Happy Tuesday, friends!
Today’s post is all about my 2021 resolutions!
I typically don’t make New Year’s resolutions (because in my heart, I feel like the start of the school year is the “beginning of a new chapter” for me)…but this year, I had a few, so I thought I’d share them with you.
Plus, if I tell you, then I’ll have to really do them right?!?! 😉
Maybe it’s the fact that I’m about to turn 40 or the fact that I’m very ready to “start a new chapter” (bye, bye 2020), but this year, there are a few things I want to work on/accomplish/do differently. They’ve been on my heart over the last 6 weeks or so…so I decided to just call them resolutions, share them today and hope for the best. In no particular order, here they are…
#1: Be more present.
Awwwww. That’s probably an obvious/popular/cliche one, but one I’ve really felt weighing on me over the last month or so. Here’s the deal…I like being a one woman show. The older I get, the less I care about “labels”, and the more I recognize/own/accept some of mine: I’m Type-A, can be a control freak about “my people, my time, my work”, I don’t like help, I prefer to work alone, I like things done “right” and most of the time prefer to just do them myself. Again, I thoroughly enjoy being a “one woman show”…buuuuuuuuut by being a one woman show, I’ve noticed lately that I have so many balls in the air that I have a hard time focusing because there are too many balls and I can’t let one drop. I used to think “yay, I work from home and am my own boss so that means I’m able to be there for my kids 24/7”, but the reality is that even though I might physically be there, my brain is a million other places because I don’t ask for help and/or delegate. I’m going to really work on that this year. I want to be more present and less preoccupied with all of the “stuff” I’m doing that honestly either doesn’t need to be done or someone else can do it for me. I want my brain space free for my family.
#2: Stop making appointments before 11:00 AM.
Hi, my name is Shay, and I’m a morning person. For 40 years, I have loved the morning time the most so when I needed to make a hair appointment, dentist appointment, volunteer at my kids’ school, run to the post office, or whatever other chore I had, I always scheduled it for first thing in the morning. 8:00 am dentist appointment? Of course! I love the morning! Get to my hairstylists’s office by 9:45 (even though she’s a 45 minute drive from my house)? Yes! I’d love to! But here’s the deal…I am a morning person…I love the mornings…and nothing can ruin my morning more than being frazzled over getting somewhere early. I like to workout, take my kids to school, walk the dogs, take a shower, work and enjoy the beat of my morning…so why am I interrupting it with early appointments??? If I went to the dentist at 1:00, I would have already accomplished so much, and that would probably make me so much more productive and feel less stressed! I don’t know why it’s taken me so long, but it finally hit me last fall, I need to STOP MAKING EARLY APPOINTMENTS.
#3: I’m done doing the laundry, emptying the dishwasher and doing other chores during my work day.
I had another revelation over the fall…Andrew Shull would never stop his work day and fold a load of laundry. Never. He’s at work. He’s focused on his work. That is his work time. He would happily fold laundry after work, but why would he neglect his work to stop and fold a load of laundry that could wait until later in the day? SO WHY DO I DO IT?! Working from home is amazing. I really can’t imagine working any other way…but when you’re a Type-A control freak like me (with a desk three feet from the washer and dryer), stopping and starting work multiple times a day to shuffle laundry around, fold a load, empty the dishwasher, etc is a hard habit to break. I’m breaking it this year. it just hit me one day “why do I keep getting up from my work to do chores when my husband doesn’t do that?”. Also, why am I doing chores during the day WHEN MY FOUR KIDS AREN’T HOME TO HELP?! Seriously? What’s wrong with me? I need to start doing it later in the afternoon/evening when everyone is home and everyone can help. Maybe it won’t all get done? I’m going to have to learn to live with that…because I shouldn’t be doing it during my work day.
#4: I need to attempt more gluten-free dessert recipes.
Ugh…I have been quite the slacker with the g-free baking. Here’s the deal, I’m not much of a “sweets” person. I want dip, cheese, sausage and #allthesavory. When we became a gluten-free house last year, it was way easier to just stop making sweet stuff for my kids then mess with the 4 billion flour alternatives out there (because despite what some might say, I just don’t think there is one great g-free flour for every recipe). Honestly? Three out of four kids could care less. Smith can take or leave dessert, and my two little girls almost always decline it (Madeley in particular has zero interest in dessert), so really, do I need to master all sorts of g-free desserts just for Kensington? Yes. The answer is yes. Baking is her love language and she’s the one who is gluten-intolerant, so yes, I need to do that more because it’s special to her. We baked more during Christmas than any other time of the year, and she loved it. She absolutely loved the time in the kitchen with me, she loved having the actual desserts to eat and she loved learning new ways to bake g-free which I NEED TO TEACH HER BEFORE SHE GOES OFF TO COLLEGE IN JUST SIX SHORT YEARS. Right?! My other kids can just open up one of my cookbooks or visit mixandmatchmama.com to see their favorite recipes when they’re older, but sweet Kensington is going to have to learn to bake in an entirely different way, so I need to lead the way and not be a lazy g-free baker.
