Mama of the Wild Crew Podcast

20 | Sisters, Summer, and New Series Tea with Counselor Addison Sewell

• Alexis Schmoker • Season 1 • Episode 20

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Ever had your car literally explode in your driveway? Sisters Alexis and Addison dive into the beautiful chaos of summer motherhood with refreshing honesty and unexpected humor. This casual check-in episode reveals what's keeping them sane during these unstructured months—from morning walks while listening to scripture to the surprising confidence boost of finally getting a new bra.

The conversation takes a vulnerable turn as they share their "mom fails" and the parenting expectations they've had to abandon along the way. You'll laugh along with their confessions while nodding in agreement that motherhood rarely matches our pre-child expectations.

What truly shines is their spiritual journey and how it's transforming their responses to life's challenges. Rather than being derailed by their collective summer disasters—understanding of God's sovereignty. 

They offer practical wisdom for handling "mom anxiety" and resetting after those inevitable moments when patience runs thin. Their insights on presence, perspective, and grace provide the perfect summer reset for any mother feeling overwhelmed.

Stay tuned for exciting news about three upcoming podcast series: Enneagram Mama exploring how personality shapes motherhood, a wellness series featuring expert advice, and a special kids series hosted with Alexis' daughter. 

Whether you're thriving or just surviving this summer, this episode reminds you that you're exactly the mother your children need right now. Connect with Mama of the Wild Crew on Instagram and leave a review to help other moms discover this supportive community.

It would mean the world to me if you would like, subscribe leave a review and/or share with a friend if you enjoyed this episode! Please find me on Instagram, tag me, comment, or DM me. Let me know what you enjoyed and what you’d like to hear next. I love hearing from you!

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Mama of the Wild Crew



📸: A heartfelt thank you to Jordan Allen of Cr00ked Teeth Photography for capturing this stunning cover photo.

Alexis Schmoker:

Hey Mamas, and welcome back to Mama of the Wild Crew podcast. This episode is going to be a little bit different because I've got my sister, addison Sewell, here with me and we're not going to go through like our usual setup because we're going to just do like a summer check-in If you've been seeing the Instagram post updates, anything like that. We are working on some new stuff which we'll dive into in this episode, but we just wanted to touch base in summer and see how everyone's doing. So, hey, addie, hello, thanks for having me, of course, and if you guys have heard, is it episode two? I think that you came on Episode two. If you haven't, go back and listen to episode two.

Alexis Schmoker:

This is, like I said, my sister Addison Sewell. She is a high school counselor, encour teens, and a fellow mama. It's a little bit Briggs Patrick I almost called him Biggs, briggsie P and Briggsie P Patrick. Uh, briggs is three days older than group girl, so we have a lot of fun. It is always craziness around here right now because they are now three and a half, so so just always crazy. But, like we said, we're going to touch base a little bit of summer. We're going to talk about what's giving us life this summer, do a Bible recap, check in a little summer reset what we want to do better.

Alexis Schmoker:

Um, I didn't have this, I didn't tell you, but I've got, I've got to fill you guys in on a mom fail because we just got back from the pediatrician and, um, my family has pinworms. What is that? Stop, it's like, I guess little worms um, that is I don't know comes out, comes out. Should I leave? I asked. I was like well, is it like? How contagious is it? And she's like well, it's like, or so don't let creeper put her hands in your mouth, but anyway, that is what jordan is taking the kids to do right now is to pick up the train for our pinworms.

Addison Sewell:

That's disgusting. I'm not going to sugarcoat that.

Alexis Schmoker:

So anyway, if anyone else has had pinworms out there, I'm feeling really great, but anyway, we obviously have something going on right now. So anyway, I hope everyone else is doing well. Do you have a mom?

Addison Sewell:

what even well, I guess my mom felt is kind of out of my control. I'm gonna put that out there. But if you've seen Lex post, we went to Miami for a girls trip. So we have a little sister, avery, that graduated OSU and is going to PA school, and so, I'm not gonna lie, I talked her into asking my parents to do a trip instead of a graduation party. So thank you, mom and dad. But we went to Miami on the same day that my son started T-ball, which is his first T-ball game ever. He was supposed to do T-ball all summer. There was like four weeks. I knew I had missed the fifth week and then it rained out and that was his first ever T-ball game, actually first and second, because they had a doubleheader, so we missed Briggs' first ever T-ball game.

