Such a good read. Thank you. I am a big ole 7 on the Enneagram and live a somewhat isolated life. The two do not go hand in hand. I sometimes try too hard when I become a part of an online community because I am lonely and love people. Talking with people. Getting to know them. Feeling like a belong somewhere (as a 7 maybe everywhere). Five years ago I became my husband's caregiver and wife in name only. It is and has been difficult and is one of the reasons I am isolated. I am so thankful for people and community!
First: This community has meant so much to me. Erin, thank you for making the space, and everyone else out there, thank you for being yourselves. I get new perspectives and hear from people I might never know. People who are kind and loving and supportive and interesting. Words are failing me, but you all have been a highlight of 2021 for me. Second: The article about holiday overwhelm gave me a big “ah-ha!” moment. I *want* to love the holidays but every year I feel like I am battling my inner Grinch. That article just made me realize that it may be because my invisible workload increases 200% and I’m supposed to do all of this invisible labor with a smile on my face. And if you get mad people are all “why aren’t you in the Christmas spirit?” 😡😱 It makes me feel so broken and resentful. I feel a lot more normal about my feelings now!
Seriously, why are stories of other people's children just the best. You get all the joy,, dont' have to hide your laughter, give them candy and send them on their way :D (reasons being an aunt is amazing)
I started reading all the comments since I was SO late this week, I wasn't going to comment. But then I started to tear up and had to stop reading the comments and let you all know you are wonderful and honest in ways I never knew people could be. I'm still hunting for the book club/pen pal lists because I need more of people like you in my life and less playing on instagram with face filters because I don't want to feel my feelings or do the dishes. I have cookies here at my desk and wish I could pass them to each and every one of you today.
I’ve come back to Danté Stewart and Ben Cremer’s tweets repeatedly this weekend as gentle nudges of correction in my heart. That’s the really neat part of online community to me - what happens online transitions to a non-virtual space in my heart, mind and spirit. And for that, I’m grateful!
😄 OMG Erin, you're hysterical when your mad, I love it!! This is my first and only online community (gasp!). And yes! it is exactly as you described it! And sometimes we just need to fight back and write our frustrations out as you did, against the attacks on plain goodness(the tone and care of this community). All haters need some good old shock therapy to erase their brains from the plague that has infested our society!
I have been on a LITERAL 6 mo binge of ALL THINGS "little swipes" and Bible Binge and I am so thankful for it. I am filled with what was missing from my relationship with God-others to share in the joy that God can bring to our lives through community. (I cannot find a in-person community like this-so maybe they need to take notes on online communities and how to do that better!) So this has been so great! Only it's a little hard to keep track of everyone's stories and because of that, I am afraid of making a comment that might not be the best, so sorry if that was you!
I would like to send my hugs and love to Erin and to all of you who I am just starting to get to know. I live in a prayer life(thx to God for helping me relax about this-and he uses it for his purposes) God promises that he hears and works in our prayers so this is my prayer for you this Christmas.
Dear God, I thank you that you have brought each one of us into this special community. You KNOW that each one of us needs each other to help us along(Gal 6:2), by your hand and design, we have been placed here! May you continue to reveal yourself to us through each other, and grow the love and bonds are being created. Please meet us in our need, especially as we head out to be with our families and for those who don't have any! May you give each of us PEACE, knowing you will not leave us as we are, so give us confidence that you WILL bless with your abundance of true love. ❤️ IJNA
I'm posting again to let everyone know that the ebook of Cheaper by the Dozen and Belles on their Toes is just $2.99 and y'all. If you want the perfect, laugh out loud funny, yet heartwarming enough to make you hard cry at the end book, it's Cheaper by the Dozen. And Belles on their Toes is excellent too. (and it's nothing at all like the dumb Steve Martin movie)
That dumb Steve Martin movie had me enraged as a child! I was so excited for that movie and then it was nothing like the book. My grandma saved the day and found a dvd of the 1950's movie for Christmas that year.
Thanks for sharing the article on holiday magic. I have been feeling that hard this season. This morning, I wrote this to try to express what I feel and what I'm feeling and hearing from other moms.
To the makers of holiday magic....
Moms out there who feel tired, I see you. Taking advantage of all the Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and then December sales to stretch a dollar. Counting packages to make sure each child will feel loved equally. Filling the calendar with lovely holiday experiences but then feeling depleted after them. Packing suitcases in anticipation for travel. Overwhelmed by the amount of to-dos but also full of gratitude and joy for the sweetness of this season.
Moms crushed by the weight of perfectionism, I see you. Making sure everything is lovely & wonderful. Thoughtfully planning the holiday card, the outfits, backing out the timeline so they’ll arrive in time. Curating scroll-stopping content and getting a sense of satisfaction from all the hearts received for that last post. Making the most adorable teacher gifts everyone oohs and aahs for. Giving it your all as a token of your love and your desire to feel worthy.
