Sader Tot is in the middle of two weeks of group swim lessons at our local pool and it’s going so much better than the first time she took lessons!

The only downfall is that the lessons are during Mordecai’s nap time. Such is the life of a second child, right?!

Speaking of the kids, I had a full circle moment this week. Sadie used to take art classes in the downtown area of our part of Pittsburgh last fall (the art studio sadly closed down recently) and we would often walk the downtown strip of stores and restaurants together afterwards.

I was eight or nine months pregnant and would always wonder what it would be like when Mordecai made his debut into the world. Would we be able to do things like that again? I even mentioned in this post at six weeks postpartum that I missed breezing into art class and walking downtown with Sadie.

We picked up library books the other day and then I put Mordecai in the carrier and we walked around the downtown area!

It felt so good to do that specific thing with both kids. Life looks so incredibly different than it did last summer. We have a new buddy coming along with us everywhere and while it can be more logistically challenging, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Right after I had Mordecai, I was telling my sister how off-kilter I felt in my life after having just Sadie for four years. She told me that having Mordecai would feel normal in time. I trusted her because she’s done the new kid thing a few times. She was right. It feels normal to have Mordecai in our family and it’s amazing. What a blessing.

While it’s normal to have Mordecai as part of our family, I’m still figuring out my normal. What am I doing in terms of work? What excites me creatively? What is too much for me to take on? What should I be doing more of?

I have a lot to figure out, but I’m excited to get there. It’s a process to find normalcy as a parent and person after adding a whole new human being to my life. I’m trusting God will guide me and give me grace in the process.

Okay, let’s talk about books! I’m currently flying through If You Only Knew by Jamie Ivey and it’s excellent.

I loved this quote:

“I finally started to learn that my identity is not skewed because of all the things I’ve done or haven’t done, but is secured by all the things Jesus has done (as well as by what He hasn’t done, like condemn and reject me). My identity is only what it is today a daughter of the King–because of Jesus. It has nothing to do with me.”

Speaking of flying through books, Sadie and I have been into the Zoey and Sassafras series. I love snuggling up with her and reading chapter books. We discuss what we think will happen next and it’s the best.

I also read She Persisted to her and was all pumped up and like “you can do anything!” and she was like “I want to be a plunger when I grow up!” She meant to say plumber, though. I was cracking up!

I’m still working through Introvert by Design and I will be sad when I’m done with that! What are you reading at the moment?

Here’s an update on the hole in our yard: it’s still there. Niva is still digging in it and getting dirty. I’m still cleaning dirt off of everything 24/7. It will be worth it when our hot tub is all set up! I’m really looking forward to it.

We had Niva’s bestie over for a play date and the girls had a ball in that dirt pile! I was cringing watching the dirt fly, but also like I want to have that much joy in what I do for fun 😂

Alright, that’s the end of this post! Mordecai is waking up for the day and I’ve got to get Sadie ready for swim lessons.

What are you up to today?

What is a normal thing in your life now that wasn’t year ago?