Dreamy days are the marrow of motherhood.

Yesterday was a dreamy day. All throughout the day I felt so deeply, genuinely happy, and it all circles back to the choices I made. Here are a few mental notes I made:

After throwing Zack a mini-party at home before he left for work — which included bringing him coffee in bed, making a yummy egg scramble (with onion, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, ham and mozzarella) and a couple of birthday cards  — I packed up the crew and went for a long 2-mile walk in our neighborhood. I know this is something the family needs regularly, but it’s so easy to “just do it later”. Except later usually means another day.

I felt the sun shine on my face for a good bit of time. While we were walking I kept thinking about how important it is to exercise regularly. I can easily walk 2, 4, or 6 miles in our neighborhood and my mom has inspired me to make this happen four days/week.

Our friends popped in before lunch and as the kids played (and Bauer chased), my friend Joanna and I got to catch up. I LOVE that she calls me about a recipe or meeting up (instead of texting), but also just as important I love that I feel comfortable welcoming people in our home without first tidying up.

After lunch and the babes were down for their naps I grabbed a big glass of water, a book written by a dear friend, and settled in on the couch. It was pretty warm last week, so the cool air blowing in felt amazing. I know how important it is to rest when everyone in the house is napping (especially when the kids are little), but lately I haven’t felt such a strong need to sleep. I’m out of the newborn fog, the fourth trimester has passed (so bittersweet), and I’m really making it a priority to set aside more time for myself. Not at all because I want to accomplish more, but definitely because I like myself more when I practice self-care.

It’s funny… Like, the interesting version of funny. When I shift my focus of engaging through social media I enjoy my life so much more. When the priority is to live my life and then share what’s been learned, that’s when I’m the happiest. That’s when life feels the easiest, the smoothest, the most fulfilled. It’s been an amazing process, one that started a year ago this month when I wrote Why I deleted you from my iPhone.

My dreams of being a handmade maker aren’t over, and that chapter isn’t closed. I’m so encouraged by that! I very much look forward to what’s next for me in that area, especially for how it’ll bless my family.

Yesterday I felt the sun shining not just on my face, but deep within my heart. I was filled up in every important area of my life, and it’s because I said “yes” to the good, hard, and necessary things all day long (and “no” to everything else). I’m already looking forward to reading more of The Fringe Hours tonight.

And I’m not sure if you noticed, but dreamy days are the marrow of motherhood. They add sparkle to your soul, and they wrap you up like your favorite pair of leggings. Except you can go out in public with it and you’re getting the good kind of stares.