Welcome back to 10 Things, where I share ten things from my life that probably don’t warrant their own blog post, but are worth mentioning anyway.
Without further ado, here are the first ten things that come to mind. Ready, set, GO!
1. I Survived 21 Days Without Social Media
My 21-day social media fast officially ended, and it was a lot more humbling and freedom-giving than I expected.
The first few days were hard. I kept reaching for Instagram without even thinking about it. Not because I needed anything from it, but because checking it had become such a normal part of my day.
As the fast went on, though, I started noticing the benefits.
I wasn’t constantly interrupting my own thoughts. I wasn’t picking up my phone every five minutes. I felt more present, more focused, and oddly enough, more at peace.
There’s a lot more I want to say about this experience, but it deserves its own blog post.
2. We’re Having a Boy! 💙
We’re having a boy!
I had a feeling from the beginning that Baby Mora was a boy, and for once, my instincts were right on the nail.
Truthfully, I would have been happy either way. Healthy baby was always the goal.
But I’m incredibly thankful for our little boy. After everything Milton and I have walked through to get here, he feels like such a gift from the Lord.
I’m already so ready to meet him.
3. Two Playlists Are Currently Under Construction
I have decided I need two new playlists.
The first is a worship playlist.
I’ve realized something I don’t think Christians talk about enough: a lot of our worship songs aren’t really worship songs.
A lot of them are about me. My breakthrough. My healing. My blessing. My feelings.
And while there’s certainly a place for those songs, I’ve found myself craving something different lately.
I want songs that are about God.
Songs that magnify Him. Songs that focus on His character. Songs that make me look upward instead of inward.
Something inside me has shifted recently. I find myself wanting to worship God in spirit and in truth, not just sing songs that make me feel good.
The second is a labor playlist because there is absolutely no scenario where I’m giving birth without worship music playing in the background.
If God carried me through infertility, loss, and this pregnancy, then He is definitely getting invited into the delivery room too.
4. Community Makes a Huge Difference
One thing I’ve been reflecting on lately is how grateful I am for my community.
Moving away from Oakland was harder than I expected because all of my family is still there. My parents, my brother, my grandparents—everyone.
There are still days when I wish I could drive five minutes and be at my mom’s house.
But God has been incredibly kind to me through the people He’s placed in my life here. My church family, friends, coworkers, and the different communities I’m part of have shown up for me in ways I’ll never forget.
The older I get, the more I realize that community is one of God’s greatest gifts. I have people who pray for me, encourage me, celebrate with me, and walk alongside me through difficult seasons.
I’m not alone. I don’t feel alone.
Praise God!
5. This Heat Is Personal
Can we talk about this weather?
It’s hot.
Like, “walk outside for five minutes and immediately regret it” hot.
One thing I miss about growing up closer to the Bay is that the ocean would at least try to help. Here, the heat just sits on you.
Thankfully, our community pool exists.
Is it the beach? No.
Does it require me to find parking? Also no.
That’s enough for me right now.
6. This Birth Course Has Been Fascinating
I’ve been taking a birth course recommended by my doula, and I’ve been loving it.
Every week I learn something new that makes me go, “Wait… nobody ever told me that.”
There’s so much information about labor, postpartum recovery, newborn care, and the transition into parenthood that I never really thought about before.
I already know I’m going to have to write a separate post about the biggest things I’ve learned because some of them genuinely surprised me.
7. Grief Still Visits Sometimes
Every now and then, I’ll think about my angel babies.
Sometimes it’s a memory. Sometimes it’s a random moment that catches me off guard.
For a brief moment, the sadness returns.
My instinct is usually to push those feelings away as quickly as possible, but I feel like God has been teaching me something different in this season.
Don’t rush through it.
Not the joy. Not the anticipation. Not even the grief.
As painful as that chapter was, God did a tremendous work in me during that time. He strengthened my faith, refined my character, and taught me to trust Him when I couldn’t understand what He was doing.
I wouldn’t choose that pain again, but I can’t deny that God met me there.
And because of that, I have a deeper appreciation for this season than I ever would have otherwise.
8. Nesting Mode Has Entered the Chat
I fear the nesting instincts have arrived.
My brain has become convinced that every closet, drawer, cabinet, and random storage bin in our house needs immediate attention.
The challenge is remembering that I don’t need to do everything this week.
So I’ve created a plan.
One room at a time. One project at a time. One day at a time.
I’m trying very hard to be organized without turning into a human tornado.
9. Naps Are Carrying This Pregnancy
I’ve always known naps were good.
I just didn’t realize how good they were until I got pregnant.
Some days I wake up tired. Other days I get tired after doing what feels like absolutely nothing.
I take one breath and suddenly my body is requesting a nap.
Pregnancy has given me a whole new appreciation for rest.
So if you need me, there’s a decent chance I’m either taking a nap, thinking about taking a nap, or looking forward to my next nap.
10. The Reason I Have the Travel Bug 🛫
Fun fact: I studied abroad in Thailand for three months during high school.
That experience changed me.
I learned so much about Thai culture, the people, and a completely different way of life. It opened my eyes to the fact that there are entire communities, cultures, traditions, and stories outside of my own experience.
Somewhere during those three months, I developed a deep love and appreciation for people and places that I previously had no connection to other than the fact that I lived there for a little while.
I think that’s where my travel bug came from.
I’d love to travel more in the future. And honestly, I don’t see having a baby as the end of that dream.
If anything, it just means Milton and I gained a new travel buddy.
One day we’ll get to experience the beauty, wonder, and newness of different places together.
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