#5: I am going to make my neighbors socialize.
Weird but true.
Here’s the deal, I really love my neighborhood. We bought our property 10 years ago to build our house because we loved the trees, the creek, the little lake, the hills, the bigger lots, you can walk to school, to Starbucks, to the pool…we loved it all. We finally moved into our house 6 years ago, and it took me approximately 5 minutes to realize that my neighbors are all very friendly but private. Okay, I’m pretty private too (a weird juxtaposition to my life on the internet, but it’s true). At a party, I’m not going to be the center of attention, I’m more reserved, more guarded, more private…I respect private people. This fall, I met two new neighbors who had each just moved in within about two weeks of each other, and as I have gotten to know them more, they’ve been shocked when I mention “other moms with kids like us” in the neighborhood because they’re both like “we never see other moms out in the neighborhood/we didn’t know other people our age with kids our ages lived here” because everyone is so private. So, I don’t know how, but I am determined to connect more this year with my neighbors. COVID isn’t making things easy (as I won’t be hosting a party anytime soon), but hopefully things will start to change, and whether it’s a wine night, book club, Bible study, whatever, I can connect with more of my neighbors (and them with each other) because it would be a shame not to get to know the people who live near me better.
Whew.
That’s it.
Ha!
I only had five, but I would rather have five that really speak to my heart than just make up 10 to make this post longer/better. I am really going to try and work on all of these this year…and of course, I’ll keep you posted on how it’s going 😉 .
So, spill it. Do you have resolutions for 2021? I would love to hear them if you do!! Comment please!!
Also, one more thing, yesterday’s post left me in tears. You guys are amazing. Seriously, you pray for my family and we feel it. We feel your love and your support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for returning day after day. I do not take it for granted. Love you all. xo
Erika Slaughter says
These are great and super attainable! I have no doubts, friend! You’ve got these in 2021!!!
Nina Cox says
Thank you for this post. I so identify with these “goals”. I am A type also and have these same issues. You have inspired me to work on these also. Best wishes to both of us but most of all best wishes for a blessed, healthy new year.
Gracie says
Shay, could you please direct me to the post that shared the info of your mom’s favorite Colleen Rothschild skin care products? I hope to start the new year trying these products. Thank you and Happy New Year!
Mix and Match Mama says
My mom’s favorites are the Age Super Renewal Serum, the Retinol Supreme Eye, and the Sheer Renewal Cream!
Marisa says
My kids are 13 and 16. We have tired several ways to manage the dishwasher, dogs, plant watering, dog walking, shoe bins, I used to give them an index card on Sunday. Chores where worth a “tally” a piece. When they get to 20 tally’s then they get allowance. I have also found it more helpful to have one kid do the dishwasher daily for a week. That way there is zero arguing about who’s turn it is.
Katie Culver says
I’ve committed to the Bible in a year podcast. Loving it so far!!
Ashley says
Which Bible in a year podcast are you listening to Katie?
Julie Payne says
Me too!
I’m doing Tara Leigh Cobble.
Super duper loving it!
Beth Knecht says
I love that you want to teach Kensington how bake more with g-free ingredients!! G-free baking stinks, but it’s awesome you see that it’s something she really wants!
Elspeth says
I am working to be more doesn’t too!! Plus i love the idea of not doing chores during the work day! Thanks for sharing Shay! Happy 2021b
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Maria Esterlline says
This year.. my goal is to shift my focus to God more in my daily devotions with Him. I also choose to have a mindset of a possibilitarian. This mindset of endless possibilities will keep my mind open to God’s purpose and plans for me. To God be the Glory!
Tina says
Omg, I just said to myself this morning, why did I make such an early dentist appointment?? I’m going to hop on that resolution train also, no more early appointments!
Also just a thought on the gluten free baking, you might want to check out Chocolate covered Katie, Oh she glows, the vegan 8 blogs or Instagram. While these are vegan, they feature a lot of gluten free, common ingredients delicious desserts. My family is plant based but my daughter in law is also gluten free so I’m also always looking for treats for her. Just get your oat flour ready and you will be baking up a storm!!
Ash says
Love, love your resolutions – so practical and attainable. No finding the *joy* in everything or being more patient – NOT that there is anything wrong with doing those but sustainable they are not (at least for me). Good luck and keep us updated on your progress.
Kristen says
Great resolutions! I can’t imagine not knowing my neighbors, they turned out to be my best friends in life as well as my children’s! Plus, I do always run over for an egg or a cup of sugar , lol!!
Shari says
I love your blog Shay! I have missed you over the last two week. Your goals are very practical and I feel like each of them, 2-5 will help you be more present #1 with your family!! Love this post!
Rebecca says
I love your heart and easily you manage and balance everything! I’m really struggling with eating well and working out, what are your goals with that? Thanks!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Give myself grace has always been my goal. I “do my best” but I try and give myself grace. Women can be so hard on themselves.
