Emily A. Clark

design. simplified.

What’s Saving Me Right Now

Feb22017

I admit that most days I look around my house and do have a strong sense that I’m drowning. Drowning in homework papers, muddy shoes, empty cups, dirty dishes, craft projects (theirs, not mine), dirty socks, candy wrappers, scattered library books, thrown throw pillows. . .  You get the idea. As I like to tell my family (often), it feels like it’s six against one. (Woe is me! As you can imagine, they just love it when I get in those moods.)

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I religiously follow Anne’s blog and she reminded me of two really good things recently. 1.) TODAY is the half-way point of winter. (Come on Spring!) And, 2.) it’s good to stop and think about the things that are actually saving me instead of just focusing on the things that make me want to bang my head against a wall. She asked her readers to come up with lists of “what’s saving them” and write about it today, so I’m participating and even if you come late to the party, I hope you will, too. More details here.

 

saving-me

Scripture. My time in God’s word each morning changes everything for me. I do this in the 20 or so minutes between when I put my oldest girls on the bus and wake up my oldest son for middle school. If you’ve thought about it but have just never made it a priority, I’m begging you to try. The more you do it, the more you love it. And, between the TV news and the hatefulness I see (and sometimes encounter) on social media, it’s what restores my joy and reassures me He’s got this all under control.

Online grocery shopping. If you have this in your area, do it!! I used this service the entire year after the twins were born and just started up again last Summer. Our local grocery lets me order everything online and pull up in front (where they put it in my car) for $5 a trip or $99/year. When I compare that to dragging five kids through the grocery (or using up my time shopping while they’re in school), it feels like the bargain of the century.

Reading at night (instead of working on my laptop). In the first few years of the blog, I would stay up all hours working while everyone else was sleeping. I just can’t do it anymore. It could be aging, but it’s also finding the value in sleep and just doing something I enjoy at the end of the day. I usually read on the couch while other people in our house watch basketball. I can block out just about anything. It’s my best talent. (Here’s a list of what I’ve read lately, in case you missed it.)

The Office. I’m so late to the game but I just started watching this on Netflix and am already dreading when I reach the end (two seasons left). Michael Scott is my favorite (fictional) person of the moment and I just adore his awkwardness. I laugh out loud every time I watch it. You can’t beat that. (Plus, I’m happy to have another show since this season’s Bachelor may be the stupidest ever—and that’s saying a lot. The haunted house group date *almost* made me cancel it on my DVR.)

Nachos for supper. This sounds silly but finding a meal that all five kids will eat and I can make in less ten minutes is definitely saving me right now. I would also add pancakes and pasta alfredo to that (very small) list. What’s your fastest go-to meal during the week?

Less blogging. I’m only doing (on average) one less post a week than I had been before, but I’m finding this schedule is working way better for me. And, the biggest thing has been just letting go of the pressure I put on myself. So, I don’t blog for a week? Nobody’s going to die. (That can probably be said for 99.9% of the things we worry ourselves silly about during the course of a day.) More thoughts on that here.

More laundry—and more podcasts. More laundry isn’t saving me, but doing a load at least every day is helping it feel more manageable. And, I can almost pretend folding clothes is relaxing if I’m listening to a podcast while I do it. (Give me all your best suggestions! I only have a few that I like.)

Singing in my church choir. I grew up singing in church but have been out of the choir over the last year while we were settling on a new church. I really missed it and am so thankful to have found my place and new friends. Sunday morning is one of the best parts of my week.

 

So, what’s saving you right now?

 

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Comments

  1. My cleaning lady saves me. Between work, a traveling hubby, two kids in travel sports and two dogs that require lots of walks, just having someone come in and scrub my bathrooms and hardwoods 2X/month makes life so much more manageable. I second the reading at night–I always have at least 2-3 books checked out from my local library on my Kindle and I try to make time to read every night.

