The last time I blogged I vowed to go ten days without technology. With that being said, I meant "screen time"-- Michael playing games on the phone, or watching TV, or watching anything for that matter. And although I ended up turning on the TV, I would call this cleanse/experiment a success.

Here are five things I learned:


1. I payed attention more. Let's be real. It's super easy to get sucked in to doing things and letting our littles watch TV or play a game on the phone. While getting into the groove of having two little guys, I found myself letting Michael watch more and more, or play more and more, just to get a moment of peace-- or get five minutes to talk with the hubs without being interrupted. This isn't always a bad thing (wait for the next thing I learned!), but doing it every day, multiple times (a number I'm too ashamed to share) IS.

So, when cutting out the middle-man-babysitter that is the TV or game, I realized that I listened more to Michael. I payed attention more. I didn't think the silly things he was doing were annoying or too loud. In fact, most of them were REALLY silly... and I had been missing them. It takes a lot for to admit on here that I had started missing out on Michael once Levi was born. Now I'm finding a much better balance.

2. It's OK to need a moment. By Day Four, I needed a moment. I had to reset. Admittedly, I was texting a lot of people and trying to get in some grown-up communication (does texting count?) with some friends when Michael asked for a show and I gave in. But I saw it. I knew what it was. It was that I was staring at a screen, which can't seem like communication to an almost-four-year-old, so he wanted to zone out, too.

But then on Day Seven when Michael watched a movie, I didn't feel guilty for not sticking it out. In fact, I realized it was OK for me to let him watch a show in order for us to both have some down time/ quiet time. We did A LOT (which is coming next), so I didn't feel guilty when I needed a moment. Unlike beforehand, when I felt guilty because I KNEW he was watching too much TV.


3. We got out more. No TV meant having more of a plan, and it worked so well in our favor. We were up early every morning, and I couldn't turn on the TV to get a moment to wake up... so we would walk to the park instead. Or play in the sprinkler. Or go to the library. Or go to the store and walk around (which can be dangerous, I know). But it made me feel so much better to get out and be active and DO MORE. Getting out didn't always mean getting in the car, but it did mean finding more ways to exercise our brains/bodies. And I loved it.

4. We snacked less and slept more. As soon as our ten-day-challenge ended, I am sad to admit I gave in almost immediately and turned the tube back on a bit too much. But after that ONE DAY of giving in, we went back to cutting out the screens. Because neither of us liked it.

I realized that when the TV was on, we were both more inclined to think we were hungry and snack. And snack. And snack. But when it was off, we were so busy we weren't thinking that we WANTED to eat (because that's what most of it was).

And if the TV was on a lot, we didn't sleep as well. When he wasn't dependent on shows and movies as babysitters, we were doing more and that meant we were sleeping more (and better!). Granted, we went to bed earlier and got up earlier... but I really didn't mind it that much. It just meant adjusting our schedules.

5. I had to have a plan. I will openly admit that I'm a planner, and yet I'm awful at planning. When it comes to Michael's routine, I used to just go with the flow and nothing seemed to work out. Knowing there wasn't going to be TV to fill in the gaps meant finding more things to do. We did experiments, learned to play more games, cleaned more, talked more... there was so much MORE when there was less technology.

But the point was: I had to have a plan.

I had "extras" for the week in case one of our days lagged, or gave in to baking even though I'm trying to eat better. It meant making choices and following through with what I said we were going to do. There was no, "Well, we can't go outside so we'll watch a show." It was "It's too hot outside, so how about we make something special." That "something special" was anything from a craft to cookies. But it was worth the mess, and ultimately part of the plan.


The conclusion of all this is: WE SURVIVED! And we are better for it. Reviewing this post I realize how dumb some of this sounds. I mean, DUH. But I had given in. It's so easy to lose track when you watch more TV, or hand over your phone or the video games. We live in a technological time, after all.

I'm not saying technology for kids is a bad thing by any means. I'm SO not one of those people.