Jennie says
My kids are older than yours (19, 16 and 12) but several years ago I made them more responsible for household chores. I no longer do their laundry, unload the dishwasher, clean their rooms or keep track of their schedules (they need to let us know where they need to be and when at our weekly calendar meeting). We also have bathroom cleaning tutorials 😉 and are working on cleaning up the kitchen after a meal. Kids can and should do these things and are willing once they are taught. It’s our job to raise productive adults and how can they become that if we always do everything for them?
Sheaffer Sims says
CASUAL promises. I feel that deep in my soul.
Mitzi Hutcheson says
I love your resolutions and I prayed about the focus on what I am supposed to be doing at that time ie time blocking. Work during work and homie during home hours. It is hard but I am committing to doing it this year. Also, getting my kids to help more. I also want to put this phone down more and be more present. Thank you for your transparency and heart! I pray this year is awesome for you!
Lynn says
Bob’s Red Mill recently did a video on one of their pages … maybe Facebook… where they went through the different types of flour. I found it very helpful, so I wanted to share.
In 1998 I moved into a new neighborhood, and we started a Friday morning teatime group. We rotated homes and had tea, coffee, brunch, whatever. Obviously you can’t do that now with Covid, Anyway, several of us have moved off that street, but we still get together once a month. Love those ladies! Hope you get something developed for your neighborhood.
Lisa N says
My tip for you: make appointments (especially the gyno) just before lunch. They want that lunch break as badly as you do and you won’t still be waiting at 1pm;)
Robin says
Or ask for the first appointment after lunch! That has worked splendidly for me. 🙂
Jennifer Goodwin says
I love all of your resolutions. I need to work on loving my neighbors too and I bought a book just this weekend called, Loving My Actual Neighbor by Alexandra Kuykendall. I can’t wait to read it and implement some of the ideas. We know a lot of our neighbors, but we don’t talk to the oes on either side of our house as much and one family in particular is hard to love, which makes me want to try that much harder. Thanks for sharing today!
DeNae says
We host a neighborhood ice cream social every summer. Our family provides the ice cream, bowls, and spoons, and everyone brings their favorite ice cream topping to share. It is one of our family’s favorite traditions and has made our neighborhood so special to us.
Kelly Marie Sites says
Such great goals. Eventually, can you elaborate in a blog post on #1 and how you put that into action? I’m EXACTLY the same way, and LOVE to just be a one-woman show and get things done. I power through and am a machine at production. My mind never rests.
Alyssa W says
My biggest New Years Resolution is to get married! We postponed our wedding due to covid restrictions back in June, but we’re doing the thing this year!! I also want to read 20 books ?
Mix and Match Mama says
Ohhhhhh! I hope it happens for YOU!!!!!
Beth says
I have been g-free for nine years and have tried everything! I mixed up my own flour, used specific g-free recipes, etc. It was just too much work and the various flours would go bad. I now use King Arthur’s Measure for Measure flour. This allows you to use your own regular recipes. I can use my mom’s recipes again! It works great for cakes, muffins, and cookies. My in-laws (who are not g-free) gobbled up my cookies over the holiday.
Dana says
I love a fresh start! A couple of things-
1. Our 14 year-old taught herself to bake and she’s amazing! I wonder if K could look up recipes on your Amazon Show and find some good gfree ones? That’s how Alyssa learned so well!
2. We look for ways to connect with neighbors more casually and it leads to parties and such. For example, we saw someone try to break into our car the other night so I went and told as many as I could. It was really just to break the ice! ? We also volunteer to dogsit for them if they go out of town, something we all love to do anyway. We’re always just looking for ways to connect with them, including if we’ve seen some crazy animal roaming the neighborhood or something. Before we moved, our once distant neighbors felt like family to us! We also asked questions if we needed clarification on things, but that was easier as a foreigner. People generally love to help if they can!
Katie says
The neighbor one is great! Do your kids play with the neighbor kids? During Covid, it has been so nice to see neighbors and have driveway meet ups or hangout in people’s yards. We did Boo baskets for Halloween, maybe you could do something for Valentine’s Day? Good luck!
Mix and Match Mama says
Our kids go over to Erika’s neighborhood to play as her neighborhood is filled with kids and mine is filled with more empty-nesters than families (there are some, but not a ton).
Andrea Breece says
Shay I have a super great website … Instagram person for you to follow who does gluten free sweets savory … she does it all and she does it amazing!! I have to be on a dairy free, gluten free, low sugar diet and I CAN eat her stuff!! Her website is erinliveswhole.com and her Instagram is the same!! You will love her! She is such a great help and her recipes are easy and delicious!!!
Dana says
And one more thing-I broke up the dishwasher amongst 3 of our kids. One does silverware, one higher things like glasses, and one lower things. It’s so fast that no one even fusses about it and now I never have to do it! ??
Leslie S says
We do the same thing!! It generally works well but sometimes they still argue over a random object that they all claim isn’t their jurisdiction ?
Mary C says
I would highly recommend looking into King Arthur Measure for Measure Flour. It is a gluten free flour that is 1:1 substitute for regular flour. My mom is a baker and she uses it all the time. I am the only one in the family who is gluten free and no one else seems to notice when she bakes with it.
