Hopes and Intentions for the Last Month of the Year

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Well, how was your weekend? Are you officially overstuffed with turkey and all the other Thanksgiving food?!

My family and I had a lovely Thanksgiving with my in-laws at our house. It was fun to host for the first time this year but I must admit I was also making a list of key items I was lacking to get the job done. For example, you don’t realize how badly you need a massive cutting board with a juice groove until you try to carve a turkey on one of your flimsy, thin ones.

And speaking of carving, an electric carving knife would be a handy tool to have around as well!

My father-in-law was literally sharpening my knives and handing them to my mother-in-law as she sliced. It was laughable.

Justin, the kids, and I then drove down to spend the weekend with my parents at their house in South Carolina. I’m so glad they are only 5 hours away! It was a restful and laid back weekend which was exactly what we were looking for.

I’m sitting here at my desk, writing this post in real-time as I didn’t prioritize drafting a few posts for this week during the gift guide race to the finish last week, and I simply cannot believe it’s December 2nd. I am mixed between feeling like I have 1,000 things to accomplish still but also longing for the end of the year in order to start fresh in 2020. January usually brings a bit of a slow down to the life of an Influencer, and I’m ready for it.

Justin and I really savor the quiet time we have in the car during the drives back and forth to my parent’s house while the kids sleep in the back seats. We often talk about things that we don’t typically talk about anywhere else. It’s reflective and deep, and there’s something about the darkness outside and the stillness in the car that makes it easier than ever to speak from the heart. Last night I shared that I had been thinking about two characteristics that I’m really hoping to build in my kids and they are self-awareness and self-confidence. We discussed why we think those are important traits and what we think our parents did for us to develop those traits. It led us to reflect on our individual childhood experiences and prompted a really enjoyable, introspective discussion.

So, I have those thoughts in my mind as we enter into the season of a new year and a new start with January on the horizon. My boys are also going to be turning another year older this month and in February so this is a very normal time for reflection for me anyway!

On a lighter topic, here are a few other things I’m trying to focus on or do this month:

One. As a Christian, this is the time where it would be very easy to miss the point of Christmas altogether with the gift-giving, parties, and all the fun that comes with the holidays. Justin and I are going to do our best to focus on the reason for the season with the kids this year as they are at great ages to begin to understand the Christmas story.

Two. I cannot wait to bake Christmas Cut Out Cookies with the kids! Here is my family recipe that never fails!

Three. The only fancy date Justin and I go on every year is called “The Christmas Date” and I’m anxious to see what he has planned for us.

Four. I want to donate so many things that we simply haven’t even touched since the move this summer! I mean, if we haven’t touched it in 6 months, we probably don’t need it.

I hope you are feeling rested and ready to have a great “last month of the year”.

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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says · 12.02.19

So lovely! You’ve had a good year, Kate! Hope you have a great December to finish too! ❤️✨

Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com

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Paige says · 12.02.19

Love this! All of your content is always so uplifting and joyful. Xo

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Candace says · 12.02.19

Love this Kate! Keep doing these! I really do enjoy all that you do, but I just want to encourage you to do this stuff as you have set out to do more.
Thank you for the time you take to put these all together. ♥️

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leigh says · 12.02.19

Hi Kate,

It would be great to hear more about your Christian faith. Maybe you could share your testimony on your Instagram stories or in a blog post?

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Lou B. says · 12.02.19

Your story about the drive to the parent’s house made me think of days gone by. We used to tell our kids, if they took a nap during the ride we would take a “short cut”. Worked every time when they were little ones ;-).

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Katie says · 12.02.19

I wanted to share the Family Christmas Advent our family does! I love how it centers the season on Christ and my daughter (6) loves it. It’s our 3rd year to do it. I did with a group and have ornaments for each day that represent that topic. It’s so sweet!
https://www.ameaningfulchristmas.com/

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Kate Marlow says · 12.02.19

There’s something about a road trip (even if it’s a short one) that allows for GREAT conversation! I love the goals you have for your kids. I always suggest that parents check out Big Life Journal. They have journals and printables with activities that help kids develop resilience (which is a huge buildling-block to self-confidence) and a growth mindset (part of self-awareness). I used their activities in my classroom, and now use them with families in my coaching practice. Highly recommend!

Happy Holidays, Kate!

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Jennifer says · 12.02.19

Donating will really make you feel better! Within the next yr, we are planning another addition to our home. Which helped transpire a deep clean in Aug. We cleaned out the shed & sold it. Donated the playset to a non-profit organization that rehilbilitates women with Christ & getting on their feet again. Their kids get to visit them on weekends. That organization ( also a cabinet maker) rebuilt the playset & it was sooo amazing to see it will be cherished & loved again!! We had a huge successful yardsale. Just going to continue the mindset, less is more.Nothing is coming through our doors unless its a must have,cant live without, in love with it item 😂We are in a stage now though, our girls are passed the “toy” stage. Im really ok with that☺
So glad you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Spending time with family is the best!

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Georgia Rose says · 12.02.19

End of the year and end of the decade! I’m going to try and spend it reflecting and being grateful for how far I’ve come in the past 10 years and looking forward to the new year and decade!

Georgia Rose | http://www.justgeorgiarose.com

xx

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Sarah says · 12.02.19

I love this post! Thank you for writing from the heart, and I may try those cookies this year!

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Breeze says · 12.02.19

Thank you so much for this. I have two bonus kids that are 13 and 11 and a one year old. Reminded me to do the same and reflect on what I want them to remember about Christmas and true meaning!

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Amber says · 12.02.19

This was so sweet to read and a great reminder to slow down and try to be a bit more intentional about parenting.. Also, I was JUST looking for a sugar cookie recipe. I will try yours!

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Jerre Bergeron says · 12.02.19

Outstanding read! Your children are blessed to have the two of you as parents. Grounded, long term planners, reflective, mature in thought, appreciative of the present, and crazy in love with one another.
Keep up those traditions that include date time together wether it be in a fancy expensive restaurant, or in the front seat of your automobile opening your hearts to one another in conversation WITH each other. Such a gift for your children and an investment in the future of your family.
A mighty good read.

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Sara says · 12.03.19

Really love these posts! Thanks for sharing!

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Laura says · 12.03.19

I love when you share posts like this one, Kate. I’d love for you to I share what you’re doing to encourage and teach self-awareness with your kids.

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Dani says · 12.03.19

These are the kind of blog posts I’ve been missing! So happy to read this today! 💜

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Kim says · 12.08.19

Loved every word of this post!!!!

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