“If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that chaos doesn’t wait for permission—it just shows up. Whether it’s packing boxes, project deadlines, or a car full of kids asking for snacks at the exact same time, life doesn’t pause so you can catch your breath.”

Hi friends. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?

When I last sat down to write here, life looked busy — but manageable. I had a rhythm going with family, work, and content creation. And then… well, let’s just say the universe looked down, smiled sweetly, and whispered, “Let’s shake things up a bit.”

In the months since, I’ve taken on more in my space engineering role than ever before (which included a healthy dose of travel ✈️), packed up our life in Denver, and moved our family to Kansas City. Somewhere in between the moving boxes and endless “where’s the tape gun?!” moments, I was quietly working behind the scenes on something new and exciting — my upcoming podcast, Mostly Managed Motherhood.

This post is both a reintroduction and a reflection — a way to bridge the pause and share what I’ve learned about returning to routines after life takes you for a ride.

So, grab your coffee, tea, or soda and let’s talk about what it means to find calm again after a chaotic season.

🍂 1. The Unplanned Pause

If you’ve been here for a while, you know I like systems. I like knowing what’s next, labeling bins, color-coding calendars, and creating rhythms that help my family thrive.

But what happens when all those rhythms get completely upended?

That was me this summer. My engineering projects picked up speed, travel dates appeared on my calendar faster than I could pack, and in the middle of all that, our family made the decision to move states.

For a while, I tried to keep everything going — posting here, organizing content, juggling the kids’ schedules. But sometimes, even the best systems need a pause.

And that’s okay.

Taking a break doesn’t mean you’ve failed; it means you’re honoring the season you’re in. Moms are so good at giving grace to everyone else — but we forget to give it to ourselves.

I had to remind myself: this was a temporary pause, not a permanent stop.

🚚 2. The Move, The Mess, and The Momentum

Moving a family as large as mine across states is no small feat. There were moments when it felt like all I did for weeks was tape, label, and lift. The kids handled it better than expected — though we definitely had our share of meltdowns, laughter, and “whose box is this?” chaos.

Leaving Denver was bittersweet. It was home for so long. But Kansas City already feels like the right next chapter for us — closer to family, a little more space, and a lot of new adventures waiting to be had.

Through it all, the same systems I write about here saved my sanity. The labeled bins, the weekday clothing bags, the pre-packed meal staples — they all helped us stay functional in the middle of transition.

It reminded me that systems don’t have to make life perfect — they just help you stay steady. For tips and tricks for ways I keep my sanity, head back over to this blog post, with 10 mom hacks!

And sometimes, “steady” is more than enough.

All the boxes are moved, now I just have to finish unpacking!

🎙️ 3. Something New: The Mostly Managed Motherhood Podcast

While the boxes were getting unpacked, something else was quietly coming together behind the scenes — my podcast!

It’s been a dream of mine for a while to bring Then 2 Became 7 to life in a new way. Writing is wonderful, but I wanted a space where I could talk with you, not just to you. Somewhere to share the unfiltered moments, the laughter, and even the chaos in real-time.

So, coming this fall:
🎧 The Mostly Managed Motherhood Podcast — where we talk about real life with multiple kids, finding small wins, and navigating the chaos with a little more calm (and humor).

In each episode, I’ll share practical tips, real stories, and sometimes, conversations with other moms who get it. Think of it as a coffee chat between friends — with a side of organization hacks and “you’re not alone” reminders.

The blog isn’t going anywhere. In fact, it’s growing! I’ll be using both spaces — blog and podcast — to share different sides of the same message: life doesn’t have to be perfectly managed to be beautifully lived.

🌻 4. A Fall Reset (and a Challenge for You)

Fall has always felt like a reset button to me. Maybe it’s the school-year rhythm returning or the cooler air that makes routines feel possible again.

This year, that reset feels deeper. It’s not just about reorganizing the pantry or catching up on laundry — it’s about realigning priorities after a whirlwind year.

For me, that means:

• Protecting my creative space (this blog and my new podcast)

• Prioritizing family time that’s truly present

• Allowing myself to do things at 80% instead of 100%, if it means I’m still showing up

And I want to invite you to do the same.

This week’s small challenge:
Pick one thing to reset. Maybe it’s your morning routine, your bedtime scroll habits, or your mindset around “doing it all.” Write it down, take one step toward it, and celebrate that small win. To really engage and get extra support, fill out the challenge printable (linked below) and share a screenshot on social! Tag me @then2became7 on Pinterest or Instagram, or engage on Facebook.

Because every comeback starts with one intentional step forward.

Want to read more about setting up a Fall Routine Reset? Check out what The Blended Mama has to say in her blog article here! 

Click here to go to Canva and edit a printable Fall Reset Challenge tracker!

💬 Closing Thoughts

So here’s to new cities, new routines, and the reminder that “mostly managed” is more than enough.

Thank you for sticking around through the quiet. For reading, for showing up, for being part of this community of moms who are learning, laughing, and resetting right alongside me.

I’m so glad to be back — and I can’t wait for you to join me on this next adventure.

Because motherhood isn’t about managing it all — it’s about managing what matters most. 💛