We have sprung forward today…I like the sound of springing forward, but I like the extra hour of sleep, falling backward gives. Isn’t there truth in that? Life is a lot of springing forward and falling backwards. 

A friend of mine lost her husband unexpectedly. She describes the months after the accident as a dark pit she fell in and was living out of. Her world felt upside down and nothing seemed to make sense. It was like brain fog had set in and was never going to lift. She had fallen backwards, but she had not fallen off the cliff. 

 In time the fog lifted, glimpses of light began to shine through, and then one day she called and declared, “Today was a good day.”. In the years that followed we had many conversations about living in the pit. 

 Falling backwards or falling down is not the end. In some ways it is a first step to a new beginning. At first that beginning may seem really foggy, but that’s when we must lean on others. Allow others to see the future we can’t yet imagine. There is a future, and it is filled with a beauty that is as brilliant as light streaming through a mosaic of stain glass. The shattered pieces that I once felt lay all around me, representing my shattered life are now a beautiful mosaic.

Spring is here, and though we will have more days of cold weather and snow, the flowers are on their way, warm days are closer, and Easter, a time of new beginnings is quickly approaching. 

 This Easter season, in the midst of our hectic, over-scheduled lives, lets intentionally pause and care for our souls. I find that I need quiet spaces to embrace the shattered pieces in my life, contemplate the beauty they could become, and allow truth to embrace me. I find this truth in scripture, in the book of Exodus as the Israelites leave everything they know for the hope of a new beginning, or in the book of Matthew where God does the most unexpected miracles in the midst of suffering. Whether you take time to nourish your soul through written word or quiet reflection – let’s look to this Easter with the anticipation of the beauty that will arise in our lives and the beauty that is.

Reflection Questions to Ponder:

• Am I holding on to something I need to let go of?

• What small act of kindness was I once shown that I will never forget?

• If I had to draw a picture of what a new beginning would look like what would it look like, what colors would I use?

• Make a list of 30 things that make you smile.

• What am I doing about the things that matter the most in my life?

• How am I surrounding myself with beauty?

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It’s that time of year! The Easter Bunny is about to make his rounds. Have you decorated your Easter eggs yet? Get the whole family involved with these easy steps to Easter Egg decorating.

1. Prepare Easter egg dye. You can buy Easter egg dye in many craft stores and prepare it according to the package, or make your own. It only takes a few minutes and a couple of ingredients. Here’s how:

2. Mix 1 teaspoon vinegar with 1/4 teaspoon of food coloring. Pour the dye into 3/4 of a cup of water. Use a different cup for each dye, and be sure there is enough water in the cup to cover an entire egg.

3. Wash eggs and hollow them using a pin and the blow-out technique (this is a job for the grown-ups). Hollowing the eggs allows you to keep them for next year, and ensures if you break one, you won’t have a big mess to clean up. Note: You could also hollow your eggs after they have been dyed and dried. Here are the steps for hollowing an egg.

4. Use tongs, a whisk, a spoon, or your hands to gently place the eggs in the dye. Remember, the longer you leave an egg in the dye, the deeper the color will get. Allow eggs to dry completely (you can use a cake rack or a carton). You can also thread a wire in the hole of a hollowed egg to lower it into the dye and to help keep it submerged. See the process for dying eggs here.

5. After the eggs have dried, repeat the same process with another color, if desired. Again, allow eggs to dry completely.

6. The eggs are now dyed, but you can continue to decorate them. See here for some fun and easy ways to decorate your Easter eggs. With so many options, every egg will be a unique mini-masterpiece!

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My favorite place to be on Easter Sunday is watching the sun come up. The new beginning of the day has always refreshed my soul.

This year I am going to pick out a picture of a sunrise and put it by my mirror in my bathroom. I need the reminder of new life, new beginnings, and new creations.

What picture could you put in front of you that would refresh your soul?

With Love,
Jennifer & The Single MOMM Team

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Text: 231-227-3153

Call: 231-944-1710

Email: info@singlemomm.org

ACQUIRE:

We all could use a little more information about…lots of things! As single moms it can be a challenge to find time to gather the right kind of information to answer our financial, health, parenting, household, and life questions. Acquire classes are pop-up style classes with area experts on topics that pertain to life as single moms.

