When you reflect upon your life what are the things that matter most to you? What adds value and purpose to you?

Life itself is a gift in its entirety and love is the cherry-on-top of it all. With the chaos that modern life can often bring there is a yearning for simplicity that calls me. It is as though a quiet voice is whispering “Be still”. Being present is a piece of the puzzle, but today I want to tell the story of my attempt to slow down and savor this gift called life.

It is so very easy to feel the tug of war of life, expectations, challenges, self imposed commitments, technology and so much more. Life can become a consistent buzz in your ear of busyness, thoughts and stresses.

Do you ever need it all to JUST STOP for a moment?

I do. I have been striving for a simpler, slower, cherished life where the moments I have alone or with my family and loved ones are SAVORED. When I say savored I mean like that bowl of fresh Peach Cobbler that’s altogether perfect in its crispy yet deliciously soft and sweet inside! Can you taste the caramel drizzle yet? Yeah, like THAT savored.

What if I told you the constant buzz can be calmed, that the peace of presence in the moment can be achieved and the quality of life that comes from love and time spent can be unplugged?! Would you believe you could achieve those slow and savored moments in life?

Do you want to slow down and savor your family life?

On my journey to the simple life at Simple Acres I have found there to be some amazing secrets and benefits to a slowing down to take in all the goodness life has to offer. Here are just a few tips I hope may help you on your journey.

10 Ways to Slow Down and Savor Family Life

1. Live in the present. My oldest is in love with “playing flowers” . This is where he puts on his favorite red boots to gather flowers from all over the yard to create something beautiful he can then give to another. That “another” is almost always me! I have learned that we lose the gift of “today” when we focus on the past or future. Today we laugh, smile and celebrate this small task, stage and joy. Ask yourself what stage or special moments this present time is bringing forth in your life and savor it! I take pictures of his bouquets, I smell the sweet fragrances and try ever so hard to press an imprint into my mind of that smile and excitement in the beauty of nature and giving. Even laying a few petals between book pages to save remnants of my “today” have been noble attempts to live in the present.

2. Turn off technology. We take days and weeks off from our technological toys, but even an hour away is wonderful. I encourage my kids to play outside. I want to watch them pretend and be creative. I want to see them building with sticks and dirt. I capture the moments by being present around them and by taking pictures of the moments.

3. Be inclusive in everyday tasks. We can all be busy and torn in different directions but I am trying more and more to be present in the tasks of the farm. My husband and I play a part in each others realm a bit from time to time. My husband plays a part in my blog by getting behind the camera for me while playing “photographer”. We have a long way to go but whether it’s my husband changing water while the little ones play in the feild, we are all out in the garden or the kids join in on paint time while I am creating a custom art piece…we try to be together in the tasks of life.

4. Create fun.  I have grown to love four wheeling thanks to my husband. The kids LOVE joining us on rides in the field and around the farm. The wind in your hair and no present cares is so refreshing to the soul. No matter what it is you and your family enjoy…find that and create fun intentionally and regularly.

5. Avoid agendas. Sometimes, having no plan but being home and present is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. Just sit back, be still and enjoy the senses of your surroundings. I love sunsets in the evening on Simple Acres. It is so open and heavenly, it’s as if ever pore of myself can soak in life, nature and the love of my family. If you must plan, plan for time with NO AGENDAS…it will refresh you and your family! I must mention it is amazing to sit back,with no agenda of course, in the most comfortable boots you have ever worn while doing so.

6. Be present in nature. One of my boys has been my bug catcher since he was old enough to walk. He can spend hours in the field chasing and diving in the field for grasshoppers. Although bugs are not my thing, being surrounded by nature is a must for me. There is something soothing about the colors nature presents, the sounds of the season you are in and the smells that are unique to where you are. Nature challenges the senses in a way I find very encouraging to savoring the present time and the people you are sharing it with. If nature is not on your back doorstep, where could you go to get away and be together with your family?

7. Pretend. This may be silly, but I enjoy creating and pretending with my little ones. In this moment, we are in our own world. We intuitively play and feed off each other. Especially, in the Summer nights we pretend and play together as we conquer imaginary beasts and devise plans to be victorious in our created adventure. If you have a more grown family or just you and your spouse pretend you are camping and camp outside and just enjoy the treasured time together. My littlest is in love with pretending she is a powerful cowgirl as she rides her horsey with her adorable purple leather and stitched boots.

8. Connect. Taking that extra effort to be unplugged and purposefully intent on your loved ones. This is a practice I need growth on. I can attest when I do connect it is rewarding and is the secret ingredient to SAVORING family time. When we take time away from multitasking and our phone screens we can engage and connect in memorable ways. I often schedule time in my week to spend quality one-on-one time with each of my children and husband.

9. Create together. In the Spring and Summer we enjoy planting produce in the garden. It is a great way to create a start to self sufficient living and modeling it with our children. Whether it is a flower bed, garden or just a fun hobby or project creating something with loved ones acts as such a glue to togetherness while teaching values and work ethic.

10. Love. The greatest of all these ways to slow down and savor family life is love. Without love not one of these shared tips matters. Hold your family a little tighter, love with more intention, soak in the moment and live life to the fullest.

Our lifestyle may not be yours and that is ok. I believe we all can use these tips in any walk of life. Durango boots is such an essential for our lifestyle because of what we do as new cattle farmers and country dwellers. I wear my boots almost every day. I have never worn a boot, or shoe for that matter, that is as comfortable and versatile as these boots. This is the honest truth. Besides who doesn’t love a pair of cute boots?!

