Hannah Morrison

One Year Down

Wow, so it’s officially been one year since I decided to make the move and step into silent ownership of my company as we did a slow roll off entirely over the months to follow. While I don’t at all believe this is the right choice for everybody, I had to do it. The stress and pressure I felt at all times was physically and emotionally withering me away. I wasn’t being the wife or mom I wanted to be, and we knew something had to change. The timing felt ridiculous to back out but we felt the hit we would take personally was worth it for my well-being. And, wow, am I so very glad I did. I stepped away from everything I built and I have never been happier. Because I am built with a business mind (it’s both a blessing and a curse lol) I have found some other outlets to continue providing an income for my family but it just had to look so much different for me. As my company grew, so did I. I began to understand how I was specifically designed, and while others might still thrive as a mom and wife while balancing the pressure of a company and payroll and pleasing clients at all hours of the day, I sure as heck was not. I realized that although I can cast vision and manage a team, it is not what I should operate in primarily. And I built something (on accident) that literally was not good for me and was killing my joy in all areas of life. I have shared this journey openly not because I think women shouldn’t work. No, not what I have said or am I remotely implying. Instead, I have shared my journey because I want to encourage you to say “no” to something if it’s robbing your joy. It is ok to eject from something you even started or have invested so much into if it’s eroding your capacity to pour into what matters the absolute most. I had to submit to humility and accept that I was not doing well in the very thing I had created for myself. No matter how seemingly “good” something is, it’s not worth it if it’s robbing you of your time to pour into your family, your kids, your faith.

So what have I done with my extra time? Well, a whole lot less of a what I thought this year would include, to be honest. I genuinely thought I would be finishing my book I had started with Tyndale about a year and a half ago in this time. But, God closed that door for the time being. I was really frustrated about it. I felt hurt, but I feel so called to the specific book God has laid on my heart. I didn’t want to change what I felt a vision for because it didn’t fit their need. And I am ok with that! And I am certain my 30 page thesis and pitch will be picked up but he right person. I am really grateful for the opportunity that was presented to me and it stretched me. And now, I have something ready to go when the right publisher comes along.

I coached my son’s soccer team. I don’t wanna brag… but we started from the bottom and we ended with games 13-2 hehe. These are the things I can hang my hat on now and I am not mad about it. Just call me “Coach Hannah.” 😉

I gained a new perspective on what matters. I am just genuinely happy to pay my bills, have healthy kids, and have a home with a roof and lights. I know that sounds so dumb and basic, but it genuinely was something I came to be so thankful for over the last year.

I can play on the floor with my kids without having to check my email for a client’s concerns or frustrations.

I can film content and write when I feel a desire to, not when I am pressure-prompted. I thought I would focus so much on my blog again over the last year, but I didn’t. I have hardly touched it. I thought I would do monthly photoshoots again and create content for my email list… but I didn’t. I didn’t do any of that. I just was… mom. And honestly, it was so nice. A bit stretching and at times a slight identity crisis. But in general, so so good.

I have been extra picky about partnerships and collaborations. I say no even if it would be nice to have that money. But it’s not worth the work if it doesn’t align perfectly with the vision I have for my kids and my home.

I have poured my heart and soul into the women of Cadence and had the chance to plan events that fill my cup. Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Easter… I love to throw a good party and to see people find community. This will be the joy of my life alongside my babies for the rest of my life.

All this to say, I feel I have lived such an open book life for y’all through every season of my life. And this one has been something so notable but less shared about. Not for any particular reason other than… I have been MIA here on the blog side of things and that’s where I feel I could share more openly about it. Here’s to a year of blooming in motherhood and to many more years of it to come.

