Pre-parenthood, my favorite time of year was winter. Filled with holiday gatherings, gift-giving, cozy nights by the fire and beautiful winter-white landscapes. These days – while I still enjoy the magic of the holidays – as a mom of two littles, I could totally pass on the infinite germs, mad rush to do everything and the unexpected snow days.
Instead, I’ve fallen completely in love with summer. The longer days with cotton candy sunsets, the slower pace with weekends spent at the lake, the feeling of dry clothes on sunskissed skin after swimming, the sweet flavor of strawberries right off the plant in our backyard.
And more importantly, for me, it’s about the reset. It’s a natural opportunity to slow down, to revisit expectations and intentions, to reprioritize the second half of the year.
Summer recharges me and gives me more patience. It’s when I feel the most grounded and creative. It’s the time of year when I get to spend more quality and undivided time with my kids, visit my favorite places … and I get to take a breath to relax.
I recently read Joanna Gaines’ letter from the editor in the latest issue of Magnolia, and it perfectly described how I feel about this time of year, “Summer is like a twinkle-eyed guide, inviting me to take the leap.”
I’m excited to take the leap with a few big ideas I’ve had bouncing around for a while … letting myself have fun and be really creative … and I’m also living for my kiddos’ belly-filled laughter and sticky, melted ice cream hands. I’m soaking up the sounds of owls in the trees and water hitting the rocks at the lake. I’m resetting and happily surrendering to the summer slowdown.
The Palm House KC 