Upcoming Acquire Class:

Parenting Teens During COVID: Tuesday, March 30th // 6:30 - 8:00pm
This class, led by Jeff Goodwin a local therapist, pastor, and dad, will focus on how to handle hard behaviors in your teen, ways to become the coach your teen needs, and what to do when teens suffer from depression. Jeff will offer his professional wisdom, along with practical applications he has learned from parenting teens himself. There will be time for Q&A. This is a fantastic way to gain insight and support from a professional therapist in a small group setting. The cost is FREE.

Connect with us for more information or to register for this class.

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The INpowered Course

INpowered: At the intersection of our body, mind and spirit there is an element that is essential in living life to the fullest – wholeness. This nine-week course is designed specifically for single moms that have graduated from reVIVE. Together we will go beyond personal awareness and journey down the healing path. Topics include, addressing personal trauma, the importance of healthy attachment, how suffering impacts our relationship with God and others, and what does living fully alive really mean. All topics will be addressed through teaching sessions and small group discussions. 

Mondays from April 5th – June 7th // 6:30 - 8:00pm
(No class on Memorial Day)

Connect with us for more information or to register for this class.

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MENTORSHIP 360

This is a uniquely designed mentorship program. It begins by viewing each individual as a whole being - physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental. It builds upon a mutual trust between the mentor and mentee. Topics range from parenting to finances to how to maintain life during this crisis.

We are now offering Mentorship 360 by appointment at SM office, via phone, or by Zoom. Connect with us to schedule time with a mentor.

Being celebrated is a display of God’s delight for us, spoken through others, we usually can’t see our own value, but others can. As single moms many of us do not realize that we are real life superheroes. We juggle work, home, and schooling, while making hard parenting decisions. We teach our children grit and grace, and we adapt to co-parenting schedules. Sometimes we can feel like we are celebrating life’s successes alone. Below is a friend’s ramblings on the art of celebrating while single parenting:

Since becoming a single mom, I have had some really BIG victories – you know, the ones that you find yourself posting on social media - graduating college, buying a house, mastering potty training, a kid graduating high school, etc. The highlight reel of my public life was STRONG. You would think I had it “all together”. 

But in the background, in the midst of the everyday mess that doesn’t make it to social media, there were smaller, harder victories that were fought for– the moments when I managed to shower even though I didn’t want to get out of bed, when I showed up to the job I hated and did it well because it put food on the table, the moments where I broke a cycle, even if just for the minute. I didn’t have anyone to celebrate those mini moments that actually create longstanding change with. Often times because no one saw these victories, I felt like maybe I wasn’t moving forward. As I continued to get healthier, I began to form friendships with other women who saw me and who celebrated with me. They are my battle buddies, we laugh, cry, pray and celebrate one another. 

In the grey area between starting over and settling into these new friendships, there was a season where I had to really look for the subtle ways God was celebrating me. Sometimes they were obvious, like a co-worker remembering it was my birthday and bringing me flowers and a card. Sometimes it was more random, like when I stumbled into the coffee shop after an all nighter with a sick kiddo, feeling invisible, and the barista had my order ready before I even made it to the register. Other times it was deeply personal, like when I was driving on the freeway wondering if all of this hard work and sacrifice was in vain, and I saw a random billboard that said “just keep going” and at that exact moment my favorite song came on the radio. 

My favorite moment in that grey season was when I walked away from a relationship that I knew wasn’t right for me. I walked away despite a ton of fear over being alone. And though it was painful to face that fear, I felt such FREEDOM in walking away. I knew that this was a victory that I needed to celebrate. I went home, I put on our families “Crazy Dance Party” playlist and as we twirled and laughed, I made my favorite dessert. After the kids were worn out and in bed, I sat with my dessert and for the first time in a long time I thought to myself “Well done!”. 

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When I asked my friend what her favorite dessert was she shared with me that she didn’t actually care for traditional cakes or brownies, but that she loved a dish called Pavlova – it is a meringue that is popular in New Zeeland and Australia, and can be topped with whatever delicious toppings your heart desires!