But I am saying that portion control (why can't I think of any other phrase for it?) is everything. Because if I gave in and let Michael watch as much TV as he used to ask for, then his brain would "turn to mush" and I wouldn't be parenting. At least, that's my opinion. I'm so thankful for my boys and every minute I get to spend with them. Somewhere along the way, I started forgetting that and just started focusing on what I "needed" rather than the big picture of parenthood/family.

I can say that if we lose track of what we learned (which I sincerely hope we don't), I'll be more ready and willing to do this again.

This weekend my husband and I came to the dreadful horrifying conclusion that we are on/around technology too much when we were at the Giants vs Diamonbacks game and Michael asked to play a game on my phone.

Since we both have to use the computer and our phones for work, and then we enjoy games/social media/TV shows as well...well...we look at screens a lot. So when Michael started watching a few too many shows, or asking more than he used to to play games on our phones, we decided it was time for a change.

For the next ten days, we are trying to go without any tv or computer/phone games. I'll still be checking in, but only at the end of the day once the kiddos are asleep (and maybe with my morning coffee). It's going to be a hard habit to break, but I figured if we quit cold turkey for a little while it would help us refocus. For the next ten days I'm going to get myself in check, and REALLY focus on what's most important. Because, let's face it-- it's easy to get sucked in. And I would much rather have more moments with fewer pictures and likes and screen time, then I would to have the pictures but not the TRUE feelings of the memories.


Say a prayer for me. Wish me luck. All those good things. This is going to be a loooong week.

" A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014. "

Last week we were out in the heat no matter how hot. We were suffering from cabin fever and could not be kept indoors. Michael was one happy camper to get out and play some baseball.


Our neighborhood is graced with a splash pad... so if you come by our house and find it empty, that's the next place you should look. Michael does lap after lap and will not tire of it-- even after running it for an hour.

Part of Practising Simplicity's 52 Project.

" A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014. "

Michael is making leaps and bounds with his potty training, though I still see some bumps ahead of us. We try to encourage him as much as we can, so when he last made some progress-- he became SUPER MICHAEL!


Sometimes we need to just get outside, even if it's 105. The sprinkler is positively perfect for days where our grass isn't jungle-length and it's "cool" enough where we won't be too hot with the water going.

Part of Practising Simplicity's 52 Project.

While Clark was home he really wanted to do some camping. Since we weren't quite sure how Michael would act, we decided to test the waters in the backyard first. The other reason for this? It is already way too hot. Odds are, real camping won't happen until fall.


Michael loved being in the tent, as long as the "door" was open so he could see outside. He waited patiently anxiously excitedly for it to get dark outside and the stars to come out. We passed the time with s'mores and books. Granted, the s'mores didn't have roasted marshmallows. Nonetheless, Michael was a big fan.



We had a wonderful time. Once it was dark and Michael was getting sleepy, though, he requested to go inside. We didn't fight him. It was eight o'clock and over eighty outside. We'll try "serious" camping in the fall, but this will always be remembered as his first-- and mama's favorite.

" A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014. "

Last week we ventured into our backyard for a camping adventure. Michael was so excited at the aspect of sleeping in the tent with us. In the evening he snuggled onto Clark's lap to read, and it was a moment that completely pulled at my heartstrings. I love my boys so much, and nothing makes me happier than seeing them together.

Check back in to read more about our camping adventure next week!

Part of Practising Simplicity's 52 Project.

Hello world. It's me. Yes, I'm actually giving you a post. Expect some more, too!

Shocking, I know. Well, maybe not really.

The past few weeks, maybe months, it's been touch-and-go in our house. One minute we have visitors, the next our house is empty, save Michael and myself, of course. It's made it a bit difficult to get used to our surroundings.

Ok, so, that's my fault.

I've been moping.

There. I said it.

While I'm really trying to get used to our new place, location, and weather (105, anyone?), I really find myself missing 'home'. Though I moved most of my childhood, we settled in to North Carolina when I was in eighth grade, and I was blessed to stay there through high school, college, and Michael's first couple years. Now that we've moved again, which I was once accustomed to, I realize just how hard it is.


When you're in school, you make friends during moves because you're forced into an environment which molds that. Once you're out into the real world though, it's a lot harder. Especially if you don't work, and your husband's work takes him from home regularly so he doesn't really have a work-network for you.

