Motherhood Lessons: Year 3

The past two years I have shared lessons I have learned throughout motherhood. You can check those out here: Motherhood Lessons: Year Two & Year One. Since we just celebrated our son’s third birthday, I thought I would share my thoughts from year three. I must say this past year was so much fun! We really didn’t experience the “terrible twos” by any means, but I definitely think we will have a “threenager” on our hands! I absolutely love watching our son come into his own and develop his personality. It is one of the neatest things to see as a parent.

I am so excited for a new year with new experiences and changes…especially watching him take on the big brother role!

Year Three Lessons

1.Things don’t necessarily get easier, the challenges are just different with each season/phase.

2.If you explain the “why” or reason behind something, your child will probably be more willing/responsive to what is being asked of them.

3.Structure and setting boundaries are even more important as they start to test their limits and see how far they can push them.

4.Being consistent and following through is HUGE.

5.Model, redirect, reinforce and practice. Nothing is immediately learned or established. Your child is constantly learning and applying new skills/behaviors.

6.Special moments can be found in the every day. You don’t need to have big plans/experiences to make lasting memories.

7.Become interested in what your child is interested in to connect over the things they enjoy and gravitate towards.

8.You set the tone and energy for your home each and every day.

9.Make changes when your child is ready. There is no “right” time to hit milestones or do certain things.

10.Be silly and have fun….time goes by WAY too fast!

Blessings,

Jac

2020 Books

Last year I shared my 2019 books with my top three recommendations. You can check that post out here: 2019 Books. Today, I thought I would share my 2020 book list along with a short overview and if I would recommend it or not. My goal was to continue to average one book a month, however I ended up reading much more than twelve books. I have really enjoyed murder mysteries this year and have naturally gravitated towards those for the time being. My 2021 goal is to continue a book per month, and I already have a good list of what I am wanting to read.

I would love to know what books you have enjoyed and any I should add to my read list for the new year!

Murder Mysteries

  • The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith (J.K Rowling’s pseudonym): Detective investigates a super model’s suicide
  • An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena: Weekend retreat that turns into a modern day clue
  • A Stranger In The House by Shari Lapena: Wife unable to remember a murder and reveals hidden secrets from past
  • Someone We Know by Shari Lapena: A man’s wife is killed by someone unexpected
  • The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena: A baby is kidnapped while the couple is visiting neighbors
  • The End Of Her by Shari Lapena: Visitor from husband’s past comes to shake things up and reveal hidden secrets
  • Ghosted by Rosie Walsh: Man and woman fall in love and realize there is more to the story of why she hasn’t heard from him from their past
  • The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine: Woman befriends a man’s wife to get to her husband…wife has other motives and secrets
  • In A Dark Dark Wood by Ruth Ware: Bachelorette party where things go wrong with someone being murdered
  • The Woman In Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware: Reporter on cruise witnesses murder in the middle of the night
  • Turn Of The Key by Ruth Ware: Nanny experiences many situations in a haunted house
  • The Lying Game by Ruth Ware: Group of girls cover up death and discoveries are made years later

(Recommend all expect for The Cuckoo’s Calling)

Other

  • Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly: Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
  • Little Fire Everywhere by Celeste Ng: Different families/worlds colliding and all the secrets that unfold with each

(Recommend Killing Lincoln)

Self Development

  • Live The Dream: No More Excuses by Larry Winters: Guide to achieve success by shutting down self limitations
  • How To Talk So Little Kids Will Listen by Joanna Faber: Guide to different parenting approaches for ages (2-7 years) and circumstances
  • Enough by Sharon Jaynes: Bible study/growth for women to discovering their identify and recognizing who they are created to be
  • Hand’s Free Mama by Rachel Macy Stafford: Guide to being present and intentional during a world of constant distractions
  • Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis: Guide to disbelieving lies you have created for yourself

(All were good, however wasn’t extremely impressed with Live The Dream and Girl, Wash Your Face)

2021 Recommendations/List

  • Outlander Series ( on Christmas List)
  • The Night Swim
  • What Happened At The Lake
  • The Death Of Mrs Westaway
  • Killing Kennedy

What else should I add? Anyone else have reading goals for the upcoming year?

Sending love and light!

Blessings,

Jac

20 Lessons In 2020

As we are winding down 2020 and I am setting new goals and creating a vision board for 2021, I naturally reflect on the year as a whole. You can check out more on vision boards and goal setting here: Goal Setting: Top 5 Tips, Creating Vision Boards, Vision Board & Goal Setting 2021.

Today I wanted to share my take aways from this year. Although the year was one for history books, I truly believe it was one of the biggest years for growth, perspective, and awakening.

Below are my top twenty take aways for 2020! I would love to know any of yours!

1.Happiness has nothing to do with anything external and never will.

2.Find the blessings in the every day…there are more than you realize.

3.Start each day with gratitude.

4.It is all about perspective.

5. We get to choose how we handle and respond to things and get to make that choice day in and day out.

6.Our health is our greatest gift. Take care of your mind, body and spirit. Make it a priority.

7.Relationships are everything…take the time to grow and nurture them.

8.Tell people you love and appreciate them.

9.Do things for others.

10.Take care of yourself by finding what keeps you full.

11.As a parent, you set the tone and energy for your home each and every day.

12.Our struggles could be considered someone else’s blessings.

13.Each person is valuable and needed for different reasons.

14.Happy people struggle too. Don’t neglect those people.

15.You are capable of more than you think you are.

16.Ask for help if you need it. There are some amazing people in this world and incredible resources.

17.Get fresh air.

18.Don’t underestimate the power of routine in your personal life and home.

19.Wordly things just don’t matter.

20.Be a light. We need more of it.

Bonus: The little things ARE the big things.

Hope everyone has a healthy and happy holiday! Sending love and light!

Blessings,

Jac