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At Single MOMM we believe that everyone has something in their life worthy of immense joy. Sometimes when we are feeling down, it can be helpful to have a reminder close by of what we have done well. Our staff also LOVES to repurpose items wherever we can. Thus, the celebration jar was born!

Create a celebration jar:

Find a mason jar (or even a clean spaghetti sauce jar – any clear jar will do) 

Decorate the jar with paint, sharpie marker, glitter, tissue paper squares with glue wash – etc.

Use anything you already have on hand, there are no rules! 

Each night or at the end of each week, as a family, sit with the Celebration Jar and share at least one thing each that was worthy of celebrating from the day/week. Write them down and place them in the jar. 

Pull out celebrations to read anytime you need a little reminder that there are things worthy of joy and celebration – and that YOU are one of them!

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One of the things we love most about our jobs is that we get to celebrate you! As we get to know you, we begin to see the innate way that God has designed you, and we love seeing the moment where YOU realize how unique and worthy of celebrating you are.

No matter where you are at today, we encourage you to think on what big and small victories you have experienced in single motherhood. We would love to hear them and celebrate with you as we boldly reimagine a radically different future for ourselves.

With Love,
Jennifer & The Single MOMM Team

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Text: 231-227-3153

Call: 231-944-1710

Email: info@singlemomm.org

ACQUIRE:

We all could use a little more information about…lots of things! As single moms it can be a challenge to find time to gather the right kind of information to answer our financial, health, parenting, household, and life questions. Acquire classes are pop-up style classes with area experts on topics that pertain to life as single moms.

Upcoming Acquire Class:

Parenting Teens During COVID: Tuesday, March 30th // 6:30 - 8:00pm
Join area counselor Jeff Goodwin as he shares insight on how we can grow together with our teens during this time.

Connect with us for more information or to register for this class.

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The INpowered Course

INpowered: At the intersection of our body, mind and spirit there is an element that is essential in living life to the fullest – wholeness. This nine-week course is designed specifically for single moms that have graduated from reVIVE. Together we will go beyond personal awareness and journey down the healing path. Topics include, addressing personal trauma, the importance of healthy attachment, how suffering impacts our relationship with God and others, and what does living fully alive really mean. All topics will be addressed through teaching sessions and small group discussions. 

Mondays from April 5th – June 7th // 6:30 - 8:00pm
(No class on Memorial Day)

Connect with us for more information or to register for this class.

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MENTORSHIP 360

This is a uniquely designed mentorship program. It begins by viewing each individual as a whole being - physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental. It builds upon a mutual trust between the mentor and mentee. Topics range from parenting to finances to how to maintain life during this crisis.

We are now offering Mentorship 360 by appointment at SM office, via phone, or by Zoom. Connect with us to schedule time with a mentor.

I met Cristine, when I was eighteen. She and I were both part of a ministry in Texas. I remember watching her former husband win her heart. Years later I got word that her brother-in-law passed away while gifting his liver to his brother, her husband. The tragedy made national news and left her sister-in-law widowed with three young sons. Not long after, I heard that Cristine and her husband divorced and then came the news that he married the sister-in-law that had lost her husband during the liver transplant.

It was almost more than I could comprehend, and so many questions swirled through my head. How was Cristine doing? What happened (even though this is none of my business)? How are her boys doing? Is her former husband doing okay? 

Then she started to write, and it was about her journey forward. As the blog posts unfolded, she shared about lessons learned in counseling, empowering moments of recognizing who she is, and forgiveness – the hard journey of forgiveness and its sweet freedom. 

In the summer of 2019 a group of us from Single MOMM climbed Pikes Peak in Colorado and we visited with her. 

She is real. She is humble. She is messy. She is a delight. 

Below is her latest blog. To read more go to www.extraordinaryexchange.blog

• • • • • • • 

In the waiting:

I’ve been thinking a lot about advice I’ve heard over the years: Make the leap! Choose adventure! Climb every mountain! Take a risk! Go out on a limb! And then I thought of my mom’s mantra: Stand, and stand firm. She didn’t run from trials or back down from challenges. She knew they would make her stronger and more resilient. Her example really helped me get through the last decade.

