Goals – rootedmamadotorg

Begin, Again

Posted on December 31, 2022 by rootedmama

These last couple of years, I let go of “Words for the Year”. Those statements and values to help you decide what kind of life you’re going to live that year. . . Typically, at the beginning of a New Year.

I felt like something different was needed. Looking back, maybe there was a word/phrase that I lived by. But, I definitely didn’t give it a “stamp of approval”. I kind of, just did it.

Looking back, I’d say my phrase for the last two years has been: “Just Be”. That looked like loving myself and loving the moment I’m at, finding a space to accept ‘what is’, and just living in the moment. Not forcing anything, and letting life just happen.

As we have been inching closer to the end of the year, I have felt like I wanted words to live by this year. But, I didn’t want to force it. So, I waited on God.

And today, it hit me. I felt a small whisper.

Begin, again. Outdoors More. Intentional.

And while, I have a feeling that I know what that means. . . I’m going to incorporate these words to live by, with what I have learned over the past few years.

Begin, again. Outdoors more. Intentional.

While I’m living life this way- I’ll also “Just Be” and allow life to happen in the moment.

10 Books in 10 Days

Posted on December 15, 2022 by rootedmama

This year, I set a goal to read 12 books. One book per month.

Here we are, December 16th, and I have only finished 2 whole books this year.

I decided that I do not want to finish this year, without working towards this goals.

Tomorrow, I have a half-day at work. Then, I’m off for two weeks.

So, I’m going to spend my break reading 10 books.

I’m not so certain I can do this; however, if I don’t try, then I definitely won’t.

Remember- it’s never too late to pick a goal back up!

I work better under pressure, anyways- haha!

Journey to 1/2 Marathon: 11/26

Posted on November 26, 2022November 26, 2022 by rootedmama

Well, since setting my goal for running a 1/2 Marathon in March. . . So far, I haven’t made any progress. I went running one day. For 3 minutes. I decided that I can.not. give up on myself.

The last time I proved to myself that I could do hard things was about 7 years ago.

Then, it was a mental obstacle. Once you get past the mental obstacle- your body can do hard things.

This time, I’ve been much more stagnant. I know that I can push past the mental obstacles of running, but now I’m worried about being able to overcome running long-distances, physically.

One thing I will say, is that I have been closing my rings more often. My jobs keeps me active. Now, I just need to add in cross-training and walking/running into my daily schedule.

Growth in life

Posted on October 29, 2022 by rootedmama

I’ve been contemplating lately on change and growth, and I have to keep reminding myself. . . So, naturally, I felt led to share.

Growth in your life, no matter the area, requires a few things:

* Getting out of your own way

* Overcoming obstacles

* Setting goals, yet being flexible on the time line- it’s also important to remember that it’s ok to set a goal down, and pick it back up later!

* Being honest with yourself

Growth takes change, and if you’re not ready to change- you’re not ready to grow.

So, if you’re feeling “stuck” in a certain area of your life- you might ask yourself a question!

Am I ok with staying where I’m at?! Or, do I want to do the work to change what is no longer benefiting me?!

For me, I know it’s time to start doing the work on some things I’ve been avoiding. Know that if you’re there, too- you’ve got this. It’ll be hard, but it’ll be worth it!

Our Journey Through Life May Look Different Than We Plan

Posted on October 24, 2022October 24, 2022 by rootedmama

Today, my younger son asked me for “oils”.

We were reading a story, and his arm was itching on a scab on his arm. I asked him what he needed, and he told me he wanted oils.

It’s funny.

5 years ago, I stopped buying essential oils for our family. My husband and I were in Discipleship School at our church. At the time, I felt like I need to stop buying them, to make room in our budget to help pay for D-school, our trip that was associated with that, and our daughter would be arriving shortly after.

I had a huge inventory for our home, so I was ok with setting aside purchasing any more for a short amount of time.

Well- that short amount of time ended up being five whole years. We are finally nearing the bottom of our inventory. . . and it’s made me reflective of the past five years.

From 2014-2017, I was consistently using essential oils and natural remedies to support my family’s wellness.

But, when I set them aside, so to speak, I have noticed that my family asks for them more when I ask them “what do you need?”

This really made me think. . .

Because, I’ve noticed that a lot of things that I thought were going to “breakthrough” for our family while we were traveling- I didn’t actually see progress on until these past few months, since we have been home.

My kids encouraging each other. My oldest taking responsibility for chores, without being asked. My kids being excited about Church and open to bible stories.

Time and time again, since February, all the things I thought would happen ( because I planned it that way, so of course it’s going to happen that way) while we were traveling, only started happening all this time later. . .

After two years of consistency and space.

I know that some of these things may seem very small or trivial.

However, it just really highlighted for me- that we are all on our own time table in our journeys through life. No matter what that looks like.

We can’t expect things to happen a certain way, on our journey, let alone other people’s.

Life happens, there are ups and downs, curve-balls are thrown.

No matter what it is that you are waiting on, things will come together in due time- whether it looks like you thought it would, or not.