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  2. Love your list! Relate to so many of your points. Getting in the word each day makes a big difference in my outlook and the state of peace. Also The Office!!!! I felt like I lost a friend – or a whole group of friends – when the last episode played. It’s so funny and beautiful! And podcasts are saving my life too – Pantsuit Political (which I found because of MMD) and Off Air with Sam Jones are current faves!

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  3. To see you mention your faith was such a pleasant surprise (I don’t follow blogs as consistently as I’d like, unfortunately). Always such a joy to find a fellow blogger who is open about her relationship with God and her faith, so I hope to start following more closely going forward.

    As for podcasts, here are a few of my favorites: The Chris and Julia Podcast, Young House Love Has a Podcast, 99% Invisible, Style Matters, The Simple Show, The Slow Home Podcast with Brooke McAlary, The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey, and The Lively Show. Let me know what you think! What are a few of your favorites?

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  4. What a great list! I’ve been trying to serve others more. I serve my family for sure but I’ve been trying to expand my service by writing notes to friends, leaving little treats on doorsteps, etc. Little things that feel me with joy and my hope is it feels others with joy too.

    Also, podcasts…I want to know what you listen to. I like ‘How I Built This’, the young house love and chris loves Julia podcasts, the ‘Extraordinary Moms Podcast’, ‘Happier with Gretchen Rubin’, the Ballard ‘How to Decorate’ podcast and ‘The Simple Show’.

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  5. Great post. It is the little things, for sure. I’m going to pop over to the post by Anne and read that and think about what little things I can do or am doing that is “saving me” No pressure but one thing I do, almost without fail, is have French Vanilla coffee on Saturday morning and slowly read The Saturday Six and follow all the links :) This is about the only slow moment in our weekends and I look forward to it! I’m going to find some more little things to “save me” which probably means a shift in my outlook too! Because, really, are perfectly tossed throw pillows that important?

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  6. What a great post! What’s saving me right now is my reading my Bible scriptures, reading mindless, zombie novels, and watching British, Australian, and New Zealand television shows.

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  7. Love this post and always enjoy following your blog. Morning time with prayer, the Bible on audio on the way to work helps set my day. Have you checked out the show, The Story of Us? It is a good one!

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  8. All good suggestions!

    Getting involved in a really good book takes me away for just a little while and I love it. Really helps me to recharge. Now to check out some of those podcasts!

    The Bachelor. What can I say? Each season they just have to push the limit more and more and it has gotten downright trashy. I wouldn’t want my 13 yo daughter to think it’s in any way modeling how I want her to view a dating relationship. Or my 11 yo son to think that’s the way to treat women. I’m trying to be more careful of influences in our home so I decided to shut it down even if they weren’t around when I would watch it. Yep, being a mom sometimes requires hard decisions differing from your friends.

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    • After pushing “send”, I want to say I don’t mean my comments to come across as harsh. I was just expressing another mom decision that might not be popular with my neighbors, mom group, etc

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  10. I’m a podcast junkie. My favorites are Reply All, This American Life, Young House Love Has A Podcast, Criminal and I just started Making Oprah and is is really good so far!

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  11. Quiet time in the morning and praising God for my blessings. We just moved to another state over Christmas break into a house that needs work. Also, the house is half the size of our last. In spite of a major purge before the move, we still have too much stuff. The kitchen and master bath need gutting. I have three boys who believe laundry hampers are decorations not to be touched and dishwashers are too scary to actually reach in and put dishes in. Every part of my life is unorganized, but my morning scripture time sets my eyes on Him and I know everything will be alright. For a neat freak like me, it’s my saving grace. :-). I’m going to check into grocery delivery- at least while my “kitchen” is intact. That’s a great idea!