So I learned to sit, to wait. I waited through panic attacks, days of discomfort, bouts of depression, seasons of insecurity, and years of feeling paralyzed. I would run but not far, I would hide but not for long. My mom had taught me to sit with the uneasiness and wait in the uncertainty. And my dad taught me to keep my heart right in the process. As a result, I have been able to process the gifts found in the circumstances of what the last eleven years have brought me…

What they brought me:

• My FH (former husband) had a liver transplant.

• His donor, my brother-in-law, passed away. As a result, my FH lost his brother, my former sister-in-law became a widow, and my nephews lost their dad.

• My marriage ended in divorce.

• I went from being a full-time mom to seeing my kids 50% of the time.

• My FH and former sister-in-law got married.

• My Grandma passed away.

• My Nana passed away.

• My Grandpa passed away.

• And then, my mother passed away.

So many life changes. So much loss.

What they gifted me:

• My brother-in-law gave my FH a chance at life.

• My former sister-in-law and I forged a new friendship, my nephews gained a father and my boys gained three amazing step-brothers and an incredible step-mom.

• I went to counseling (for several years).

• I learned to appreciate and make good use of the time I have with my boys.

• I experienced intense healing.

• I got to be with my Grandma often and then at the end when she entered heaven.

• I saw my Nana turn 100 and spent quality time with her the final years and days of her life.

• I got to take care of my Grandpa in his final weeks as he counted down the days until he got to be with my Nana.

• I somehow won the lottery when God was assigning moms. We got 50 incredible years together that I wouldn’t trade for 100 with anyone else.

Do you see how this works? It truly is about letting God fuse our pain with His redemptive grace. Think of life’s bitter trials as vinegar and the beautiful gifts birthed out of growth as the purest olive oil money can buy. When you put them together, they make something useful and tasty called vinaigrette.

I would not be who I am today without the pain that drove me to get help. God transformed me from a shell of myself who questioned my purpose, to someone who understands that God created me for His works and for this time! God blended my trials, heartache, disappointment and insecurities with His healing power, words of life, and calling on my life. This fostered an environment of a deep and rich understanding of His selfless love.

We can walk around wounded and broken, splintered and bitter. And we will likely receive kindness from our fellow humans because life isn’t fair and most people are empathetic. Or we can go get help—we can receive care and choose to be around people who push us to heal and grow and we can spend time in God’s word and learn how to forgive and move forward. Yep, those are the two options.

Cristine Arnold

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This past week a single mom came in for a mentoring session and declared that her house was like a circus. Between being quarantined because of a COVID exposure, and the cold temperatures her family had major house-a-tosies. We laughed together and we shed some tears together as we brainstormed creative ways to embrace the circus. 

Pancakes for dinner are always a great option!

This week consider taking your favorite pancake recipe and make shapes with it. Even my older kids can get into this, and we end up making creatures of all designs.

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We are 3 weeks to spring and 2 weeks to daylight savings time beginning! The days have more light in them, and we have had some great sunshine – whoo hoo! 

Now is time to make a 3-week say good-by to winter, bucket list. Yes, I know that “winter” can drag on up here in the north, but that shouldn’t stop us from making a 3-week say good-by to winter officially leaving list.

Here are things to consider putting on a bucket list: 

• Try snow shoeing

• Make some kick butt apple cider – the recipes online are great for this

• Pick out an old scarf at home and use it as an accessory for the day

• Take a hot bath

• Find a perfect chili recipe

• Do a puzzle

• Choose a local trail and hike in the snow

• Catch a snowflake on your tongue

• Go winter camping

• Write a thank you note

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A musical that reappears on our screen about every three months is, The Greatest Showman. We love the songs. If you are looking for a way to embrace the crazy circus that may be going on in your family, consider watching this musical.

If you don’t have time to watch the musical, we would encourage you to play the song, This is Me, sometime this week and remember that you are glorious!

We would love to hear how you see yourself in the song, This is Me. Leave a comment or reach out to us at Single MOMM, 231-944-1710. 

With Love,
Jennifer & The Single MOMM Team

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Text: 231-227-3153

Call: 231-944-1710

Email: info@singlemomm.org

The reVIVE Course

Registration is open for the reVIVE Course! It’s time to explore who you are: www.revivecourse.org/register

“The reVIVE Course is kind of like a 13-week personality test.