Alexis Schmoker:

Oh, that was a bummer, but he looked so cute, he was so cute. But you've made it up since. And he got the MVP trophy that day, yeah, and he got the MVP trophy that day, yeah. Well, crew Pro went to the last game and we had a Wilder's birthday party and a house showing and everything. So I was like cleaning up from that before our showing. And she got back and I said how did Bubby do? And she said well, not very good, he didn't get the trophy. And I was like what? And she's like no, some other kid got the trophy.

Alexis Schmoker:

And she was like but bubby was better, but he didn't get the trophy because bubby already got the trophy. He already got the trophy. So then we had to like talk about the trove, which I didn't really know what she was talking about either. So then I'm like making it up like well, the other team won, and she's like, no, they didn't, no, they didn't.

Addison Sewell:

It was a character trophy, so I will give it. The i9 sports group does like a character word of the week and like tries to teach these little kids you know some character traits, and so Bubby got it last time, oh okay. And another little kid got it Another little kid had exemplified the character trait.

Alexis Schmoker:

Okay. Well, group girl thought that it was ridiculous. So thanks, group girl, yeah, okay. So let's dive into what's giving us life this summer. So I had initially told you that we're going to talk about two things, but then, as I was writing stuff down, I thought of more which I thought was positive. So, first thing, element LMNT hydration packets, which this is not sponsored, but maybe it should be by element hydration packets. If you haven't seen on Instagram, I'm obsessed with the element hydration packets. I do the mango chili one. It's a little spicy but it's good, but like literally go-to summer grab keeping me hydrated once a day. They're super salty though, but I like them.

Addison Sewell:

Yeah, cause that's the one that I had, like the chocolate, and then almost like, had like a little chocolate thing. I don't know that.

Alexis Schmoker:

I recommend the chocolate one, but cause that's the one that you tried and I probably should have offered it. We got like a sample pack and so I did offer you the chocolate one, but didn't you have a watermelon one or something. Yeah, yeah, I think.

Addison Sewell:

I did, yeah, did you like it? Yeah, but I think you're trying to say that you didn't like the chocolate one, so you gave it to me, yeah, okay, she's great at promoting this product as you can tell, but anyway I do love it.

Alexis Schmoker:

So element hydration I would. I would definitely recommend it. You can get them on amazon, but the mango chili you have to go to the actual website. Very good, uh, jordan gets them from free, from for free from his chiropractor though, so that's why shout out to that chiropractor. Uh, walks with wilder. We've been doing like gratitude walks in the morning. Um, it's mainly Jordan and crew are still asleep and Wilder wakes up really early.

Alexis Schmoker:

So instead of like trying to do my Bible reading while he's crawling all around, it was so much easier. Whenever he didn't move, you know, I just put him in a stroller, I give him food, cause now he can like hold his own little pouches and whatnot, and so we just go for a walk. First thing, like I literally like put my contacts in and that's it, put a bra on, we go and I listen to the bible recap on my phone, whereas that is different, because before I like would sit down and make notations in my bible and. But, guys, you know it is. It is the way of life right now. We are like on the move. So trying to like be super chill and flexible with that change and I'm really cool about it, but it has been good. So, like, I just put it on and we go and we just like, look at the birds and it's nice and it's not hot, too hot, like first thing at 6 o'clock in the morning, so that's been good.

Alexis Schmoker:

Um, recommend that the chosen I have you started watching it yet? No, yes, um, we're all caught up and I don't know when the next block of three episodes is coming out. I keep trying to ask trap gbt and I'm not getting a straight answer. But I've been watching it with crew pearl too and she loves it. It's so good. Guys, if you haven't started watching the Chosen Amazon Prime, start watching the Chosen. It'll change your life. It's so good. Next one Wilder is giving kisses now, so cute.

Addison Sewell:

Yes.

Alexis Schmoker:

I'll be like give me a kiss and he'll give me a kiss, so that's also bringing me joy, and he'll give me a kiss, so that's also bringing me joy. Um, I got a new bra. I will add that to my bringing me life, giving me life. This summer, guys, I was so miserable, like I don't know why, I didn't just go buy a bra sooner. But I went in, bought a new bra. So everyone, go buy yourself a new bra. Um, guys, I guess this could be kind of controversial, I don't know, do do what you will with it.

