Nesting into life lately

Oh life lately, how have you changed. This whole bed rest thing is such a curve ball in the plan. I don't like curve balls. But I'm trying, trying to settle into this new routine it's just hard. It's hard to not be able to do a load of laundry, stand for more then 20 mins or have any coffee. 

But she is safe. She is safe in there, growing and that's what matters. Isn't that what motherhood is, sacrificing for our little ones. 

Life lately- large and less in charge

We've hit 33 weeks like a brick wall. I must say I have been super luckly this pregnancy and haven't had really any bad symptoms. Which is honestly rare for me. Till now. 

This week I feel every bit giant pregnant, and the pate boys are sensing mommy is moving slower. In total transparency, it's making me feel a little down. I had so many big plans for this season, that just aren't going to happen, but I know what I just have to trust and stop trying. 

I am one that is guilty of trying, striving, pushing hard to make things happen that aren't always the best things in that season. Which is why I'm linking up this month with a 31 day series. I will be writing on nesting for the next month. I'm really excited and will have so many details for you guys tomorrow! This nesting is taking on a life of its own and is not how I thought it was going to look at all! 

I really can't not wait! 

Life Lately-crash & burn

Ever had one of those week when you think, I got this parenting thing down! Only to have everything fall into pieces by Friday?

Yup that was our week. Between the boys, trying to get a head start on fall items, to seeing Lisa Bevere, and writing the last bits to my book ((yes I accidentally may have written a book! More on that later, promise!)) I sailed into Friday morning thinking "I owned this week".

Hear that? Yes that would have been the loud crash that reality. 

Friday broke me. 

I had spent all week getting up earlier then the boys, drinking a hot cup of coffee ((who knew that was still possible)) and going through the She Read Truth study. By the time the boys got up, I was nice and filled. 

Not Friday. 

I woke up late, the boys work up fussy, I skipped coffee ((I know what was I thinking)) and stumbled all day. 

See I didn't rock out parenting last week, I rock out God. I let Him rock out through me. So of course our family was centered, of course I didn't feel like I was drowning, of course life was more of a joy. Because I was parenting out of Him, not out of my selfishness.

Cause ill admit it, I am a selfish person.

I don't want to get up at 6. 

I want to finish a whole cup of coffee before having to answer a question. 

I want to be able to eat my breakfast with out telling someone to get their feet off my table. 

I want to have a whole day to do nothing but create.

I want there not to be BLUE MARKER all over my wall or rocker.

But that's not in the cards. This season is crazy, loud, wild, testing and beautiful. It's just easier to see the beauty, juggle the ugly, and smile in the tears when your filled up.

Life Lately- slowing down

This week, we hit the 3rd trimester. I can't believe how fast time had flown by. It is still mind blowing watching my tummy grow. I honestly thought after baby guy, I wouldn't experience this again.

I'm soaking it in. 

Soaking rainy summer afternoons with just the pate boys. 

Little moments, soaked in craziness or quit are so precious right now.

It won't be long before our pate boys are joined by a pate girl, before my baby guy is a big brother, before our little family goes from four to five! 

Speaking of moving to a family of five. Scarlet has been getting so many little things in the mail! Thank ya'll so much for loving on her already! Im going to have to do a post soon with all the little girlie things that are flooding our boy world. Till then, aren't those little headbands from She Does Justice adorable! Y'all seriously they are so well made and perfect, check out her shop. ((Link in side bar)) 

Jump over to Wild & Precious and link up with Blair for Life Lately...

Mommy Lately

This week something has been pulling at me. Being a healthy mommy, not just mommy but person. 

Now when I say heathy I am not speaking about running or diet, but mentally healthy. 

A heathy soul. 

If out of your heart the mouth speaks, what does an exhausted, overly caffeinated heart speak?

Frustration?

Anger?

Busyness? 

I don't want to speak those things over my kids, my husband, or in to the lives of those around me. But how? How in a culture of over serving, littles always in need, and juggling etsy shops with dishes, how do you quite down?

Saturday, I left.

Left my family for a few hours and ran thru a few stores that I had wanted to check out, to get away.

But that wasn't a get away. 

That was just more busyness. 

