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Family, Favorite Things, Friday Eve Favorites, Gifts, Organization, Parenting, What is saving your life

FRIDAY EVE FAVORITES – August Guest Edition

To know Beka Gross, is to absolutely adore her! Beka is a literal walking-talking-smiling-giving-loving-beating-heart ANGEL on earth. There are zero people that would dispute this. She is the kindest, most caring friend who thinks of everything and does anything to make her people feel seen and loved. She loves to connect with people by hosting ALL the parties, whether at home or camping in the country! She is the definition of Happy Homemaker, her favorite role of all. She manages her family with great love and complete adoration of her husband and two precious children. If she sounds like a fairytale character, it’s only because she is….enjoy getting to know Beka and her favorite things!

We will call this Favorite Things “A Day in the Life of a Mama of Littles”, starting with the most important sidekick. COFFEE. Waco friends, do not sleep on this piece of information. Common Grounds bottles and sells their secret sauce. Change your life. Don’t worry, I still drive through and get iced coffee in the afternoon, but in the morning, this baby stays right by my coffee pot. 

Now that I am alive and functioning, time to get “ready” for the day. You know, Mom ready. Do you have a part of your body that gets more attention from you than another? I do. My lips. If you know me, you know I always have something on my lips. No color, just moisture. These two I will take to my grave. 

I also sometimes have irrational fears. One of those being that Blistex will stop making DCT. You all know how you feel when your favorite beauty product gets discontinued. Anxiety level a billion to find another product that will live up. Before the days of our glorious Amazon, I would go into CVS and Walgreens and buy out the entire stock of this stuff. True story, on so many occasions. I keep at least 30 jars in my bathroom *just in case*. 

Want to add a little sparkle? I HIGHLY recommend Beauty Counter Beyond Gloss. I love, love, LOVE it! This is the only color I wear… Quartz Shimmer.

Going somewhere today? Gotta put on a bra. This True & Co. Bra will make you feel like you aren’t wearing one. Try it, I promise you won’t ever feel like you have to throw off your bra when you get home!

Before I leave the house to do anything, I have to go check on my flock (chickens, not children) and check on the garden. I absolutely am the crazy chicken lady. I was gifted this egg stamp when my girls started laying and I just adore it. When I gift fresh eggs, I use this stamp for the cutest touch. It can be found on Etsy

Where are my gardeners at? Anyone? Bueller? Here are 3 things I must have related to my garden. First, Modern Sprout pruning shears. Second, the Bounty Basket. Collecting the fresh fruit and veggies with my two littles NEVER gets old. And lastly, custom made stickers (Etsy) for whatever we are making with our haul. Most often, it’s fresh pickles or salsa. 

Y’all, we are finally ready to leave the house. Here are a couple of my tricks to keep my two sweethearts busy on long car rides or on the airplane. We got back from Colorado last night and every flight attendant there and back commented on their snackle boxes. Such an awesome way to keep them busy and not HANGRY. Total life savers. 

Can be purchased @DotsandDashesbyDani on Instagram


We made it through the day. Time for wine. I’m in no way picky about that… find one and pop it open, girls! We did it! 

See Friends? I knew you’d love her instantly.

Wishing you all love, light, and laughter for the remainder of your summer!

Brooke

Family, Grace, Lessons, Love, Parenting

Glimpses of Glory

I’ve recently learned a secret.  Perhaps the last on earth to know.

Adult children still require parenting.

On one hand, I’m really thrilled about this, as I’m not ready to be done. 

On the other, I think it’s rude and a bit overwhelming.

In case your angels are still little, and you are thinking I’m horrible for having another hand of feelings other than joy, allow me to wearily continue. 

Parenting adults sometimes looks like this – 

Riding in the passenger seat, traveling at the speed of light.  Which turns out to be exactly 96 mph on the highway. Glancing over to notice your precious Man-baby is driving with his knees and looking at his phone anchored on the dashboard.  Instead of reaching for the ol’ faithful mom-gasp, you dig deeper for a calm voice and with white knuckles say, “Babe, you can drive 96 mph, and you can watch America’s Next Top Model.  But, you may not do both at the same time.”

