Last week we flew home from Wisconsin which included a six hour delay in Denver that everyone handled surprisingly well. At the time, I didn’t feel ready to leave the northeast Wisconsin weather and our Eau Claire home away from home. But then as soon as we got home to Gilbert I felt ready to be home in Arizona and am appreciating anew our home and routines here.

I also came in with big decluttering energy. Being away from our house gives me more emotional distance from our stuff and I’ve already listed and sold a few things on FB Marketplace and in our Buy Nothing group and dropped off several bags at Goodwill. I’ve also realized that when we return from the summer is a great time to subtly declutter things the kids have not seen or thought of for the past two months. (Especially all the little trinkets and flotsam!)

After a full five days home full of friends, the pool, and Meet the Teacher, we sent our kids back to school yesterday once again: 1st grade, 6th grade, and 8th grade.

I can’t help but think of all the back to schools we’ve had which makes me think about how much the kids have changed and are growing into these amazing people. I also deeply appreciate how much easier parenting is now! I know some parents adore the baby phase or the toddler phase. I absolutely found joy in those seasons and have nostalgia for them but the older my kids get the more I enjoy parenting. I have more confidence in parenting (since I’ve been at this job for well over a decade) and I love all the things we can do together and how much better everyone sleeps. So these back to school days are steeped in nostalgia and gratitude for me.

I love dwelling in these layered memories, a concept that my friend Sarah and I love talking about. I feel like I could step through time and be taking a picture of Dash and Cedric on the first day of preschool, about to head to my full time job in Tempe. Cedric’s head was just level with the handle on our yellow front door. And now here they are before me, towering above the door handle with Dash thisclose to being as tall as I am at 5’8″ – plus have their arms around a younger sister!

So emotionally my heart is tender and full. Meanwhile, my brain is in full routine and planning mode which is quite a happy place for me. In the past month I listened to Big Time by Laura Vanderkam and reread The PLAN by Kendra Adachi (The Lazy Genius). It was the perfect combo for this season of back to school and ramping up my work again! I love Laura’s practical and data-backed tips. Anytime I read one of Laura’s books I feel encouraged and motivated. Where Laura speaks to leaning into making the most of your days, Kendra speaks to the emotional side of bringing softness to our expectations while still giving practical tips for planning and prioritizing what’s important to you.

In other reading updates, I’m listening to Big Kids, Bigger Feelings. It’s about parenting kids from the ages of 5-12. I currently have two including one with pretty big emotions so it’s one of those instances where the right book finds you at the right time. If you have a kid in this age range I highly recommend this book!

In the next week, I’m getting back into my work groove of podcasting and have two active volunteer commitments: Girl Scouts and advocating for local public school funding (there will be a bond on our local election that we are working to pass). I don’t have an ASU teaching assignment this fall which is a bit of a disappointment but perhaps a blessing in disguise because I think my current commitments plus kid stuff will feel like plenty.

I’ve been thinking about our home routines and my work routines and would love to dive into those in another post.

I know we’re on the early side of heading back to school but if you’re there or heading that way I’d love to know how you’re gearing up for that season, and what emotions you find yourself dwelling in this time of year.