Mango Tree Mama

Where I tell you what I'm thinking in an incomplete, scattered sort of way...

[mangotreemama]

One more thing that happened this crazy week. It’s been a “you’ve got to laugh or cry” week and I’m choosing to laugh. I do, however, forbid the question “what next?” 🤪 #tribe #blog http://bit.ly/2CIMV8s

[mangotreemama]

Oh my gosh you guys. This week has just been unreal. Absolutely unreal. One big thing after another culminating in a visit to the emergency room last night for the first time one of my kids needed to be stitched up, and now today our septic has decided to have an emergency and fill up our bathtubs with all manner of filth and no one can come and help us because it’s a weekend. I’m actually looking forward to Monday because I’ve convinced myself that it’s just this week and the next one has got to be better! Right?? 🤪🤞🏻 #blog #tribe http://bit.ly/2FLJT5m

[mangotreemama]

Very little to look at, I’m well aware. But this picture is something that I have been dreaming of for over three years now. And something that my children banded together and brought to fruition without any request from me. When we first looked at the house where we now live, there’s this special little spot in the backyard that is the perfect for cosying around a fire. There’s an archway covered in ivy, leading into an island surrounded by liriope with concrete benches and a bench swing. Before I’d even gone into the house, I pictured our family around a fire there. When my oldest daughter (@rena.bena.ding.dong) got married last fall, we got one step closer as my younger kids worked together and filled the island with mulch before the wedding (in our backyard). I laid a brick fire pit but it was just for looks/to hold space. With time passing and 7 other kids on the property, it didn’t survive. Today, two of my youngest decided to rebuild it, because they knew how much I loved the idea of a fire pit in that spot. They even gathered kindling and wood and laid a great fire. So tonight, we came here and roasted hot dogs and laughed and did the things you do around a fire and I’m so ridiculously happy and grateful for the amazing people that I get to call my children. #tribe #parenthood #parenting #boymom #girlmom #teenmom #momofmany #largefamilylife #fire #campfire #parenthood_moments #parentgoals #blog http://bit.ly/2CJhP0m

[mangotreemama]

Quick runaway trip to @maxiebsbakery with my favorite 11 year old 🧡 #tribe #blog http://bit.ly/2XEk6ms

[mangotreemama]

Oh gosh! “Goo Phase”! That’s PERFECT! I’ve searched for a way to express this idea before and “Goo Phase” is exactly it. 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 Posted @withrepost • @alsomelissa Awhile ago, my friend Mathew said to me: So in terms of caterpillar stages, right now you are in the GOO PHASE. (He was right.)⁣ ⁣ I mean, YEAH. Sometimes you have to break it all down to build anything back up. ⁣ ⁣ (The thing to remember, when you’re in Goo Phase, is that it’s not the end of the story. It’s just part of the process.)⁣ ⁣ That’s how it works sometimes. Level the ruins, sift through the rubble—and then discover that something else was always inside you, waiting to emerge.⁣ ⁣ I didn’t have to force it or rush it or power through, because THAT IS NOT HOW GOO PHASE WORKS. I had to sit with it, and I had to let the old thing go, and I had to wait and see what I was becoming. ⁣ ⁣ And I had to do the work. Goo phase is a hell of a lot of emotional work. It’s the work of creating a new thing, and the new thing is you. ⁣ ⁣ You can do that, because what other choice does the caterpillar have? The only way through is through. You go into the dark and you wait. You create a tiny opening for yourself. And then you find your way back into the light, hunched and fragile, and wait while new life flows into your wings to make them strong. ⁣ ⁣ And then—you fly. #blog http://bit.ly/2H55XtJ

[mangotreemama]

Bunny Nuggets 😍😍😍 #tribe #blog http://bit.ly/2tOtSop

[mangotreemama]

This week’s bullet journal spread, courtesy of last night’s spill 😭 Thankfully the destruction only goes a few pages back. I’ll be trying to read/remember what all was written on here to recreate my to-do list... #bujo #showmeyourplanner #bulletjournal #blog #tribe http://bit.ly/2ECLCt0

[mangotreemama]

It’s a water marble evening #blog #tribe #home #sensory play http://bit.ly/2WAl2I0

[mangotreemama]

Every once in a while, I don’t hate cooking 😄 This evening is one of those times. 😉 #tribe #blog http://bit.ly/2Hy30Th

[mangotreemama]

My awesome work crew. #tribe #blog #home http://bit.ly/2UivMcf

[mangotreemama]

Feeling as sore as if I’ve been beaten up and still nauseated, but I *think* this migraine has passed. 🤞🏻 🤞🏻 Now, can I try to catch up tomorrow on all I didn’t do today without setting off another?? #blog http://bit.ly/2ROWoUr

[mangotreemama]

Tonight we celebrate Yule, our celebration of Winter Solstice. On the longest night of the year, I give my kids each an armload of new books, light some candles, set out hot chocolate, and give them permission to stay up all night long reading and drinking hot chocolate. It’s everyone’s favorite holiday and a fabulous reset/rebirth of a new year. I thought tonight, I’ll commemorate Yule by reading a new and beautiful copy of the very first “classic” I ever read. #WutheringHeights #Bronte #Yule #Solstice #Books #Bookworm #bookstagram #DeckledEdges #tribe #blog http://bit.ly/2A7z9uM

[mangotreemama]

Just chillin’ with his head on my shoulder 🥰 #ColumbianBoa #BoaConstrictor #RedTailBoa #BoasOfInstagram #SnakesOfInstagram #blog http://bit.ly/2Eapbg2

[mangotreemama]

3 quarts of yogurt, ready to get all tart and fabulous while we sleep. I broke one jar because I forgot to put a towel in the bottom of the pot when I was warming the milk 😖🤦‍♀️ Oh well, I’m still ending up cheaper than storebought yogurt! 3 quarts of yogurt for $1.58 is a whole lot better than one quart for $2.80-something! #tribe #blog #frugal #largefamilyliving http://bit.ly/2TQIorx

[mangotreemama]

Making granola with this cutie pie. Yogurt coming up next with my biggest boy. #tribe #blog #CookingWithBoys #momlife http://bit.ly/2QpRLj1

[mangotreemama]

Finally got the whole tribe in the same picture! #tribe #blog #MabonTime http://bit.ly/2RicGSx

[mangotreemama]

When you’ve tried so hard to understand and keep your respect for someone who once earned it, and they just won’t let you. 😢 https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp7AAloASmn/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=170hdvpwcpmid