Moms carrying the weight of family dynamics, I see you. Wondering how the gathering will go. Feeling that the burden of peacekeeping lies on your shoulders. Silently praying that ‘that topic’ doesn’t come up. Vigilant about keeping everyone well. Every concern that keeps you up at night, an expression of your love.
Moms who are grieving something new or something old this season, I see you. Wondering how the world goes on when yours is falling apart. Feeling numb. Watching all the excitement and merrymaking pass from a distance in a fog. The love in your heart…trapped. disoriented. with no where in this physical world to go.
Lord, let us embrace the joy you intend for us in this holy season of anticipation. Not the joy for anyone else, or compared against any other year, but what is meant for us now. Let us leave everything else behind. Make clear our yeses and our nos. Where we feel hurry or stress, fill us with your perfect peace. Where we feel not enough, fill us with acceptance of ourselves and love of exactly who we are in this moment. Let us rest in the fact that our worth is not attached to how our families experience the holidays. Let us release the burden of our worries to your capable hands. Let your presence be the healing balm for broken hearts this holiday. We thank you that we don’t do this alone. We thank you for Jesus, God with us, our Immanuel.
Y'all I made it. To the first vacation my husband and I have had since 2017. We leave tomorrow. All we did was rent an air bnb in the redwoods. We will nap and hike and eat and play games and READ and nap some more and -finally- watch Ted Lasso. I could cry. 10 whole days of rest. Amen.
Erin this community is beautiful. Thank you for giving us a place to connect. The last few years have been so sad and stressful and full of loss. What a delight to have an online space that offers comfort and joy.
And I gotta get in on the pen pal and book club thing. Are there signups?
Dawn, do you mind sharing your Airbnb if you end up loving it? My parents just agreed to watch the kids for long enough next June that we can go away for our anniversary, and my husband's #1 destination is the Redwoods! I hope you have an amazing time!!!
I will! So far, place is lovely and well appointed. I will post back here in a couple days once we've gotten to cook, shower, etc. But on looks alone it is a magical setting!
I am WAAAAAY late to the comment section this week, but wanted to say a few things.
First of all, Erin, I cannot begin to express how thankful I (and I assume all of us!) are for this space you have created on the internet. I know that we all are a part of this community and we make up the community that we love, but Erin, you have hosted this space and set the environment up for success. I cannot thank you enough. I have received about 5 Christmas cards (so far) from lil' swipes. My mom is telling her friends that I have plans to travel to Chicago in April, by myself, to meet my internet friends. It's her 2008 worst nightmare but she isn't worried a bit because of what she has seen (through me telling her) from this group.
I feel so honored to be a part of this.
I am not sure if I told anyone, but last week I found out someone I admired greatly had an abnormal mammogram. I was in tears over the thought of her having cancer and today she found out that it was benign and everything is good. What a relief.
I don't have much more to add than to be just so grateful for this space and the community we have made for ourselves.
SHELBY! It's great news about the benign scan, so glad you can take a deep breath of relief about that. Does Chicago know what's coming in April? I don't think the city is ready for all of us to take over I CANNOT WAIT.
Are you going to the live show? I hinted heavily to my husband that I need tickets as an early bday present - but didn't know there was potentially a Swipes meet up!
I'm a new Lil Swipe, but I love it here. I'm a hard Enneagram 8 and introvert that likes to pretend I don't really need or care to have community, and then my tender inner 8 gets my feelings hurt when I'm alone.
Over the last 4 years I've gone from working full-time to gradually sliding into full-time SAHM. I'm currently 8 weeks postpartum with my third - my oldest has special needs and my middle is only 17 months. This season is heavy. I'm going to do my best to get over my innate cynacism and show up in this community to contribute as much as I hope to receive.
Maybe I am also an 8? (never tested myself and thought I was what Knox is from how he describes himself, lol) But this resonates deeply! Thanks for showing up today :)
I have gotten much better at asking for and accepting help. My pride got the best of me after my first, but not the last 2, thankfully. Thank you for your encouragement!! 💛
I am new to the comments portion but have been reading the blogs for a while! Welcome! I have been a SAHM for 13 years now. I hope that you will love it as much as I do!
Thank you so much! Things feel impossible most days now (like scream into a pillow and cry under the table while my kids eat lunch impossible) but I also know it won't be like this forever. #3 was a surprise and we didn't plan on having them this close together. I think in a few months my outlook will be much improved.
I see you and have been there, although I’m more a cry in the shower and scream in the car person 😱 Letting go is hard. I still struggle with it, but when I do I’m like “wow, it’s so much better like this!” Hang in there, we are here.
