want a sneak peak?!?!?  Here's a teaser...

Word of the Year: Self Care Vol 10

vol 10 Self Care Kit 

What does self care mean?  Self care is any activity that you do voluntarily that helps you maintain your physical, mental or emotional health.  It can help you feel healthy, relaxed and ready to take on your work and responsibilities.

For when you need a little extra time to regroup.

My Self Care Kit

Many of these things I have made myself.

Left to Right: Bath Salts, Kids Bath Bombs, and Sugar Scrub

Recipes below:

Bath Salts

Ingredients: 

1 cup Epsom Salt

1 tb Baking Soda

10 drops favorite essential oil.

Directions:

1. Add essential oil to the epsom salt and baking soda in jar, shake to mix.

2. Pour into warm bath and enjoy!

DIY Confetti Bath Bombs

Ingredients: 

1 cup citric acid

1 cup baking soda

½ cup cornstarch

½ cup doTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil

10 drops Citrus Bliss Invigorating Blend

Sprinkles

Food Coloring

Silicone Mold

Directions: 

1. Place citric acid, baking soda, cornstarch, and Fractionated Coconut Oil into bowl. 
2. Add Citrus Bliss essential oil blend. 
3. Mix well until soft dough is formed. It should have the consistency of mildly-damp sand and should hold together when pressed. If mixture is too wet, add baking soda and cornstarch. 
4. Add food coloring and mix until color is evenly distributed. 
5. Press mixture firmly into silicone mold and sprinkle the top with your favorite party sprinkles. Let dry for 24 hours before removing from mold. 
6. Bath bombs are ready to use! Simply drop in tub full of water and allow to dissolve completely. 

- See more at: https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/diy-confetti-bath-bombs#sthash.UcRK2ufD.dpuf

Sugar Scrub

Ingredients: 

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup coconut oil

15 drops essential oil of your choice

Directions:

1.  Mix all ingredients and store in an air tight jar.

2.  Use 1 tablespoon as needed in the shower. Scrub skin with the mixture and rinse will. Your skin will feel amazing soft!

My Personal Favorite Oils

Lavender, Balance and Hope

Lavender has been used and cherished for centuries for its unmistakable aroma and myriad benefits. In ancient times, the Egyptians and Romans used Lavender for bathing, relaxation, cooking, and as a perfume; it is widely used for its calming and relaxing qualities which continue to be Lavender’s most notable qualities. Lavender is frequently used to reduce the appearance of skin imperfections. Add to bath water to soak away stress or apply to the temples and the back of the neck. Add a few drops of Lavender to pillows, bedding, or bottoms of feet to promote a restful night’s sleep. Due to Lavender’s versatile properties, it is considered the must-have oil to have on hand at all times.

Balance, creates a sense of calm and wellbeing. Blend of Spruce, Ho Wood, Frankincense, Blue Tansy, and Blue Chamomile with Fractionated Coconut Oil to offer an enticing fragrance that promotes tranquility and relaxation. Spruce, one of the oils in Balance, was used by Native Americans for health and spiritual reasons and is still used today to bring harmony to the mind and body. Ho Wood, Blue Tansy, and Blue Chamomile can ease anxious feelings, while Frankincense provides a grounding, balancing effect on emotions.

Hope, uplifts mood with a bright, fresh, scent.  Provides a unique aroma profile.

What are your favorite essential oils?

-Rachel

Word of the Year: Self Care Vol 9

Vol 9 Stepping Away

What does self care mean?  Self care is any activity that you do voluntarily that helps you maintain your physical, mental or emotional health.  It can help you feel healthy, relaxed and ready to take on your work and responsibilities.

I will be completely open and honest with you...I've really been struggling lately.  March is always a very busy time of the year, weird weather in the Midwest, etc.  Yesterday I was feeling SO overwhelmed and out of shorts, that I grabbed my cell phone, put my oldest in charge for 15 minutes and stepped outside for a quick run.  Thankfully where we live in the county I can do a mile with keeping the house in my view the whole time!  I needed that 11 minutes to get outside, run and clear some cobwebs out of my head as my mom use to tell me as a teen.  When the kids were even smaller, I would just head out for a minute or 2, sprint to the mailbox, or just around the whole house.  Taking your self out and away from everyone, as long as they are all safe does a mom good, to just regroup even if just a couple minutes outside!

It might also mean, asking someone to watch kids for an hour or two so you can go get groceries and have a little time in the car alone.  As a mom, at time I feel like I need to 'do it all', but that is really not the case.  Do NOT feel guilty for asking for help, it will make you a better mom.

Because sometimes, you need to step outside, get some air, and remind yourself of who you are and who you want to be.  

Take a little time to reflect with me....who are you?  And even more, who do YOU want to be?!??!?!

Word of the Year: Self Care Vol 8

Vol 8 Create something

What does self care mean?  Self care is any activity that you do voluntarily that helps you maintain your physical, mental or emotional health.  It can help you feel healthy, relaxed and ready to take on your work and responsibilities.

Something big like a room or something small 5 minute craft.

Last week, I rearranged the playroom half of the playroom/office.  One, it makes me do a deeper clean to that area but it almost helps my mood to enjoy an area in my house even more.  Especially an area that I spend a good portion of my day.

Next week, creating a self care kit.

Word of the Year: Self Care Vol 7

Vol 7 Eating
Amazing how much our eating affects our brains

What does self care mean?  Self care is any activity that you do voluntarily that helps you maintain your physical, mental or emotional health.  It can help you feel healthy, relaxed and ready to take on your work and responsibilities.

Subject many of us don't like to talk about...food!  For me personally I have a gluten intolerance, the other night I didn't have any gluten free bread or buns so decided to eat a regular hamburger bun, BAD idea!  I was up in the night with tummy pain that wraps around to my back. 

Even more, food affects our brains!  Often we eat our meals while multitasking, and miss out on the true tastes or even the people who we are sharing our meal with! Do you work on your computer or phone while having dinner with a loved one?  Treat yourself with the same respect and even if eating alone, indulge in a meal without distractions.  

Those of you who are young children, you will have many distractions during a meal but make sure to set your phone down and really engage with them.  Try to set up a time to have a one on one meal with your loved one every few weeks!  The time it takes to make that happen is worth it.

Healthy food leads to a healthy body and mind!  Small steps...

Word of the Year: Self Care Vol 6

Volume 6: Express Gratitude

What does self care mean?  Self care is any activity that you do voluntarily that helps you maintain your physical, mental or emotional health.  It can help you feel healthy, relaxed and ready to take on your work and responsibilities.  

Keep a journal with praises & 

prayers from each day.  

I try to make sure to write 3 praises each morning.  Most days those come easy but somedays I have to sit and think.  Especially when I try to not use the same ones each day.  Sometimes they are something BIG, while others something very small.  

Getting my mind thinking about praises actually helps me when I get to the 'prayer' section.  A lot of times, this list ends up being for people around me that are hurting and heavy on my heart.  I love being able to look back at these and see just how many of these are answered.  If I hadn't written them down I probably would of missed it as I go about my daily crazy life.

Who wants to start doing this with me?  It can be in a notebook, on your phone in the notes section, a specific journal, but it doesn't have to be anything special. Just a spot to go each day and thank God for what he has given us and prayers that are laying heavy on your heart!