The Gift of Traveling Full-Time

Posted on August 12, 2022August 12, 2022 by rootedmama

Recently, I went back to work in Education.

That means, we are no longer traveling full-time. However, we still full-time in our RV.

As I’ve gone back to work, I’ve taken the opportunity these past few months, to reflect on what our time traveling has given us.

Traveling Has Given Me:

* The gift of time. The time to slow down. The time to go to sleep when we want. The time to wake up when we want. The time to do the things that we want to do.

* The gift of adventure. We got to go to new places and explore. Lots and lots of hiking.

* The gift of healing. Our time traveling was very healing for our family. There were some really hard times. If you think traveling will be a breeze- it’s not. It can be hard. And at the same time the hard parts mixed in with the fun and the mundane was very healing on the flip side of traveling.

* The gift on knowing what I want and what I’m good at. Getting outside of our comfort zone taught us to get a closer look at what my strengths, and where my areas of growth are. It has also revealed to me what I want out of life.

* The gift of risk taking. Living outside of the norm is a risk in itself; however, we had opportunities to take risks and try things we wouldn’t normally do!

Traveling during a pandemic was such a unique opportunity. Now that we are back to “normal life”, I can say, without a doubt, that I look forward to nomad life, again, someday!

Change is Needed

Posted on June 11, 2022June 11, 2022 by rootedmama

There has been a lot going on the last two years. So. Much.

I already knew that we needed a change, as a society.

However, the last two years. . . It has really opened my eyes to just HOW MUCH change we need.

When I think of all the things that need to change. I am reminded that it starts on an individual level. One person makes changes in their lives, and then those changes have a ripple effect on the people their are closest to in their lives, and so on.

If you’re eyes are just opening to the fact their needs to be a monumental shift in America.

Start small.

Start with one small thing that you can implement in your life.

Think about the things you are watching, reading, how much time are you spending on social media? Think about the places you are spending your money. What are you putting your time and energy into?

Then, hone in on just one thing to change. Maybe, you and your family cut back on tv time, or the type of tv you’ve been watching. Maybe you shift the kind of music you’ve been listening to.

Change it. Set a goal for one day, for one week, for one month, for one year.

If you mess up. DO. NOT. Be. Hard.On.Yourself. Do not. DO not beat your self up. Give your self grace. Dust yourself off, and get back up, and keep at it.

I can’t tell you those things that you need to change. You know what’s best for yourself and your family.

I can give ideas and resources, and that’s what I’ll be here for.

Change is hard. You may see some small improvements. You may see no improvements. You and your family may take 1 step forward, just to get 10 steps backwards.

AND- you may come out of a season. . . And, all of a sudden. You’ll see it. The work you and your family has done to make changes. You’ll see the fruit. It’ll be beautiful. It’ll be worth it.

Let’s get ready for change.

Homeschool: Getting Started

Posted on January 7, 2022January 7, 2022 by rootedmama

Starting homeschool can be a daunting task. Just like any “new” thing you may take on. Wondering where to start? How to start? What will it look like?

For us, we were leaving public school. So, after the disruption of the pandemic. After the transition from being stationary, to traveling full-time. We needed a reset.

We needed to take some time off of “traditional”, to re-frame what learning at home would look like for us.

If you’re like us, and you’re transitioning from public school to homeschool. . . There are many things to do to “get started”:

* Write it down! Write down what you think homeschooling will look like. Write down what you want it to look like. Write down your fears. Write down what you’re excited about. Write down your obstacles. Write down your values. Write down your why.

*Research: Curriculum and State Laws. Different styles of homeschooling. Schedules.

*Find community. Find a mentor.

*Keep the transition conversation flowing with your kids.

*Take a season to play and explore, and to learn naturally, before starting curriculum and schedules. Especially, if your family is transitioning from public/private/charter school to homeschool.

What questions do you have about homeschooling?

A little encouragement:

Posted on July 26, 2021 by rootedmama

Some days are hard.

You might feel the tension of wanting to get past a certain obstacle, once-and-for-all.

You might feel like you just don’t have the energy.

You might feel like you’re.just.done.

You keep pressing forward, and put one foot in front of the other.

Then, the tides turn.

You realize that the things you have prayed, wished, hoped, and longed for- they are beginning to unfold.

All the things that didn’t make sense before are beginning to make sense, now.

Y’all know that I’m BIG on sharing what I’m going through in the hopes that it helps someone. That if someone else relates, or gets hope from it- than it’s important to share!

Today, I realized, that so many things I’ve prayed for over the last 10 years have begun to come to tuition- even if they didn’t look the way I intended- or according to my plan.

Today, I want to encourage you- if you are there, in the deep of it all.

If you can barely see what’s ahead of you.

If you are barely surviving- and holding on. . . Keep on keeping on.

Keep fighting.

Keep pushing forward- because- if you pursue the things that are on your heart.

Man, things will look different.

I can promise you the timeline. That’ll look different for each and every person. It’ll depend on how much of the work you put in- but, man. . .

Where you see darkness, now- you’ll see the light and beauty, later!

Keep holding on! Keep fighting. Keep making changes!