I started my first blog in 2004, when the internet was young and I was too. A creative outlet in the midst of long days full of diapers and colicy babies and a toddler who wouldn’t nap. It was a lifetime ago, before everything was turned upside down and inside out and we started over. Now it’s been three years of sweet, full, rich new life. The seasons have returned to a familiar rhythm and routine. And ever since we settled, I’ve had the nagging urge to pick up a blog again. Renew that creative outlet. Maybe encourage someone weary in the trenches. Speak hope. Even now, I’m not sure of being able to give this space what I’d like. A blog is like a child, and I have plenty of those already. But here we are, and I’m going to give it a go. Sharing our weekly meal plan every Monday with notes on what worked and what flopped, things I’ve found or am currently enjoying, and as I have time, some musings on life and love and kids and what I’m learning in the process.

One of the things I detest most about blogging (and social media, in general) is the distorted picture of reality it communicates. Text and squares and video clips of what we want the world to see. The days we’re too overwhelmed to accomplish anything. Or weighed down by a fog of anxious thoughts and irrational fears. When we snapped at the kids. Or our husband. The battles we fight day in, day out. These moments don’t usually make it to the internets. But let’s just be clear, we all have them. Please always remember that what you see here is a tiny piece of the much bigger puzzle of life.

These days, I place a pretty high value on peace. In our home, in how we spend our days, but most importantly in my heart. We lead a pretty simple life (as simple as life can be with six kids and a dog in a 1300 square foot house.) And if at some point this blog becomes something that snags at that peace, it will be put to rest once again. Haha, it sounds like I’m giving up before I’ve even started… but for what it’s worth, let’s begin again.