Life Energy List for the Summer

1. What was life-giving?

Personal
Sabbath Practices - Come Follow Me, listening to a spiritual podcast while making dinner if possible
Journaling - Updating this blog on occasion helps me process.
Reading habits (scriptures, other) - Scripture reading was reduced but I still tried to fit in a little bit, even just a verse or two in the laundry room with the door closed really quickly. I made a little time in the evenings for a short period of time to read The Magnolia Story, which I borrowed from a friend. I enjoyed having a little reading time. I definitely had to cut out any TV time and couldn't multitask while reading (ie. folding clothes while watching a show).
Exercise - I kept this as a priority through the summer. It worked well that I could drop the boys off at summer camp at 8 and then go over to the church to exercise. I was always a bit late but some is better than none and it was a great way to start my day.

Relational
Family life at home - consistency and routines helped. Summer camp helped a lot because it kept us to a regular schedule.
Time with kids / 1:1 time? - Difficult to schedule 1:1 time but we went to the summer movie here in town weekly while Cindy watched the twins. That worked well and was nice time together.

Actionable
Daily checklists - this was both life-giving and life-draining. Really good for Oliver, more difficult for Josh and Norah.

Travel
What worked and didn't?


2. What was life-draining?

Personal



Relational



Actionable

I never want to forget...

Tonight I put the twins to bed and came downstairs. The other kids were in bed and Wendel was in with Josh, getting him to sleep. Nathan kept crying and jumping up and down in his crib so I finally went back up there and held him for a few minutes. I never want to forget the smile on his face, dimly lit by the bathroom light down the hall, and how he bounced up and down in my arms when I sang, "I am a Child of God." How he eagerly signed "more" after each verse, and then after "My Heavenly Father Loves Me" and finally "Silent Night." He finally lay in his crib with his bottle of water and let me put his blanket on him. I put Zach's on him as well. I never want to forget Zach's sweet voice as I left the room, saying, "Nigh nigh Mom." I am so blessed to have these two.

Picture taken in July 2019 in Grantsville, Utah (visiting my friend, Heidi Robinson)

P.S. Nathan just started crying and jumping in his crib again...which might not be the sweetest thing ever.