Brea says
Love the thought and care put in to these. Mine for this year is to be more present with my kids AND to learn self care. I have 5 little ones (well our last and final due at the end of the month) and am turning 30 this year so figured it’s time to take back me so I can be around longer for the kiddos. I look to your blog for inspiration as you have a lot of good tips and tricks and always look forward to your tutorials or guides as many of the products that I end up loving are due to you. So thank you!
Sarah M. says
I am also trying to stick to one task at a time now that I’m working from home. At first I thought I was being so productive by making beds and folding laundry while I was on conference calls, but I have realized that is not a good idea. I need to sit (or pace) and listen/make notes instead.
It doesn’t happen overnight, but our neighbourhood is pretty good at being social, without it being suffocating. We have a group chat with the ladies, we (used to) try and have drink nights once every couple of months, we try to link up if we are going to the playground. Some people are more into than others, but it has created a good community.
Brooke says
I truly feel like I could have written these exact words! I work from home and struggle with the same. Talk about aha moment; no appointments early! Great idea! I am a gluten free mama & years ago, when she was diagnosed, totally changed to making basics. Not many recipes! I just last week mastered killer gluten free zucchini bread & she was so happy!
Heather says
As a fellow Celiac I am very excited about #4!!!
Sherry Kenney says
Great ideas! About 3 years ago, I felt God nudging me to ask my neighbor girlfriends to do a Bible study with me. I tried to say no and make excuses, but God was having none of that. So I asked, and three of them said yes (quickly!) and it has been the BEST thing! Pre-Covid, we would meet at 8pm. They’d just walk over to my house and we’d have a glass of wine and discuss. My family would just be upstairs by 8pm. They’ve become some of my very best friends. Good luck in figuring it out!
Jill K. says
These are great! I’m also a Type A, work from home, control freak. My resolution for this year is to walk away and take a lunch break every. single. day. And that lunch break is not allowed to include the laundry or the dishes!!
Casey says
I love these! My top new years resolution is to be good to my body! I’m 5 months postpartum, with two big kids as well, and I want to love my body, exercise it right, and feed it the right way! Give it grace, and enjoy it. It’s done awesome work! Also hoping to PUT DOWN MY PHONE after work when I’m with my family! Happy New Year, Shay!
Tricia says
I absolutely LOVE #3 and need to follow that rule as well. I recently started working from home since COVID started, and I would always stop for laundry, dishes in the sink, etc., and it really does stress me out even more and interrupts my work pattern. I’ve been thinking of changing this, and when I read your post, it was a smack in the face. This needs to change for me too!! It also felt good knowing I wasn’t the only one. 🙂
Marie C says
Money is tight this year, and I have a LARGE stack of books I have already bought, which are waiting to be read. So one of my resolutions is to only read books I have already bought, before I buy any new ones (we’ll see how that goes!?). My other resolution is to stop eating sugar!! I have already broken that one! Good luck with your list ?
TIFFANY says
try paperbackswap!
Marie C says
Oh! Thank you! I will look into that! It’s a website?
TIFFANY says
yep!
Monica Converse says
Pillsbury G Free Flour all the way! It works for EVERYTHING! Trust me!
Robin says
That’s what I use. It’s great!
Emily Wakefield says
I LOVE LOVE LOVE these and am inspired to work on many of these myself! Especially #3!!!!!! Thanks for the encouragement!
Brittany H says
I love what you said about your neighbors and I’m surprised that’s the case in Texas! I feel like Texans are always so out-of-their-way friendly! Thanks for the idea, though. I want to try to be more present to my neighbors too! We live in the DMV and DC area people tend to go out of their ways to be rude if you’re not nice to them first 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
My neighborhood is a bit…odd. Ha! I feel like other neighborhoods around here do it better than us. I really hope I can influence some positive change!!
Beth Valenta says
I love being “present” one. I teach my kids at school this lesson-great book for kids, Be Where Your Feet Are! My personal resolutions are to SAVE money each month and learn how to invest. I truly have no clue what I am doing, but will learn. I also will continue to enjoy my daily walks, no matter the weather. It truly keeps me on track mentally and I am in charge. Some days it’s 3 miles, some days it double. I love that you are not folding laundry during work, I have been doing this since I teach my counseling lessons virtually and I need to stop and breathe. So glad you are back….I missed you. xo
Dana S. says
I admire your introspective choices! When we make choices that are attainable I think we will more successful. Yay for you!
EW says
Our neighborhood social committee has done a lot this year to keep us connected during the pandemic. They get food trucks to come to the neighborhood 2-3 times per week so we can support those local businesses and get a break from cooking. They’ve done hide-and-seek games where they hide 20+ numbered characters all over the neighborhood and people can find them, photograph them, and submit them for prizes. They’ve done Zoom trivia nights, Zoom book clubs, and even got a horse and carriage to give rides on Christmas Eve. They’ve been really creative and really focused on keeping us together even though we’re apart.
Mix and Match Mama says
Wow!!! So many great ideas!!! Thank you!!!
