Podcast: Risen Motherhood
My kids love going on walks and any excuse to get out of the house is welcome at our house. I strap my youngest in the stroller, while my middle kiddo is ready to chase her oldest sister as she rides her bike. I’ve got my coffee, headphones and enough podcasts lined up to last about an hour. This is seriously one of my favorite ways to get some much-needed mama time, while the kids wear themselves out with running and bike riding. We can make multiple laps around the neighborhood and by the time we’re back home, the kids are ready for some quiet time and I feel like I’ve had a break from the craziness!
I discovered Risen Motherhood when hosts Emily and Laura had just launched their Christian-based podcast discussing all things motherhood. What I love most about these girls is how quickly they feel like friends I’ve known forever. They’re so real, and they tackle topics you’re probably struggling with or wondering about if you’ve got littles – body image after pregnancy, contentment in motherhood, infertility/baby loss/pregnancy struggles, along with many other issues we face as wives, mothers, sisters, daughters and friends.
If you’re struggling to find where you fit in as a mom, the Risen Motherhood podcast helps lessen the loneliness that accompanies some seasons during motherhood. When I was still nursing my youngest and chasing two toddlers with literally endless energy, playdates felt impossible. It was hard to get out for morning playtimes with a baby who napped around 11, and by the afternoon I often felt drained from mothering three littles, while dinner still had to be cooked, not to mention the bathtime/bedtime routines. On days when getting together with friends felt like a little too much effort with three kids in tow, Emily and Laura were lifesavers!
Blog: Texting the Truth
One thing I’m passionate about as a mama and as a photographer is encouraging other moms. You’ve heard it a million times – it’s the hardest job in the world, the years are short but the days are long… we can be so hard on ourselves, especially when it comes to our kids.
Last year I came across a wonderful group of women who were blogging motherhood in a completely different way – through text messages, as well as traditional blog posts. They were tackling tough motherhood topics – anxiety, mom guilt, behavior challenges with kids – as well as happier mom moments, all with gentle encouragement and positivity.
I’m super lucky to be part of the Texting the Truth team, but that’s not why they’re listed here. The ladies behind the blog are some of the sweetest, most amazing people who genuinely seek to encourage and inspire other moms with every post they publish. These girls write honestly and openly about the challenges that unite many of us. One of my favorite recent posts by Laura covered the danger of comparison as a motivator in motherhood.
Here’s the best thing about this group of simply incredible women: they want to get to know you, and deeply desire to engage through every blog post, every graphic and everything you see on social media. They want to encourage you in your motherhood journey, celebrate your mom wins and pray for you when life feels bumpy.
Book: The Dip, by Seth Godin
Summer is a great time to schedule fewer photo sessions and focus on parts of my business that run on auto-pilot during the rest of the year. I’ve had a chance to focus more on marketing and other things behind the scenes because I’ve had more time to read these last few months. While I’ve indulged in guilty pleasure reads (definitely recommend Elin Hilderbrand’s The Rumor), my favorite book so far has been The Dip by Seth Godin.
In this quick read (clocking in at 76 pages), Godin writes about the importance of knowing when to quit. Basically, he believes that to be the best at whatever your goal is, you have to quit the right stuff. The best way to do that? Take emotion out of your decision.
I loved that his advice was applicable to so many things, including parenting, especially as we’re in the midst of potty training.
What are your favorite ways to sneak in some me-time during the summer? Share in the comments below!
I’m a photographer based in Houston, TX where I celebrate the beauty of motherhood with other mamas. My favorite things to photograph include maternity, fresh 48, newborn and family sessions. If you’re looking for a luxury experience celebrating you and your family, I’d love to meet you!
Kristal, I think I can speak for all of us at Texting the Truth when I say we are beyond blessed to have you on our team! Thanks for the shoutout and all the beautiful images you make for us. You are FULL of wonderful ideas and we’d be lost without you.