More go go go...

Isn't it fun how we think we are doing something different and it's just the same thing, just with out diaper bags and strollers? 

I'm learning that stopping and resting is ok.

I'm learning that going to Starbucks to sit and hash through my thoughts over a journal and a cup of tea is not just ok but needed.

That it's not selfish of me to get by myself and feed my introverted nature. If anything it's life giving to not only my self, but for my family. 

Life lately & a fun swap

It's funny how some weeks seem to fly by, some crawl by and then others just soak. This week we soaked. 

It between snuggles, moving into big boy beds, an anniversary and a growing bump ((25 weeks!)) it has nice to have the week not fly by- or crawl by. It just came and we enjoyed it. I really pray we can start to soak in our lives more.

Speaking of soaking, I re-found my love of all things tea. Before coffee and my crazy love of it there was tea. For the Hubby's and I first valentines day he bought me a kettle & tea cup! With coffee making me ill, and honestly caffeine messing with my bi poplar alot, switching back to tea was just perfect! 

Which is what made me think of this...

I've done a blogger mug swap and loved it, but had friends that couldn't participate because they didn't blog. 

So why not do an Instagram mug swap! 

Here's how to play:

Follow me on Instagram (mrstmpate) and repost the #instamugswap photo! ((Pictured above))

Email me at mrspatewrites (at) gmail.com your name, mailing address and Instagram link. ((For example mine is http://instagram.com/mrstmpate)) 

You will be matched with another person on Instagram- follow each other, crack open your shelves find a cute mug, and by Aug 16th send it!

Once you receive your mug make sure you Instagram it and have fun! 

Don't forget to link up with Blair at Wild & Precious for the life lately link up. 

Living the Life-a life lately post

24 weeks. 

I am 24 weeks pregnant! 

It's had flown by, but I guess that's what happens when you have a 3 year old and 1 year old to run after! 

We had a pretty good week, thankfully! I'm starting to notice patterns in my ups and downs, and the things that trigger them. Which is leading to more and more good days! 

We went out the other night to one of the Hubby's and I's old spots! The boys loved Jacks Cosmic Dogs. They really have great hot dogs and fries, and that was all Miss Scarlet wanted that day! 

It's such a cute place and the boys were loving all the retro space stuff & toys inside and out that some "quick" pictures turned into chase the three year old and beg him to stand still....

Which didn't happen! 

But that's life, doesn't always have a picture perfect moment. But honestly I think I'm starting to love the un-perfectness of it all! 

Link up with Blair at Wild & Precious with your Life Lately! 

Going For It

I'm linking up again with Blair over at Wild & Precious today.
I love this link up, the only rule, what is your life lately.

Oh lately, we are going for it!

We have this dream of being together more as a family. When your husband works over 65 hours a week, family time is well, sparse. I hate it. I'm incredibly proud at how hard the Hubby works, and how much he strives to provide for us but its hard. We have all sacrificed a lot for me to stay home and keep our bills so low, but he still has to work a ton.

We have this dream of having a successful home business. A business that creates time for us to be a family, that provides our needs, and gives us the chance to show our kids to follow their dreams.

And it all starts with small steps.

For me its taking my mentality from "pretend business mommy" to putting my big girl panties on and becoming a business card carrying, not afraid to tell someone "yea I make those".
Now there is my button for my shop, Mrs Pate Makes proudly displayed on the side bar (bet you didn't even know I had a shop!), and this month I am for contributor for Tethered Crate! Also you can find me on Facebook at Mrs Pate Makes & Instagram!
 

For my hubby.... He has opened his shop, Bound Tight. He has designed & made a fabulous bamboo wallet. See the man hates wallets. I have been after him for years to trade in his paperclips, rubber bands, and other random things he has tried to use. Finally, he made his own and voila! He has had so many people ask about it and want to buy one that he started a shop.

I'm so excited & proud for him. If you have never opened a shop, it is a scary thing to put your idea and work out there. It is for both of us, but thankfully we are tackling it together.

Its been fun having conversations about prices, items, marketing, things that Ive been afraid to tackle I now get to walk through with my Hubby. There's nothing better than running for your dreams with the person you love.