It’s a space to explore all the things you don’t get time to look at because you’re taking care of everyone else; things like what you love, what you’re passionate about, what your thinking style is, and how to create healthy relationships. And you get to be in a small group setting with other amazing women. 

You’re going to love it!”

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Mentorship 360

This is a uniquely designed mentorship program. It begins by viewing each individual as a whole being - physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental. It builds upon a mutual trust between the mentor and mentee. Topics range from parenting to finances to how to maintain life during this crisis.

We are now offering Mentorship 360 by appointment at SM office, via phone, or by Zoom. Contact us to schedule time with a mentor.

A note from a dear friend of mine, enjoy!

One of my most epic fails came in the summer of 2015. I was asked to be a bridesmaid in a wedding. Conflicting emotions rolled around inside me…the ones that came with little voices that said, “I am so glad my friend has been blessed with a great man. Will it ever be my turn? I am so happy for her, but my heart aches at the idea of being in a wedding. How is this going to change our friendship?” It took me some time to really embrace the idea of being in the wedding but once I did, I was ready to be bridesmaid of the year!

When the price tag for the bridesmaid dress came my way I about passed out. NO WAY could I afford to purchase the dress. It had taken me a few years after my divorce to get out of debt. I had worked really hard to learn how to take care of my finances and I knew charging this dress on my credit card was not an option. I decided to search ebay and found the dress a few sizes bigger than me. My friend’s mom was amazing at sewing so I made a quick call to her and she said she would be happy to take the dress in. I clicked purchase and felt completely empowered. 

When the dress arrived, I made sure to measure myself in all the places I was told. It was a struggle to measure my bust line just right. I turned the dress and measurements over to my friend’s mom and made sure to purchase a push-up bra in hopes of filling out the dress. As the wedding drew closer, I got more and more excited. It would be a night off from my kids, celebrating dear friends, and hopefully dancing with Mr. Right! 

On the big day we ate an amazing lunch, got our nails and hair done, laughed a ton, and waited in the tiny office at the church for the pastor’s wife to say it was time. I glanced at myself in the mirror and for the first time in a long time thought, ”I look kinda sexy.” At the last minute we all got into our dresses and helped zip one another up. My friend looked breath taking and I looked… off. To be exact my breasts looked out of place. I had to glance at myself multiple times before I realized that the built-in bra cups of the dress rested inches lower than my actual breasts. “Did I measure my bust line wrong, was it the push-up bra?” Looking back, it was probably both. Whatever the cause the end result was four bumps on the front of my dress. For a brief moment I thought, “nobody will notice”. Wrong. Bridesmaid #2 looked at me, made an odd face, and said, “what is wrong with your dress?” I was mortified and I was headed down the aisle.

I am grateful that I can remember the wedding ceremony and look back and know that I was able to set aside my pride and focus on my friend. However, after the ceremony was a different story. I wanted to cry. Through controlled laughter all the other bridesmaids tried to make me feel better. As the music played at the reception I hid in a corner and definitely didn’t dance with Mr. Right. Half-way through the night Bridesmaid #2 pulled me onto the dance floor. I awkwardly attempted to dance while keeping my arms in front of my breasts. When the song YMCA came on, I rapidly moved to exit the dance floor. With a tug on my arm and a look from my friend that said, “Come on, let it go!” I timidly stayed. As the song progressed and everyone laughed around me, I started to let go. I began to laugh. I let my arms reach up to the sky. I really looked at the faces around me and smiled. I felt free. 

When I got home that night, I stood in front of the mirror. The four bumps looked odd. I smiled and began to laugh at my reflection. That’s when it hit me – I was sexy. My smile, the way I had become comfortable in my own skin, all of that was sexy. That night held an epic fail, that I am so grateful for today. It helped me gain a bit more self-confidence, become more content with who I am, and allowed me to not take myself so seriously. 

I don’t know about you, but I need to get more and more comfortable in my own skin. Today, I raise my glass and toast us all. May we realize how sexy we are, whether we are sporting a dress with four bumps or in our comfy clothes at the end of a long hard day. Let us laugh harder and smile deeper.   

- Jane

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The debate is on. What is the best way to eat eggs? Inspired by our movie choice of the week, Runaway Bride we are exploring this question. Here are answers from some of our staff.

