2018 SUMMER READING LIST

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Summer for me means sunshine, beach days and lots of reading. These days I don't have the time to spend hours reading on the beach BUT that won't stop me from making my Summer Reading List! 

Here's what's on my list for this Summer...

1. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng- okay, so I had a bit of a head start and already read this book earlier this year. It's a fascinating read that definitely challenged me and I would love to hear how you liked it! It's so good to read books that get you thinking about what you believe and why.

2. Educated by Tara Westover- there are 213 people ahead of me in line to read this at my library so I don't think I'll be getting to it this summer but my goodness it looks unreal. It's a family memoir about a girl who grew up mixing herbs to make remedies and digging through junkyards. She had no official birth certificate or education and had her first official day of school at University! I cannot wait to read this one...hoping those 213 people in front of me read it very quickly!

3. Stay the Path by Bobbie Houston- I just adore Bobbie Houston so I'm excited to dig into this one. I just ordered it because I have a feeling I'll want to read it again!

4. Everybody Always by Bob Goff- I absolutely loved Bob Goff's Love Does and I cannot wait to read this one! I know it's going to be challenging by also incredibly inspiring. He is such an amazing human being with so much insight.

5. The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand- It wouldn't be summer without reading one of Elin's Nantucket based novels! I loved reading The Identicals last year so I'm sure I'll love this one. Her books are easy chick lit perfect for any pool or beach day!

6. Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell- I always love reading a thriller type novel in the summer and this one looks like it will fit the bill!

7. Love & Ruin by Paula McLain- I just got this out from the library and I'm totally hooked! I loved The Paris Wife so I'm not surprised I'm loving this one. It's about Martha Gellhorn, Ernest Hemmingway's third wife. I'm such a sucker for historical fiction!

8. The Light Between Oceans- This one was recommended by my friend Ashley who has read more than 50 books this year (she gave me a great list incase you need anymore suggestions!)  I did watch this move, so I know the storyline but I'm excited to see how the book differs.

Do you have any must reads on your summer book list? I'd love to hear them!!

Oh and also, I enrolled Luca in the BC Summer Reading Program at our local library. It was the same library that I grew up going to and I remember enrolling in the Summer Reading Program every summer!! We read 20 minutes a day and if he completes a week, we get a prize! I'm hoping to bring him every Friday to get his prize. It warms my heart so much that he loves reading!!

XO!
Laura

SUMMER BUCKET LIST

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Hello Summer!! I'm a little late on our Summer Bucket List BUT our weather here has recently been more like fall so I'm all confused and now craving a Pumpkin Spice Latte, ha!

Do you guys do bucket lists? I just looked over my Spring Bucket List and I'm happy to report that I checked off most things...except for the vegetable garden (mainly due to the fact that our yard is currently torn a part from perimeter drains and fence installation..but next year for the veggie garden!) AND running 5km...I've been on lots of hikes but haven't done a run in ages :(

My Summer Bucket list is a bit bittersweet because right after Summer, I head back to work! I'm obviously so excited to get back doing what I love but I will miss my babies LIKE CRAZY!

Here's what I'm hoping to cram in this Summer...

Our Summer Bucket List:

• Little getaway to Pender Island (CHECK! We did this a couple weeks ago and it was so fun!)
• Visit a Waterpark
• Visit Parksville, BC (we just booked 3 nights in early September. Some of our family is coming up too. I'm SO excited!!)
• Update Luca and London's Baby Books (I'm sooo bad about this. Need to get photos printed and update as much as I can!!)
• Stay at a hotel for our Wedding Anniversary (It will be our very first night away from both kids!! Any recommendations for a lovely place in Victoria, BC?)
• Summer Reading Club (I grew up doing the Summer Reading Club at my local library and it's still going on! Today I'm going to sign Luca and London up for it!!) 
• Organize Built ins + Junk Drawer
• Budget update (Sadly, I have to adult as well this summer)
• Beach + Picnic as much as possible!
   

What's on your summer bucket list?

XO, Laura

HOW WE GOT OUR BABIES SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT (PART ONE)

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Disclaimer: I am not a certified sleep consultant. I understand sleep training can be a touchy subject. Sleep training is not for every family but it worked for us. You do you. That's the magic of motherhood, different methods but the same heart. Just love please!!! This post contains affiliate links.

It has taken me forever to write this post but if you follow me on Instagram you know I'm a huge believer in schedules and sleep training for babies. Because I have a lot to say on this subject, I'm splitting it up into 3 posts...introduction, 0-3 month sleep and 3+ month sleep.
 

Before I had kids, I thought, I'm going to be that mama who takes her babies everywhere...my babies will be able to sleep in anyone's arms, on church pews, on blankets outside, in car rides...my babies will not dictate my schedule....

