If there’s one thing we can all count on in this wild ride of life, it’s change.
Our kids change.
Our homes change.
Our bodies and routines change.
And while change can feel uncomfortable, it’s also uniquely beautiful.
It’s like life’s built-in detox: out with the bad, in with the good, and a whole lot of in-between moments that shape us into who we are becoming, not just as parents but as individuals as well.
As I sit here writing this, I recognize I am six months in from moving my entire family back to the state I was born and raised in. My heart misses what it can no longer have, and lusts for a future I know will be too far out of reach, yet I feel heart smiling because it is happy with what we have right now in this moment. To be honest I feel stronger, prouder, and honestly more loved than I have ever felt in my life.
So, friends, if you’re in the middle of a season that feels messy, breathe deep and remember—you’re just in the “in-between.” This where the magic is happening. ✨
A Gentle Reminder (and a Funny/ Honest One Too 😉)
I know, I know, it feels like we just put away Fourth of July holiday decorations. But let’s be real for a second: these dang holidays sneak up on us fast.
So why not get ahead of the stress this year? Go ahead and let your brain wander to Halloween costumes (yes, even though it’s two months away). The earlier we think, the less likely we are last minute shopping the last of the crappy costumes or end up hot-gluing something at midnight on October 30th. (Don’t judge, we’ve all been there, right?)
Planning ahead = less stress. And less stress means more time to enjoy the little things—like last minute cozy nights, hot cocoa, and your kiddos running around in costumes they love for more than just that one night. 🎃👻
Some of my favorite parent memories are tied to Halloween nights in our old neighborhood. Every year, my friends would pour into our house for yummy potluck dinner, filling our bellies with more than just love, and lining the front of our house with buckets, bags, and anything else they could fill to the brim with memories and candy.
It makes my heart ache a little to think we may never experience those same kinds of Halloweens again.
The ones where home was a five-minute walk away.
Where neighbors recognized our family, tossing us a quick wave.
Where one hero neighbor always grilled hot dogs and handed out extra water bottles just because they wanted to ( seriously, shoutout to you for getting us parents through the rest of the night). Those small things made the night unforgettable.
Now that we live a neighborhood with no real close neighbors, I’ll be honest, it scares me. What if I can’t live up to “the right” traditions? What if I can’t create Halloween memories that feel good enough to my girls?
But maybe that’s the quiet lesson of change. It isn’t about recreating the old; maybe it’s about discovering the new. Maybe here, it looks like pumpkin carving under a sky full of stars. Or making new memories with our family and their neighbors. Or maybe even turning the quiet into its own kind of magic.
I don’t have all the answers. And maybe you’ve felt this too, this worry about not making enough memories, or the right ones. But here’s the reminder I’m giving myself; memories aren’t about perfection.
They’re about present.
Halloween will look different for us now, but different doesn’t mean less. It means change, and I believe change can be beautiful. 🌈
This was our first Halloween in this neighborhood, Bat Mom & Bat Dad.
Out With the Bad, In With the Good—Cleaning Edition ✨
We don’t need to start discussing Halloween messes quite yet, so let’s prep a clean slat. Sometimes the best way to embrace change is by clearing out the sticky, stubborn messes that are clinging to your counters, glass, or ahem* those special pieces that need a little extra TLC.
That’s where Momma Jane’s Cleaner comes in. Made with just lemons and lemongrass, it’s tough on the sticky stuff but gentle enough for momma-approved use.
A little goes a long way—because this momma-made cleaner is concentrated with love (and lemons). 🍋 Snag your cleaners here;The Cleaner Everyone is Talking About!
Final Thought
Change doesn’t always come easy. But whether it’s shifting seasons, moving houses, holiday chaos, or sticky messes that sneak up on us, we’ve got what it takes to handle it—with grace, humor, and a little help from the right cleaner.
So here’s to change, friends. Here’s to letting go of the bad, making room for the good, and enjoying all the in-betweens.
And hey, go ahead and start those costume plans. You’ll thank yourself later. 😉
Remember to breathe.
Change can be beautiful.
Sending big hugs to YOU!
With lemons, love, and so much grace,
– Amanda (aka Momma Jane)