Eggs as a toppers:
The first time I had an egg on top of a sweet potato, garlic, onion, sausage, brussel sprout stir-fry I fell in love. It was cooked over easy so the yolk was runny – not slimy. It was perfection. This experience led me to the whole new world of eggs as toppers. They can be added to a hamburger, put on top of hashbrowns, and even added to the top of chunkier soups. Yum!

Eggs as casserole:
An oldie but a goodie. Nothing compares to the perfect egg casserole. It can feed a multitude and is a secret weapon for all of us penny pinchers. Egg casserole is one of my great comfort foods and I love making it in the wintertime. Here is one of my favorite recipes:

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Last week I saw a story on the news about a mom who would send her kids outside to build a snowman every time they got too rambunctious in the house. They had built 36 snowmen by the time the story aired. With the hope of warmer temperatures this week, why not spend some time building a snowman or two (or 36).

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The movie Runaway Bride is one of our favorites. We quote it in the reVIVE Course and can talk at length about all the self-reflection questions that come from it.

Each man Julia Robert’s character had been in a relationship with is asked the question, “How does she like her eggs?” and they all reply with, “The same way I do.” Richard Gear confronts her about this, saying that she doesn’t know herself at all. By the end of the movie, Julia Roberts ends up spending time alone, discovering what her dreams are, who she was meant to be, and how she likes her eggs.

“I love Eggs Benedict, I hate every other kind. I hate big weddings with everybody staring. I’d like to get married on a weekday while everybody’s at work. And when I ride off into the sunset, I want my own horse.”

- Julia Roberts in Runaway Bride

If you could get more curious about yourself, and ask yourself a question about what your favorites are, what would the question be? Would it be, “How do I like my eggs?” or “What makes me truly laugh?” We would love to hear from you. Drop a note in the comment section and let us know what question you are asking yourself and if you have an answer to it.

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Text: 231-227-3153

Call: 231-944-1710

Email: info@singlemomm.org

Mentorship 360

This is a uniquely designed mentorship program. It begins by viewing each individual as a whole being - physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental. It builds upon a mutual trust between the mentor and mentee. Topics range from parenting to finances to how to maintain life during this crisis.

We are now offering Mentorship 360 by appointment at SM office, via phone, or by Zoom. Contact us to schedule time with a mentor.

The reVIVE Course

Did you have hopes, plans, and dreams?
Does it feel like you’re climbing aimlessley in the dark without a clear next step?
Maybe the life you desire for you and your children seems unattainable.
Do you want to chart a bold new direction for you and your family?

If this sounds like you and you desire to...
• Gather with a community of strong women who understand single motherhood
• Strengthen skills like personal boundary setting • Regain hope, inspiration, and self-confidence
• Find time to discover what makes your heart come alive • Increase your ability to make informed decisions for your family
• Overcome personal barriers ...then we invite you to join our community of single moms who are walking through our stories, embracing the mess, uncovering our greatness, and living courageously.

Beginning the week of March 8, Single MOMM is offering our exclusive 13-week course called reVIVE.

To get more information on The reVIVE Course, visit www.revivecourse.org

Friluftsliv (pronounced FREE’ – loofts – liv), a Norwegian custom that means “living life in fresh air.” A co-worker introduced me to this word, and I fell in love with it. Not because my life fully depicts this but because the idea of this is refreshing.

Years ago, I came to realize that my busy, chaotic single mom schedule had no time for the outdoors unless I was pulling a kid on a sled or shouting at a soccer game. As I complained about this on the phone with my co-momma (an affectionate term my fellow single mom friend and I used to describe our single mom sisterhood) we made a decision: we would start walking and talking on the phone around our respected neighborhoods, in sight of our houses in case World War 3 broke out. This got us both outside breathing fresh air, and moving. 