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  14. Community Bible Studyl: I joined a community bible study group that meets every Wednesday morning! I LOVE IT!! Studying Gods word fuels me and helps me to have a deeper understanding of who I am in Christ. Plus, they have a bible story group for my kids (no having to find a sitter to do something I would like to do😊)

    My Parents: I know it sounds cliche but it is true! We live right down the road from them and they are always available to help out with the kids, especially if I am in a bind. My mom picks my girls up everyday so I can let the babies get their full nap out! That defiantly saves me!

    Date Night: Few and far between with four kids but when it happens it fills me with such encouragement and support!

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  15. I don’t know why you keep your blog after reading all the nasty comments you received when you commented on Melania’s dress. I didn’t realize until that moment that you probably get a lot of that but you don’t say anything about it. I don’t know if I would want to keep blogging if I had to read nasty peoples posts. I found a website that bashes Bower Power and Young House Love. There are a couple of blogs that haven’t posted before Christmas and I keep checking to see if they are coming back ever. Do you think blogging is going out?

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    • I don’t think blogging is going away. I do, however, know there will always be unhappy people. ;) I just have to make the choice to not focus on that. (Philippians 4:8)

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  16. We are traveling to Cuba tomorrow for our 17th volunteer vacation. My husband and I lead a group to a third world country every year. We build playgrounds, repair houses, paint schools, paint and repair orphanages, etc. Seeing other people live on poverty always reminds me how lucky we are in this country. I once saw a mother picking up individual pieces of rice off of the ground after the little brown bag it had been in tore. That bag of rice was all she had to feed her family. Memories like that keep me going and keep me thankful.

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  17. Emily – I always appreciate your posts – the ones about home and your honest thoughts on being a mom. I’d love to be friends in real life! I highly recommend The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey podcast. Enjoy!

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  19. I loved your list! I 2nd reading at night, and easy dinners. We had pancakes last night for our big family too (4 boys, including twins!).
    I linked up with Anne’s challenge too. It is so life-giving to focus on gratefulness in difficult seasons.

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  20. Singing to KLove in the car when alone, going to the gym, finding out planks do more work on my tummy than sit-ups, warm winter days spent looking for seaglass on the beach & cooking Mexican at least twice a week!

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  21. Emily,

    What a great blog post!

    What is saving me is time in God’s word every morning first & foremost. I love the Jamie Ivey podcast. Thank you girls for all of the wonderful suggestions for other podcasts. I will be checking them out very soon!

    I love time with my friends, the Hallmark channel, volunteering at church & Pure Barre.

    xoxo,
    Melissa

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  22. I love my morning workout classes at the gym. If I miss one I feel yucky all day. So I guess you would say that saves me.
    I also love listening to my podcasts. Some have already been mentioned but I’d like to add Little Yellow Couch. It’s home decor related.
    And lastly…having my husband go out of town occasionally saves me. I’m an introvert & love being home alone. With no one to clean up after.

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  23. Emily – a great post! Spending time in the Word daily makes all the difference in one’s day. I haven’t tried it but several neighbors buy online from Wal-Mart. There’s no up-charge or fees. Tips are not allowed. Give them a window of time you’ll be by and they’ll bring it to your car. Also, I started a Bible Study in the fall that I love. It’s a series of 5 books by Nancy Guthrie. The first one was The Promised One, the one we’re in currently is The Lamb of God. It’s seeing Jesus in the Old Testament. I don’t remember being in a Bible study that I’ve enjoyed more. One more thing – I’ve made a point to call a friend to meet for coffee and I met two friends for lunch I haven’t seen in a long while. I find it too easy to spend most days alone. Thank you again!

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  25. Glad you are finding good balance Emily. I don’t mind less posts, especially because yours are ones I really enjoy reading :) That authenticity shines through only when it’s not forced. Now, I need to go look into getting my groceries delivered!!