Julie says
Shay-I love these resolutions so much! Especially the one about leaving chores until after your work day. While my kids are at school (ie in normal times!) I try to save as MUCH chore-stuff as possible for when they are home. If it’s something I can do while chatting with kids, it waits. Can I prep a meal and talk to kids? After school. Can I unload the dishes and talk to kids? After school. Can I read a chapter of a book I’m loving and talk to kids? NOPE. So that gets done while they’re out and I’m alone :). This is a great one and I bet once you move up to that gorgeous new office it’ll be even easier! Out of sight, out of mind for chores.
I love NY resolutions and always make them and usually keep them. This year, I’m using any idle/down time to read. I’m a big reader anyway, but if I have a minute or I’m waiting for my husband to come down and watch evening TV, I’m usually scrolling Instagram. But now, I’m picking up my kindle any time I have a spare moment and reading! It’s amazing how much those little moments add up. I finished ‘Open’ very quickly because of this. (LOVED IT, thanks for the recommendation).
I feel for K re: baking . Baking is my true love as well, and it must be so hard for her to have to do it all differently. I just got a new cookbook “Chloe/Flavor” by Chloe Coscarelli. It has A-MAZING recipes and also baked goods that you can make gluten free. Maybe some of these would work? We are not vegan, but are trying to eat vegan recipes 1-2 x per week per my earth-conscious kids’ request. I think her desserts are really great and she has g-free options!
Happy New Year to you and your family and thanks for bringing such positivity to us each and every weekday!
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh Julie! Blessings to YOU! Thank you so much for all of this!!
Taylor says
Love!! During the pandemic, my parents started a social distant night where they all ordered takeout, brought their own chairs and sat in someone’s driveway! They loved getting to know people and now have their own little group!
Josie says
I made my family each make a list of 5 goals (instead of resolutions) they hope to accomplish this year, and the goals could be anything- silly, serious, etc. One of my husbands is to master a Matthew McConaughey impression but also run a 8 minute mile. My daughter wants to read one book a week and “get better at art”. My son wants to start as wide receiver on his middle school football team this fall and gain weight (only person in America!) I want to travel SOMEWHERE, anywhere on a plan and master my new air fryer.
Mix and Match Mama says
I love these!!!!
Laura T says
Wow! I love these so much. I am not one to make resolutions either, but maybe I will! 🙂
How can we all not want to be more present?!?! I did turn off notifications on my group chats, so I have to actually open WhatsApp to see if there are any messages. It has been life-changing already! Happy 2021!
Lisa Elliott says
Great goals for the year! I really love the one about your neighbors. I worked from home at the beginning of the pandemic and took a short walk at lunch every day. We’ve lived in our house 6 years and I met more people in those 12 weeks than in the previous 5 years and now I know their names and can at least speak to them!! Have you read The Turquoise Table or The Art of Neighboring? Both are excellent!
Mix and Match Mama says
I haven’t! Looking them up right now!!
Di says
I love Turquoise Table. My friend has one in her yard and it is tons of fun!
Mary V says
Your NY resolutions remind me a lot of things I’ve gone through. One big success has been getting to know my neighbors and we’ve become friends. During COVID and really even before COVID we do Driveway Happy Hours where we bring a camping chair and our favorite drink and just talk, catch up. We used to sometimes play card games but COVID sorta ended that for now. It has truly been a lifeline at time getting through the isolation of COVID! Good luck, I’ll be cheering you on!
Tracy says
Great ideas for the year!
Megan says
These are great, thank you for sharing! We like to call them “goals” in our family and really emphasize that they can grow/change as the year progresses ? I truly want to be more present as well and with that, make sure in times of stress or overload I talk to God and trust that he is there with me and has full control of any situation (thank heaven I don’t have to have control!).
My kids are the same age as your older kids and I’m realizing more every day that although they don’t need me as much physically (I.e. they can get food themselves, get ready for school, ect), they need me more emotionally/mentally to navigate the preteen/teen years.
Marisa says
It is awesome that you have your resolutions laid out, I am struggling with mine. I am going to be 50 this year and I feel all kinds of coiled up. I know the trigger words for my resolutions, Consistency-Discipline-Effectiveness-Faith-Focus-Reliability, but I do not have them broken down into smaller chunks of measurable and attainable actions yet. You got this, I have total faith in your ability to not only meet your resolutions but probably even slay them!!!!!
Amy says
I love those!! I did actually set “goals” last year…to better myself. I started counseling and thanks to you started a journey of finding a hormone replacement therapy that works for me (even changed doctors). It was really kind of good because counseling helped with the whole virus thing and all the changes. This year it is to continue focusing on myself and still trying to figure out the hrt that works for me (may make a trip to your area to see your doctor). My daughter started driving last year and my son is away at college so I am trying to figure out who I am now and what I want to do. I have not worked for the past 20 years other than in the schools. So I only really have one resolution…me!
Jamie says
Shay, I have an AMAZING gluten free frosted sugar cookie recipe if you are interested! My SIL has celiac and we made these over the holidays and they were a HIT with everyone, even non-GF folks! If you are interested, let me know and I will email it to you.
Breanna says
I also have five!
