Today we are featuring our fearless leader, Michelle Warner, for Moms in Progress! Hey Michelle, do you have a recent family photo to share with us?
Hey! This one is hot off the presses! We just went to Hawaii on a very quick trip to celebrate my in-lawās 50th anniversary. ? We were there for five days which was really fun but man, that 6 hour time change is really hard with young kids!!
How fun! But whew — yes, a 6-hour difference would be tough with kids! What was your favorite part of the trip?
I think it was having time to be together as a family. Itās been such a busy stretch for us with moving and renovating and I have been feeling like my girls have needed more connected time. But in our reality right now, we have workers in our house every day and it seems like every time I sit down to do something with them, I am needed to answer a question about the renovation details. So having that time to be together and really look at my girls in the eyes was meaningful to meā¦ ?
Aw, Michelle! What a great time to just be farrrr away where no reno people can find you! š What a gift.
It was interesting because the first morning after arriving to Hawaii, my girls got up at 2:40am!! ? And I was annoyed, Iāll be honest, because I so wanted more sleep. But I just felt like I needed to get up and make a memory with my family instead of forcing them to stay in their beds and everyone being frustrated. (It was 8:40am at home anyway!)
Oh my goodness! Way to go!
Well, don’t give me too much credit because I had to get over my grumpiness of such a short night’s sleep first. ? Ha. But once I did, I joined my husband and two girls at the hot tub at 4:30am. We had the best time. It was one of our best moments of the trip. And then my oldest went on a walk with my hubby and me and as we were walking she said to me, āI feel so loved right now.ā ?
It was like the best thing a mom could hear, ya know? And it gave me such good insight into how she feels loved. So probably that morning was one of my favorite and most insightful moments.
I love that! What a precious time. And youāre so right — itās great when we as moms get those glimpses into what fills our kids up and makes them feel loved. Because itās not always what we would think — Iām learning that right now.
Totally. And Iām also learning that sometimes what we think shows love really means nothing to them. Have you read The Five Love Languages for Kids? I have read the adult version and itās helped me a ton in marriage but I keep thinking it would be good for me to read the kids version to give me more insight into loving my kids intentionally and well.
No, I havenāt. But I think itās a great idea — especially because I feel like my kids are often different from me and have different needs.
Yes. We should read it together! Speaking of another book, have you seen Rebekah Lyonās book, Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose? After all of our talks about how to manage our anxiety and all, this looks like a good one. I have it on my list.
She also has a podcast – Rhythms for Life, that Iāve started to listen to.
Iām definitely going to check that one out. Are there any other podcasts that youāve been able to catch?
I am hit or miss with podcasts. I do love to listen to them but seem to forget–but I guess thatās also because I donāt have a ton of time to myself to listen to what I want! ? And when I do I often just want it quiet! I will go in cycles of remembering to listen to one and always glad when I do. My go-to podcast is Donāt Mom Alone. I love the perspective Heather MacFadyen gives about intentional motherhood.
Me too. I love all of the interviews with authors. Thatās my go-to while doing laundry. ???
Well, good for you!! My go-to when I fold laundry is turning on a show. ? Thatās like one of the times I give myself permission to sit there and zone out. ?
OK, truth moment here: What is your zone-out show???
Haha, you’ll probably laugh but – a Hallmark Movie! My husband always laughs at me because I want to see the movie all the way through to the end and heās always like, “You know how itās going to end!!” And ha, I do know because they all end the same but I love the feeling that all is well in Hallmark land. ?
Oh me too!! Iām right there with ya. I mean, there are enough stressful things in life (and on TV), so why not enjoy a happy ending when we can?
That is my feeling exactly. I canāt handle stressful or scary movies for that reason. Speaking of – we usually have Family Movie Night on Fridays and the last movie we watched was Dreamer.? Have you seen that?
No, I havenāt!
It is so sweet. My oldest is a real animal lover so we are always looking for a wholesome movie centered around animals (which is funny to type because I am not really that into animals but it’s amazing what you’ll do for your kids!!?). If youāre looking for a sweet family friendly movie, this needs to be on the list!! It is right up there with Dolphin Tale in our family. ?
I LOVE Dolphin Tale! One of our top favorites! So Iām excited now to see Dreamer!
Itās so cute. ? Outside of animal movies and Hallmark movies, I havenāt watched much else recently. On our flight this week, I would have loved to watch an adult movie but I was too busy managing the girls — making sure their drinks didnāt spill and taking them to the bathroom multiple times — that I didnāt have a chance. ?āāļø
Oh my gosh, drinks on a plane with kidsā¦! Are there no lids?!? Really?
No! I couldn’t believe it! How is this a good idea? ? Ha!
Haha! Moms everywhere going on a trip: BYOL (Bring Your Own Lids). ?
? YES! I brought a ton of stuff but I forgot the lids for those plane cups!! ? Our carry-ons were full of every single thing my girls could possibly want to do but I was surprised we actually didnāt use much.
Isnāt that just the truth — I do the same thing! I think it makes me feel more prepared, but the kids hardly use anything but the DVDs and maybe some blank paper.
You are so right!! I will say, I did some reading before I left for ideas of what to bring to keep them busy and one idea was window clings! Have you ever heard of that? Both my girls enjoyed sticking little sticky hearts on the little airplane windows.?āļø
No! But thatās really creative! ?
Well, Michelle, itās been great to catch up with you and hear a little bit about your trip! Thanks for writing with me amidst unpacking and readjusting to the Eastern Time Zone!
Of course! ? I love this blog team so much and so grateful we get to hash out motherhood together. Itās been a crazy six months for me and my family but I look forward to getting back into a good rhythm of writing again. Once I unpack! ?
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