The secret is to LET GO. Of all the stupid and meaningless things society tells us we are entitled to or have to do to be a "successful" mom (speaking from experience with 4)
Adriann, this was our situation as well (#3 showed up MUCH sooner than we had planned), and some days all you can do is make sure everyone is alive at the end of the day. @biglittlefeelings said the other to look at the balls you're juggling. Some are glass and some are plastic, and it's ok to let those plastic balls drop (super hard for this enneagram 1 to do) but they'll eventually get picked back up. Welcome, welcome!
I love @biglittlefeelings! I always resonate with their posts. Thank you for the encouragement. 💛 It's always nice to know other people have been here and made it out alive. 😂
The picture of you and your family is beautiful! I am sure you have heard it before but it does get better. I am sending up a prayer for you right now! ❤
We're glad you're here, Adriann. I hope being in this space gives you peace and when we can't give you that, at least a few other people saying, "me too".
The fact that there are people trying to invalidate the power of online communities is particularly laughable today because in a moment of particular loneliness and frustration with my community here, I did look for jobs in the Carolinas (Raleigh, Columbia, and Pawleys Island) to be closer to some Lil Swipes.
Also, I'd love for that essayist to tell me that online communities don't matter when my apartment is packed to the brim with Lil Swipes for the Chicago show. SUCK IT, ESSAYIST. THESE ARE MY BESTIES.
In other news, we are hours away from Christmas break and we will be crossing the finish line by the skin of our friggin teeth. It feels like all of my students are either suspended or in quarantine due to Covid exposure.
Breaking news, as I was typing this my principal and assistant principal (I have a tense relationship with both of them and I don't think they like me very much) just busted up into my classroom and gave me a school hoodie and a Yeti mug embossed with our school logo and told me they're appreciative of all that I do for the school. Whether or not they actually meant it, it was just a nice gesture and I'm glad they thought of me and made me a little teary. I'm a social worker and not a teacher and normally I'm left out of things like this, so it was nice to feel seen.
Welp. I promised a 5th grade girl I'd help her facilitate some friendships at recess so I gotta go. But as always, it has been a pleasure.
Megan, I'm so glad that you were celebrated by admin! Everyone involved with schooling works so hard and should be thanked and celebrated!! Also, the Carolinas are lovely. I moved to Hickory for grad school in 2014 and never left. I hope that you're able to find a job that's a good fit.
Bless all of you teachers for showing up and helping our kids process their big emotions and friendships and all the things. I think my second grader's teacher is his personal therapist right now, and she is getting one heck of a Christmas gift from us. Truly doing the Lord's work!!!
💕 I'm so glad they expressed appreciation for you, that means so much! I was an assistant at an elementary school for a few years, and it's frustrating how often support staff is left out of teacher appreciation. Also I CANNOT WAIT to meet you in Chicago!!!
"I promised a 5th grade girl I'd help her facilitate some friendships at recess". Um? Megan?? I didn't come here to ABSOLUTELY S O B. (okay maybe I did???) What lucky, lucky that girl is, to learn from the best. I'm so happy you felt appreciated and included. I can't wait to squeeze you in Chicago. 💗
Shelbs, let's be honest with ourselves. We all come here to sob.
And man, that kiddo is somethin else. Anxiety (especially social anxiety) is off the chain and she has to have lunch with me every day because she is too anxious to eat in front of other people. She also just has a LOT going on at home so having a quiet lunch with me is very much the only moment of peace she gets in her lil life. Due to the gym being used for something else today, recess was cancelled, but she's still down to try when we come back from break, so I take that as a win.
Almost done with Covid isolation, and man. Online communities/chats have been LIFE GIVING during this time. Since the time this community began, it has been the nicest corner of the internet.
Quick Treasures, as I have 4 hungry children (who I swear just ate minutes ago. ALL THE MEALS.)
1. Hubs, baby, and I keep testing negative for COVID, and tomorrow is the last day of isolation for my 3 bigs. Praise Jesus.
2. A lovely Christmas card and sticker from Jules. My sticker was "read good books and ask hard questions" which I think is going to be my 2022 mantra. Thanks, Jules!
3. Mid-week, Amanda tipped me off that Sarah Maas's Court of Thorns series was CHEAP on kindle and I bought that sucker so fast. It's going to get me through the holidays! Thanks, Amanda!
4. Finished book 1 and 2 of The Inheritance Games series - I need someone to cast this...SO GOOD.
Sarah, why do we have exactly the same book tastes? My friend recommended The Inheritance Games a few months ago and I finished both books just a couple weeks ago. It needs to be a series somewhere asap. It felt like a grown up Westing Game, and I just want to see what that mansion looks like! Also, good luck getting anything else done, ACOTAR is wonderful, but I want all your thoughts on Rhys. And yay for sweaters!!