Whether you live in the country, like to play in the dirt or just want to look awesome in the city…you will love these boots! Let them help you explore, savor and connect in life that much better! Dovidenia. XO

The post 10 Ways to Slow Down and Savor Family Life appeared first on Simple Acres Blog.

The art of being present has been a theme and ongoing focus in my life.

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What was so good about me just taking care of life’s “to-dos” with a baby I couldn’t wake up (while my arm is burning holding her)? “Good Momma”…it kept on flooding my mind…in a good way. The gesture alone was sweet. So often us mommas just need to hear this, especially with the exhaustion, busyness and multitasking we experience while attempting to keep all the strings of life attached. Do you ever feel this way?

This statement made me proud. Instead of feeling stressed and overwhelmed at the task of grocery shopping with a sleeping babe, it made me feel accomplished…it made me feel empowered. These two words helped me to reflect on what really makes life rich and what really helps us as humans to offer something genuine to others. These two words helped me to realize that being a “good” ANYTHING really comes down to one main thing for me…BEING PRESENT. Being “good” in that moment wasn’t looking perfect, or having it all together, or having every detail even half figured out….it was being present for my daughter that morning.

The Art of Being Present.

Being present to me is:

• unplugging from technology and the demands of life to plug into the people/person and moment I am in
• being in tune to my senses- being mindful of the smell in the air, the feel of my loved one in my arms, the sounds of my surroundings and the emotions my heart is feeling
• being an instrument of love and experiencing a deeper sense of peace, joy and meaning in life

What would this look like in your life? How could you be more mindful to the present moment?

3 Ways to Live in the Present Simply
1. Quality time. I schedule this weekly with my loved ones. “Dates” is code word for quality time and attention with my kids and husband. Even if it’s an early departure to school to grab a treat together or play at a park or a simple dinner with my “Sweet Cheeks” with glorious alone time grocery shopping together! (I know I am boring but I LOVE IT!)
2. Creativity. Art, crafts, painting, decorating with the kids, scavenger hunts…just using your mind and time in a creative way takes you to a slower paced more focused place in life. I love and reap the benefits of this by creating memories with my loved ones while decreasing stress.
3. Capture the Moment. A novice would be a complement to my photography skills…but I love it! Photography that isn’t connected to social media is even better. I just bought a version of my “old-school” Polaroid camera   I had as a kid. The nostalgia of taking and waiting for the “instant” picture to appear warms my heart. (The kids thought is was SO cool and fun too!) The “imperfection” of the photos in the sense that they could not be edited brought me to happy tears, folks. It just reminded me as I used this fun new “toy” how important it is to be present in life. That the “imperfection” and “unplanned” of life is genuine and good…it is good indeed.

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These are some of the feelings we often experience as mothers. Society speaks such a pressured message of perfection. I find myself believing this message sometimes. It seems that social media convinces us we should be able to be the schedule maker, cook, coach, instructor, mom boss MOM.

Just typing this makes me want to cry.

What if just “being” is enough and doing is the cream on your cup of “mom-tea” ? Would your feelings of guilt, frustration and failure be gone? Lets discover this.

I wrote this originally on a wonderful blogger and friend’s blog at Meaningful Mama.

Today I find myself distraught, down on myself, torn a million ways and to be honest emotional. I was scanning my drafts and I found this article and figured these words were not only a good reminder to myself but maybe to you as well.

Let’s look into that cup of tea we call motherhood. WHAT IF just purely being present, loving your child, being imperfectly human and offering your hand in their journey in life IS ENOUGH? 

What if your affection is enough and your presence as they sit on your lap while you pay bills or work is enough? What if your essence, your smell, the sound of your voice and your loving touch is enough? What if the gift of YOU as their mom with all your IMPERFECTION is ENOUGH?

If it were….and I believe IT IS… Mom Guilt would be banished.

Man…. My literal heart,self and purpose walking around…. A little crazy, cooky, creative and full of love! Can't wait to see what these amazing little humans will do! We dream, work and raise 'em up in our @durangoboots …wouldn't have it any other way! #ad #itsanattitude

A photo posted by Stefanie (@simpleacresblog) on Sep 13, 2016 at 2:59pm PDT

That simple cup of tea… yes, you…Mom… will suffice. 

My kids will kiss me and tell me they love me and how good I am often while inside I think, “No I’m not. ”

NO MORE. Mom guilt, I refuse you because you lie. 

See, I’ve come through a bit of a dark cloud these last few weeks and what I’ve learned is the activities, the trips to the park, the baking sessions, the sports camps and efforts to DO MOM-hood are the cream. They are great, don’t get me wrong, but they are the lavish cream on the top of the tea your child already loves. 

I am enough. You are enough. Love is enough and your best is enough. 

I don’t write as a parenting guru ever. When I write about parenting I just lay my vulnerabilities out in hopes that another may relate, feel hope and can take a deep breath in and know… It’s gonna be OK.

Momma you are doing good.

Tears well up in my eyes as I write this because I needed to hear that.  I have faith you do to.

I can not promise we will never face Mom Guilt again. I want to share 10 things I have learned to say to myself and am determined to say as I refuse guilt.

Positive Self Talk to Fight Mom Guilt

1. My presence matters.
2. My love is enough.
3. My best differs with each day.
4. Perfection is not needed, just persistence to love and teach.
5. My “doing” is not required to be a good mom. It’s the cream not the tea.
6. If I’m not quitting I’m succeeding.
7. Mistakes are for learning and growing.
8. ” Me-time” makes “their-time” better.
9. I’m not guilty.
10. Just breath.

Let’s refuse this Mom Guilt together and strive to just be there for our child with love and enjoy life more. Dovidenia. Xo

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