march roundup
I think it might be safe to say that winter is in the books. The little wanna-be cherry tree in our front yard has tiny purple flowers budding, I hear lawnmowers going throughout our neighborhood, and every evening the streets are full of dog-walkers and little legs working hard on their bikes. You know what I’m going to say next, but when you live with a real winter, April is a beautiful sight.
As always, our month has been full and good, and did I say full already? I backed up against my limits in many ways this month, making it very clear that I still need to learn when to say “no” and when to ask God for a bigger plate. I think I missed one or two healthy “no’s” in the past several weeks, but this is all part of the journey, isn’t it. Because then husbands and moms and friends come in to save the day and we are reminded that even when we feel the anxiety of overextended isolation, we are far from alone.
I’ve also made a few discoveries this month. I mean, of course I knew about the amber teething necklaces but I was a total hater. I smelled a fashion trend/money-making industry for people preying on a mother’s desperate attempt to ease her child’s mouth pain, and I never bought one. But then my little guy fussed all the way through a bible study and one of my sweet friends in the group gave me her son’s old necklace. You guys. Two more teeth have come in since Cannon starting wearing this necklace, and he has not made a peep. So I’m sorry, I guess that’s all I can say.
And there are three books I have to tell you about; all of them the kind you fly through because you just want to read the next page and the next and the next. First, Mom Enough, a collaborative devotional for mamas. I cherished this book, and will read it again often. Half of it is underlined and dozens of sentences were texted to friends. It’s a new go-to gift from me, because the heart of its message puts a value on motherhood that made me feel understood in the most beautiful way. The second book is by my friend and fellow contributor over at Coffee + Crumbs, Women are Scary by Melanie Dale. Hilarious, but also right on. I only wished I lived in Atlanta near Melanie because she is the real deal. And to all of my fourth base friends, I freaking love you. And last, Scary Close by Donald Miller. (I know, a lot of ‘scary’ in my book choices this month). But I’ve always loved Miller’s writing for his authenticity, and I think he takes that to another level in this book. I’m not quite done with it, but what I’ve taken away so far are such perfect truths encouraging me to take off my mask and trusting that people will love the real (often weird, mostly selfish, kinda nerdy) Katie.
A few other notables: Harper is a fantastic shopper, we ate my Nona's famous pasta sauce twice this month (which is a big deal, because it takes all day to make and is my very favorite thing in the world), and I think Cadbury dark chocolate eggs are the only candy you need for Easter.
The clearest thing about this month: I just need my people. A lot. And I’m so thankful that some of the best friends on the planet stick in there with me. I’m a better wife and mom and friend because of my community. God’s grace abounds in the people he has put around me.
P.S. The Giving Shop is back up! Cards are available only in sets of five now (remember how I'm learning what my limits are), and all profits are supporting a charity near and dear to my heart and in my hometown of Spokane, Christ Kitchen.