Shantel May

I've started doing these "Shantel - month" posts, almost like a little wrapup of my month. When I was first blogging I would write about things that I liked or I was doing (Friday Five were some of my favorite posts), but the blog has evolved into a family journal. I love that about this blog. However, here are some thoughts, likes, and things from me this month. 

I officially stepped down as the director of SPARK Cooperative for the next school year. I have been feeling the need to shift my energy and attention and even though SPARK has been fantastic for our family, I felt the need to pull away. (This is one of the balls that I kept dropping over the past couple of months and it feels good to let it go.)  

Within days of stepping down from the leadership role at SPARK, I decided to move ahead with co-hosting a Mothers of Influence (MOI) group AND become the finance chair for the kids Thursday co-op. It felt a little like "wow, I can't allow myself any time to breathe - responsibility just draws itself into the vacuum." I can especially see how it would seem that way from the outside. However, I actually feel that these are responsibilities I wanted to take on and are the direction that I needed to go but the additional responsibility of SPARK was holding me back. Stepping down as coop director was more about making room for the things calling to me and less about having too much responsibility in general. 

I have wanted to create a group of homeschooling mothers who gather regularly to lift and support each other for a long time. Part of that desire has been met through our homeschool retreat, but I wanted to extend it throughout the year. I've been attending a MOI group in Mapleton for a while now and it's such a beautiful group with beautiful women, but it's far from me and my kids. I have the desire for a close group of people who are a support to me and a community for my children. Ali Middleton has similar dreams and asked if I would co-host an MOI group with her. I think having someone to share the leadership responsibility is exactly the thing that I needed to agree to start a group like this. 

We met for the first time this month at my house (we will swap houses every other month) and talked about "A Mother's Heart" from the Well Educated Heart Catch the Vision course. I think there are some kinks to be worked out in the group and I'm hoping that some of the initial bumps will work themselves out as we grow together as a group. (Also, I had a little bit of a rough week which colored my perspective of how well the meeting went. I felt a little blah about it afterwards, but I have high hopes for beautiful connections in the future!) 

I am not known for taking great care of plants. Any greenery you see in my house is almost definitely fake. However, in February I was given both of these plants and have been doing such a good job taking care of them. I'm surprised at the amount of joy it is giving me. The fern-type plant was a gift from Ali after the Sue's passing. The bonzai tree (a notably difficult plant to care for) was a gift from my Grandma Zuriel Knowles. She wanted to give me something to say thank you for helping to plan her 90th birthday and felt like this was the right thing. My mom, knowing my bad track record with plants, tried to convince her to do something else but my grandma insisted this was the right thing. I laughed when I received it, but I have quickly grown to love this darling little bonzai and I'm grateful for my grandmother who gave it to me. 

These women are such a support, inspiration, and boon to me. We went out to dinner for Bethany's birthday and at one point I just sat in the middle of the table with chatter all around me (and a ridiculously loud live band playing right next to us, ha) and was filled with gratitude to be surrounded by them. They are an answer to my prayers in so many ways, homeschooling and beyond. Such strong, faithful, brave, diligent, creative, kind women. I'm blessed to be a part of them. 

These art pieces are two that spoke to me the last time David and I were walking through Deseret Book. They are just so beautiful.  

Shantel's February

A few glimpses into my February: 

This meme. 

When you've officially run out of excuses: "Will likely be a little late because of who I am as a person." There is more truth to this than I wish there was. I justify sometimes by saying that really I'm a maximizer and if I can squeeze in XYZ before I go then that's better than getting there and waiting around. But a little voice in the back of my head reminds me of the time someone told me that people who are late value their time more than other peoples and when they use their time selfishly it makes them late. Darn. I am actively trying to be better at this, but also - I can only give so many excuses before I just have to admit that I might be a little late no matter what. 

Some books that I've been reading. I made a new friend (@readintorebecca) through some Ward Conference visits that we did for Stake Primary and she's been supplying me with fun new books to read. I have been doing 99% of any book reading via audiobooks - so it's been fun to get some books back in my hands. 

I've been expanding and deepending my friend community and have attended some really nice things. Early morning temple visits on the first Friday of each month (Cara and Bethany). A "Bunco Birthday Party" for a sweet friend, Dani. Plus lots of Marco Polos, meaningful conversations during field trips or coop pickup times, and opportunities to rub shoulders with some really amazing people. 

I also was able to attend our Stake Women Conference and enjoyed the morning thoroughly. It's always so neat to be able to join as sisters in the gospel to strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ and be reminded that we are in this together to strengthen, love, and lift each other. This class was taught by one of my sweet Primary Presidents, Tenille. I'm grateful for my stake calling that has given me such sweet friendships with so many amazing women. 

Homeschool Retreat Planning 

These pictures make me laugh because it's incredible that this chaos turned into such an amazing weekend! Last year Ali and I planned a homeschool retreat together and this year we wanted to do it again. It was planned for February 15-17 and even though it looks a little chaotic, Ali kept us well prepared and on track. I think we make a really good team and I am overwhelmingly grateful for her friendship. Here are some of the details of the prepwork:

Homeschool Retreat 2024

The retreat itself was smooth and amazing. Once again, Kate Naylor blessed my life immensely by offering to drive her truck. I had been insisting that I could drive my van, but having her drive was a huge blessing because it snowed much of the way and I wouldn't have felt nearly as confident as she did in her 4x4 truck. Due to some issues with our Airbnb getting canceled (twice!) we ended up hosting the retreat in Garden City (Bear Lake) and we loved it! 

We had a lovely weekend of workshops, outdoor activities, personal homeschool time, and good food. It was amazing to see the organizational chaos turn into such a delightful weekend. I'm grateful to be surrounded by so many women who love and work and care for their families so diligently. Homeschooling takes courage and it's a blessing to have a community of people who are brave enough to choose this homeschooling path and will help support and encourage each other along the way. 

I taught a workshop on "The Power of Fun in Homeschool" which I really loved prepping for and talking about. We painted one night, went on a snow bike ride one day, and spent the rest of the time learning and working together and during personal time. 

Community is important to me and I've loved seeing my community grow and strengthen in so many areas. This month has been wonderful as I've connected with others and been able to accomplish a lot. 

 This month has also been hard with the recent loss of Sue, who means so much to me. The grief has impacted me in significant ways and it's been harder to do a lot of my normal things to my normal levels. I've been so sad. I've had a hard time balancing things that usually are easier for me to handle. I cry at the merest mention of anything emotional (which if you know me, seems like it isn't much different- but I'm talking sobbing, not just tearing up). I have also felt peace, hope, and happiness - and it's been an interesting thing to watch the happiness and goodness walk hand in hand with the sorrow and slowness.