A July Letter to Myself

At the end of June I wrote myself a little letter. (back here) My thinking was that if I could let Tara know in the middle of the crazy part of June that it would 'all work out', then I could enjoy next June more. I actually think it will work. 

Well, here we are at the end of July and I thought I'd write myself a letter that I could read next July to remind myself of the goodness that July holds. 

So here goes. These are the things I want to remember about the rythm and rhytme of July: 

Dear Tara, 

July finds you in such a different place than that June letter you wrote. So so different. July is filled with days upon days upon days. And that is a gift. The trick is to slide into it and enjoy it. 

July is a month that you don't think about school. The past school year is long gone and the one to come is so 'far away' as yet. So July provides you a grand opportunity to do things, think things, make things, and just let your mind be. 

There are two big things in July. One is your personal 'God time'. Each day after the girls are off, there are precious hours that allow you to dive deep into God's word, prayer, devotionals, and journal. It is so wonderful that there is no time limit and you have enough time to go until you feel that you are done. That doesn't happen in the school year, so enjoy it. Make a cup of tea with steamed whole milk. Take your time. If the spirit moves, do a study on a topic (joy, patience, life-giving words were this July) Write everything down as you are learning because you will need to come back to it during the school year. Add sticky notes to what you are learning in books and the Bible. 

The second is taking care of your family. This is the time to lavish upon them as much as you can. (There is cinnamon swirl bread about to come out of the oven right now❤️). Homemade blueberry lemon muffins, fresh baked bread, homemade meatballs for lunches, salads for Abigail's days at work, this is lovely and wonderful. It won't go away during the school year but is sure is nice to bake in the middle of a morning, run to the store for ingredients, and see it through all before lunchtime! 

And in combination of those two big things, this is the time to inspire at meals all that you are learning in your Bible studies. Discuss deeply, linger over dinner, enjoy their own unique perspectives. Take time to pray more for those darling daughters of yours. 

July is also your precious anniversary. That day either home or traveling, is a special day with the love of your life. Soak it in. Try to get out in nature that day, eat something wonderful, hold hands across the table at a restaurant, and just celebrate your years and your love for each other. 

There might be a house project going on. The huge disruption it makes and sometimes the huge mess is okay, think of how great it will all look when it is done. And thank that hardworking, wonderful husband of yours that does those home projects in his spare time. 

Work in your sweet planner. Carry it all around in your basket. Avoid social media. Instead, memorize scripture, turn on delightful music, tidy an area, decorate little places with dishes you love that have strawberries. Nothing has to be 'all done', decorate as you find a little treasure or want to 'redo' a little place at home. Organizing something, even small, feels so good, and so does getting out to a little antique store and poking around for a unique basket, or vintage something that will make your heart sing. Read a darling cookbook and mark recipies you want to try. Read those little Gooseberry Patch Country Friends mini books. Dive into vintage decorating books that are in your family room. They inspire without a screen. In July you can become the woman you are meant to be by filling each moment of each day with goodness, love, purpose, beauty, and joy. 

Oh July, you are a wonderful month to enjoy! 

❤️me 

A June Letter To Myself

I was thinking... I should write a letter to myself to read the next year for every month. It would help me out so much to remember. If I did, here's what I would write to myself in June: 

Dear Tara, 

Well, you made it to June. First of all, be so proud of yourself. You've taught those fourth graders from September til now. Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Fractions, Gemetry, Decimals, Science... you've helped them 'publish' four books. You've taught 6 units of literacy too. You've taught at least 3 mini lessons a day times 184 days. You've corrected, mentored, answered emails, gone to all of the staff meetings. And yes, you've even gotten up and and gotten dressed 184 times! So yes, first of all, congratulations. 

Try to remember the good that you poured into your family this school year while all of that was going on. I'm sure you've helped them through challenges, encouraged them, and just been there for them. Remember that and let go of what you are still worried about for this month. 

It's okay to feel exhausted. In this month you are navigating 'big feelings' with the transition to summer, and you've just celebrated both of your daughters one year older. It's a lot to make those days special for them but also you are feeling a lot in them turning one year older. You will feel proud of them but also a bit sad for the little days going farther away in the rearview mirror. 

Give yourself a full seven days of summer break (weekend days can count toward those seven). I don't know how you don't remember any year, but it takes a full seven days to feel 'normal', to feel good about down time, to get into a slower summer pace. 

Make a list of house tasks that feel overwhelming and out of order throughout June. Hang it on the frig and then add to it as you go through the month. Everytime you write something on the list, take it off your mind and don't even think about those annoying things you 'just can't seem to get to' until the last day of school. Think: on the list = out of my mind. Remember, the list might look overwhelming as you add and add but just a few summer days and it'll all get done. Ahhhhh. 

Try to prioritze sleep in June. If all else fails on a daily to do list: pray, read your Bible and sleep need to be a priority. 

Remember being quiet at home is a strength in this much pressure. Before school is out and you are 'going through' June is NOT the time to dig deep on a subject with your daughters. You will be so much more capapable of softening their hearts when you are on summer break. (Make a list for those topics too) 

Lean into your senses. As corny as it sounds, it works. Take a step back and look at what is in front of you. How wonderful it feels to 'hear' the chatter of your college daughter home. Taste your food. Light a candle at home every evening. Put on soft music in the morning before school, as soon as you get home, and in the evening. At school when it's early in the morning, turn on worship music. Let it fill your empty classroom and your heart - trust me, it will carry you through June. 

And finally ask God for help. You will feel so busy that you will want to do it all in your own strength. You can't. Talk to him like a friend. Pray while you are folding laundry, driving to school, as you feet hit the floor in the morning. 

And just know that this is the way June is. And it's all okay. You were meant to go through Anna's birhtday, Abigail's birthday, your Mom's birthday, you Mother in laws birthday, Mother's Day, Father's Day all in this short period. Do what you can and let the rest go. It doesn't have to be perfect. Just done with good intention and love. 

Oh Tara, you can do this. You've been through this so many times. Summer is coming, summer is coming, summer is coming. 

❤ Love me