Monday! Here we GOOOO!!!

(Just a note that any feigned enthusiasm from here on out is being used solely as a shield against my unrelenting nerves, given that this is—gulp—our first week of virtual school.)

I thought that since many of us are in the same boat of endless worry and wonder about the impending school year, I would help us start off this week with a few simple things to smile about.

Because no matter what coronavirus can take from us, it can’t take away my appreciation for and adoration of generic inspirational quotes and awesome #momlife cartoons.

This is Your Life in Pictures

Ever since being introduced to the artwork of Grace Farris via Cup of Jo, I can’t stop stalking her IG page. She captures the small moments of parenting with such humor.

Here is one of my recent favorites, but be sure to follow her on Instagram for more goodness!

A Quote

I read this recently in an interview with IVL founder Emily Jackson, of the blog The Ivory Lane. I’ll be repeating this to myself as I slog through the final stages of a new project I’ve been working on, and reminding myself that the little things we do daily do, in fact, determine our future. (This quote is actually attributed to a former leader of the Mormon church, but I think the message at its core rises beyond religious affiliation.)

Your daily “aww”

Did you know that penguins are “nature’s best snugglers?” And that not only are they good at snuggling, but they’re so good, they’ve quite literally got it down to a science.

This article is worth a read for its wow factor alone (nature truly astounds), but TL; DR? Scientists are studying the conditions that cause penguins to huddle so precisely that it in fact helps protect their own health, and the health of their colony.

It’s almost like they innately know what is best for the group, and naturally do that.

I think we could learn something from penguins, and I’m just going to leave that right there.

Sending you big virtual hugs at the start of this week, and this next chapter. We got this!! (Right????!)