Some fun life updates:

  • Knox graduates from PreK Monday and I am already weeping.
  • I was just named the face of Snuggle Me Organic for the next 6 months and am genuinely still like… “are you sure you reached out to the right person?” but I am so honored and excited. It’s such a fun and creative outlet for me!
  • We have sabbatical for the next 4 weeks starting Monday and we are so excited! This means Paul won’t be preaching for four weeks and we will be spending tons of family time together. We will do this every summer to get vision for the church for the upcoming year as well as some needed rest! There will be some of our favorite people preaching those Sundays and I cannot wait for our people to get poured into by them!!

Amazon Lately

Happy Monday!! Per your votes on Instagram, my latest Amazon purchases was the clear winner. Here are my latest finds and purchases that I am loving!

  1. Cute Spring Puzzle: I decided last week I wanted a cute puzzle to do during nap times and so I literally googled “cute puzzle.” I am really trying to do things in my quiet times that are productive and not just mindlessly scrolling on my phone. This popped up and I immediately bought it because the price was so good! What a cute little spring Parisian set-up.
  2. Silicone Spoons: Evidently my daughter is picky about what she uses to eat… and these are what she wants! The smaller end has been great for her and they’re a cute color scheme which is always a win in my book.
  3. Volcano Candle: Ok so you can buy these at Anthro or a multitude of other places, but there’s just something about ordering it on Amazon and having shipped to my house the next day. Oh how Amazon Prime has ruined me. Volcano candles ARE the scent of spring and summer in my opinion, and I will have these burning the next few months non-stop!
  4. Dr. Browns Wide Neck Sippy Bottle: Okay, again first with the cute colors… But for real, we only use Dr. Browns bottles and I love these silicon grips for Coco! She refuses to hold her bottles, but since getting these it’s helped SO MUCH with her practicing grip and she is starting to hold her own bottle for extended periods of time solely because of these handle grips. We replaced the sippy style nipples with the level 3’s for now, because the sippy was just a little too much for her still. But we will upgrade soon to them!
  5. Stokke Clikk High Chair: Believe it or not… I am three babies deep and this is my first high chair. I used to have the one that clicked onto the side of our table and I hated it. I registered for it because it was “top rated” when I was pregnant with Knox and I genuinely have no idea why. This high chair has been AMAZING, so easy to clean, and we ordered the sleek black one so it looks great out in my kitchen. It ties in with my black fireplace and window treatment hardware. Small detail, but it truly makes the high chair feel like part of my home decor.
  6. CaboCreme: This stuff is MAGIC. Every nursing mommy needs this on hand. It’s made of clean ingredients and derives from the same idea of the old wive’s tale that cabbage leaves relieve mastitis (which is does!). Just a dollop completely relieved the marble-like lumps I had all over my chest when weaning off pumping. If I hadn’t gotten it at the exact moment I got it, I would have for sure gone fully down from Mastitis. But instead, a couple hours later my lumps were releasing!

Hello + Proverbs

Hello, friend! I hope you had the best February and feel the same giddy butterflies I feel for spring marching in. The sunshine peeking through, the green grass popping up, and the colors beginning to revive themselves after months of a lifeless appearance. There’s something so good for my soul that happens every spring. It’s like a refresh to my vision and perspective. I love this time of year!

What am I dreaming about for the next couple of months? I want to buy a plant box for my back porch for starters. I am determined to become a gardener… lol. Ok, more realistic: To plant some herbs and flowers that don’t die. I also have a DIY plan (dream) to paint my back porch a checkered look. Stay tuned. Highly likely to not happen because I am 0% a DIYer… but I actually think I could do this one. So, here’s hoping… hehe. Anybody else like me in this!?

A Word from Proverbs:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1: 7

The fear of God is actually saying “I fear being anywhere you’re not because you’re so perfect and great- give me wisdom to hear your voice and walk in your ways.” Remember that as you navigate your days and find yourself praying for something. God, we want your WISDOM that sometimes even means NO for something we desire or is seemingly good. Ask for WISDOM and he will give it to you, friend.