Luckily, the end result is them rolling their eyes, pulling over and giving you reign of the wheel.  Because isn’t that what we are most comfortable with? 

On the other hand…Parenting adults sometimes looks like a glimpse of pure sunshine. 

Recently we met a large group of folks out for dinner.  We happened to have all children in town for the evening and told them to stop by and join us.  It was a casual dinner at a fun restaurant, where everyone can go order their own food at their own pace.  We were settled in for the long haul, relaxing and visiting with friends as the boys joined us one by one.  As they each came in our boys took their hats off, shook hands with the adults, made eye contact, smiled, and appropriate small talk.  Angels sang as their parents inwardly rejoiced, for on this night, all boys remembered the manners taught to them.

As the evening went on, I kept overhearing a guy at the next table quoting scripture to his friend.  A lot of it.  His quoting voice was a little sharp and hard.  He kept looking over at one of my handsome sons who has his own beautiful, unique style. This night’s attire could be categorized as “Homeless Chic” – an oversized t-shirt that could fit all the neighborhood children, shorts, layers of earrings and necklaces, complete with a bandana tied around his head as if he were about to head to an audition of the next Karate Kid remake.

I ignored the mans stares, figuring he was also a fan of Mr. Miyagi.  I mean, who isn’t?

Another one of our boys came in, kindly saying hello to everyone before sitting down to eat. This darling of ours is a huge Man-child.  He is 6’3” and works out like a beast. He also eats like one, reminding me often that I “don’t have to be hungry to eat” and other crazy things kids say these days.  

The man at the next table ramped up the scripture quoting as he continued to stare at our family.  This time I figured he was simply intrigued by the beautiful sleeves of tattoos down Man-Child’s huge arms, each one telling their own story.  Stories that belong to the sweet soul those muscles carry around.

We ignored that man all night.  His judgment, his self righteous bible quoting, the anger and irritation that radiated off of him, and the dirty looks he returned my smiles with.  We focused on the friends who found the treasures these boys hold. 

When we left, I couldn’t quit replaying the night in my head.  Then I got mad.

Really mad.  

And then I got sad.  

Really, really sad. 

I think the man believed he was doing right for the Kingdom.  I believe he was quoting scripture as he understands it.  I believe he was sticking close to his beliefs and faith, holding on to them with a clenched fist.  Gripping his beliefs so tight that Jesus slipped right out of his fingers, as there was zero evidence that comes from a relationship with our Gentle Savor..  None of the softness that comes from knowing Him.  No acceptance or love.

Jesus was present though. He was shining through all the decorations on our grown children. Their kindness. Their gentleness. Their willingness to drive in town, on their own gas, to eat with the parentals. Their obedience and manners.  Their love. Their acceptance of themselves and everyone else at the table, old or not.

If Jesus had come in to eat and drink wine on tap, I can’t help but think he would have chosen to sit at the boys table.

To answer the question that covered every bracelet and bookmark from the 90’s – #WWJD?

#HWLF

He would love first. He always does.

What if that is all we had to do? Love, above all things.

It would definitely free up more of our time to parent.

Apparently that job never ends.

*There is an adult pictured above that I do not parent. He has two parents that have raised him, Chad helped for a few years and I am simply an extra that gets to enjoy him. I am the mom in this house though, therefore sometimes he gets grouped in with the others.

**Photo By Marlo Collins

Family, Gifts, Grace, Gratitude, Growth, Lessons, Love, Patience, Rest, Stillness

Grounded in 2020

God speaks to me strongest through his creation.  I love nature – rocks, animals, trees, water, crystals, grass…all the simple beauty.  Chances are, when you see me, I have some form of nature in my pocket reminding me to stay grounded.  A rock, a feather from a bird, a seed from a plant…they bring me peace.  We can all get a little too full of hot, stagnant air from time to time.  We allow monkeys that are not from our own circus to jump on our back. We worry, and then we worry. When that doesn’t work, we worry some more.