•take more walks with friends
•take more photos
•go to bed earlier
•read more books for fun
•get back into my water drinking habit
All should be attainable!
Teresa Downs says
Love these! Your “stop making early morning appointments” will be life changing! I did that 18 months ago and it has helped with all things related to productivity and work from home (going on 21 years for me in 2021!)
Nicole says
I have a 14 and 12 year old, it has been very nice having them help with chores this past year. Especially, since they were home more than in the past. Laundry, Dishwasher, Trash, feeding dog, brushing dog. They can handle it! Even though it may not be done how I would do it! ?
Amanda says
These cinnamon buns are SO good!! I’ve tried them all and these are the winner by far!! Not my blog or recipe but thought I’d share for K!
http://recreatinghappiness.com/breakfast-recipes/gluten-free-cinnabon-copycat-cinnamon-roll-recipe-updated-and-now-easier-to-make/
TIFFANY says
ALL GREAT!!! NO BRAINERS!!! LOVE THEM ALL. (as I am switching a load in the middle of my work day!)
Neighbors – I vote for block party. You could get really creative and have games for all! 🙂
G-free : also try lexiscleankitchen on IG. She lives in your favorite baseball town:)
Appt: keep us updated. I always take the very first as its the most likely to be on time! But with covid they are forced not to quadruple book so crossing fingers…
Danielle says
My resolutions are to be more present and to soak up the season of life I am in! I am always so focused on ‘the next thing’ that I kinda miss the current thing. Also, I am going to try and socialize with my neighbors as well! I have a 5 month old right now! This sweet season is super short but can be a little lonely at times so I am going to try to be more socialible and intentional 🙂
Kristin says
We made this yummy GF dessert several times over the break. Might be a fun one for you & Kensington to try ?
https://iowagirleats.com/no-bake-smores-icebox-cake/
And these are truly the best GF chocolate chip cookies and trust me – we have tried them all ?
https://meaningfuleats.com/the-best-gluten-free-chocolate-chip-cookies/
Jess says
I was actually going to suggest these two blogs too. If you’re looking for great cinnamon rolls, try the Iowa Girl Eats recipe. She has some great cookie recipes too. Meaningful Eats has an almond flour blondie recipe that is delicious.
As far as gluten free flours go, I’ve had really good luck with Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 baking flour (light blue packaging). It doesn’t seem to have the same funny texture/after taste that some gluten free flours seem to have. Refrigerating cookie dough before baking seems to really help too. Happy baking!
Kellie says
I like your 11am rule; I started doing a similar thing a few months ago for many of the same reasons after reading about using block scheduling. I never thought to think of that as a resolution! I’m adding in reading through the Bible in a year. I did it in 2019 and can’t wait to do it again!
Ahna Fulmer // Hammers N Hugs says
Girl #1 and #3!! 1000%.
Lindsey Stromberg says
This may be a new post entirely but what chores do your kiddos do? Mine are young (4 & 2) and clear their plates after meals, but that’s about it. What age did you start and what tasks? Thanks!!
Mix and Match Mama says
All four of my kiddos do a variety of things. Some of it, out of habit and some of it, with prompting (sometimes a lot!). I think you’re already off to a great start with your 2 and 4 year old! It’s never too early to learn how to be helpful in a home!
Kelly H. says
1. I’m 10 days into Jazzercise and I plan to continue throughout 2021. This really makes me laugh as I remember the Jazzercise from the 80’s when my mom would attend and I promise it’s not the same. lol! I appreciate the motivation and energy I’m getting from my hour exercise session and the bonus is that it’s livestream so I’m exercising from the safety of home.
2. I plan to also listen to the Bible in a Year podcast by Fr. Mike Schmitz. The past 5 mornings I’ve started my day listening to this and have found it very inspirational.
Happy 2021!
Claire K. says
Resolution #3 is the thing I didn’t know I needed until just now! Wish you could have heard me over here going “YES!” after I just realized I spent the majority of my work morning (I’m working from home with a 3 year old and a 6 week old) getting my house in order before jumping into my workday–and totally wearing myself out in the process! Thank you for sharing these!
Karin says
Ironically, COVID has done wonders for our neighborhood. I think because everyone is home all the time, people are out walking more. Everyone is very good about respecting space, but we’ve done lots of picnic lunches in the driveway and waved hello to people who walk by. Also, when the weather was nicer, we’d sit out with a glass of wine on Friday and others would do the same. It became a neighborhood tradition that people would walk around and say hello. I think if you start playing in the front yard more, you’ll begin to see more neighbors and maybe others will start doing the same.
Amanda says
Follow Iowa Girl Eats, she’s gluten-free and has mastered gluten free recipes including baking!
Amanda @ That Inspired Chick says
Yes!! I could have written #1 word for word.
That Inspired Chick
Stacey Allee says
Shay I love that your connecting with neighbors. My husband and I had the realization in 2019 that we may not be able to help or protect everybody, but we can help our neighbors and if something unexpected happened we want our neighbors around us to come to us for anything. Our goal was to invite each of our neighbors over for dinner and just enjoy time with each of them. It’s been wonderful to connect and check on them as this past year was unlike anything we’d ever experienced. We can be an influence with our neighbors. We know they are watching out for us and our kids and we in turn do the same. Happy 2021!