Alexis Schmoker:

I got some fresh Botox and that also gives me life. I'd say Botox. It was actually to go, but, um, you know, I feel like getting fresh neurotoxin changes my personality and it just makes me feel better about myself and I am a huge supporter of neurotoxin, changes my personality and it just makes me feel better about myself and I am a huge supporter of neurotoxin. So, um, if you don't love neurotoxin, that is fine too, because I've also recently got a hydro facial and I would also recommend that. Um, another thing I would say I had like tried to be so chill on myself this postpartum round, because with Crew Pearl I kind of struggled like with my body after having her, and so after Wilder, or even really before Wilder, I had told Jordan like I'm giving myself two years Like before I even think about what my body needs to look like like I don't know.

Alexis Schmoker:

It was just hard. Like I went to go try on jeans and I remember like standing there trying on jeans and like even jeans that I thought were way going to be way too big for me, like I couldn't even get up over my new hips and it like rocked me, i't know. So I was giving myself so much more grace this time because you eventually get back to feeling you're like more like yourself. But like that initial postpartum hump for me personally, like with my body image, was really rough. So I was giving myself a lot of grace this go-around. So Wilder just turned one um, but I think I kind of like went too far into giving myself a raise and guys.

Alexis Schmoker:

I mean that by like, I hadn't um gotten my eyebrows waxed, I hadn't gotten a haircut, um, I was just literally wearing my pajamas all the time whenever.

Alexis Schmoker:

I wasn't at work. And like I wear scrubs for work because I'm a nurse. So, like I, my family gives me stuff because I have uniforms, I'm a uniformed girl, I wear scrubs to work and then I have like certain clothes that I wear outside of work. So, if you know me, um, I promise I'm not wearing that. Well, sometimes I maybe I'm wearing the same clothes that I have worn previously, but I buy like, once I find something that I like to wear, I'll buy multiple of the same thing.

Alexis Schmoker:

Um, so I I literally was like, okay, I need to maybe reconcile that a little bit. And so, like Addie said, we had this girl's trip coming up, so it kind of pushed me to like go get a haircut and get my eyebrows waxed and I got a facial and all these things obviously like cost money. So I'm not saying it to like go out and spend a bunch of money, because obviously that too was like part of the reason I wasn't like going and doing all these things, but I was spending all these this money like on kids clothes that they didn't need. But like what our family needed was for me to get a haircut and for me to buy a new bra. So if that is you right now and you feel like you are in this kind of like postpartum slump rut, whatever, go get your eyebrows waxed like get your nails done, and maybe it'll change your life a little bit. I hope so.

Addison Sewell:

Or tattooed. That's probably controversial, but I am a redhead, if you don't know me, and I never had eyebrows Like you couldn't see them. But I also don't know how to do makeup well enough to like put on my makeup, and so that's what I told my husband. I just never felt like done up, like I'm just not great at makeup, and so I got my eyebrows tattooed and I feel like a new person. It gave me confidence.

Alexis Schmoker:

Yeah, I think that's what like. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it gave me just like a different confidence. And it's not. It wasn't like, oh, I have to go out and lose X amount of weight or I have to do that, Like it was. It didn't have anything to do with like what my body looked like, Like I'm still very comfortable and at peace, like with my body, Um, but it was just like giving me. It gave me a little life that I didn't know, that I was like needing, I guess. And once I got I like got my haircut and got my eyebrows waxed and, you know, unmobilized my forehead, I felt great and I I was like watch out, because mom's on the loose, you know, I was just feeling more myself. I did try and do a backflip at Aerotopia after because I was feeling so fabulous and I'm going to have to continue to practice that because that did not go.

Alexis Schmoker:

Did you pee your pants A little bit. Yeah, you're such a kid A little bit, but anyway, what's giving you life this summer, addy?

