Putting my finger on it

Last week my two oldest flew across the country, solo, for the first time.

As we drove down to the airport I tried making chitchat about how exciting their trip would be, but they were surprisingly quiet. Nerves because they were flying solo for the first time.

The lack of chitchat caused my mind to wander as it sometimes does along that stretch of freeway. Oftentimes it wanders back to my first Southern California memory: the first time that we drove that stretch twelve years ago. I remembered that there was just one small little girl in a red booster seat in the backseat of our tiny little car. She wasn't yet two. And in the throes of surviving days with toddlers, days like last week seemed too far on the horizon to even dream about. ⁣⁣I was too busy potty training and raising babies to even grasp that a day like today would exist. ⁣⁣ When I watched them walk onto the jetway with one last nervous wave back at me, I found myself standing alone at the gate and surprisingly emotional, and I couldn't put my finger on why that was because I was genuinely excited for their adventure.

⁣⁣ As I drove home I realized that I wasn't tearing up because they walked onto a plane without me. I was emotional because it suddenly hit me how far we've come. How far I've come.

None of them are "little" anymore.

We've cleaned out all the Fischer Price toys. The dress-ups have found new homes. I have help with household chores. Everyone can pack themselves for a trip. When I hear a silent house I don't panic that there is trouble. Everyone can put themselves to bed.

We've quietly slipped into the season that I was too tired to even dream about when I had four kids under the age of six. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I don't often give myself time to dwell on things that I've accomplished. I always have my eyes forward and focused on the next thing. Always striving.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ That solo ride home after seeing their plane launch into the sky made me pause because reaching this season of motherhood was twelve years in the making. ⁣⁣ As I drove home I could finally put a finger on that unnamed emotion.

It was pride.

Proud of myself.

Proud of myself for the season I've accomplished. ⁣ If you still find yourself in that early season, or a not-so-early season, or a middle school season, or an empty nest season, I bet there is something there that you've recently accomplished.

If you feel like sharing, I would love to hear about something that you are proud of. Something that you feel you've done well for your people lately.⁣

A blend for big emotions

I’m positive you can do life without this roller.

Positive you could juggle work.
Positive you could juggle home.
Positive you could juggle errands with a two year old.
Positive you could juggle errands with TWO two year olds.
Positive you could juggle homeschool.
Positive you could juggle hard days.
Positive you could juggle doctor visits.
Positive you could juggle kids schedules.
Positive you could juggle stressful meetings.
Positive you could juggle mom shaming.
Positive you could juggle when people don’t like you.
Positive you could juggle people you don't like.
Positive you could juggle 2022.
Positive you could juggle feeling overwhelmed.
Positive you could juggle every single demand on your life right now.

But honestly? I am just not sure why you would try to do any of those things without this recipe. For me it brings calm to my mind and peace for my heart when I can't put a finger on my emotions.

Calm Roller

In a 5mL roller, combine 12 drops Lavender, 10 drops Valor, 8 drops Stress Away, 4 drops Patchouli, 4 drops Vetiver and 3 drops Northern Lights Black Spruce. Then, fill to the top with V6 carrier oil (or fractionated coconut oil).

Usage

To use, simply roll on your wrists, behind your ears, on your collarbone, or the nape of your neck before any of the above situations... or when you drop your last child off to kindergarten for the last time.

Snippet from my week

Even though we were missing a few of our crew, we had such a fun 4th of July celebrating together!

Thanks for reading! If you feel like sharing, I would love to hear about something that you are proud of. Something that you feel you’ve done well for your people lately.⁣ Just hit reply if you'd like to respond. (When you hit reply, your message goes directly to my email. It’s a private conversation between just us.) I read all your messages and try to respond, but not always in a timely manner. Sorry! And if you enjoyed this email, you’d be doing me a favor by forwarding it to someone else who might like it.