I also got a Christmas card from Jules with the sweetest stickers! Best of luck feeding the army. America runs on the backs of mothers feeding their children, truly.
Swipes, I literally just found out that my MIL is in the hospital. She’s had a fever for a week, her oxygen is a little low but not too bad, & is awaiting covid test results. I’m. Freaking. Out. I have no idea if she’s vaxxed or not - I know we talked about it this fall & she seemed receptive to it after hearing my experience, but we didn’t talk about it again. She’s 59 and I’m trying not to freak out before I know anything but…it’s terrifying for me. Anyway, I would very much appreciate any prayers/well wishes on her behalf.
I’m so very grateful for this online community; it has been so comforting to have someone say “me too,” no matter what the comment is. Thanks, Erin, for initiating this, and thanks to all of you for showing up week after week ❤️
Thank you, that is so kind ❤️ Right now she’s waiting for a bed to open up, so just pray one will open soon and she can receive some sort of treatment.
Erin, I want to give you a standing ovation today. I want to applaud you for what you wrote and for creating this wonderful community. I truly believe it is what it is because of you and the way you model grace, authenticity, love and humor. ❤
Lil’ Swipes, you’re wonderful and I am so grateful for you! Being one of those people who can’t access in-person community, you mean so much to me. Fridays in the comment section are like 85% of my social life so thank you all for letting this weirdo European hang out and share stuff with you. ❤
I’ve had a bad cold all week (which is great timing and not stressful at all! 🙄) so not much to share this week but I did manage to buy a Christmas tree yesterday. I even named it this year. Is that weird? Probably, but I don’t care. 🎄
My nephew texted and asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I told him that instead of buying me something, I'd love a donation to my friend Jenny’s fundraiser since she is trying to raise enough money to get life-saving surgery. Then I asked him what he would like and he replied he’d only asked for silly stuff this year so I could take whatever money I was going to buy him presents for and give to Jenny instead because the money “would be of better use that way”. I mean… his old auntie’s heart just melted. What a lovely young man he’s grown up to be. I should probably tell my sister. 😉
Speaking of Jenny, a columnist wrote a little about her in a British newspaper last week which led to an increase in donations. She’s still nowhere near reaching her goal but it has been so heart-warming seeing people respond to her story and give what they can. ❤
Such a good read. Thank you. I am a big ole 7 on the Enneagram and live a somewhat isolated life. The two do not go hand in hand. I sometimes try too hard when I become a part of an online community because I am lonely and love people. Talking with people. Getting to know them. Feeling like a belong somewhere (as a 7 maybe everywhere). Five years ago I became my husband's caregiver and wife in name only. It is and has been difficult and is one of the reasons I am isolated. I am so thankful for people and community!
First: This community has meant so much to me. Erin, thank you for making the space, and everyone else out there, thank you for being yourselves. I get new perspectives and hear from people I might never know. People who are kind and loving and supportive and interesting. Words are failing me, but you all have been a highlight of 2021 for me. Second: The article about holiday overwhelm gave me a big “ah-ha!” moment. I *want* to love the holidays but every year I feel like I am battling my inner Grinch. That article just made me realize that it may be because my invisible workload increases 200% and I’m supposed to do all of this invisible labor with a smile on my face. And if you get mad people are all “why aren’t you in the Christmas spirit?” 😡😱 It makes me feel so broken and resentful. I feel a lot more normal about my feelings now!
Seriously, why are stories of other people's children just the best. You get all the joy,, dont' have to hide your laughter, give them candy and send them on their way :D (reasons being an aunt is amazing)
I started reading all the comments since I was SO late this week, I wasn't going to comment. But then I started to tear up and had to stop reading the comments and let you all know you are wonderful and honest in ways I never knew people could be. I'm still hunting for the book club/pen pal lists because I need more of people like you in my life and less playing on instagram with face filters because I don't want to feel my feelings or do the dishes. I have cookies here at my desk and wish I could pass them to each and every one of you today.
What kind of cookies? 💛
Gingerbread dipped in white chocolate, shortbread and biscotti (thought I am still trying to master this one)
Wow, Mmm…am going to have to try that! I actually have ginger cookies so I will join you by dipping like you in white chocolate!❤️ Merry merry!!
I’ve come back to Danté Stewart and Ben Cremer’s tweets repeatedly this weekend as gentle nudges of correction in my heart. That’s the really neat part of online community to me - what happens online transitions to a non-virtual space in my heart, mind and spirit. And for that, I’m grateful!
😄 OMG Erin, you're hysterical when your mad, I love it!! This is my first and only online community (gasp!). And yes! it is exactly as you described it! And sometimes we just need to fight back and write our frustrations out as you did, against the attacks on plain goodness(the tone and care of this community). All haters need some good old shock therapy to erase their brains from the plague that has infested our society!
