Moments 05.2019 JoyFoodSunshine – May was largely about moving and settling into our new home. We also celebrated Naomi’s birthday at the very end of the month.

I can’t remember all the times I tried to tell myself to hold on to these moments as they pass.

Welcome to “Moments” on JoyFoodSunshine. At the end of each month I recap what went on in our busy little world. Here’s what May 2019 looked like for us.

Recipe love:

Some of my favorite recipes I enjoyed or bookmarked in May:

Mango Salsa from House of Yumm — pure summer perfection.

Avocado Corn Salad from Eating Bird Food — fresh summer corn done right.

Meringue & Lemon Tart from Kitchen McCabe — a must-make for lemon lovers.

Real Fruit Slushies from Super Healthy Kids — so refreshing for warm days.

Cucumber Salad from Cooking Classy — simple and delicious.

New Recipe Videos

We released several new recipe videos in May and there’s more coming in June.

Cinnamon Honey Butter

Eggless Edible Cookie Dough

No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

Homemade Strawberry Lemonade

A few of my favorite things…

Products I used repeatedly in May and really enjoyed:

Slow Cooker

When our old slow cooker disappeared during the move (turns out Ritch donated it thinking I wanted to get rid of it), I ordered a new slow cooker and have been loving it. It’s lightweight, attractive, and easy to use — a great replacement that I picked up on sale.

Popsicle Mold

I’ll have a new popsicle recipe in early June, and this mold got a lot of use in May. I ended up using two molds for video shoots and made multiple batches; some popsicles used the included sticks, and other batches used regular sticks inserted through foil to make larger quantities.

Madewell Courtyard Ruffle Hem Top & High-Waisted Button Fly Jeans

This outfit has been my go-to since having baby #5. I own the top in black and printed fabric and wear it with high-rise jeans. It’s flattering and comfortable while I’m adjusting to my post-baby body, and it helps me feel put together on busy days.

Life with my tribe

May revolved around moving and settling in. We also celebrated Naomi’s fourth birthday. Because we moved the Saturday before Mother’s Day, our celebration was low-key, but Ritch stayed home the following Sunday morning so we could wake up together in the new house and go to church as a family — a simple, special moment.

We MOVED!

We closed on our old house on April 30 and on our new house May 3. The buyers of our old home allowed up to 45 days to move out, so we took a few extra days and officially moved into the new house on May 11. In the days between we moved most of our belongings and had the kitchen mostly unpacked by moving day.

Ritch tackled the garage, built a workbench, put up shelving and pegboard, and installed the light fixtures we selected. Moving day itself felt organized and much easier than prior moves. I was grateful to be recovered enough from childbirth to help lift, pack, and move.

We did run into several frustrating issues with the builder: an unplugged wire kept the AC from working, a hot water recirculation pump was installed upside down, and our microwave stopped working after just a few uses. The process of getting these items fixed highlighted disappointing customer service. Despite that, we’re hopeful the problems are behind us and we can enjoy the new home.

Leaving our yellow house was more emotional than I expected. I spent a long while in the nursery, reflecting and crying as memories came back. We moved into that home when Naomi was six weeks old, and it holds so many nights of rocking, nursing, and quiet moments with my children. I’ll always cherish it.

To remember that season, I commissioned a sketch of the house with the dates we lived there — a small keepsake to mark a meaningful chapter.

Keilah is 3 months old!

Keilah turned three months in May. She still seems so tiny in my mind, though she’s past the newborn stage. She’s a spirited baby who cries a lot and prefers being held most of the day. Fortunately she sleeps well, and we’re hopeful she’ll grow more content as she gets older.

Mara!

Mara keeps us laughing with her little stories. She tells a recurring tale about her friend’s baby brother and gum in my diaper bag —complete with her own unique pronunciation — and she repeats it constantly. She even turned the event into a song. Her storytelling cracks us up every day.

Mommy–daughter date

Our family resumed one-on-one dates after a short break for the baby and the move. Ritch took Naomi on a date and she loved the one-on-one time. My turn was a date with Bethany. She’d been wanting to visit a Mediterranean restaurant to try lentils, so that’s where we went. We had a great conversation, I taught her how to order and try new foods, and we enjoyed real quality time together.

We try to make these dates a priority so each child gets individual attention. We’re also navigating how to talk to our kids about relationships and waiting for the right time to date, while encouraging openness about their feelings as they grow up.

Naomi turns 4!

Naomi turned four at the end of May. She’s sweet-natured and genuinely excited about little things, so celebrating her felt wonderful. She asked for a “pink sprinkle 4 cake,” wanted homemade pizza for dinner, and chocolate chip muffins for breakfast. She loved every gift she opened and was thrilled by the day’s attention.

Recipes I’m Making on Repeat

Recipes we enjoyed often in May:

Cashew Chicken Stir Fry

This is my favorite healthy dinner — I make it nearly every week.

Homemade Pizza Dough & Pizza Sauce

Breakfast bars

If you make something from JoyFoodSunshine I would love to see your creations! Please rate the recipe and leave a comment. You can also follow along on social media for more recipe inspiration and a glimpse into our everyday life.