The Sacred Pause in Motherhood: What a Sunset and a Shadow Taught Me About Being Present

It was a regular Thursday evening. The kind of day where everything and nothing happens all at once. My kids had been especially loud, the laundry was half-folded on the couch, and dinner dishes were still sitting in the sink.

The house was buzzing with the usual end-of-day chaos. And I was buzzing too—in my body, in my mind. That overstimulated, overtouched, over-everything feeling that so many of us moms know all too well.

And then…
A pause.

I happened to glance at the sun setting through our living room window. The way the light filtered in stopped me for a second. I picked up my phone to capture it—not thinking much of it—just one of those “wow, that’s pretty” moments. But when I turned the camera around, I saw it.

A soft shadow cast on the opposite wall.
The unmistakable curve of my pregnant belly.
My baby.
A miracle, quietly making itself known in the most ordinary moment.

I felt my breath catch.
In all the noise, I had almost missed it.

(If you want to see the actual moment, I shared the video on my TikTok—a simple clip that says so much.)

It reminded me how often the sacred shows up in the small. How, even on the loudest, messiest days, life is unfolding right here inside me.
And not just physically—but emotionally, spiritually, relationally.

This season of motherhood—especially pregnancy while parenting young kids—is a blur of movement and need. So often, I forget to see myself in it. I’m so focused on meeting everyone else’s needs that I forget to witness the quiet transformation happening in my own body and soul.

That shadow on the wall?
It brought me back to myself.

So this is my reminder to you, and to me:
Pause.
Let the light in.
And notice the shadows—it’s often where the beauty hides.

Even if your home is loud and your brain is louder, even if your body feels stretched and tired and not your own… you are still doing something miraculous.
Even when you forget.
Even when you almost miss it.


Have you had a moment recently that brought you back to yourself—something simple, but sacred? I’d love to hear about it in the comments or over on Instagram or TikTok. Let’s keep reminding each other: there’s beauty in the blur.

Moving with Young Kids (Twice!): Our Journey from NJ to Our Forever Home in Florida

Moving is always a big deal — but moving with little ones in tow? That’s a whole different kind of chaos. In the span of just over a year, our family made two major moves: first from New Jersey to Southwest Florida with our three young kids (then 5, 3, and 15 months), and then again from our rental into what we now call our forever home — all while I was pregnant with baby number four.

Spoiler alert: it wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.

The Big Move: NJ to Florida

When we decided to leave New Jersey, we were craving sunshine, space, and a slower pace of life. But leaving everything familiar — our family, community, and routines — felt overwhelming. We packed up our lives, squeezed what we could into a moving truck, and flew down with our three littles. At the time, our kids were 5, 3, and just 15 months old. Still in diapers, still waking in the night, and very much still needing their routines.

We chose to rent for a year while we got to know the area. Honestly? That was the best decision we made. It gave us time to figure out neighborhoods, adjust to the Florida heat (hello, humidity), and let our kids settle into their new schools and rhythms without the pressure of rushing into a permanent decision.

Pregnant and Moving… Again

Just when we found our groove, we found out we were expecting baby #4. And with that came the desire (and need) to find our forever home. So, with three busy kiddos and a belly that was growing by the day, we packed up again and moved into our new house.

This time, the move was local — but with toddlers and pregnancy hormones in the mix, it still felt like a marathon.

What Helped Us Survive (and Sometimes Even Thrive)

Here are a few things that got us through all the transitions:

  • Lowering expectations: Not everything had to be perfect. Our meals were simple, boxes stayed unpacked longer than I’d like, and screen time? Yep, it happened.
  • Maintaining some routines: Bedtime stories and cuddles stayed consistent. Familiar rhythms helped the kids feel safe amidst the chaos.
  • Letting them feel: Our kids had big feelings about leaving friends, changing homes, and adjusting to new spaces. We made space for those feelings and gave extra grace.
  • Creating “home” quickly: We prioritized setting up the kids’ rooms first — even if the rest of the house looked like a disaster zone, they had a familiar space to play and sleep.
  • Letting people help: Whether it was a friend bringing dinner or a neighbor watching the kids for an hour, accepting help made a world of difference.

Now, We Breathe

Now that we’re settled in our forever home, there’s a peace that’s starting to settle in too. The kids are adjusting beautifully, the baby is growing strong, and we’re slowly turning this house into a home filled with memories, noise, and love.

If you’re facing a big move with little ones — I see you. It’s exhausting and emotional and messy… but it can also be a beautiful, fresh start.