Coffee + Conversation

Good morning, friends.

I have been trying to get my act together for a nice little brain dump kind of post all week and it just hasn’t happened. I kind of feel like we are in our busiest season of life ever. I know one day I’ll look back on this season and laugh at how we ever survived this year. But boy, oh boy when you’re in the middle of it, friends, it sure doesn’t feel possible.

Its hard for me to comprehend that just two weeks ago I thought our life was about to fall back into a routine and a nice rhythm for our days. I was excited for the months to come. After all, fall is my favorite time. I love getting out and about in town once the weather cools off. Madeline loves school. I love this super busy season of my job with Beautycounter leading up to the Holidays. I was so looking forward to our home remodel.

But now it just feels like our world was turned upside down. Grief is such a complex emotion. Even having done this before, I still find myself surprised by how the world keeps moving around you even when your own life has imploded.

There are still appointments to go to, bills to be paid, and a schedule of to-do’s that must be done. In a way, I’m really grateful for that because it keeps us all moving forward and putting one foot in front of the other. Yet at the same time, I just can’t help feeling a little surprised that the world does just keep turning after such a heart break.

Watching my child grieve has been the saddest experience I have witnessed in my life yet I am constantly inspired by her. Little kids really are the best.

At some point I’ll probably share more about this all, but for right now, I would like to keep things as much business as usual in this space. Its kind of my little haven and this space has seen me through its share of ups and down in its eight (!) years.

The weather has finally cooled down in Charlotte and I am so relieved. The hard thing about very long summers when you have a little baby is that they grow out of their summer clothes by the beginning of September. So when it is still ninety degrees in October you find yourself unable to snap any of your baby’s outfits. So, needless to say, Connor and I are both excited to see the cooler temps this week and break out our fall attire.

Connor turned ten months old this weekend. I might be biased but I do think he’s pretty darn cute. He’s finally crawling and getting into everything and I just love watching little babies explore the world around them. I wish I could freeze him in this sweet little curious phase so that I could enjoy it longer.

Madeline has been keeping us all busy with swim lessons, a double dose of ballet, and music class. I officially feel like a chauffeur driving her to and from all her little activities. But if we are being honest, here, I am not hating it. You see – there were moments I prayed for these things. For two healthy children and the chance to be home with them. So, yes, I am driving her all over but I am here for it.

I have been reading The Couple Next Door recently and I am so intrigued by it. Especially as a parent this book has been very thought provoking. I am about halfway done and might try to read some on the plane this weekend (is that just wishful thinking if I am traveling with two kids?!) so I will need a new book soon. What have you read that is good lately?

Be sure to check back tomorrow to see the progress we have made with our kitchen for Week 2 of the One Room Challenge. Here’s to only five more weeks of takeout and crockpot meals! Haha!