I’ll be completely honest with you: I’ve never written one of these newsletters myself. Hello, AI culture 👋🏻
I also haven’t prayed since high school, which was over fifteen years ago…
But seasons change. We change.
Having children changes you. Having goals and dreams and wanting life to change changes you. And nothing has made me realize how much I wanted to change my life than having children.
My son came to me three years ago when I was 31. Up until that point, I had spent my adult life doing what I could to heal my body while jumping from relationship to relationship and never settling on a vision for my future. Suffice it to say that my world flipped upside down.
When I turned 33, I remember thinking, “they say 33 is a year of major transformation.” Jesus was 33 when he was crucified. The number 33 has immense frequential power. There’s truly a lot there. But I had no clue how transformative it could be for someone who leans into that kind of thing.
I like change. I like to feel that I’m always improving in some way. (Yes, it can be tremendously exhausting.) But this past year was like taking a bullet train five years into the future. And then I got pregnant.
In the lunar calendar, 2025 was the year of the Wood Snake. This is an immensely transformative combination, with Wood representing accelerated growth and the Snake representing precision, wisdom, and transformation.
2026 is a beautiful follow-up to this. The year of the Fire Horse is, as you can imagine, expected to bring even more change and greater momentum. The lunar new year is today! So, you may be feeling (or begin to feel) a stronger sense of motivation and energy.
I guess this newsletter is a sign that I am 😜
With all that being said, my purpose in writing to you on this special day is to share a few thoughts and goodies with you:
Find a way to pray, whatever that looks like for you. And I don’t mean just asking for what you need. I mean connecting with the almighty power of the universe. Humble yourself to it and let it inspire you. Express gratitude and let it change you.
A quick recipe that has been saving my little family as of late:
- Chicken drumsticks, covered in water and cooked for no less than 1 hour (include a tbsp of apple cider vinegar to pull minerals from the bones)
- chopped vegetables or frozen veggies (our go-to is carrots, but we’re trying potatoes and cabbage tonight — update: it was a hit)
- herbs and seasonings to taste
- ramen noodles cooked separately and added in your bowl at the end *this is optional
I’ve been on a serious spice kick since being pregnant, so jalapeños and hot sauce are a constant addition in my bowls. This is such a simple and nourishing dinner that everyone can enjoy (my son has so much fun slurping the noodles).The Intentionally Postpartum Planner. I have rekindled a strong relationship with it in my second trimester, and I want to offer it as a free resource for all the mothers in this circle to use for this year of the Fire Horse. Life is so much more enjoyable when all the loose ends are accounted for. Download it, look it over, use it (or don’t) and let me know if you have any questions. I’ve linked it for you below.
Grab Your Planner!
Use this monthly, weekly, and daily planner to set intentions, plan your meals, structure your day, and make life work for you again.
I hope this year brings peace and fulfillment into your life. Please reach out anytime if you feel called to — I’d love to connect and share from mother to mother, woman to woman.
Lots of Love,
Shelby
