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How to Build a Montessori Dresser for $50

A lot of days end with gratitude that Hazel won’

A lot of days end with gratitude that Hazel won’t remember that day and how I lost my patience again and again. Or how I just wanted to read a book so I put her in her crib for extra quiet time before a nap. Or that I forgot to feed her a real meal until she was incredibly hangry. Or how I push her off trying to sit on my lap because I’m nursing James. The list goes on! Her capacity to forgive and forget is a wonderful reminder for me to do the same. She has been patient with me as our home fills up with boxes and my own patience grows thin. She gives me just enough space when I need it to recoup, like this moment when she played quietly with her birthday gift we opened up 1 month early 🤪. Thank goodness for this battery-operated toy, for Daniel Tiger and a baking YouTube channel Hazel loves, babies that sleep in, and for a quiet morning of scripture studying to fill up my patience to the brim for the start of a new day! We’re starting to enter the “mine!” stage of toddler-hood so I’m going to need it! 😅

I joined the sourdough train way later than most (

I joined the sourdough train way later than most (like most trends), but I am continually amazed at how easy it has been to keep it alive and how many more ways you can use it than for just loaves of bread. I love @farmhouseonboone’s pancake recipe, it makes such fluffy pancakes and is quick to whip together in the morning (although better when it sits overnight I’ve learned!). Definitely give sourdough starter a try if you haven’t yet!

Hazel has been practicing her knife spreading skil

Hazel has been practicing her knife spreading skills lately. I take advantage of her ability to focus on tasks for a long time in the mornings and give her a breakfast that allows her some independence. Although, we finally just got over a phase where she’d pour her cup of milk over everything, thinking it was meant to go with the meal in some way like it does when I give her a cup of milk for her oatmeal. 😅 It’s a learning process for the both of us. #hazelsueatONE

It is our family’s goal to live a more self-suff

It is our family’s goal to live a more self-sufficient and sustainable life and so we have dove head first in a number of projects, one of those being micro greens! It has been such a fun family activity and just a little sprinkle of sprouts makes our meals go from 🤷🏼‍♀️ to 🤩. On another note, with the terrible things going on lately, I feel a tremendous weight to teach my children everything from how to be kind, be a steward to this Earth that was created for us, and how to avoid violence at all costs. I am glad I have the values of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to guide me in this responsibility.

Sorry, a third post for the day. I tend to post in

Sorry, a third post for the day. I tend to post in spurts here. James’ three words are: Easy-going, Social, and Affable. He is happy to go with the flow and is fine to chill in his car seat or bouncer. Recently, though, he craves our attention and will give us the biggest smiles when we look and talk to him. You can feel it in his eyes that he has such a sweet and friendly spirit and we can wait to see his personality come out more in the upcoming year! #JAMESendofyear

As I was going through Hazel’s clothes I pulled

As I was going through Hazel’s clothes I pulled out this little @elestory dress. I bought this when I was pregnant with her and dreaming of the day we could match together at church. How would I know that a pandemic would cancel church for almost an entire year and we wouldn’t get the chance to before she grows out of it. 😥 So this morning we got all dressed up and snapped a photo together in the 30 degree weather in celebration to making it through the longest year ever! We have honestly been blessed in many ways this year but I am still excited to say goodbye to 2020 and am hopeful for more joy in the next year.

It’s the end of the year which means #HAZELendof

It’s the end of the year which means #HAZELendofyear shots! I can’t believe so much has changed in just one year, swipe to see little baby Hazel last year 😭. I love the opportunity I have to watch her grow right in front of my eyes. It was extremely hard to choose just three words to describe Hazel but we think these explain her perfectly. Hazel is Driven. She gets so focused when learning something new and if she has something on her mind, nothing will stop her until she does it 😅. Her ability to focus and memorize the placement of difficult puzzle pieces astounds me. Hazel is driven and fearless when it comes to any “big kid” things on the playground. Hazel is Crepuscular, meaning she is most active at twilight. We heard this word while watching a survival show before bed - as Hazel was climbing couches and jumping around - and we all just laughed at the similarity. It became her word from then on and we use it all the time. Lastly, Hazel is an animal lover, most especially dogs - a Cynophilist. She squeals with delight anytime she sees a dog and our nice neighbors are subjected to allowing Hazel hug and kiss on their dog every time they walk by our place. She is most excited to see her cousin’s dog Roczen when we go visit for the weekend. I feel we are doing her a disservice as parents to not own a dog. Maybe some day. We love this busy, silly, polite, lovable little girl!