Parenting hacks.

1. This cooking spray works as a moisturizer for freshly bathed babies. Your little ones can simply spread arms and legs and turn slowly while you load it on like sunscreen, pat it in, and send them on their merry ways. Beware of the greasy floor, but it’s nothing a little towel or dog tongue can’t fix.

2. Pajamas and toothbrushes should accompany you on evening outings. Friend’s house? The pool? Church function? Fancy restaurant? Just kidding, maybe. But for real, taking five minutes to get kids ready in someone’s else’s bathroom before the return trip home makes all of the bedtime difference.

3. Never, ever order kids’ meals when you’re at a sit-down restaurant. Well, I mean, you can. But you don’t have to. Try a big appetizer or one entree for the little ones to share. This might save you money and help your babies grow to enjoy new foods, eating a little of whatever the grown-ups can’t finish.

4. Lay out everything the night before. I mean, EVERYTHING. While you’re tucking your kids in (or just throwing air kisses across the room because you just can’t with story time tonight), arrange every single article of clothing for tomorrow on the floor, including shoes and jackets. Apply toothpaste to toothbrushes, place the hair stuff within reach, the whole nine. It makes the before-dawn hustle so much easier.

5. Sign up for vacation bible schools. As many as you can. My best friend taught me to research early (like late winter) and set alarms for registration. Do it! And don’t feel pressured to volunteer. If you’re already serving elsewhere in life, use the time to work or rest! (Do consider sponsoring a child from your kid’s school, specifically low-income families who might not have access to internet or know about the magic of VBS, as well as donating to whatever generosity drive the church is doing.)

iPhone apps I use practically everyday (and you might, too):

1. Twitter. My first and forever social media love. This is where I stay caught up current events, politics, local happenings, and pop culture. This is also the number 1 spot for me to stay engaged with the Black community and learn more about my role in the journey to racial reconciliation. Black Twitter is like, the most amazing, thoughtful, helpful, HILARIOUS thing to happen to the Internet.
2. Clue. Because ladies, we are WAY TOO OLD to not know what’s happening to our bodies on the regular. I chart my periods, moods, and pain here (this includes random headaches or fatigue). You can remove the parts of charting you don’t want (ovulation, for example, if you aren’t trying to make more babies). You can also receive push notifications as a heads-up when things are heating up (i.e. DO NOT PICK A FIGHT WITH YOUR HUSBAND TODAY, YOU’RE A LITTLE CRAY). Speaking of husbands, mine actually started charting my cycles way before I did. Because he’s kind and gentle and brilliant.
3. Audible. For a monthly subscription fee, you get one free book each month, plus discounts to a bajillion other audio books. I try to get through two books per month, and I’ll listen to everything from celebrity memoirs to heavy women-in-the-Church theology. This also keeps me from checking my phone while driving (yikes) or gorging on NPR all day in the car.
4. Wunderlist. I know I’ve talked about it before, but it just cannot NOT make the list today. My husband and I started using it three years ago when we had a knock-down drag-out discussion (lol) about rhythms and grocery shopping and how alone I felt in the household duties. He found this app and we’ve been using it happily and faithfully ever since. In addition to our grocery lists (which we have categorized by store), we keep wish lists for ourselves and dream projects for the house on there. It’s a great place to store ideas for gifts and travel, as well.
5. Google Maps. Just kidding. I mean, yes, but that’s boring. Let’s go with VSCO. This is where I collect photos that I know I’d like to share someday. I’m able to edit them at my own pace, while I either come up with a clever caption or wait for the Lord to give me something to share (this does NOT mean the Lord isn’t clever. He very much is). I do try to keep a certain aesthetic look on my Instagram, a concept about which I am absolutely unashamed, and I prefer the M5 and the S2 filters with a few tweaks thrown in.

What about you? What apps do YOU love?

Skincare items to consider if you hope to avoid aging like a leather bag:

1. Sunscreen. You knew it was coming, right? I live in the South and grew up in the land of baby oil in the summer, but even I learned early on that sunscreen didn’t stop me from getting tan. Now I wear it every day on my face, neck, and chest… even when I have no intention of spending time outside. This one has replaced my morning moisturizer, but there are also some fun powder ones out there, like this and this, that I’d love to try!

2. Vitamin C serum. This sweet little ingredient is famous for fighting wrinkles and aging by tightening and brightening the skin. It also helps turn over new cells and repair what has been damaged. I’m saving up for this one because I love the brand so much, but this one from Trader Joe’s works great in the meantime! I use it first thing in the morning.

3. The right cleanser. You don’t have to wash your face twice a day. You don’t have to buy the same thing everyone else buys, either. But you certainly cannot use soap. After many failed attempts at finding the right product, I went to a professional who matched me up with the best thing I’ve ever tried. I saw results in less than a week!

4. A spin brush. I didn’t believe the hype until I tried it, but it’s for real. You’ve got to do more than just slap some soap on your face. I use this brush two or three nights per week, and it both exfoliates my skin and cleans out my pores. I’ve read the reviews, and this little gal holds her own against a Clairsonic, which is about four times the price!

5. Sheet masks. Here’s the thing. I really don’t care if they work, and I don’t think anyone else does either. These guys are all the rage from Korea, and I can see why. They’re a fun, affordable way for me to spend a Friday night. I feel pampered and fancy and my skin feels amazing after using them.

Steps you can take to heal your post-baby abdominal separation/diastasis:

1. Hire Tyler Brown. This can be a one-time thing, but I have to give my brother credit with writing me the program that brought my abs back to life. He does online/phone consulting and delivers the programs straight to your email inbox for a one-time fee. Hit him up at tylerbrowntraining@gmail.com.

