The Trick I Use When My House Feels Like Too Much

I’m going to make myself sound like an old lady here but, how is it April already?! Just yesterday we were eating candy canes and singing Joy to the World, and now I’m starting to think about summer. HOW?!

I’ve always heard that time seems to speed up a bit as you get older, and I’m finding that to be so true. Every few days I find myself looking down at my kids and wondering how they went from tiny babies to these big, gangly, sweaty boys.

Despite the fact that I feel a little like I’m holding on for dear life as 2026 runs away from me, I’ve been doing my best to soak up every second of spring so far. The chirping birds and the squirrels barreling across my roof and aaaall the flowers in bloom. It kinda feels like magic.

A few highlights from the week include:

• Seeing both kids get featured in our district’s art show over the weekend.

• Taking long walks while listening to book 5 of Dungeon Crawler Carl

• Lazy afternoons working on one of these puzzles with both boys and hearing someone exclaim over how cute it is every few minutes.

• Corey made the most delicious homemade gumbo on Sunday and the smell of it filling the house all day was pure heaven.

• Late nights reading this book series aloud with Corey and agreeing on “one more chapter” before we go to sleep.

I have to confess that I’m reading entirely too many books at once right now. I usually have a couple going (an audiobook and one I’m reading with my eyes), but I had a few come up from the library at the same time plus I’m reading with both Corey and Jackson and, well, it’s gotten a tad out of control. Here’s everything I’m actively reading right now:

• Dungeon Crawler Carl (book 5): I’ve been blasting through these audiobooks for a bit now and I can’t stop telling everyone I know to listen. They’re funny and silly and over the top and so addictive. There are 7 books right now (the next one comes out in May!) and I don’t know what I’ll do with myself once I catch up.

• Lady Tremaine: I’ve had this book sitting on my nightstand for a while but kept putting it off for library books. I was dying to read it so I finally decided to just start. It’s so good and I’m absolutely hooked, even though I’m only a few chapters in.

• The Academy: I had been on the wait list for this one on Libby since October when I finally got it last week! I’m flying through it and loving it, as I do all books by this author!

• Barking to the Choir: I had a friend recommend this book to me, and it’s such a compelling and interesting story. I’ve been picking it up when I only have a few minutes to read here and there and it’s just so heartwarming and encouraging.

• Throne of Glass (book 4): Corey and I are reading this series together and having so so much fun. It’s not my first time reading it, but I love a good re-read!

• Maze Runner: This is was my oldest son and I are reading together, and we’re almost done with the first book. We’re so excited to watch the movie when we finish, he’s been really enjoying the book!

Phew! Hopefully by next week I’ll have crossed a few of these off the list and will be back to a more reasonable number of books.

• I love a good dress this time of year and I recently got this one (in green) and this one. The quality is fantastic, they’re so flattering, and I want to wear them everywhere.

• Everyone on Instagram convinced me to try these pore-reducing pads and so far I’m a huge fan! My skin feels tighter and smoother after just a few days of use, so I’m excited to see what they do over time.

• I was also influenced to order one of these from Instagram. It arrives today so I can’t speak to it yet, but if everyone who has been raving about it is even half right, it’ll be well worth the $10.

• Snagged this striped tee during the Amazon Spring Sale and I love the fit and the color. I can already tell it’ll be one I end up with in multiple colors. Also, this one!

• I got these lamps in black for my bedroom and I was really skeptical (the price!), but they’re really cute and well-made!

I often get asked what project I’m currently working on and what’s on the horizon. So, let’s dig into what’s happening around here lately!

• I just finished painting our bedroom (I’m in love!) and I have a few more updates I want to do in there. I’m starting with some fresh lighting, and then tackling the built-in dresser situation - it’s SO dated and I think updating it will make a huge difference.

• I’m also planning to swap out the doors in our bedroom, paint the closet doors, and swap out all the door knobs on the doors I’ve replaced so far!

• I’ve been doing some planting - roses on the side of the house and ivy in the bed by my office. Instagram scared me when y’all freaked out that I was planting English Ivy (it’s super invasive!) but I feel confident that it’s gonna work out fine.

• I am hoping to take on a few other backyard updates this month - I would love to get the patio off my office looking a little nicer, and I just got a new rug for under the outdoor table!

This might be the question I get asked more than anything else - both online and in real life. When your home has a million different projects waiting for you, how do you decide what gets your time (and what to ignore for now)?!

This has never felt overwhelming for me because I’ve always followed a few really simple rules. They’re nothing groundbreaking, but they work every time. And today I’m spilling the secret.