Good morning from the land of piles. As I sit on my couch, because the office is full of piles, I see to my left the dining room piled up with plates, glasses, and cookware. I see to my right piles of ski gear. I see in front of my piles of laundry waiting to be folded. Usually a scene such as this would make my eyes cross and roll back in my head, but I’ve mentally prepared for it so I’m breathing deep and embracing it. See, it signifies the beginning of change, which will be a common theme for the year.
Life Chat (January 2024)
Kitchen Updates
Kicking things off is changing our kitchen! Demo begins today so we spent the weekend clearing out all the cabinets. Well, actually David began Friday with demoing the kitchen desk and switching the location of the electrical (he’s handy… swoon), then I cooked up Shepherd’s Pie, Enchiladas, and breakfast burritos to stock the freezer, then we cleared out all the drawers and cabinets. It was quite a process!
The kitchen desk will become an appliance garage and coffee station. Our kitchen table is getting the boot and our island is going to be extended. We’re replacing the stovetop and putting a hood above the stove. New sink, new countertops, new light fixtures… it’s going to feel so wild! I’ll be sure to share pictures when it’s complete.
Ski Trip
We also leave to go on a quick ski trip soon. We usually are Utah people, but are stretching our wings and trying Steamboat this year. We are looking forward to it, and thank goodness for this ski trip checklist because I’ll take all the organizational assistance I can at the moment.
I’m crossing my fingers and toes we all feel well for it. How have you and yours been feeling? Kaitlyn had the flu (I’m guessing based on symptoms), then got over that, but now feels a little rundown again. She always seems to be the one most susceptible to viruses. I’d love to look into ways to boost her immune/gut health. So far (knock on wood), David, Hailey, and I have stayed well. I credit sleep, garlic, and wellness formula. My natural wellness cabinet.
Homeschool Updates
We’ve been in a great homeschool rhythm so far in 2024. After relistening to Atomic Habits, I feel like a big part of that has been starting a new habit in a new location. Beginning our days at 9:00 in the playroom seems to get all our minds focused and it’s led to an effective and cozy start to the year. Hailey finished her IEW Structured Writing Course and now we’re going to switch things up with a themed unit. She is choosing Medieval History and is pumped about knights, Beowulf, and the Renaissance. We also started Gather Round’s mini unit on the US Government. I figured an election year is a great time for the kids to learn about the forming of our government, the branches, and process. The unit so far is really enjoyable! Bite-sized (15 minute) lessons presented thus far in a storytelling format.
Enneagrams
Life feels exciting right now. As an enneagram 7, it suits me. Does anyone still do enneagram? I don’t let it completely define me, but it is amazing to me how accurately it captures a lot of how I feel about things. Do you know your number? Does it suit you?
And now to tie things up with 5 memes I’ve saved lately that spoke to me. I hope your week begins on an inspiring note!
Kelli H says
Have you tried ion with her for her gut or my community host defense? That’s a mushroom tincture and my girls have been taking it this fall and winter and it’s been a game changer for us. The mushroom tincture seems really great! I highly recommend it.
We plan on starting a kitchen remodel in August so I can wait to watch this journey of yours!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh no, I haven’t heard of that mushroom tincture but will look into it. I love hearing what are game changers for people; thanks!!
kathy says
Your kitchen plans sound exciting! Can’t wait to see the before and after pictures. Have fun on your trip too!!
Stacey says
My 9-year (today!!) has had bowel issues her entire life… after getting tired of just trying to help her go #2 year after year, we finally moved over to a functional medicine practice to solve WHY she is this way. It has been eye-opening! At 39 I also did their GI map test and found out wonderful things about my gut health and that I have leaky gut. I’m now feeling so much better solving the why instead of trying to make myself feel better after the fact. Now that we have my daughter’s results back, we know we’re doing a great job of putting good bacteria into her through probiotics, but she has WAY too much bad in her gut. As a result we’re now starting a regimen of magnesium, prebiotics, and a few other things to help balance it all out. I wonder if you’d have great luck looking into Kaitlyn’s? All we had to do was contact them for the GI map test, and then of course take a stool sample at home and mail it in. My HSA paid for it all.
Enjoy skiing!! We live 1/2 a mile from a tiny place here in Iowa so it’s hard to get somewhere out west when it’s SO convenient here (and cheap!). We need to make it a priority though.
Brittany Dixon says
Stacey, thank you SO much for sharing this. This sounds like the exact kind of thing I’d love to do with K. Going to look into this. Thank you!!
Nicky B says
I’m enneagram 7 and 1,000% relate to all those memes! Germs have been off the charts this season-my 8yr old daughter has had a a hacking cough and snotty nose for 14 weeks, my 3yr old son has had it for 8 weeks, and my husband and I are just healing from sinus infections. It’s been miserable and I can’t wait until everyone is healthy and happy. Good luck with your reno AND vacation!!
Brittany Dixon says
Cheers to my fellow enneagram 7!! 🙂 Sorry y’all have been fighting the germ fight, too. Hope you’re all feeling well now!
Olena says
That’s so exciting that you’re going to Steamboat! We’ve gone there three times with our boys and are going again this February. They have a great ski school for the kids; my boys are 9 and 6 years old. I hope you have a great time!
Brittany Dixon says
We didn’t do ski school this time but sat next to some ski instructors and they seemed so nice and engaged with the kids!