I think the general essence of Proverbs, the sincere care for us with direct instruction, is an encouragement for the way we parent our babies, lead our homes, lead in our workplace… whatever you’re in charge of. Wisdom is direct. It’s setting gracious boundary lines to allow for freedom within the safety of wisdom.

A few things I am DIGGIN’ these days:

  1. The new Morgan Wallen album. O M G. The perfect springtime album driving with the windows down and a Sonic cherry limeade.
  2. Target’s spring selections. I LOVE ALL THE COLOR. They did such a great job with all their lines this season! I needed a couple pairs of pants for Sundays and found two great ones for under $30 each. SO GOOD. I linked those and a couple other favorite finds here.
  3. Our Playhouse [here]! Y’all, I dreamed and hoped the boys would use this thing as much as they do. It’s been a game changer around our home to be able to say “Y’all go outside and play” and they actually want to. It’s given me a slice of peace inside throughout the day to get a couple things done. The price point is incomparable and it feels sturdy. It did endure hurricane winds and a tornado that barely missed our home last week… So I can confirm it is indeed a quality buy to withstand the weather. 😉

Exact Buys from Target:

Other Fun Finds:

A Little Life Lately

Hello! My goodness, I don’t know about you, but my 2023 has started (dare I even say it?) so incredible. To be honest, nothing in particular other than it’s like a new wave of fresh air has blown through both personally and in all the things we do as a family. I am just excited for what’s ahead and I don’t even know why fully except that I think God is doing some awesome stuff this year.

Postpartum Ups and Downs

Coco is 5 months old and the postpartum fog is slowly lifting, and I am starting to feel a bit more like myself. To be honest, starting late October/early November I started to really go downhill from postpartum hormones and a few circumstances I just couldn’t control. It’s just true, you can’t deal with things like you normally would when you’re sleep deprived and your body is trying to figure out what normal is both hormonally and psychologically again. It’s just a lot. I am so grateful for our pastors, best friends, parents, and -of course- my amazing husband. We knew things were about a 10/10 not good when I got lost driving my usual route home from dropping off Knox at school. We knew from my experience postpartum with Knox that this is a pretty telling sign for me that something is just not right. We immediately started to rearrange things to help me. I withdrew from some commitments, started on some vitamin regimens, focused on what I was eating a bit more intentionally, and ultimately starting tuning in spiritually to what the Lord wanted to say to me. We had a few breakthroughs in our personal lives, and oddly enough it’s almost like that was what God wanted me to dial in on in the midst of my postpartum anxiety and depression. And once we talked through some things, at one point even with our pastors as “referees”, unity came into our home again and my fog almost immediately began to lift. And while I am not saying I was suffering from PP blues because God wanted me to learn something, I do believe He used it for my good. Also, on that note, married people: Have one couple in your life you trust with your entire marriage. Like, I am serious… somebody you both agree that no matter what they say, it’s right no matter what and they can speak into absolutely ANYTHING. It’s so freeing. Sometimes when Paul and I just cannot see eye to eye on something, we will go sit with our pastors and talk through it in front of them. It’s truly the safest place for us and we’ve done it for 7 years now with the same people. It’s honestly probably in the top 3 best things we have as a couple.

Routines

If you recall, I wrote about how I feel I am meant to focus (perhaps simply REfocus) on my purpose. Saying no to things, rekindling others I have put on the backburner, and really seeing where I am meant to pour into as my days of pregnancy are seemingly behind me and I am stepping into something new as a mom raising 3 babies. I have really settled into a weekly routine that’s been life-changing. My family thrives on routine, and my weekly schedule is at the top of that list. Tuesdays I get 9-3 entirely to myself. I take the kids to my parents’ and I go do errands, hair appointments, work at a coffee shop, reading for fun… whatever I feel like. It’s brought so much life to my week. On Thursdays I am leading a SAHM Bible Study through the Spring and I am really excited about this. Fridays are Donut Friday with Daddy, so I get the morning to do things around the house (I seem to usually have some kind of an appointment for a kid or dog lately on these days.) Whatever you can do to implement a routine that, with a bit of grace as always, stays in place, I promise it will impact you greatly.