And then I actually had a baby...HA!

It took me almost 30 years to realize, I am NOT a "go with the flow" type of person. I like organization, I like schedules, I like routine. I'm okay with change (probably mainly because of all that positivity that's deeply engrained in me, ha) but it takes me awhile to adjust to it...so when I became a mama, I desperately needed to figure out a routine...especially one that involves sleeping at night!!

When I was pregnant with Luca I read the Sleepsense Guide. I'm a BIG BIG fan of sleep so I knew trying to get my baby to sleep would be a priority for me. It's very helpful. The layout isn't the easiest to follow (it's very wordy) but it helped us a lot.

And then Luca was born and IT WAS BANANAS. He was jaundice so for the first few days I nursed him around the clock which meant he fed every 2 hours. A typical night would be: 11pm wake him up, change diaper, nurse 15 mins each side while also trying to keep him awake (jaundice babes are very sleepy so you need to keep them awake while feeding), burp, change diaper, swaddle, back to sleep, set alarm for 1am. After gaining 5oz in 3 days my doc said I could go to every 4 hours at night (HALLELUJAH!)

Like I said, IT WAS BANANAS. But it also gave me a lot of time to be on my phone and google things. The #1 thing I googled was "when can babies sleep through the night". Obviously I knew a baby had to be older and a healthy weight to sleep through the night but I wanted to know anything I could to help make that happen!

So I followed Sleepsense, and the blogs: Precious Little Sleep and A Mother Far From Home. At 7 weeks Luca went into his own room and at 8 weeks he started sleeping 10 hour stretches! He slept great and didn't go through any 4 month regression. I did have to re-nap train him after we went to Cali (because all his naps were on the go or nursed to sleep) but he started doing 7-7 straight around 6 months and today is still an amazing sleeper.

I did wonder that maybe Luca was just naturally a good sleeper but then I had London. I followed the exact same things and realized, nope, they just needed to be taught how to sleep and this my friends, is why I believe in sleep training...sleep training is essentially teaching your child how to go to sleep on their own. 

It's not neglecting your child or letting you child cry for hours on end..it's also not not feeding them. Sometimes London sleeps 11-12 hours straight but sometimes she wakes around 5:30am for a feed. I could night wean her but I don't really mind that feed as it's only once in awhile.
Since writing this London has slept consistently 12 hours straight for the past few months! I can't remember the last time she has woken up in the night!

photo by Rachael Alexandra Co.

Sleep Training Supplies

If you're planning on sleep training here are a few things that I HIGHLY recommend:

• Video Monitor (Some ppl swear by audio but video is such a life saver...it's amazing to see your babe get the hang of falling asleep. I recommend getting one with night vision which will save your sanity when your baby starts rolling over in their crib!!)
• Velcro Swaddles (for 0-4 month stage)
• Continuous White Noise (I'll talk about the importance of this in the 3 months + sleep post!)
• Black Out Curtain
• Sleep Sack (for 4 months and up)

I'm sure I'm missing some supply but there you have it for now! I'll be back with part 2 + 3 very soon!!

XO,
Laura

JUST A MINUTE 31 DAY DEVOTION

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I sure miss those days when I had all the time in the world to hang out with Jesus. I'd wake up late (clearly, I'm talking about pre-children days), make a coffee and then open up my Bible and linger there for a looooong time. I know those days aren't gone forever but right now my alarm clock is my 7 month old daughter and once we're up it's nursing, coffee, breakfast for both kiddos, get ready and get on with our day! 

Usually I don't get my quiet time until both babes are quietly napping....and that's ok. This is my current season and God has been so faithful and so full of grace. Maybe some of you mama's with little ones can relate!

Today I'm so excited to share with you an e-book devotion called Just a Minute by Lani Lupul. It's an amazing resource that will encourage you and help you in your daily devotion. You can read it like a book or use each chapter as a daily devotion.
 

"He draws near to us (James 4:8). And sometimes through all the craziness of life’s changes, all we need is a just a minute in His presence to reset and hear His voice."-from the intro of Just a Minute.

Here's an example of one of the daily devotions:

Fruits of frustration
 
| Scripture: John 14:15-31|
 
I totally bombed this weekend. My domestic duties took a nose-dive and I swore and nearly cried in frustration on Troy’s shoulder over what had happened. Let’s just say my cooking skills left our house with a distressing burnt odour and it consumed our Saturday as we cleaned up the mess. I had envisioned us celebrating our upcoming second anniversary with a nice family outing, not cleaning and doing laundry all day with a four-month-old strapped to my tummy. I was so upset.

Not. What.We.Had.Planned.

