“I’m making a gelato cake, Mama. BUT DON’T LET GIL TOUCH IT!!!”
Hi, friends! It’s a much happier Becca that comes to you today. Thank you so much for all your kindness on this emotional day; your comments and prayers meant so much. My whole family felt hugely loved this July 7.
It’s a quiet Wednesday night here, our last Wednesday in Sicily. This time next week we’ll be in Virginia with our family! I’m a mishmash of happy and sad and relieved and ready and torn and nostalgic and thankful. The usual emotional rooooollercoaster of moving.
After I blubbered about all our problems in the last post, God came along and took care of a lot of them for us. He helped us to sell our antique guest bedroom set that very night! And someone agreed to buy our car the next afternoon! The car isn’t sold yet, but I have their cash deposit in the bank, so I think it’s going to happen. Please pray that it does!
The movers came yesterday and took away the last of our belongings, leaving us with just the things that will fit into our suitcases. We still have military-issued loaner furniture and kitchenware, but otherwise the house is very echo-y and empty. Everything feels much more packed away, organized, simplified. Finally!
On the subject of simplicity, I wrote two guest posts for my friend Courtney’s wonderful motherhood blog. I discussed my favorite parenting book, Simplicity Parenting, and talked about how I keep my parenting simple, choose our toys, avoid screen time, and refresh myself as a mom. Step on over to read Part 1 and Part 2 here!
Last update: today we went to the beach with everyone from Elliott’s vet clinic, and it was SO much fun. (See photo above!) I love all his soldiers and their families, and they have been a great group to work with and know these past three years. After all, it’s not every job where everyone loves taking a whole day off to hang out at the beach together. And what a beach! Hashtag grateful.
Ok, just one more thing. Book nerd alert. I’ve just spent the last 15 minutes perusing this amazing book list and seeing which ones our library has. I know, I have six days left! But maybe time to read one more book. I laughed when I saw the first four books she recommended. Remind you of anything? ;)
That’s what’s going on in our little corner. Thanks for reading! What are you up to this week?
Thanks for sharing the links, Becca! :) I’m so glad to hear you are doing better!
Absolutely! Thank you so much for featuring the posts. I’ll be referring people to them for a long time!
Becca,
I will pray for you as you come to mind over the next several days. With so much going on and trying to maintain a posture of grace it can be a challenge. I’m excited for your extended family to have you home in about a week though, I’m sure they are counting down the minutes. I read your guest posts and they were lovely. I’m not as disciplined as you, but feel like what you’re doing is awesome. I’m slightly jealous that Gil still takes a morning nap so you can have that one-on-one time with Lena in the morning. However, I’m thankful both my boys still take around 2 1/2 to 3 hour naps at the same time, especially with the summer weather and all the outside play we engage in. I especially enjoyed that you gave credit to the only Book that will have permanent results in our life. I agree completely, focusing on Him is the only way to be a parent and live this challenging life. Anyway, enjoyed your post. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Nicole
Thank you, sweet Nicole. I owe you an email. Can’t wait to be on the same coast and only one state away from you!
Gil actually kinda sorta stopped taking his morning nap this week. :( Elliott and I discussed it and decided not to fight it since we just don’t have the time and we need the flexibility right now. Things might change with time zones and he might switch back, but right now he is doing FINE and I think I’m down to just one afternoon nap for both kids. Part of me is relieved (now I have more than 2 hours each day to do anything outside the house!), and part of me is also sad that this peaceful stage is over. We’ll see what happens!
Becca, I enjoyed reading your interviews…there is some great wisdom in there!
I fully intended to comment yesterday in regards to your sister. I spent some time reading the links you shared about her accident. I’m so sorry. Thinking of you and your family especially over this “milestone” date. I’ve not yet lost a close family member, but lost a close friend two years ago to a bicycle accident. The tears are bittersweet, knowing that she is with Jesus, but I miss her still the same.
Thank you so much, Alica. You DO know what it’s like to a great extent! I hope it’s a long time (or never) before you experience anyone closer to you dying. Thank you for your kind words!
Thinking of you all and praying for you all–such big things the last few weeks and the week ahead. Of course, can’t wait to see you all! It’s all a lot for anyone to handle and process. xxoo
Can’t wait to see YOU!!!
I am just falling in love with your blog more and more each day! I’m so glad you found me/I found you. Simplicity Parenting is my favorite parenting book, hands down. I only wish I had read it when I was pregnant. I feel like things are so much harder and overwhelming to implement after you’ve been doing it the willy nilly way for so long. Plus I’m one of those people that go all in when they believe in something, so of course I wanted to wake up the morning after finishing the book and be able to put into practice all the things I took away from it instantly. I kept having to tell myself, ‘one thing at a time.’ I’ve intended to write a post about Sp for a long time. I think you might have spurred me on to finally do it. ;)
I’m thrilled — but not surprised! — to find that you love Simplicity Parenting, too! I really need to go back and read it again, as it’s been almost three years now. Time for some fresh inspiration before setting up house again, perhaps!
Found your blog through Carey Beth and wish you luck heading into this big transition! As a former army family I enjoy reading about your adventures!
So fun to find another Army wife. :) Thanks for following along!