I have been on a LITERAL 6 mo binge of ALL THINGS "little swipes" and Bible Binge and I am so thankful for it. I am filled with what was missing from my relationship with God-others to share in the joy that God can bring to our lives through community. (I cannot find a in-person community like this-so maybe they need to take notes on online communities and how to do that better!) So this has been so great! Only it's a little hard to keep track of everyone's stories and because of that, I am afraid of making a comment that might not be the best, so sorry if that was you!
I would like to send my hugs and love to Erin and to all of you who I am just starting to get to know. I live in a prayer life(thx to God for helping me relax about this-and he uses it for his purposes) God promises that he hears and works in our prayers so this is my prayer for you this Christmas.
Dear God, I thank you that you have brought each one of us into this special community. You KNOW that each one of us needs each other to help us along(Gal 6:2), by your hand and design, we have been placed here! May you continue to reveal yourself to us through each other, and grow the love and bonds are being created. Please meet us in our need, especially as we head out to be with our families and for those who don't have any! May you give each of us PEACE, knowing you will not leave us as we are, so give us confidence that you WILL bless with your abundance of true love. ❤️ IJNA
i'm the boat with you sister!
I'm posting again to let everyone know that the ebook of Cheaper by the Dozen and Belles on their Toes is just $2.99 and y'all. If you want the perfect, laugh out loud funny, yet heartwarming enough to make you hard cry at the end book, it's Cheaper by the Dozen. And Belles on their Toes is excellent too. (and it's nothing at all like the dumb Steve Martin movie)
I only read Cheaper by the Dozen about a hundred times as a kid.
That dumb Steve Martin movie had me enraged as a child! I was so excited for that movie and then it was nothing like the book. My grandma saved the day and found a dvd of the 1950's movie for Christmas that year.
Wait, there's another movie?!
Yes! They did Belles on Their Toes as well, but I don't think I've see that one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruYVdXkIlII
Thanks for the link!
Second update…no NYC. It’ll be ok (she says convincing her own self)
Thanks for sharing the article on holiday magic. I have been feeling that hard this season. This morning, I wrote this to try to express what I feel and what I'm feeling and hearing from other moms.
To the makers of holiday magic....
Moms out there who feel tired, I see you. Taking advantage of all the Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and then December sales to stretch a dollar. Counting packages to make sure each child will feel loved equally. Filling the calendar with lovely holiday experiences but then feeling depleted after them. Packing suitcases in anticipation for travel. Overwhelmed by the amount of to-dos but also full of gratitude and joy for the sweetness of this season.
Moms crushed by the weight of perfectionism, I see you. Making sure everything is lovely & wonderful. Thoughtfully planning the holiday card, the outfits, backing out the timeline so they’ll arrive in time. Curating scroll-stopping content and getting a sense of satisfaction from all the hearts received for that last post. Making the most adorable teacher gifts everyone oohs and aahs for. Giving it your all as a token of your love and your desire to feel worthy.
Moms carrying the weight of family dynamics, I see you. Wondering how the gathering will go. Feeling that the burden of peacekeeping lies on your shoulders. Silently praying that ‘that topic’ doesn’t come up. Vigilant about keeping everyone well. Every concern that keeps you up at night, an expression of your love.
Moms who are grieving something new or something old this season, I see you. Wondering how the world goes on when yours is falling apart. Feeling numb. Watching all the excitement and merrymaking pass from a distance in a fog. The love in your heart…trapped. disoriented. with no where in this physical world to go.
Lord, let us embrace the joy you intend for us in this holy season of anticipation. Not the joy for anyone else, or compared against any other year, but what is meant for us now. Let us leave everything else behind. Make clear our yeses and our nos. Where we feel hurry or stress, fill us with your perfect peace. Where we feel not enough, fill us with acceptance of ourselves and love of exactly who we are in this moment. Let us rest in the fact that our worth is not attached to how our families experience the holidays. Let us release the burden of our worries to your capable hands. Let your presence be the healing balm for broken hearts this holiday. We thank you that we don’t do this alone. We thank you for Jesus, God with us, our Immanuel.
Thank you 💜
A telling story of motherhood in this season. Beautifully written and insightful.
This was absolutely beautiful!
Just lovely. Thanks for sharing your words!
Y'all I made it. To the first vacation my husband and I have had since 2017. We leave tomorrow. All we did was rent an air bnb in the redwoods. We will nap and hike and eat and play games and READ and nap some more and -finally- watch Ted Lasso. I could cry. 10 whole days of rest. Amen.
Erin this community is beautiful. Thank you for giving us a place to connect. The last few years have been so sad and stressful and full of loss. What a delight to have an online space that offers comfort and joy.
And I gotta get in on the pen pal and book club thing. Are there signups?