Nature is a way of remembering what is mine and what is important.  Staying grounded is vital for my own spiritual health.

There is often a mantra being repeated in my head, “What’s mine is mine. What’s yours is yours.”

Keep your crap over there Karen. 

Nature reminds us to be steady. Nature is audacious in its perseverance. In its bounce back ability.

This is definitely a time to focus on staying grounded, as nothing is solid. We are in a time where everything in our country and counties are changing by the hour. No rhyme or reason or warning. Just when we think we have a plan, the rug is once again pulled out from underneath our feet. It’s like trying to stand up on a lily pad. Everything is contradicting. We are left grasping on to the yin and the yang.

Nothing is certain or permanent.

Everyone’s pain is relevant. Everyone’s confusion is relevant. Grace is required and appreciated.

We need to get good at loving. We need to get resilient at surviving heartbreak, accepting what we can and can’t control. There is a peace and freedom in letting go of our plan and picture of what we envisioned 2020 would look like and savoring the joy that we can find in the wake of it.

The funny thing is, we’ve never had full control, in any year. Life can knock us down at any point, and just when we get our footing again, it’ll knock you from the other side. We know this, as we’ve all been knocked on our own behinds. Perhaps that’s why there is extra cushion there. Clever God, that guy thought of everything. I’m positive that’s why my backside has grown as I’ve aged, continued training for bounce back ability.

The one certain that hasn’t changed is the love and nature of God.

We can stay grounded in that. And on the hard days that knock us on our padded bottoms, get outside. Walk barefoot in the grass. Sit by some water and listen to it. Find a tree and lean against it in the shade. There is a reason tree huggers are happy. Find a pretty rock and hold it in your pocket. If you don’t have a pocket, put it in your bra. (Pro tip – take it out before going through airport security.) Lift your face up to feel the sunshine. Watch the moon glowing on our sweet world. Let the outdoors slow you down. Take a lesson from God’s nature and become a Champ at loving.

I’ll leave you with the weekly words from our boys Lorena Athletic Director and beloved Coach Ray Biles,

“Don’t worry about the things you cannot control, focus on the things you can control. It may change tomorrow. It may change the day after that, but you know the good Lord is in control and we’ll all be okay.”

Sending you love, light, and pretty rocks,

Brooke

Family, Lessons, Love, Parenting, Patience, Priorities

Steering Wheels and Parenting

One of my least favorite things about Motherhood, is the sinking feeling that as they are growing up, I am being broken up with.  On a gradual, but daily basis. The kind of break up where it’s not you, it’s them.  They think you are sweet, yet a tad simple minded.  They are just going to back away a tiny bit each day, hoping that you’ll find a new hobby or even adopt a new kid to absorb some of the suffocating love bestowed. 

I know this is part of life, it’s the exact season in which cuss words were invented, because it stinks.  It’s bittersweet.  It’s mentally exhausting reminding oneself that while the precious darling “knows it all”, his brain has not fully developed. It’s sad to see the finish line of this phase ahead. And yet, I love it.  I love teenagers. I love our boys. And while the Titanic of childhood disappears into the ocean, I will share my raft and never, ever let them go.

Our full house is dwindling.  Parenting teenagers and adult children is a whole different ball game from raising little ones.  When they are little tykes, each day is 131 years long.  When they are teenagers, it’s like stepping on the walking belt at the airport – life is lived at double time speed.  You are just trying to balance on the moving belt, wistfully smiling over at the tiptoeing parents of toddlers and saying annoying things like, “The days are long, but the years are short!  Enjoy!” 

