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This week marked the midway point in my current semester of law school! Once I finish up this term in June, I will have officially finished my 2L year, and I’ll only have one semester left before graduation in December! It’s crazy to think that this time a year ago, I was celebrating surviving my first year of law school; now, I’m nearly 4/5 of the way done with the whole program. This upcoming Tuesday, I’ll register for classes for the last time — and hopefully the last time in my life!
As I prepare to close a huge chapter in my life, I’ve been pondering what I want my life to look like post-education. I’ve been in school for basically twenty years, from kindergarten all the way up until now. Sure, there were some breaks, and some slow stretches, but the goal was always the same: graduate. I never thought too much what I wanted to do after that point, because it always seemed so far away. But a few decades and moves and kids later, I can see the upcoming milestone for what it truly is: a beginning, not just an ending.
I’ll be just shy of twenty-seven when I walk across the stage to get my diploma. That age might have seemed old to me when I was a freshman in high school, but now I know that after December, I still have decades and decades and decades left of life to live, God willing. I don’t think I’ve ever thought of what I would want to do then, other than ideas of vacations I’d like to take. What’s the next goal?
Truthfully, I have no idea. The perpetual planner didn’t really plan that far ahead. Maybe I’ll write a book. Maybe I’ll get back into photography. I’d love to run more ultramarathons at some point. Most importantly, I really just want to spend as much time with my family as possible, especially while my kids are so small. But other than that, I don’t really have anything specific in mind.
And I think that’s so exciting!
Week #13 Favorites
- Body Armor Sports Drink. If you’ve spent anytime talking to me, or even just reading my blog, you know that a big part of my life right now is pumping. I am constantly worrying (probably a little too much) about my milk supply and if I’m making enough for the twins. The lactation consultant in the hospital strongly recommended that I drink Body Armor everyday for milk supply, and I’ve seen this recommendation all over the place online, as well. I finally caved this past week and ordered some out of desperation at 3:30am one morning. My milk supply is fine, so I don’t know why I was so freaked, but it doesn’t hurt to take extra precautions!
- Tula 24/7 Day & Night Cream. It’s absolutely absurd how expensive this is, BUT… but… as someone with oily skin who has tried every moisturizer on the market the past ten years, I can say with complete confidence that this is worth every penny. Especially in the summer, it goes on so light and doesn’t leave your skin feeling all sticky, which is so nice when it’s already 90 degree with 100% humidity by 10:00am. I don’t really wear makeup other than an eyebrow pencil and maybe some mascara, but this moisturizer is part of my daily routine!
- Stretches of sleep lasting longer than 5 hours. Not that it happens often, but when it does… it’s my favorite! Emersyn slept through the night once this past week, and it was so nice! She hasn’t done it since, and Evelyn isn’t quite there yet, but still, it gave us a brief glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel!
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Week #13 Highlights
- We celebrated one year of Ginger! This past week marked one year since we adopted our bichapoo puppy! After we got married, my husband worked long hours at work, and we only had our kids every other week. That meant the weeks without the kids were really quiet, and I started to feel pretty lonely. We decided that a furry friend would be the perfect way to cure my loneliness by giving both something to care for and a companion. After looking for a week or so, we knew as soon as we saw Ginger’s photo that she was the dog for us! It’s been a year since then, and even though we obviously had no way of knowing that I’d end up pregnant with twins and would be juggling a puppy and pregnancy, we can honestly say that Ginger joined our family at the perfect time. The kids adore her and our family wouldn’t be the same without her.
- Our oldest performed in a kids’ production of the Willy Wonka Musical. This was her second musical, and her first one where she had lines! She worked so hard to memorize her parts and we’re so proud of her. She skipped and frolicked all around that stage, and there’s nothing more heartwarming as a parent than to see your kid thrive and find true joy in a hobby.
3. My husband gave the twins their baby blessing at church. From what I understand, this is similar to what a christening ceremony is in other churches. Essentially, a baby blessing in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is done to (1) officially give the babies a name in the records of the church and (2) give the babies special blessings for the rest of their lives. For example, one might bless a baby with a kind heart, good health, strong faith in Christ, or patience. It was so special to watch my husband bless each of our girls, and for my dad, grandpa, brother, and close family friends all be up there with him! The occasion was even more special because my aunt actually made their blessing dresses out of my wedding dress. They turned out gorgeous, and are now beautiful family heirlooms that I can pass on to my daughters when they have their own kids!
Self-Care Tip of the Week: Stay Home!
Sometimes it can feel like life is pulling you in fifty directions. That’s how I’ve been feeling lately, at least. I want to take my kids hiking or to the playground, but I also want to hangout with my friends and exist outside of motherhood for a few hours a week, but I also want to start running again, but I also want alone time with my husband… the list goes on. You get the point.
This past week, I hit my limit. I noticed that I was way more overstimulated than normal, and I was getting easily irritated by things that normally don’t bother me as much. I was having a really hard time coping with my emotions and any inconveniences that popped up.
I was beginning to wonder what was wrong with me, when it dawned on me that I’m not a monster… I was just tired.
I had spent the whole weekend socializing with family and friends, going on our first date since the twins were born, juggling school and work, and trying to exercise and keep up with chores. I hadn’t taken any time to rest, reset, or just enjoy the quiet. Once I finally told my husband, “I need a few hours,” and let myself do nothing and go nowhere? I felt SO much better!
The best thing you can do for yourself isn’t always a packed schedule; sometimes, you just need to stay home.
Thank you for joining me for yet another week of Self-Care Sundays! After reflecting on what my original goals were with the newsletter, I have decided that I will continue to write for this every week until we reach Self-Care Sunday #25. Once that last newsletter is written, I’m going to take at least a month off from writing to focus on spending time with my family and soaking up the last of summer. In the meantime, I would love any ideas or requests for what you’d like to see in my next newsletter series beginning in Fall 2026!
Until next time!!
Step by Step Parenting 