I lived in the Redwoods for a year, and I loved the quiet dampness and mystical beauty. Enjoy!
This place is magical. Nestled in the trees, vines, and ferns.
Dawn, do you mind sharing your Airbnb if you end up loving it? My parents just agreed to watch the kids for long enough next June that we can go away for our anniversary, and my husband's #1 destination is the Redwoods! I hope you have an amazing time!!!
I will! So far, place is lovely and well appointed. I will post back here in a couple days once we've gotten to cook, shower, etc. But on looks alone it is a magical setting!
That's so wonderful! :) :)
Ten days of rest sounds glorious!
I'd also love to join a book club or have a pen pal (online or old school).
I think the link to the book club is in another post on this letter. But I don't know where the penpal list is.
Enjoy enjoy enjoy!!!
Thank you!
have a great vacation!
Thank you!
Enjoy your vacation!!!
Thank you!
Enjoy your vacation!!!!!!
Thank you!
I am WAAAAAY late to the comment section this week, but wanted to say a few things.
First of all, Erin, I cannot begin to express how thankful I (and I assume all of us!) are for this space you have created on the internet. I know that we all are a part of this community and we make up the community that we love, but Erin, you have hosted this space and set the environment up for success. I cannot thank you enough. I have received about 5 Christmas cards (so far) from lil' swipes. My mom is telling her friends that I have plans to travel to Chicago in April, by myself, to meet my internet friends. It's her 2008 worst nightmare but she isn't worried a bit because of what she has seen (through me telling her) from this group.
I feel so honored to be a part of this.
I am not sure if I told anyone, but last week I found out someone I admired greatly had an abnormal mammogram. I was in tears over the thought of her having cancer and today she found out that it was benign and everything is good. What a relief.
I don't have much more to add than to be just so grateful for this space and the community we have made for ourselves.
SHELBY! It's great news about the benign scan, so glad you can take a deep breath of relief about that. Does Chicago know what's coming in April? I don't think the city is ready for all of us to take over I CANNOT WAIT.
Are you going to the live show? I hinted heavily to my husband that I need tickets as an early bday present - but didn't know there was potentially a Swipes meet up!
Love you Shelby and can’t wait to squeeze you in Chicago
Wait, did I know you were going to the Chicago show too? That's so exciting!!!
💗💗💗💗
That's such good news about your friend! What a relief.
Shelby, I'm so glad to hear about your friend! That's such a relief!
I agree, I can't wait to meet internet friends in real life in April! 💕
Glad to hear the good news about your friend!
I'm a new Lil Swipe, but I love it here. I'm a hard Enneagram 8 and introvert that likes to pretend I don't really need or care to have community, and then my tender inner 8 gets my feelings hurt when I'm alone.
Over the last 4 years I've gone from working full-time to gradually sliding into full-time SAHM. I'm currently 8 weeks postpartum with my third - my oldest has special needs and my middle is only 17 months. This season is heavy. I'm going to do my best to get over my innate cynacism and show up in this community to contribute as much as I hope to receive.
Yes, we would love to hear from you Adriann! I'm sure you have lot's to contribute to the conversation! 💛
Goodness! You have a lot going on! Welcome to the loveliest sustack in all the land. Now, you are definitely not alone. 😊
Thank you so much!
Maybe I am also an 8? (never tested myself and thought I was what Knox is from how he describes himself, lol) But this resonates deeply! Thanks for showing up today :)
If I remember correctly, 5s are tied to 8s in some way so there's some overlap there! I also identify with Knox often. 😂
You are in it deep right now. Much love to you. Take it from this Enneagram 2. Ask for what you need!
I have gotten much better at asking for and accepting help. My pride got the best of me after my first, but not the last 2, thankfully. Thank you for your encouragement!! 💛
I am new to the comments portion but have been reading the blogs for a while! Welcome! I have been a SAHM for 13 years now. I hope that you will love it as much as I do!
Thank you so much! Things feel impossible most days now (like scream into a pillow and cry under the table while my kids eat lunch impossible) but I also know it won't be like this forever. #3 was a surprise and we didn't plan on having them this close together. I think in a few months my outlook will be much improved.
I see you and have been there, although I’m more a cry in the shower and scream in the car person 😱 Letting go is hard. I still struggle with it, but when I do I’m like “wow, it’s so much better like this!” Hang in there, we are here.
The secret is to LET GO. Of all the stupid and meaningless things society tells us we are entitled to or have to do to be a "successful" mom (speaking from experience with 4)
Adriann, this was our situation as well (#3 showed up MUCH sooner than we had planned), and some days all you can do is make sure everyone is alive at the end of the day. @biglittlefeelings said the other to look at the balls you're juggling. Some are glass and some are plastic, and it's ok to let those plastic balls drop (super hard for this enneagram 1 to do) but they'll eventually get picked back up. Welcome, welcome!