Addison Sewell:

So I were do not work in the summers. So I know I'm very blessed, I'm very, very grateful that I don't work in the summers. However, I'm not meant to be a stay at home mom, so there's like that weird balance that I feel my kid still goes to daycare part time, um, and I kind of like was like losing routine, similar to like how you do postpartum. And so this summer I told myself Briggs and I were gonna make a little list every Thursday. He was gonna stay with me because I would. My hard part was like we'd wake up and I'd be like do I take him to school, do I not? What do we do? And so we just straight up said every Thursday it's mom and Briggs day. Mainly he has speech. If you need a speech therapist, we've got a great one, um, but we go to speech and then we do like a fun little mom and Briggs day, um. So that has been helpful, like giving me some sort of routine.

Addison Sewell:

And then I started this summer saying I was going to run a mile every day and, let's be honest, I walked a mile that's awesome Almost every day I did every day of June.

Addison Sewell:

July was a little funky, but that honestly gave me the most life and encouragement and just like that I was accomplishing some days or something every day. So, yes, I bought the weighted vest, do it, it's been great. And yes, I'm sure I look a little silly walking, but I love walking. That's when I do my Bible recap, I listen to it and then I go home and do like the written part, but that has given me life and then just being like giving myself some grace, I think sometimes, like all school year, I'm like bam, bam, bam, what have I got to do? And so some days I would read a book, some days I would watch a tv show, so some days I would go get a margarita with a friend at lunch, like just giving myself the flexibility to like truly enjoy. And then Ben and I did a lot of like day dates, because it's so hard to get a date night, and so we did a lot of day dates on the days he wasn't working.

Alexis Schmoker:

So yeah, that is so nice because it is so hard to get date nights.

Alexis Schmoker:

I feel, like whenever Jordan is in school, it's almost easier for us to like meet for lunch or something, because, I don't know if you guys know, my husband's a teacher, soccer coach, so he is the primary caregiver, like during the summer, of the kids. So then, like, we can't go out to lunch because there he's got these kids with him. Yeah, I'm like I have a lunch, a free lunch, at work, but here he's tagging, tagging along these kids, um, which obviously is like great, but in means of like just having a tiny bit of time just the two of us, uh, which we'll dive into that too, cause that's something that I have on my list of wanting to to do better. Okay, but we've kind of both talked about the Bible recap, so let's check in on that Bible in a year. How's it going? What's your favorite part and any encouragement? So for me, I feel like it's been going really well. Um, I think it's one of the best decisions that I've ever made in my entire life and I could not recommend it enough.

Alexis Schmoker:

And if you're like me, like whenever I first kind of I heard about this, I heard Tara Lee Cobble come on the whoa that's good podcast, probably a year and a half before I even started the Bible recap, and it is something that like I heard about and I was like that sounds like a really good idea and just kind of kept hearing about it, kept seeing her on Instagram, but I never like made the jump and I was kind of like I just don't have time for that. And then I finally decided it was January of last year Like yeah, I'm doing this and it has been so great, like I have learned so much um, just about God, his character, everything, and it has truly shaped like everything about my life. So if there is one thing I think that anyone is like trying to do to grow themselves, I could not recommend Tara Lee Copple um Bible recap enough, um favorite scripture God moment. I don't know that I have like an exact moment, but also, if you know me, I have a hard time like picking favorites or comparing things. Jordan will be like what was your favorite part of the day? I'm like I like loved it. I love different things about different things, but over arching, I would just say learning about God's character has shaped so much.

Alexis Schmoker:

And she said the other day, like on one of her recap videos, like as you start to hear God's voice and know God's voice. It's familiar to you. And so I think she used the example of like if a stranger calls, okay, guys, we just had to pause this because I was literally saying if a stranger calls, you might have to be like who is this, but if your mom calls, you know who it is, she doesn't have to introduce herself. And then, all of a sudden, we hear someone talking and my family is not at our house. We hear someone talking in the living room and it's my dad, and he doesn't have his phone. His phone is in Tulsa, and so he was like can I use your phone? You can hear his flip-flops, flop-flop-flopping, but anyway, Anyway, I forget what I was saying.

Alexis Schmoker:

So, just hearing his voice and learning his voice, you become familiar with his voice and you're able to hear it and see it, um, all the time. So I think that that would be like my biggest takeaway is just being more familiar with God's voice and it's I've learned so much that I almost I'm like, why have I waited this long to do this? But also I think everything is like maybe for a reason and like I'm at the maturity or just a certain stage in life to where it's just speaking to me in the right time and I'm like having the right lens and just hope that I continue to read it every year and see it through a different lens and just learn and grow more and more each time okay, I would say that the bible recap, like she said, alexis is honestly the one that found it and she sent it like the Amazon link to me.

