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I'm Kate - and I'm passionate about making your motherhood amazing! Whether that's changing your mindset or your living space, I want you to have a wonderful life - because I believe you deserve it.

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This weekend, we added a new member to our family. This weekend, we added a new member to our family.

It was quite the experience - I woke up having contractions at 5:30 AM Saturday. I had contractions all day long that finally settled into every 3-4 minutes at 8 PM. We went to the hospital but despite contractions every three minutes, I was only at a 2 and wasn’t progressing. So we went home and I tried to get comfortable. I got in the tub around 2 AM and would doze for brief seconds between contractions. When the hot water ran out I’d turn it off until the water heater had time to warm up some more. But around 4:30, I began to have intense contractions - wave after wave. They were relentless, with no breaks. I sat in the cooling water and screamed. I knew I had to get out of the tub, and as soon as one ended I managed to shove myself out. I clutched the counter and screamed through the next few. I managed to pull a shirt over my head but that was all I could do. My husband woke up and found me, wet, half-naked, constantly in pain. I told him we needed to leave and he helped me get dressed and managed to get me to the car. I honestly wondered if I was making the right choice or if I needed an ambulance.

Made it to the hospital and he got me inside. They got me into triage and told me I was only a 3-4. Still having constant contractions. Did I want to try walking? I knew I physically couldn’t walk. I told them I needed an epidural.

All the months - since before I was pregnant - that I had wanted a natural birth flew out the window. Knowing it could be hours and hours of constant pain, being exhausted already, I did what I needed for my health. It still took a couple hours to get my epidural, and it was honestly the most pain I’ve ever been in.

From there though, things went smoothly, and I got to enjoy being mentally present for my daughter’s birth. It was the best gift I could have given myself.

Now - we’re home, we’re exhausted, we’re adjusting to our new life - and I’m so grateful for it. I just keep marveling at the fact I have two little girls now!
I’ve spent New Year’s Eve in a pretty wide var I’ve spent New Year’s Eve in a pretty wide variety of ways.

Some years I went to bed early. Some years I went out with friends and watched fireworks and had a drink. Some years I was at work. Some years I watched TV and drunk a toast at midnight.

This year, I focused on the things I want 2021 to bring my family. I thought about the good things that are going to happen (like this baby coming any day!). I thought of the things I want to achieve. I prayed for my family. I drank hot chocolate.

It was quiet, and thoughtful, and just what I needed for where I’m at in my life.

Tell me how you spent your New Year’s Eve or what you’re looking forward to in 2021!
Today, the name of the game is survival mode. Thi Today, the name of the game is survival mode.

This is your reminder that it’s okay to operate in survival mode. Sometimes we need to do it for a day - sometimes we need to do it for a season.

Survival mode might be because you’re sick, you had a rough night, you’re grieving, you’re adjusting to life with a newborn - there are all sorts of reasons to go into survival mode. It’s okay. Whether it’s for a day or for a few weeks or even a couple months, don’t pressure yourself to be elsewhere. Don’t feel like you “should be doing” this or that. The whole point is that this is a time where you just need to get through. Focus on being as physically and mentally and spiritually healthy as possible. 

In survival mode, don’t pressure yourself to have the house perfectly clean. Don’t stress out about how much screen time the kids are getting. Just do what you need to in order to get by. Swap out parenting duties with your partner and take a nap. Have a frozen pizza or cereal or something easy for dinner. Do what you need to do in order to get by. Nothing is going to happen that can’t be fixed or corrected later.

(today’s survival mode brought to you by a midnight to 3 am trip to the hospital for some high blood pressure issues that, given my history of preeclampsia, we thought it was best not to ignore - thankfully, they settled down, but man, my husband and I are both WIPED today. I may end up running to get the kids Happy Meals for lunch just so I don’t have to think about making something)
Why do I bother trying to clean my daughter’s ro Why do I bother trying to clean my daughter’s room?

I clean up one area and move to the next and she’s right behind me, playing with everything I’ve just cleaned. A task that should take me less than ten minutes is never ending. This is why I often say my house is clean - except for my daughter’s room.

(But honestly - I kind of love it too! I’m so glad she enjoys playing!)

(also, WOWZERS this makes my chin acne look terrible...#pregnancyproblems)
I’ve been trying to focus on finding gratitude i I’ve been trying to focus on finding gratitude in the midst of hard things lately.

I’m focusing on all of the beautiful abundance we do have, and not the things we’re lacking. I’m finding the beauty even in the rough things - like the terrible acne on my chin! My skin is so awful lately, but I recognize it’s a side effect of pregnancy, and I’m so grateful I could get pregnant and stay pregnant when I know so many others who have struggled with it.

I’m grateful for the beautiful weather and a toddler who loves to play outside - I’m enjoying every bit of sunshine while it lasts! And I’m using my time sitting outside supervising her to learn things or write out new things I want to share.

I’m grateful for my glasses. They’ve lasted four years at this point. They’re scratched up, the coating has come off in one spot, they’ve been yanked off my head countless times by my toddler, but they’ve let me see everything from the man I’d marry to my newborn daughter’s perfect face. I’ve finally ordered a new pair, which should be here in a couple weeks, but I’m so glad these have lasted as long as they have!

If you’re stuck in a cycle of negativity, what can you do to turn it into gratitude? How can you find the beauty in everything?
🍂🍁You know those days that are just Really G 🍂🍁You know those days that are just Really Good Days?

We had one on Saturday. The weather was nice so we went for a walk at the local Civil War battlefield. We got exercise in, saw several deer (check out my last picture and you can see one we scared!) and a groundhog, and just had a nice time as a family. I love days like that because I can keep thinking about that feeling - being out in the sun, enjoying my time with my husband and the kids. Even if I accidentally take selfies that make me look like my hair is just way crazier than normal and have my currently acne-prone chin on full display.

When was the last time you had a day like that? How would you describe how it made you feel?
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