Tips For A Wonderful Winter

Though we prefer the warmth that spring and summer bring, we do love the beauty of the winter season. Yet some days, when we are snowed in, we find ourselves daydreaming about warmer weather. Our desire is to be in the present moment and to have a beautiful winter together as a family. Here are some ideas to beat the winter blues!

• Make a meal for a friend. Not only will you be helping someone tremendously, but you will also get out of the house for some fresh air, which is always so good for the soul! I recently purchased these mason jars and have been filling them with homemade soup. I tie the jar with pretty ribbon like this, then head over to a friend’s house to surprise them with a meal! Click here for one of my favorite soup recipes.
• Have a plan for your day. Write down three goals that you want to achieve at night for your upcoming day. This helps create meaning, intention, and focus for your day.
• Do a simple project to beautify your home, like making these homemade beeswax candles. We made beeswax candles as Christmas gifts for family and friends last year. They are so fun and easy to make! We still have some supplies left over and are planning to make some this week together. Here is our simple tutorial.
• Exercise! Exercising is an essential component of my week! Just a simple twenty-minute workout truly transforms my day. It is tempting to hibernate as the cold weather hits, but it is so important to break a sweat year round. Click here for my weekly workout guide, a combination of walking, running, and workout DVDs. This DVD is my go-to (and really works!)!
• Visit your local library. Libraries often have events and crafts for toddlers. I just brought Peter to one last week and he loved it!
• Write a family rule. After reading ‘A Mother’s Rule of Life’ together, Mike and I created a rule, a family rhythm and routine, for our home. It has brought such order, peace, and joy into our lives. We truly cannot recommend this book enough! By ordering our days properly, freedom and peace abound!
• Spend time in silent prayer. Winter is a beautiful opportunity to rest and rejuvenate. I tend to fill my time with activities to “stay busy” with Peter, when all I need is to sit and BE. Create a prayer corner in your home with an image of Jesus and a candle, or drive to your parish to pray. Winter is a time to slow down, heal, and listen to what gifts Christ has for you. Jesus came in the piercing cold of winter! Think of how many people missed His coming that first Christmas evening because of their to-do list or the rush to complete their daily tasks. Sit in silence with Christ. It always brings joy.
• Write a letter. This is one of my favorite things to do because it allows me to sit, reflect, think of someone, and communicate my heart.
• Do these indoor activities with your toddler. I created a Pinterest Board of winter toddler-friendly activities. We love to stay active and be creative with Peter throughout the day. We try to do at least one craft per day with him, and I am always looking for new ideas, especially when we are snowed in! Click here to view the Pinterest board!

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