Addison Sewell:

I was like I think I'm going to do this and I was like, girl, I can't be consistent at that, there's no way. And so for me to say that we're like 207 days into it, I honestly, I'm not going to lie I'm a little shocked with myself that I've been consistent enough in it. However, I kind of, once we started it, she said at the very beginning and I might've said this on episode two of just you are influencing what your child knows about Christ, and that kind of hit home of like what if I'm explaining something wrong? Or what if I'm um, not teaching breaks as much as I could be? So, honestly, my motivation really has been I have to know as much as possible and be able to hear, you know God's voice, and even just like the more you read in it, then the more like my, maybe I can hear like the whispers, or I see things differently, like I'll hear somebody say something and I'm thinking about it scripturally, or scripture comes out of my mouth and I'm like I don't even know, I knew that. But that's what I want Briggs to know and kind of like we both have said like we wanted it to be like super structured and I wanted to have quiet time at a cute coffee shop and realistically, it's on my way to drop Briggs off at school and so like what it like how cool for your child to be listening to scripture um, obviously he doesn't interact with it, but it's been cool to like share that with him.

Addison Sewell:

Um, my favorite scripture or god moment so far has honestly just been like the stories that I didn't know about. And then I kind of think like, okay, the bible has been around, like how? And we've been raised in church, how did we not know some of this? But you have to remember there's so much in it like the bible's huge covers so much time, and so it's been cool to like see things that I truly like didn't even know happened or existed, like I didn't even know.

Addison Sewell:

Amos is a book in the bible like literally no clue, and so there's been some things that have just been like eye-opening, like good and bad, um, and I think it's just kind of taught me a little bit more about like God's sovereignty and how he's over everything good and bad. Um, I really clung to like Romans 8, 28 and just how he can use all things to work together for the good of those who believe in him, and I think he's really just shown up on the pages. Um, even in some of the stories that I was like I don't know how this really relates or I'm confused by it. I think I've learned a lot more than I realized I was going to.

Alexis Schmoker:

Yeah, absolutely. And that kind of brings us into like your summer reset, what we want to do better and what has been hard this summer, and so I've like kind of had a hard summer. I feel like it's just been one thing after another and it's not like huge things, and my kids are healthy and my husband's healthy and I'm healthy and everyone is safe, and that's really what matters, Um, and that's all. That's really all that matters. But just like material issues have like come up. Like if you guys have been following along, you know our house has been up for sale forever, since January, um, which has been like just challenging with keeping it clean and having showings with little kids. So if you've ever had showings with little kids, you know it is next to impossible to keep your house clean and like get it clean on a dime, um, when I like work full-time and I have like tiny little kids and dogs and it's just. It's just been ridiculous kind of, but grateful again that we have a house to sell.

Alexis Schmoker:

Uh, our fence blew down in a tornado and then we fixed it and then it the other part blew down in the tour, the next tornado. And then, like our washer or dryer, something, something broke, I can't even remember now. And then, like Jordan's car broke and then we borrowed our in-laws car and then it broke, and then we bought Jordan a new car and then the next day my car blew up in our driveway and I mean blew up. Thank goodness our children were not in it. Like I went to go turn the car on to cool down, put all my stuff in the car, went back in to go get the kids. Jordan comes in and is like your car is blown up in our driveway.

Addison Sewell:

And.

Alexis Schmoker:

I was like, of course it has, of course it has. And then, like Eddie said, we went to Miami and I got stolen from in Miami. I mean, literally, I was like, of course I just got robbed. Why would I know that? You know, it was just like just multiple things like that that it almost feels like, yeah, of course that happened, you know.

Alexis Schmoker:

Um, but, like Addie said, god is so sovereign and whereas I feel like I would have been so overcome by these things, like just not being able to function, with the anxiety of not being in control of things, um, because I am very much like a control person and I want to know the plan and I can operate a lot out of fear, like I have, like I've got to check these things off and fear is driving me, so I've got to know an answer, whether it's good, bad or indifferent.