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  26. Thank you! Daily struggles can be consuming and it is human nature to remember the negative. What a wonderful reminder to take the time and effort to refocus on what helps us through. Family is what is saving me right now, finding small things to celebrate, and showing kindness to others. Thank you again for sharing

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  27. I have these same feelings! Of course you expressed it much more eloquently. I’ve been saying prayers morning and night which really helps. And I strive to have a clean kitchen sink before I go to bed. It makes coming downstairs each morning a little happier. My daily nap (my youngest is 4 months) and I’m grateful for even a 10 minute nap (so are my kids and husband). Lastly, I make sure to color every day!

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  28. I enjoy The Eric Metaxas Show podcasts while I work in the kitchen. You would like Eric’s
    excellent book on Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He has a large variety of guests on his radio show, broadcasting from NYC.

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  30. The Road Back to You podcast on the Enneagram, The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey, the Popcast with Knox and Jamie for fun – check out the hilarious Urban Dictionary episodes, The Liturgust…all great on time and a half while folding laundry! Love your blog no matter how frequent – I only have time to read once a week, anyway :))

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  31. Love your list! I am also a mom of 5 who loves grocery delivery, Scripture in the morning (this past year I’ve started following a Scripture writing program- simple, short, and sweet!), and podcasts. My favorite podcasts right now are At Home with Sally Clarkson & Friends, Poddy Break with Tim Hawkins- hilarious!, and The Busy Mom Podcast with Heidi St. John.

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  32. Love your list! I sing in my church choir as well and now I’m kinda bummed we didn’t treat the Lowes Volunteers to a duet last spring. I recently got an electronic pressure cooker and it’s been saving dinner (and me). I needed this today!

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  33. Hello Emily,
    Great list! This may be random but your “Nachos for Dinner” made me think of one of my favorite children’s books – The Seven Silly Eaters by Maryann Hoberman. It’s a wonderful book – both my kids and students love it! Check it out – I bet you’ll love it too!

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  34. Thanks for this post, I really needed it. I’ve been feeling very BLAH for a while now and this puts things into prospective.

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  35. I went through most of the Your Move podcast that are Andy Stanley sermons. They are cut to 30 min, so great for tasks like your laundry! I’m currently listening to Passion City Church / Louie Giglio sermon podcasts. I love God’s timing of both podcasts and the messages in correlation with my life.

    Nachos are my go to when I have family over for dinner. Breakfast for dinner is another winner. Easy and options for picky eaters to pick from.

    What’s saving me?
    Also reading my Bible. And also reading “New Morning Mercies” devotional by Paul Tripp.
    A gym membership. I sat on this for months to make sure it was worth it.
    There is a lot of big stuff going on in my life and both of these are things I can do that I know are healthy investments in myself and will help be manage the stress better. In terms of going to the gym, it feels so good to finally do something intentionally for myself and it be something that is going to have multiple positive benefits. It’s nice to have an outlet outside of work to plug into.

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  36. I so enjoy your blog, Emily! You and I are in different stages of life – I will turn 60 next month – and I want to encourage you to savor these times when your house is messy, your children are demanding your time, and your responsibilities seem too numerous. One day you will look back on these years and miss them. I enjoy this time of my life, but our years of raising children went by so quickly! Enjoy this time (I’m sure you are)!
    Prayer, knowing God is in control, reading, going out with my husband and watching (comforting) reruns of favorite TV shows and movies are saving me right now.
    Keep up the good work!

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  37. Thank you for sharing this post, it’s great to focus on more positive things in life! What’s saving me from the winter blues is the cheap flowers I bought at Trader Joe’s this week and our sweet dog. She just loves everything, everyday and I love her happiness. :)

    Oh! My favorite podcast is The Popcast. They talk all things pop culture and while it can be sort of silly I find myself smiling and laughing when I listen…doesn’t get better than that!

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  38. I loved this post so much! Thank you. Several others have already mentioned it, but The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey is my favorite podcast!

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  39. Emily .. you are a super woman. I cannot even imagine how you manage 5 kids and find the time for your creative outlet. I am exhausted with just one kid, a husband and a full time job with a verryy long commute. The things that save me are – household appliances and my cleaning lady.