2. Buy an abdominal binder. I thought I’d missed the boat, being four years out from the twins who blew my belly out. As it turns out, waist training is a thing right now and that gear works for restoring your abs too! The binder allows you to do things like crunches that you wouldn’t be able to safely accomplish without support. I’m very fresh into this, but the reviews have sold me.

3. Practice yoga. I started with Holy Yoga, which I will continue to subscribe to even after starting attending classes at my local gym. Yoga allows for so much freedom and modification, but it also shows you your progress each time you practice. And when you’re working on something like growing your muscles back together, you need to see wins on a regular basis.

4. Read Mummy Tummy. This book helped me understand the whole concept behind diastasis and why it’s important to heal from the inside out. Even though it highlights and covers the Tupler technique, the entire book is worth the read. It helps you build the foundation for healing and getting your core back to the way it used to be.

5. Engage ALL OF THE TIME. This is similar to the Tupler technique but even simpler. It’s not an exercise, but you’d be surprised at how effective it is. I started acknowledging my abs all of the time. When I bend over to pick up a baby, I engage my core. When I lean over the table to serve my family dinner, I engage. The more mindful I’ve become of my abs, the more I realize they are for me and not against me. They want to help me. They want to heal. And they take the steps to getting stronger as often as I let them.

Hope this helps! Glad to see so many of you sharing similar experiences on my recent Instagram post. Let’s do this together, shall we?

For your listening pleasure:

1. “Sunday Stroll” playlist on Spotify. It’s like being in a coffee shop and hearing everything you love on one station, from deconstructed top 40’s hits to acoustic classics. I listen to this when I’m cleaning my room.

2. Bethel Worship, “We Will Not Be Shaken.” This might be the greatest worship album for the year, and we’re still in the first quarter. I can’t play it or endorse it enough. This record is beautiful and raw and it’s fun to watch the whole thing via the videos section on its page.

3. “New Year’s Eve Party” playlist on Pandora. I promise you won’t regret it. There’s something for everyone on this station, and it heads in whatever direction you want based on your likes. And to be honest, I found it several weeks after the holidays’ passing.

4. Taylor Swift, “89.” Personally, I need a break from this record, but only because my kids want to hear it every single time we’re in the car. It’s well-done and it’s spunky and groovy and I am just such a fan of women in pop culture who write their own music. I’m even more of a fan of celebrities who give back to their fans and beyond.

5. This American Life, “Serial.” I know people have gone back and forth on this one, whether or not it’s appropriate to bring up old hurts for the sake of a sensationalized investigative piece. But this podcast is so interesting, and it’s free so I feel less funky about it. Also, I enjoy suspenseful stories that ask questions.

What about y’all? Whatcha listening to these days?

Reasons* to use David Kind:

1. Personalized service. I’ve gone the online route for glasses plenty of times in the past, and I have never received the type of correspondence and attention that David Kind has given me. Regardless of whether you purchase, you’re assigned a personal stylist who’s educated and experienced and guides you through the entire process.

2. The try-on process. You pick three pairs, and your stylist picks three pairs. You receive a total of six, delivered to your house to try on at your leisure. You can take lots of selfies and play around with outfits and lighting and hairstyles before you make a decision.

3. Perfect fit. From the color preference to facial shape and size, you’re pretty much guaranteed to find a good match. Your stylist works with photos of you, and you use an app to send eye measurements when you’re ready to purchase. My final choice came to me with absolutely no need to adjust the fit or the prescription. They even sit straight on my crooked face!

4. Quality. Every single pair I tried on impressed me, and I tried on a lot. Our entire core team basically exchanged boxes two times over. I’ve held a lot of these frames in my hands and worn them for hours at a time. They carry just the right weight without being heavy.

5. Gorgeous aesthetics. Everything is so well-done, y’all. From the frames to the try-on box to the glasses case you receive with your purchase… it’s all just so stinkin’ pretty and unique.

*A sponsored post, yes, but I wouldn’t write about this if I didn’t love it.

Books I’m determined to finish before the weather warms:

1. Girls with Swords. I started it last year, and then I went a little crazy with depression and anxiety so I had to put it away until I healed a bit. I recently picked it back up and feel more encouraged than ever. This is really every woman’s anthem. Lisa has this way of pumping you up and making you feel brave but called and rooted, all at the same time.

2. Yes Please. To say this book is changing my life might sound a little dramatic, but it is definitely one of the books I’ll remember and reference and re-read for years to come. Amy is wise and humble and a little bit saucy, which combines into a fast read that inspires me and keeps me laughing. I took notes and underlined things if you wanna borrow my copy.

3. Knocking on Heaven’s Door. This title sat on my wish list for months, and Chris surprised me with it for Valentine’s Day. Romantic, right?! No but really, it’s one investigative reporter’s journey about her parents’ last several years of life. It’s part-memoir, part whistle-blower piece about the importance of discussion and planning.

4. Love Does. Is it embarrassing that I haven’t finished this yet? I originally bought it for my husband, but eventually sneaked it from his nightstand to mine. It’s a super easy read, full of essays and stories about fun acts of kindness that will brighten your day. I also like that it can be put on pause and restarted again at any time. Bob is patient.

5. Make it Happen. We’re reading this one for our network book club, and it couldn’t be more perfect for the start of the year. Lara walks people through the fears that keep them from going after their dreams, and she balances those get-after-it pep talks with a healthy dose of the gospel. This one’s a must-read for anyone who feels like they were meant for something more, but the “more” is scary.