I love @biglittlefeelings! I always resonate with their posts. Thank you for the encouragement. 💛 It's always nice to know other people have been here and made it out alive. 😂
The picture of you and your family is beautiful! I am sure you have heard it before but it does get better. I am sending up a prayer for you right now! ❤
Welcome! We're happy you're here!
We're glad you're here, Adriann. I hope being in this space gives you peace and when we can't give you that, at least a few other people saying, "me too".
That's all I can ask for. 💛
That’s the crux of this whole space! “Let us grant you some peace, but when we can’t, hear us say ‘Yes, me too’.” ❤️❤️❤️
Welcome, Adriann! I struggle with opening up to community too, and this one has been a lovely place. Glad you showed up today.
And happy to see you here again and again, Katie!
The fact that there are people trying to invalidate the power of online communities is particularly laughable today because in a moment of particular loneliness and frustration with my community here, I did look for jobs in the Carolinas (Raleigh, Columbia, and Pawleys Island) to be closer to some Lil Swipes.
Also, I'd love for that essayist to tell me that online communities don't matter when my apartment is packed to the brim with Lil Swipes for the Chicago show. SUCK IT, ESSAYIST. THESE ARE MY BESTIES.
In other news, we are hours away from Christmas break and we will be crossing the finish line by the skin of our friggin teeth. It feels like all of my students are either suspended or in quarantine due to Covid exposure.
Breaking news, as I was typing this my principal and assistant principal (I have a tense relationship with both of them and I don't think they like me very much) just busted up into my classroom and gave me a school hoodie and a Yeti mug embossed with our school logo and told me they're appreciative of all that I do for the school. Whether or not they actually meant it, it was just a nice gesture and I'm glad they thought of me and made me a little teary. I'm a social worker and not a teacher and normally I'm left out of things like this, so it was nice to feel seen.
Welp. I promised a 5th grade girl I'd help her facilitate some friendships at recess so I gotta go. But as always, it has been a pleasure.
man now I wished I still lived there and could join the party!!
We are going to have the biggest party when all the Lil Swipes get here in April. Also, we should grab coffee sometime?!
Yes absolutely! Just say when!
Megan, I'm so glad that you were celebrated by admin! Everyone involved with schooling works so hard and should be thanked and celebrated!! Also, the Carolinas are lovely. I moved to Hickory for grad school in 2014 and never left. I hope that you're able to find a job that's a good fit.
Bless all of you teachers for showing up and helping our kids process their big emotions and friendships and all the things. I think my second grader's teacher is his personal therapist right now, and she is getting one heck of a Christmas gift from us. Truly doing the Lord's work!!!
💕 I'm so glad they expressed appreciation for you, that means so much! I was an assistant at an elementary school for a few years, and it's frustrating how often support staff is left out of teacher appreciation. Also I CANNOT WAIT to meet you in Chicago!!!
Yeah, suck it, essayist!
"I promised a 5th grade girl I'd help her facilitate some friendships at recess". Um? Megan?? I didn't come here to ABSOLUTELY S O B. (okay maybe I did???) What lucky, lucky that girl is, to learn from the best. I'm so happy you felt appreciated and included. I can't wait to squeeze you in Chicago. 💗
Shelbs, let's be honest with ourselves. We all come here to sob.
And man, that kiddo is somethin else. Anxiety (especially social anxiety) is off the chain and she has to have lunch with me every day because she is too anxious to eat in front of other people. She also just has a LOT going on at home so having a quiet lunch with me is very much the only moment of peace she gets in her lil life. Due to the gym being used for something else today, recess was cancelled, but she's still down to try when we come back from break, so I take that as a win.
CANNOT WAIT FOR THE CHICAGO SHOW.
She sounds so special! I am so proud and happy for her to decide she wants to try hard to make friends!
CAN'T WAAAAAAIT FOR THE CHICAGO SHOW AND LIL SWIPES MEETUPS EVERYWHERE
Almost done with Covid isolation, and man. Online communities/chats have been LIFE GIVING during this time. Since the time this community began, it has been the nicest corner of the internet.
Quick Treasures, as I have 4 hungry children (who I swear just ate minutes ago. ALL THE MEALS.)
1. Hubs, baby, and I keep testing negative for COVID, and tomorrow is the last day of isolation for my 3 bigs. Praise Jesus.
2. A lovely Christmas card and sticker from Jules. My sticker was "read good books and ask hard questions" which I think is going to be my 2022 mantra. Thanks, Jules!
3. Mid-week, Amanda tipped me off that Sarah Maas's Court of Thorns series was CHEAP on kindle and I bought that sucker so fast. It's going to get me through the holidays! Thanks, Amanda!