Raising children is like driving a car.  Exciting, fast, slow, scary…all of it.  The great thing about driving is that there are usually roads and lines to drive on and in between, guiding you where you are going.  There is a steering wheel, blinkers, a gas pedal, and brake.  Brakes are important here – when life gets fast, parents can pump the brakes.  There are seatbelts and airbags to somewhat protect them. You can dial down the sound on the radio or specific friendships your children have.  You have more control than when they are teens and adult children.  As much control as you have while driving a car – not all the control, as accidents and blowouts sadly happen, but more control than you soon will have.

Because, if we are lucky….those little angel babies grow up.

Teenagers and then adults. 

Parenting a young adult looks different.  You are on different ground.  In fact, you aren’t even on the ground. You are treading water, hope you can swim.

Parenting a young adult is like driving a boat.  Climb on in.  There are no roads, no lines, no concrete boundaries to guide your steering.  There are no seat belts or airbags, just grab a life vest which resembles prayer. Most importantly, there is no brake.  Zero.  You have to measure and judge when you let off the gas accordingly, and “catch” the boat before you crash into the dock.  Sometimes this works, sometimes not – it depends on who is driving and who is catching.  There is a gas pedal to use. But again, no brake.   Sometimes the depth finder shocks you at the level of your perfectly intelligent child’s thoughts, and you will burst with pride…only to be jarred out of it by unexpectedly docking on a sand bar.  Sometimes you are rocked outside of the boat, simply treading water until you figure out how to get back in.   Hold on to the life vest of prayer for extra security measures.  A life vest can’t breathe life back into us, but it can keep us afloat with hope while things get worked out. 

The scariest thing about large bodies of water is not knowing what is going on underneath. What is hidden, what is hiding, what should be avoided, predators, secrets, rocks, icebergs…it’s all there. Sometimes we don’t like the direction the boat is going or the passengers that are allowed on. Love, wisdom, prayers, and patience are huge here, lean into those. As parents, we only see what is on top of the water. If we pay attention, we can sometimes recognize the swirling of the current going on underneath. Other times, we are surprised by a sudden wave we didn’t see coming. Again, life vest of prayer – make sure everyone is holding on tightly. Grab two if needed.

While you are looking for land to dock for a bit, lean into friends who love your children well.  Have a mentor or two that gives GOOD, REAL, and TRUE advice.  Recently, seemingly stranded on a shallow sand bar with a child of ours, I texted my friend Marlo, who is a fellow boy-mom, out of exhaustion asking for advice.  Her reply was to get to the heart of the problem rather than focusing on the issue and, “…love him through every step.  Love him harder when he tries taking them two at a time.  Even harder when he slips on one.”

Hold on to wise friends like those.  Especially the funny ones who can make light of a heavy situation and help you look at it from a different view, rather than the tunnel vision that we can get lost in.

“Chaos can be beautiful if you love all your ingredients.” 

How beautiful is that thought?  Life is sometimes messy, we can’t always avoid the chaos or waves.  However, the chaos isn’t as loud if you love all your ingredients.

Just keep showing up and driving the boat.  The ride is worth it.  

Family, Gratitude, Hope, Lessons, Love, Parenting

The Audacious Hope of Rooted Things

“The audacious hope of rooted things”

That was my first thought when I looked up from a traffic light this week and realized that the bluebonnets had bloomed.  It actually caught my breath looking at them and recognizing they were here, along with spring.*

I suspect the bluebonnets have been here for awhile, but my eyes have been cast down, along with my heart – and I missed the rebirth and bloom of the gorgeous wild flowers.

I feel ridiculous for how deeply I miss my GrandDad.  When life goes according to plan, we are supposed to bury our grandparents.  Sadly, all three sets of my grandparents buried their own children.  If life is sweet enough to let us plan according to the circle of a full life, then I should have been ready.  But, I never, ever would have been.

I miss him. He stepped in and raised me as a daughter when he didn’t have to. My parents divorced when I was eight months old, which lead to my mother and I moving in with her parents. Since my mom and her siblings called him Daddy, and my grandmother referred to him as Daddy in front of the kids, then I did too.  Lots of my cousins call him GrandDad, or Papa – but he was always Daddy to me.

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