Recent Buys and Finds

Lastly, below are just some of my favorite recent buys and finds! A few of them are trending in my LTK shop, so I guess you’re loving them also! You guys are the best and I adore you. xoxoxo

Hello, 2023 & Purpose

As I sit here in my daughter’s room, watching her snooze for the first time in her own crib (fingers crossed we move up here for night time sleep soon!) and hear my sons giggling in the playroom just down the hallway, I am filled to the brim with gratitude. The absolute purest form of it. 2022 taught me, if I am honest, some of the basics all over again. I spent my 20’s working hard, losing sleep at night worrying about things like baseline numbers and employees, building companies, and running different businesses. And at the drop of a hat, I said “no more”… I want basic. We are talking like, shelter, food, basic needs met kind of basic. Sometimes, life makes you just abundantly grateful for the littlest, most basic things like baby cheeks that squish into your lips when you kiss them and food on the table that you planned and prepared, and a home we love and have the joy of living in. I will never view anything the same after my late 20’s and all that life dished at us, and my goodness I am thankful for that. After a series of events that put life perspective more clear than ever for me, I chose to sell my company to be home more and grieved a lot of “how it was.” Don’t read that just as financially or anything like that, although we did have to make some massive changes with this initial move in my job title. But I grieved “how it was” relationally with people I once did life with, “how it was” as I turned the big 30, “how it was” as my season of birthing babies came to a close. “How it was” before kids vs now as I navigate rediscovering Hannah, the mommy. I could go on and on about what “how it was” means to me as the chapter pages have turned to “how it is.”

As we enter into this new year, I hear “purpose” loud and clear for me to pursue. The calling, as a mom, wife, and leader in our church. Purpose as a writer and as I navigate what I love so much about this space and community I spent so much of my 20s building. It all looks new and different, and I am so excited. There is something thrilling and giddy bubbling under the surface as I turn this chapter. Paul and I have said a lot over the last two months “we will just never be the same” in the most beautiful and life-changing ways. All positive things even when it took some painful pruning and plowing to get to the basics. I picture a field that’s been plowed down to the very best soil. The dirt was so full of dozens of seeds that had been tested over the years that alone, these seeds worked. But after time and years of seasons and growth… some of the seeds just didn’t work alongside each other anymore. They were choking each other out, and the only way to fix it was to plow it all down. We had to plow down to the purest, cleanest version of the field to start new growth. We had to decide what we would intentionally plant and what holds purpose for our family moving forward. I had too many seeds growing in one field, and they just couldn’t co-exist anymore. I had to decide which ones were done seasonally and which ones were done for good. It was difficult, but it has brought forth more life than ever before.

Purpose.

I am excited about 2023. I am ready to tackle goals and things I have put on the back burner for 5 years. I am ready to rediscover Hannah this year. A Hannah who has lost some things but gained so much. Hannah who meets the needs of 3 little faces every day, but also has her own she wants to give attention to again. I am excited. I am ready to show up here again, and I mean really show up. I am excited to get reacquainted.

So, hey. I am Hannah. I am 30. I have 3 babies on this side of heaven and one angel girl. I have the best husband. I have gained a few wrinkles and pounds over the last five years as I have birthed my babies and shared about it all here as I was able to. I lead a church alongside my husband in Frisco, TX. It is the greatest joy and journey of our lives. An absolute privilege. I love life. I love good food. I love a quality pair of shoes and a fun, colorful closet. I love being the closet friends ask to peruse for an event they have. I love cooking and I LOVE being mommy. I believe in forgiving quickly and recognizing people are all just doing their best. Cheers to 2023. Cheers to my 30’s. Cheers to the best ahead.

xoxo,

Hannah

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