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  40. The sun is shining and that’s saving me today (it’s also only 17 degrees so I’m glad to be looking at it from indoors). I really like the podcast Happier by Gretchen Rubin and her sister who is a Hollywood screenwriter. Lots of great tips about how to live happier with simple habits. I never miss an episode!

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  41. My favorite podcasts right now are Your Move with Andy Stanley. I have been listening to his podcasts for about 2+ years now, and I just don’t ever tire of them or his message. His church also has one, North Point, and there are some good ones on there too. And God Centered Mom is another one I am LOVING right now. A couple other fun ones are How I Built This and A Well Designed Business {Interior Design focused}. I’d say podcasts and reading are my little spots of unexpected joy lately :)

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  42. Hi Emily!

    I loved this post. Some things that are saving me: I’ve always slept in until the last possible moment and mad rushed every morning. This year, I decided to start my day with a pause. I get up an hour before I need to, so I have time to read (She Reads Truth Bible in a Year Plan), scroll Instagram and blogs, and enjoy my coffee. Definite game changer. I’m going to look into grocery delivery-I don’t think it’s here yet. Also, this year, I’m hoping to hire someone to do my yard work (kids mow) and keep my flower beds nice. I *hate* it, so I’ve decided it has to go. :)

    Favorite podcasts: Popcast, The West Wing Weekly, Presidential, and Morning Joe. What are yours?

    Have a great weekend!

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  45. Acai bowls for dinner when my husband is out of town (with a side of avocado toast for 2 out of the three kids ;)), my mom who helps with running errands and keeping kids schedules straight while I commit to my full time job, my husband who sends me sweet messages and that makes me laugh and my small group for church that we lead on Sundays (in no particular order ;))

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  47. What is saving me . . . . BULLET JOURNALING. I have NEVER in my life been a diary or journal keeper. I started in October after learning about it from Edie at Life in Grace. Oh, my. Just seeing everything for the week laid out on a couple of lined pages has made my life so much better. I give myself a couple of chores each day and I feel tremendously satisfied when I can cross them off. THE CHOIR DIRECTOR’S PREGNANCY. Usually, our high school musical is in February and we come back after Christmas and dive right in. The director’s due date is next week, so she had the musical back in December. I won’t lie — it was insanity in November. We went straight from marching band into the musical. But now? We have NO activities!!! BISCUITS AND GRAVY. I found some fantastic frozen biscuits at our Amish grocery and they are honestly as good as homemade. It takes no time and effort to make sausage gravy and my kids are happy to eat this for dinner any time. LESS MONEY ON EATING OUT. I don’t mean to imply that we don’t still eat out or that we’re even eating out less. I just got REALLY tired of seeing a $60 check for four people and realizing that I cook much better stuff at home. I decided if we’re eating out, we’re eating crap. Honestly. I would rather spend $20 at Dairy Queen than $60 on mediocre entrees from our local restaurants. CHOOSING MY BATTLES. I have a 16 year-old girl and a 15-1/2 year-old boy (they were fosters). The arguments were exhausting. I. Am. Done. You don’t want to wear a coat? Shiver in the car line. You’re not ready to leave on time in the morning? I’ve already been to 10th grade detention. Not my problem. It’s hard. I really didn’t want my daughter to wear those brown boots with her black and gray ensemble this morning . . . but she was clean, covered, and happy. She has the rest of her life to figure out fashion. I really wanted to order jeans from American Eagle yesterday, but my son was being a huge butt about it and wouldn’t decide which cut he wanted. I guess the three pairs he has that fit will just have to do until he gets over himself. I have a drawer full of jeans that fit me and I possess the credit card. Not my circus; not my monkeys.

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    • Well, this was a good read! :) I’m also throwing in the towel when it comes to making them wear coats. And, completely agree about eating out. My husband and I always leave a restaurant wondering why we just spent the money for that experience….