Alexa says
We read Placed for a Purpose by Chris and Elizabeth McKinney for a book club in November. It’s all about neighboring in a Godly way. I feel like they not only gave good practical tips but helped create a mindset for how to be a good neighbor in everyday life. I loved it so I thought I would pass on the suggestion based off your resolution #5. Neighboring is something we could all get better at especially during this new age. 🙂
Kerri says
Loved this post. I am definitely with you on the being more present! As a single mama, with a demanding career, hybrid school for my tween daughter, new puppy, I can relate to all the balls in the air, and not letting them drop, thats always how I describe myself. I am celiac as well and adapted many recipes this holiday season. I have had success with Trader Joes GF Flour BUT just for savory items. For sweets, I like Bobs Red Mill, noone knew the difference with my chocolate chip cookies. I am told the key is whether Xantham Gum is in the flour. I will say that it’s definitely trial and error on the recipes!
Sarah @ Foxy’s Domestic Side says
Haha, I just stopped work to fold the laundry.
Maggie Eterno says
I love these! I completely agree with you on mornings and not making appointments during that time. My husband and I started doing this and we’ve loved it. I also like the not doing house chores during the workday. I also work from home and many times fill my mind and stress about house chores. I am going to work on doing chores after school when my kids can help!!
I have no doubt you will rock these resolutions!! Thanks for sharing them.
Jess Z says
Hi Shay! My husband was recently diagnosed with Celiac as well, and ooooof the GF baking is ROUGH. One of my best friends is a trained Pastry Chef, and she recommended Flavor Flours by Alice Medrich. We haven’t used it yet (got it for him for Christmas), but it looks promising! Of course we need like 10 different flours, but they’re worth it, right? Good Luck!
Sam says
I have kids around the same age, and we make our oldest two take care of the dishwasher. They each take a week and are in charge of loading and unloading. The basic rule is that they do it after a meal if they are home, or if they aren’t, I’ll leave my dishes in the sink until they are back. It works really well and it’s their main daily job.
Susy says
Tried most of the GF flours and no one has ever noticed when I used Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1. Hands down my favorite.
Resolution: with all the self-care discussions important but set aside for the moment, considering the implications of the often unknown effect of my actions and decisions on others, and acknowledging my own privileged position.
Aimee Gurtis says
Ok, not my new years resolutions BUT wanted to share some Gluten free baking goodness I just found. Namaste Foods Organic Perfect Flour Blend, 5 Pound – Gluten-Free Flour Blend – on amazon.com. So expensive BUT the closest I have come to regular flour. It made perfect chocolate chip cookies. My newly g free hubby was in heaven. Also, have you tried making Monster cookies? They have no flour so are also g free and delicious!
Courtney Odom says
What great resolutions! I can’t wait to see you fulfill each of them.
Thank I live in a really fun neighborhood that was developed around the aspect of community. We have monthly social events (pre-COVID) that range from ladies bunco to couples cornhole tournaments, laser tag, chili cook off, etc. In March, at the beginning of covid, the neighborhood ladies used the Bible app to do a Bible study that everyone commented one. That might be a fun way to slowly get your neighbors out of their shell.
Kristy Moore says
I am not a resolutions person (probably because I’e disappointed myself so many times), but rather I choose a word for the year. This year my OLW (One Little Word) is: Believe. Time to stop being control and let God do His job.
Also, I may have a little tip to help with that gluten free baking. My friends at Cut Cooking (who I mentioned their fabulous G-free blog for recipes), now sells their Cut Cooking g-free flour blend on Amazon. It’s beyond amazing!!! Makes baking so, so easy!
All the best in 2021!
Amy R says
I’ve been gluten free for about 15 years, and I haven’t found GF flour that’s better for baking than the Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 baking flour. (Way better for baking than their other flours, in my opinion!) I also love Gluten Free on a Shoestring’s recipes for flour mixes and keep all the flours there on hand, especially for breads.
Good luck!
Kelly says
Does your neighborhood have a facebook page just for the residents? If they do, I suggest utilizing that to meet neighbors (tips to follow). If not, I suggest that you make one (make sure it’s set to private), and then print up flyers that have the FB page address on it and put it in the mailboxes (or if you have a central mailbox location, put a few of them up there). And as people join it, they can invite other neighbors, etc…ours has been great for posting questions and getting answers (about HOA stuff, or the weird car that’s parked at the pool, or local info, that sort of thing), and for getting to ‘know’ each other. Our ‘hood does have a lot of social events, such as a Christmas party each year (people sign up for dishes to bring, crafts to make with the kids, that sort of thing – all on the facebook page), and an egg hunt at Easter in one of the cul-de-sacs and the yards of the people who live in it. And several other events, like an end of school ice cream social for the kids, and food trucks once in a while. This year, with Covid, we’ve done a neighborhood sip and paint (everyone who participated painted a canvas in their driveway, using youtube tutorials or just copying one, while they sipped wine, and then uploaded pics to the FB page for voting, and then left the canvases on display and we all walked around and looked at them – waving and saying hello without being in each other’s faces). And we do a luminary night at Christmas each year, lining our sidewalks with paper bags with flameless tealights inside. It’s a great sense of community as we all walk around enjoying the sight and saying hello. Again, the FB page is the way to go with that, because you can say, “Hey let’s have a block party the last Saturday of this month. Sign up and let us know if you will be able to bring a table, or chairs, or an appetizer, etc…” and people sign up and then come. Just some ideas, but I recommend it – it’s great to know the people you live among, and creates a sense of belonging even more at home.