That leaves church for us, but we haven't found a church that feels right. I remind myself that when we moved for Clark's schooling in NC, it took me a year to really make friends and find a church home. Here we are six months in, in Arizona and I'm feeling desperate. At least in the beginning in Brevard, Clark was home. Now I'm on my own. I mean, I'm not, but I am.


I know that God brought us here for a reason. During the end of 2013 we knew we were due for changes. Living where we were in NC, we were kind of stuck. Clark couldn't advance in work, and without advancing we couldn't see ourselves ever being able to expand our family. When it came time between finding out where we would be come 2014, it took a lot of prayer and a lot of patience. I didn't want to move, but I was certain God had something in store for our family.

Well, my certainty faded and faded the longer we were here and the more I felt abandoned. While visitors came to stay, they always had to leave. I just didn't know what I was supposed to be doing other than caring for Michael and going about our day-to-day routine.

Honestly, I still don't. I'm still searching, still praying, still trusting.

I have to constantly remind myself that God has a plan.

God has a plan. God has a plan. God has a plan.

I don't mean to sound whiny. I know my life isn't awful. I know I am so incredibly blessed. Not just because of the family, friends, and things I do have-- but, mainly, because I have Christ in my life. Through Him all things are possible.

So why does life seem so hopeless at times?

I'm not sure I have the answer to the question, but I wanted you to know that I'm striving to do more, focus on my blessings, and give back in any way I know how to.

This blog, it helps me give back, even if I'm only reaching a tiny corner of people in the world.

Keep me in your prayers, friends, and thank you for sticking with me.

I know, I know. I've been awful about posting this over the past month. I promise to do better. We have been busy bees around here. Michael has decided that he needs me every.waking.moment. Not even every waking moment, actually. As we are now potty-training, it seems me leaving him during nap time or bed time causes distress. I'm sure it will all pass, and I can't say I mind the cuddles. Now that Clark is home, I am no longer wanted. I was just told that I was to stay inside as they went out and play.

I didn't argue with him.

" A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014. "
19/52

Michael absolutely loves that we have grass in our backyard now. While we still have a few patches of dirt that have yet to fill in, that doesn't stop him from running from one end of the yard to the other with his lawn mower. He wants to be "just like Dada."
Please excuse that this was taken with my iPhone.


20/52

On a very hot day, it was necessary to let Michael play in the ::ahem::doggy::ahem:: pool. He absolutely loved being able to stay in our backyard and cool off. This is not to say that we don't enjoy visiting the neighborhood pool, but lately the big kids seem to like to play in the kiddy pool and that makes Michael a little nervous... or maybe it makes me a little nervous.

Part of Practising Simplicity's 52 Project.

Things are always crazy when Clark comes home. It's easy to fall behind. Michael was way too excited to take Dada to "the trains" as he calls the railroad park. We had a blast, even if it was pretty hot.



Clark and Michael got sick, starting around my birthday. It's taken us all week to get Michael up and running again, but yesterday he finally seemed to be his "whole self". Now if we could just get his sleep back on track, I'll be one happy mama.

Part of Practising Simplicity's 52 Project.

My dad got to visit us at the end of March. My parents took turns, since they both work for a church in Iowa they couldn't be away at the same time. Of course, now that they've been, they're determined to come together next year for a winter vacation for, like, two weeks.

Michael had a lot of fun with his Papa, but I'm still hearing about how he and Papa went to the baseball game and the park. Before Clark came home, my dad, Michael, and I went to a Cubs vs. White Sox spring training game. Michael had SO much fun. Playtime with Papa was pretty much the center of his world.




As for the park, my dad watched Michael while Clark and I got a movie-date in and they went to the park for a very long time.

Other than that, we all had a lot of fun. We got to go hiking, just hang out, and try some of the local foods that we hadn't just yet... and some that we had. I mean, who can come out West and not go to In-N-Out?

If you hadn't noticed on Instagram or with previous posts, we've been enjoying some baseball. The great thing about where we now live is we are in the midst of spring training and just 30 minutes or so from Chase Field.

