Is it a little weird to you that it’s JUNE? Like, June. Summer. June. Middle of the year. Wtf.

What a month, my dudes, what. a. month. It was awesome. I feel so much better than I did a month ago. For the first time, truly, really, in like a year I feel ME again. I did so much this month that felt counter-intuitive but it worked and I learned so much.

No Disneyland trips, the start of summer, Mother’s Day, Zoloft working for me, yoga, and lots of self care and I am positively sparkling. I read some great books, hung with friends, got outside, and started losing weight again for the first time since like October lol. May, you tricky minx.

Good

• Reese’s Preschool Graduation was a highlight of the month. Hilarious, cute, sweet, and just so incredibly extra. I loved every second of it. I love her so much. I’m so proud of her. A year ago I think Reese was at her hardest stage. Last summer was difficult. But preschool was an absolute godsend for both of us. I’m so proud of how far she’s come.
• I got my birth control arm implant out to try to normalize my hormones and my Zoloft hit 6 weeks and started working like a charm. My brain and body finally seem to be on the same page and the fog has lifted praise the Lord.
• YOGA! I made the decision to drop all expectations about exercise this month and simply focus on Yoga. Love my body. Stop pushing it. Stop beating it up. Stop making it sore. Connect body and brain in love and peace. So I started TRUE, a 30 Day Yoga Challenge by Yoga with Adriene. I shot for 4 days a week. This last week I was sick and only did it once, and one week I only did it three times, but for three weeks I hit my goal. I feel amazing. I need to write a whole post about this but my body totally responded. I started losing weight again, feeling strong, seeing tone, and getting very nice compliments from friends and family who also noticed physical change. YAS.
• I read 4 incredible books that all stuck right in my brain.
• I fell back in love with true crime! I watched like 10 documentaries and was just generally insatiable.
• Ryan smoked a ton of meat this month and it was BOMB. He’s so good at it and wow do I benefit from that.
• We finished our yard! Well, we still need a fence. But our grass is in and finally cleared to walk on! Our view of Mount Timpanogos is lovely and we’re just eating it up that we get to sit out there at twilight with a cold drink and 3 billion mosquitos.
• Softball season started, which is mostly good. The girls love running around the softball fields with their cousins and friends. It’s a good excuse to support the husbands and get a bucket of popcorn.

Bad

• Have I mentioned that I live in Vineyard Utah and it’s the mosquito capital of the world? Move over West Nile. Softball games and hanging in the backyard are practically serving ourselves up for a buffet. Eau de OFF! on the daily.
• I’ve been sick for a week now which has put a damper on the summer festivities but I’m hoping its on the way out.
• Softball games are a love-hate relationship. Reese smashed her lip, Loney whacked her head on the bleachers… having two that run around is no joke.
• Loney is growing more challenging. I’m starting to remember what this was like with Reese. Their independence grows but the communication is just not there and it’s frustrating for everyone. The nursery countdown is on!
• Reese’s first dance class did NOT go like I expected, so now I’m nervous about the dance camp I have her signed up for starting in July. It’s super short and chill, but now I’m wondering if she won’t like it as much as I thought 🙁

On My Brain

• Intuitive Eating! The last few months I’ve really been reconsidering the way I think, treat, and talk about my body.  I’ve wanted to get into some sort of routine and get back on the health/exercise/wellness wagon. Intuitive eating is totally ringing true to me and feels like such a clear path forward and answer to prayer. It’s all about ditching diets, diet culture, etc. to heal your relationship with food and feel great in your body. I’m just starting down the path but I’m so excited to learn more and share! This podcast is a great place to start, and I just bought this book to begin my research. I’m also going to take this course!!! Hermione-ing it up.
• Sleep. I’ve been reading Letters to a Young Mormon (AND IT IS PHENOMENAL) and there was a really great section about eating and sleeping and the daily stuff we do. I’ve been thinking a lot about my sleep routine. How many hours do I need? Melatonin or Unisom? Both? Do I need a new pillow? How can I better honor my sleep? On my brain.
• One Million Potential Projects and Balance. I quit my job! I have been so incredibly blessed and grateful to have my freelance gig for the last three and half years. It was time to phase out and I feel so at peace with the decision. And now my brain is doing a typical Danica and spitting out a million ideas for filling that newly freed time.

I decided my word for June was going to be STRONG. I’ve started integrating some weight lifting and trying to continue my 4x/week yoga. I’m working on building routines that keep me on top of stuff. I’m trying some new things with my scripture study and prayer practice. I’m just so excited for June and I’m looking forward to creating a summer that is strong, lively, renewing, and fun.