But this thought had been on my mind prior to this, and even more so after the long Saturday gone astray: I don’t want to live my life reacting out of frustration.
There will be daily opportunity for frustrations. Frustrated when I’m late, yet again, because I realized I didn’t pack the diaper bag, Elizabeth spit up, again, and needs a change, and that one phone call I needed to make before I left the house didn’t get done. Frustrated when Troy and I can’t get the time I want and know we need. Frustrated when a speeding ticket comes in the mail. Frustrated when someone doesn’t respond the way I wished they would. And as Elizabeth becomes a toddler, I am most certain there will be opportunity for multiple frustrations.

However, I don’t want to be a frustrated mommy, wife, friend, daughter, or sister. I want to live out of the peace that Jesus has already given me (John 14:27). I want to be a peace-bringer, if that is such a thing.

But how do I live out of peace, rather than reacting with frustration every time something doesn’t go the way I want it to? Because in each opportunity for frustration, I’m pretty certain there’s an opportunity for fruit as well; for something new to grow.
 
In John 14:15-31, Jesus is telling His disciples that when He goes, He will send the Holy Spirit. They will not be left alone. Jesus promises to leave peace, His peace. And the following chapter, 15, starts with Jesus telling them to abide in Him, His love, His words.

Friends, the way out of frustrations, as I can see it in scripture, is to abide in Him.

Abide means: to remain stable or fixed in a state, to endure without yielding, to wait for.

In the moments when I’m frustrated that things didn’t go my way (just ask Troy, this happens. A lot.), I want to quiet my heart and abide in the peace Jesus has already given me. Stay in that fixed state of peace. Find a thankful heart. Thank Him for what He’s already done for me, and all of His good gifts. And crawl out of the bowl of frustrations into the fruitful vineyard from the better choices He will help me make instead.

In fact, I want to start my day with peace, rather than hitting the ‘go’ button on the to-do list that will always be there.

They say when life gives you lemons, to make lemonade. Well, when frustrations happen, and they will, daily, I want to abide in Jesus’ love for me and all that He has already done, and hold on to the fact that in every frustration there is opportunity for fruit!

Here's a bit about Lani- Married to her favourite carpenter with two young sweetheart daughters, Lani Lupul loves everything about home. With 10 years of corporate communications and travelling the globe in her past, she now counts diaper changes, recites nursery rhymes, and attempts dance parties in the kitchen at supper time when everything is often falling apart. Her quiet nature lends itself to great introspection, with a desire to help others live full lives close to God’s heart. Her lifestyle blog, This is How we Home, is her breath of creativity as she grows as a wife and mom, and shares her stories of faith, creating home, and natural health. Her self-published ebooks, After I Do, and Just a Minute, can be found on Amazon and Apple iBooks.

Thanks for letting me share a chapter our of your book, Lani! Be sure to get a copy of Just a Minute and check out Lani's blog!

XO!
Laura

HEALTHY SWEET POTATO + BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

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Did you know that muffins can be lifesavers? Seriously, one of the greatest gifts you can drop off to a new mama is a dozen of freshly baked muffins! In those early days of nursing around the clock (aka hungry 24/7), I remember being so thankful for the muffins that friends had baked for me.  

I alwaaays have muffins in the fridge or freezer as they make a great breakfast or snack on the go. Luca loves them and so does London girl! 

I love making these Quick and Skinny Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins (I use coconut palm sugar instead of honey so London can eat them) but I wanted to add another muffin to the rotation. I came across these Sweet Potato ones (yams for all you Canadian folk!) in the Love Child Organic Cookbook (such a good cookbook for baby, toddler and family food!!) and I loved them so much that I needed to share the recipe with you guys!

SWEET POTATO + BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

makes 2 dozen muffins
modified from the Love Child Organic Cookbook

Ingredients:

• spray oil to grease pan
• 2 cups of rolled oats
• 2 cups of flour (I use 1 cup white and 1 cup whole wheat)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 2 tbsp ground flax seed
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 cups roasted mash sweet potato (best if you roast the night before. Just poke holes with a fork and roast them at 425 for about an hour)
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup coconut palm sugar
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1/3 cup melted coconut oil
• 1 1/2 cup blueberries (I use frozen ones)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 and lightly grease two muffin pans.
2. Mix oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and flaxseed in a large bowl.
3. In a separate bowl (I use my Kitchenaid mixer) mix the sweet potato, eggs, coconut sugar, milk and coconut oil.
4. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredient and then carefully fold the blueberries in. Be careful not to over mix the blueberries as it will turn your muffins blue!
5. Pour batter into the muffin tins (about 2/3 full) and bake for about 20 minutes. Eat within three days or freeze right away! I usually keep one dozen out and freeze the other dozen!
6. Enjoy!!

Happy baking!!

XO, Laura