Clark and I both grew up loving baseball. He played when he was younger, and my dad took me to Rigley Field (and I played softball as a child). But I wasn't one to watch the games on TV (a little boring if you ask me), and I just didn't see following sports as a priority otherwise (I still don't, if I'm being honest). But now that we're here, there's really no excuse not to enjoy the game up close. Tickets are so reasonably priced and we're so close. Why not make it family fun?

The last day Clark left Michael had been asking to go to a baseball game after looking at pictures of him and Papa at the Cubs game we went to. Sadly, spring training was over, and we're not Diamondbacks fans, but then I remembered that the SF Giants were still playing in Phoenix. The Giants, thanks to my sister and her husband, is our new "family team". It was Clark and Michael's first pro-baseball game, even if it was spring training. While I know the Giants have a WAY better chance at going all this way than the Cubs (since the Cubs haven't won a world series in, like, over 100 years), I'm still a Cubs fan at heart. It was a my first game, and something special I always got to share with my dad.

I digress.

I bought last minute tickets to the SF Giants at Diamondbacks game. Even last minute the tickets were reasonably priced and we were on the First Base line and everything! It was so exciting, and Michael made it to the seventh inning stretch, which was the goal since it was a PM game.

Now, what you've been waiting for, the pictures. By the way... the Giants won... go figure.

" A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014. "
My wonderful friend from NC was out here for a Juice Plus conference weekend so we got to spend some quality time together... with Michael, of course. Saturday we made our way to the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. It was fantastic. I'm definitely thinking we need to get a year-pass for this one for Michael. He had way too much fun.

Also, this photo credit goes to Linden. I didn't actually take it, but it was too wonderful not to share for the 52 Project.

Part of Practising Simplicity's 52 Project.

" A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014. "
Early this week before my dad had to leave to go back to Iowa we all went on a hike. It was a little too hot for my taste, so I don't foresee us really going hiking, er, anywhere come summer time. The boys, though, had way too much fun. There was a pass in the rocks that Michael loved going through, and the pass also made for a sort of rock slide which Michael went down over... and over... and over.

Part of Practising Simplicity's 52 Project.

" A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014. "
My dad is visiting this week and we got to take him to the Cubs vs. White Sox spring training game. Michael loved being at the ball game with his Papa. After getting ice cream, pistachios (we brought them in place of peanuts), and popcorn, the boy was set. Did I mention Papa bought him the shirt and the hat? He's trying to bread a Cubs fan, considering when the See You There crowd was here we were rooting for the Giants. Sadly, I think Clark is stuck on rooting for the Giants. Something about the Cubs and my first game being at Rigley field, though, has me hoping that Michael might just root for both of them.

Part of Practising Simplicity's 52 Project.

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have noticed since we moved here that I'm pretty obsessed with hot air balloons.

I'm pretty sure we live by a launch site, or just a place in general that you can take hot air balloon rides. I've done a little research, and I'm not sure going on a ride is in our future as of right now, but they are sure fun to look at.

Saturday morning Michael and I were up really early, and both rather grumpy. He didn't want to play outside. He didn't want to do puzzles, or color, or anything. We weren't very sure how we were going to start our day.

And then he spotted a balloon.


Then another.


Somehow, these things manage to just cheer us up every time we see them. We sat in the backyard and watched them come closer, and closer, and then disappear in a different direction behind the neighborhood houses.


It's magical.

From then on, our day picked up, which was wonderful. It was like we just needed a little reminder from God that it was going to be ok, and that's what the hot air balloons always seem to do.

" A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014. "
This week we had our first pool day, which just happened to fall on the first day of spring. Right now we haven't made any local friends with kids his age, but he gets along beautifully with little Grant. We had such a wonderful afternoon with friends, something we had clearly been lacking. It was truly a God-send when I was linked up with Jacquie for the first Cara Box I did through Wifessionals.

Part of Practising Simplicity's 52 Project.

Can I be honest with you about something? Is this a safe space?

I'm really tired of dirt.

Our backyard doesn't have winter grass, a thing in Arizona, so right now it's pretty much dirt, dust, and more dirt.

Michael attracts dirt.