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    • This was so funny…especially the last line. I must remember to pick my battles. What saves me is my relationship with God, reading blogs (like yours), my cleaning lady who comes twice a month and my mother in law cooking dinner for us once a week which actually serves my husband and me twice.

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  48. Off Camera with Sam Jones is a podcast with some of the best celebrity interviews I’ve ever heard. You would love episode with John Krasinski, “Jim” from The Office. He might be as lovable in real life as the character he played on TV!

    Also give Sorta Awesome a try. Four female co-hosts in different cities with a variety of perspectives (but all in the young children phase of life) discuss everything from books and recipes to struggles with anxiety. This one is worth starting from the beginning! Laura Tremaine, the co-host in Hollywood CA, also started her own podcast called Smartest Person in the Room which I really like as well.

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  49. I love this. I always say I have five people working against me. :) Love them all, but sometimes….

    My list would be:
    Getting at least 7 hours of sleep. I’m a different (much nicer) person when I’m well rested. And if I can’t get 7 hours, then a 20 minute nap is an amazing thing.
    Tennis – it’s my favorite form of exercise and its social, so I try to play two times a week.
    Lists. They help my brain when I can just get it all out.
    Staying at home one day a week. Instead of running errands or taking meetings, I can really get things tackled if I just stay home one day when all the kids are at school.
    Reading has always been my go to form of relaxation, but the sleeping has overtaken it a bit. I’m falling asleep after only a few pages each night!

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  50. Great Post!! Online grocery shopping is my favorite! I also got on the instant pot bandwagon and got one for Christmas. It’s a total GAME CHANGER. It totally lives up to the hype. Funny you’re just now watching The Office, your hilarious SISTER is actually the one that got me hooked on it several years ago!!

    I started reading Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist with my small group, and it is honestly changing my LIFE. I have 3 boys 3 and under, and this is giving me permission to let some things go so I can actually be more present with my family and ENJOY them. It’s making my SOUL start to be peaceful again.

    I also LOVE The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey podcast and Your Move with Andy Stanley. Both are SO. GOOD.

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      • It’s a combination electric rice cooker/slow cooker/pressure cooker/etc., but the real magic is in the pressure cooking — think all the convenience of a slow cooker, but better results and in a fraction of the time.

        I’ve been a fan of pressure cooking for years (no heating up the kitchen, fast cooking, great for beans, stock, stew, curries, pulled meats), but between the automation and popularity (so many recipes), the Instant Pot makes it more accessible.

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  51. I’m catching up on my blog reading this morning. Thank you for this. As a step mom to 5 kids, it is easy to get overwhelmed and forget to be thankful.

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  52. If you enjoy pop culture and great movie, tv and book recommendations, The Popcast is a must-listen. They even have a great “starter pack” of suggested episodes for new listeners posted on their website at knoxandjamie.com/starter-pack-episodes. (I can’t believe you and Jenny Komenda asked the same question this week! So funny. I recommended them to her, too.) Jamie is a good friend of mine, but that has nothing to do with my recommendation — they really are hilarious and I think you’d love them! :-)

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  53. Hi Emily,
    As a mother to 5 & family of 7 I love the idea of focusing on what’s saving me, especially nachos! I, too, usually make these every other week for Friday dinner. Another quick meal, especially with spring sports, is chicken wraps. It’s easy and can be customize as one likes (large tortillas, beans, rotisserie chicken, cheese, avocado, cilantro, corn, sliced tomatoes, etc.). The other thing that saves me is making breakfast Sunday evening for the entire week for the kids/hubs. While, I don’t love the extra time it takes on Sunday, the smoother mornings M-F makes it SO worth it!!!
    Thanks for the inspiration. Really enjoy your blog :) Have a blessed week.
    Shara

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  54. This is such a happy list—so good for the soul. I love that you included your church choir, and I relate to nachos for supper. Yes and amen, that’s saving me here too!

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