When Jennifer and I started taking these walks I didn’t know where to go. I had to keep my house in view and found myself pacing on my driveway. This led to more anxiety. Finally, one Saturday morning I forced my kids to help me pick up the dog poop in the backyard so I could start using that area to walk. Over the course of a few months, I found that I loved getting outside. I started to view my backyard as a blank canvas that I could create in. After one very cold, winter walk and talk with Jennifer I stayed out back and made a plan. I was going to start a garden. My first garden consisted of two potted plants, some free lilies from the neighbor’s yard, and a row of sunflowers. Fast forward many years later and my backyard is an oasis. I have advanced to garden beds, and a couple trees that stay green all year. Rocks with quotes and Bible verses mark my rows of vegetables. At the center of my garden is an old wooden cross where vines crawl up it in the summer. I love to take a blanket and sit on the ground next to the cross and be reminded that God will provide for all my needs just like he does for the birds that visit my garden (Matthew 6:26).

Forcing myself to get outside, literally changed my life.

 This winter I have found getting outside is extra helpful for my mental health. With the drop in temperature, it can be easy to say “no way” to going outdoors. Here are some things I have found helpful in my quest to live “life in fresh air”.

• When my coat isn’t warm enough, I walk with a blanket wrapped around me.

• On days I feel too exhausted to walk, I sit outside with all my gear on and cover myself with a huge blanket.

• If it is dark out, I light a candle and sit for a while on my front steps.

• I make my favorite hot drink and take it on the walk with me.

• I committed to trying one new winter outside activity a month and found I love bonfires outside in the snow.

• I invested in crampons. These over the shoe devices help you not slip while walking. (There are many version of these walking traction things that attach to the bottom of your shoes - they can be spikes or cleats or chains, so find whatever is best for you! Our local Ace Hardware carries YakTraks or you can search “ice stabilizers for shoes” on whatever platform you prefer to purchase.)

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One of my favorite memories of living in town was walking with my kids to enjoy our favorite comfort food. We lived in a small town called Bellaire, home to Shorts Brewing Company. Over the years Shorts has exploded in popularity. But back in the day it was just a local haunt that we would walk to in the middle of winter for loaded Mac & Cheese. To this day we can’t eat Mac & Cheese without the sweet memory of all the cold walks we took to enjoy this meal. What is within walking distance of your home? If you have the luxury of being in town, getting outside could mean walking to your favorite restaurant or coffee shop for a treat. 

Try this recipe for the amazing comfort of a good bowl of Mac & Cheese and let us know how you make it!

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A wonderful activity to balance practicing the word Friluftsliv during the winter season, is creating a bath bomb:

Instructions:

1. Add baking soda, citric acid, epson salt, and corn starch to medium mixing bowl.

2. Add carrier oil, water, and essentials oils to a small mixing bowl.

3. Very slowly, and while stirring the dry ingredients, add the wet ingredients. Mix until combined.

4. If using natural food coloring to dye your bath bombs, separate mixture into as many colors as you are using.

5. Add dye slowly to mixture to the seperated bowls. Mix until desired color is achieved.

6. Fill the bath bomb molds with the colors you want. Remove excess from outside desired mold.

7. Remove bathbomb from mold. and let cure for 2 days in cool, dry place.

8. Add to bath and enjoy!

(If the mixture begins to fizz/bubble when mixing it all together, your bath bombs may not set propertly. If this happens, don’t throw the mixture away! Just add it to the bath as is, without putting in a mold.)

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Our staff holds immense value in laughing together. Have you ever had a really hard season and then encountered something that made you laugh and as you are laughing you say, “I needed this so bad”? Laughing can be the release valve we need in the midst of stress. 

The other day we were all chatting about funny movies that were set in the winter. One staff member reminded us all of the movie, Cool Runnings. 

“I wanna take a hot bath, just thinking about all this ice!”

- Cool Runnings

If you haven’t watched this oldie but goody, give it a try. It goes with our theme this week in Hibernate – balancing, living life outside with things that bring warmth and comfort.

We would love to hear from you – what movies make you laugh?

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Text: 231-227-3153

Call: 231-944-1710

Email: info@singlemomm.org

Mentorship 360

This is a uniquely designed mentorship program. It begins by viewing each individual as a whole being - physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental. It builds upon a mutual trust between the mentor and mentee. Topics range from parenting to finances to how to maintain life during this crisis.

We are now offering Mentorship 360 by appointment at SM office, via phone, or by Zoom. Contact us to schedule time with a mentor.