Carol W says
Thank you so much for your post Shay and sharing your heart! This was so authentic and helpful. You are definitely a motivator and inspiration to many mommas around you 🙂
Kelly Roll says
COVID actually brought our neighborhood closer! We started doing outdoor, driveway Friday night’s. At first, everyone brought their own drink and someone would make and appetizer. We all bring our own chairs and distance and the kids play. Now, we have full on potlucks outside. We still distance, there is hand sanitizer, etc but we have met and grown super close to our neighbors.
Ella Mostert says
So I kinda had the same thought about my neighbors and that we don’t know each other well. So over fall I moved our fire pit to our driveway and invited one set of neighbors at a time and we will sit and have some coffee/tea/wine what ever we wanted.
I love that you want to connect too so please keep us updated on what you are planning.
Kirsten Marinko says
Love this post! Thoughts on New Year’s resolutions…I like the idea of them. I like the feeling, that many seem to feel, of renewal, without sounding to cliche. I, too, have this same feeling when school starts, but it’s a little different with the new year for me. It’s a time to reflect on the past year and truly look at what I want to accomplish and how I want to grow in the new year. So I started choosing one word to focus on each year that could be embraced in several ways. For example, last year my word was “pursue.” My goal was to pursue more of what makes me happy, opportunities to give back, positive relationships and experiences, etc. and this year my word is “create.” I would like to create more opportunities to connect, find new creative outlets (teaching myself to play guitar and learning to crochet), create opportunities for my children and family to be creative, create experiences that encourage my family to be present, and anything else that encompasses the word. I’ve been doing this for a few years now and my children have hopped on board, too! Happy New Year to you and yours! I truly value and enjoy your posts!
Kami says
Tell Kensington to look up Beaming Baker for delicious recipes, all gluten-free, no weird flours, she uses healthy gf oat flour! Try her pumpkin bread it’s ahhhhhhmazinggggg! ?
Lyndsey says
Have you heard of Gather Moms? Might be worth checking out! Friend in Dallas at Lake Pointe church helps run it.
http://gathermoms.com/
We live abroad in a uniquely blended community, so I’m committed to being intentional with building relationships with my community as well!
Haley Perry says
Shay, I just finished a Bible study called “It’s All Under Control” by Jennifer Dukes Lee and I thought of you the entire time. It was seriously the best one I’ve EVER done. I needed it so badly as a control freak and know you would love it. The book is amazing. Please get it. I know you won’t be disappointed!
Mix and Match Mama says
Added to my Amazon cart!!! Thank you!!
Val says
My favorite baking cookbook for gluten free is https://sweetlaurel.com/pages/cookbook
The ingredients aren’t crazy and most recipes my 14 year old daughter can make on her own.
Give it a try.
Sharon says
Shay. I am so impressed with your joy and optimism. You are a refreshing , positive, admirable and dearly-loved lady, who is making this world a better place. Thank you for sharing your precious life with us. You and your precious family are amazing. May God bless yoyr heart.
Respectfully, Sharon
JoAnne says
Hi Shay – I have been reading this book, Atomic Habit by James Clear (he has a website, too) that is a thoughtful/detailed explanation about developing new habits which may be better than setting goals. For instance, you created the habit to wake up early each morning. Within the early morning space, you can use the time to achieve all sorts of goals but it’s the habit that supports the goal. Also, I read this blog post and thought some of the books recommended may resonate with you and your readers https://www.thedarlingacademy.com/articles/a-reading-list-for-a-simple-traditional-and-contented-2021/
I love the light you shine in the little internet space, thank you for blessing us readers!
Stacie says
I also work at home. I always feel like folding laundry is the “water cooler” break I would normally take if I was in the office. Plus, I like having the laundry done before kids get home from school so I can be more present with them all evening. So give yourself a little grace on this one! 🙂
Rhiannon says
These are such beautiful goals! I loved your goal about Andrew (also my husband’s name!) not stopping his work day to fold laundry because HERE I AM doing the same dang thing every day (doing the laundry during work hours while my husband does not). Haha my kids are certainly not old enough to help me with the task yet so I may continue doing a load or two here or there but I love the consideration. Here’s to a great 2021 ahead and learning more about you!
Michelle M says
Wow #2 & #3 totally hit home. I too work from home and gave for 6+ years and I’m always doing laundry but my job has gotten so busy I don’t have time so I started throwing in a load late afternoon so my kids can help when they get home!!