4. Finished book 1 and 2 of The Inheritance Games series - I need someone to cast this...SO GOOD.
5. I am wearing this sweater all the time when the temp gets cold enough - it is cozy and goes great with leggings: https://www.target.com/p/women-s-slouchy-mock-turtleneck-pullover-sweater-a-new-day/-/A-83707012?preselect=82270885#lnk=sametab
Happy almost Christmas, all! I can't wait to meet in person someday!
Sarah, why do we have exactly the same book tastes? My friend recommended The Inheritance Games a few months ago and I finished both books just a couple weeks ago. It needs to be a series somewhere asap. It felt like a grown up Westing Game, and I just want to see what that mansion looks like! Also, good luck getting anything else done, ACOTAR is wonderful, but I want all your thoughts on Rhys. And yay for sweaters!!
Going to kindle ASAP to buy the series - just started it and my library only has the first 2 books. Thanks friend!
It's such a great series!
So happy for negative COVID tests! 🙌🏻
I also got a Christmas card from Jules with the sweetest stickers! Best of luck feeding the army. America runs on the backs of mothers feeding their children, truly.
NYC update for Lil’ Swipes…Smiths are going to the Big Apple. We are gonna roll with it. Thank y’all for being encouraging!
Good for you! I HOPE IT ROCKS!!!
Praying for protection of bodies and THE BEST TIME 😍😍😍
I would love a full report! I saw Waitress with Jillian, Hannah, and Bethany in September and it was easily the highlight of 2021 for me.
Swipes, I literally just found out that my MIL is in the hospital. She’s had a fever for a week, her oxygen is a little low but not too bad, & is awaiting covid test results. I’m. Freaking. Out. I have no idea if she’s vaxxed or not - I know we talked about it this fall & she seemed receptive to it after hearing my experience, but we didn’t talk about it again. She’s 59 and I’m trying not to freak out before I know anything but…it’s terrifying for me. Anyway, I would very much appreciate any prayers/well wishes on her behalf.
I’m so very grateful for this online community; it has been so comforting to have someone say “me too,” no matter what the comment is. Thanks, Erin, for initiating this, and thanks to all of you for showing up week after week ❤️
Lots of prayers for her and for your family
Continuing to pray for her and your family as you navigate this ❤
Oh no! Praying for her and that she gets a bed ASAP
Update: it’s covid. F#£%.
Praying Katie- keep us posted and ditto on the name what you need!
Oh, Katie. I'm praying. Keep us posted. ❤
Praying, Katie ❤️ If there’s anything we can take off your plate (door dash gift cards, etc)- just name it.
Thank you, that is so kind ❤️ Right now she’s waiting for a bed to open up, so just pray one will open soon and she can receive some sort of treatment.
I'm so sorry, Katie. What is the kindest thing I could do for you right now?
Honestly, prayer. It’s been a rough week and this is the crap icing on the crap cake. Thank you so much for asking ❤️
On it, friend.
Praying for her. We're here when you need it. Please keep us posted. ❤
Praying for her. And for you. Deep breaths. ❤
Keep us posted ❤️
Erin, I want to give you a standing ovation today. I want to applaud you for what you wrote and for creating this wonderful community. I truly believe it is what it is because of you and the way you model grace, authenticity, love and humor. ❤
Lil’ Swipes, you’re wonderful and I am so grateful for you! Being one of those people who can’t access in-person community, you mean so much to me. Fridays in the comment section are like 85% of my social life so thank you all for letting this weirdo European hang out and share stuff with you. ❤
I’ve had a bad cold all week (which is great timing and not stressful at all! 🙄) so not much to share this week but I did manage to buy a Christmas tree yesterday. I even named it this year. Is that weird? Probably, but I don’t care. 🎄
My nephew texted and asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I told him that instead of buying me something, I'd love a donation to my friend Jenny’s fundraiser since she is trying to raise enough money to get life-saving surgery. Then I asked him what he would like and he replied he’d only asked for silly stuff this year so I could take whatever money I was going to buy him presents for and give to Jenny instead because the money “would be of better use that way”. I mean… his old auntie’s heart just melted. What a lovely young man he’s grown up to be. I should probably tell my sister. 😉
Speaking of Jenny, a columnist wrote a little about her in a British newspaper last week which led to an increase in donations. She’s still nowhere near reaching her goal but it has been so heart-warming seeing people respond to her story and give what they can. ❤
Have a wonderful week, you lovely people you!
nephews (and nieces) are just the best. Breath of fresh air!
Absolutely!
What a wonderful nephew!!
He's the best! 😊
Your nephew sounds so wonderful :)
He is! 😍
Oh, and if anyone is able and would like to donate to Jenny, here is the link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/savejenny
Thank you for sharing the link!
❤