The reVIVE Course

Did you have hopes, plans, and dreams?
Does it feel like you’re climbing aimlessley in the dark without a clear next step?
Maybe the life you desire for you and your children seems unattainable.
Do you want to chart a bold new direction for you and your family?

If this sounds like you and you desire to...
• Gather with a community of strong women who understand single motherhood
• Strengthen skills like personal boundary setting • Regain hope, inspiration, and self-confidence
• Find time to discover what makes your heart come alive • Increase your ability to make informed decisions for your family
• Overcome personal barriers ...then we invite you to join our community of single moms who are walking through our stories, embracing the mess, uncovering our greatness, and living courageously.

Beginning the week of March 8, Single MOMM is offering our exclusive 13-week course called reVIVE.

To get more information on The reVIVE Course, visit www.revivecourse.org

Years ago, to find solitude, I would throw a blanket over my head and affectionately tell my children I was in, “the cone of alone.” As moms, we have to find moments of alone where we can. The women who will be joining me as contributing writers to Hibernate over the next six weeks all are on the front line of single motherhood. They find time to write in their closets, while their kids nap, waiting in the pick-up line, or in the wee hours of the morning.

In Ramblings from the Den, you will hear thoughts to inspire, encourage, unite, and bring hope as we journey the last weeks of winter together.

Single parenthood is one of the toughest jobs in the entire world. It’s not a job for the fainthearted. It requires a lot of confidence and determination. It can be easy to question whether or not we are getting it right.

Jacqueline Woodson once said, “The strength of my mother is something I didn’t pay attention to for so long. Here she was, this single mom, who was part of the Great Migration, who was part of a Jim Crow south, who said, ‘I’m getting my kids out of here. I’m creating opportunities for these young people by any means necessary.”

Whether you are working hard to put food on the table, opening up your arms extra wide for bear hugs at the end of each day, making yourself a safe landing place for your kids, or engaging in the really tough parts of parenting – you are not unseen.

They see us. They may not realize all we do, or why we do what we do…but they see us. Years from now they may notice our strength. Even if they don’t, they will carry into their adult lives our legacy of grit, love, and an ability to overcome. We are instilling a legacy, that only single moms can instill.

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Our staff loves to gather around a table and share good food together. Many of us have food intolerances and TRY to eat on the healthy side…or maybe a more accurate statement would be, we try to eat balanced. Good Food + Chocolate!  This soup recipe is our favorite go to when the snow is falling, and the day calls for cuddling up under a blanket.

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Napping can be an art form. Personally, I have always been jealous of those that can sleep anywhere. One time, while traveling by train I watched a man sleep. Drool streamed out of his mouth, his head bobbed with the movement of the train, and not once did he awake when we stopped at the stations. What an art form!

For me… I need help napping. My girlfriend Wendy loves to ask people the question, “What are you doing for you?” When she was a single mom, answering that question was difficult. One thing she discovered was her love for being warm. Napping was an answer for her. Being extra warm while napping was an even better answer.

The art of napping for her took on new meaning when she started making hot rice socks. These little bundles of warmth are brilliant! For those of us that do not have the skill or time to sew, a sock makes perfect sense.

This week consider making a hot rice sock, warming it up, jumping under a cozy blanket, and taking a nap

(Closing your eyes and just laying still for a while also totally counts as a nap!)

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In the reVIVE Course through Single MOMM, we use this quote from the movie, Under the Tuscan Sun. There is so much depth to explore in these words, so much truth to consider. Comment below - we would love to hear what your thoughts are on this quote!

"Signora, between Austria and Italy, there is a section of the Alps called the Semmering. It is an impossibly steep, very high part of the mountains. They built a train track over these Alps to connect Vienna and Venice. They built these tracks even before there was a train in existence that could make the trip. They built it because they knew some day, the train would come."

- Under the Tuscan Sun

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Text: 231-227-3153

Call: 231-944-1710

Email: info@singlemomm.org

Mentorship 360

This is a uniquely designed mentorship program. It begins by viewing each individual as a whole being - physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental. It builds upon a mutual trust between the mentor and mentee. Topics range from parenting to finances to how to maintain life during this crisis.

Mentoring sessions are currently offered over the phone or video chat or outside. Contact us to schedule time with a mentor.