Alexis Schmoker:

Like I need to know an answer to this and I need to know it now, whereas I feel like I've been doing better about just letting go of control and like knowing God is sovereign and like everything has a plan, and like with the house stuff, like there's a reason, there's a reason that, like the contract fell through, there's a reason we're back on the market. There's a like, there's a time when we'll move, like with the cars. You know we have just been very close these last few weeks because we've had, you know, one car, but also we're so blessed to have one car like, and we're going to be blessed to have two. You know, like we're normally two car family. We're going to eventually we're going to figure out my car, but just like a blessing to have some of these things like stripped away. I guess, um, and just again, every time like something else happens, it's like, of course, but our kids are healthy and we're healthy and everyone's safe, so all of these things in our life really don't matter.

Alexis Schmoker:

You know, so I feel like that is something that has been hard, but that I am working on. Um and other things that I like want to work on and improve is schools kind of around the corner for us? Um, I'm I'm a little bit excited to have routine back in my life, kind of like you were saying, addie, it's I can. I can thrive more on routine, I think, than I can like just trying to be real cool and go with the flow, which is so fun, but also I need a little bit of routine, um, so I think it'll be nice to just have a little bit more of a set routine and then maybe Jordan and I can try and schedule some more time like alone, whether it just be like a quick lunch date or coffee date or whatever that may be. Um, cause Jordan also picked up new soccer team, so, like our evenings were already busy. Now they're more busy. So, just trying to really find that, and I think next weekend we're going to do like a little getaway. We were initially going to go to Florida, just the two of us, but then my car blew up, so now I think we're just going to go glamping. That'll be fun, though. Yeah, I think it'll be fun. Yeah, it will be fun, it will. We haven't gone yet, though.

Alexis Schmoker:

That's the other thing. We have tried to have an overnight, just like the two of us, for a year, literally, and something has gone wrong every single time. Like last time, I don't, I can't even say it. Like last time my kids tried to spend the night at an overnight, like there was a mass tragedy and we had to go pick them up. So it's just been like things like that, that you're like how is this happening? And so, yeah, we're going to get away and we're going to be safe. Everyone's going to be safe and healthy, and it's going to. It's going to be great. But anyway, what are things that you were going to improve on? Well, you're like, but you started back to work this week.

Alexis Schmoker:

Yeah, so I say, say summer, but I guess for the school year what's your reset?

Addison Sewell:

well, um, we are changing Briggsie to a different school and I think all going with you are I'm starting to see a lot of me in him and a lot of Ben in him, and one of those being that he needs routine and he needs a little bit more structure, and so we're putting him in more of like a school atmosphere versus where he's at right now. We absolutely love it. He's been there since he was little little, but he's going to go to a Christian-based school, and so that's one thing that I've really been struggling with this summer of the change and transition. But I think he'll love it summer of the change and transition, but I think he'll love it.

Addison Sewell:

Um, and that's kind of one of those things that we're just like totally resetting our life of just what's important. Like you're saying, my kids, my husband's healthy, my kids are healthy, my family's healthy. What is our goal? Our goal is to train up a disciple. How do I get there? By teaching him scripture. Is there a place where I can put him that he's going to learn more scripture? Yes, we're moving him, um and so I think just trying to ingrain our whole life around the bigger picture versus just making decisions on a whim, um, and so that's one thing I've been a little bit more focused on is just what's our end goal? Our end goal is to get to heaven. How can I shape my family's environment to encourage that goal?

Alexis Schmoker:

Yeah, and it's cheaper.

Addison Sewell:

Yeah, y'all, it is cheaper. What? Even so, if you have a lot of kids in daycare, I get it Like that is it's my house payment.

Alexis Schmoker:

Yeah, it's rough out there on those daycare streets.

Addison Sewell:

And I have one, so good for y'all that have multiple. That's yeah, yeah, it's wild.

Alexis Schmoker:

It sure is. It sure is, and we're kind of doing like the opposite, which I've kind of talked to you a little bit about that. I've been a little school or whatever for teachers kids, so we're so excited and she's kind of getting a little bit bigger to where she starts to talk about scripture and she's always singing and you know everything. So I'm excited for her to be able to like go and be a light. But I want to make sure that I'm very like adamant and on top of continuing like all of our talk and all of our teaching and everything that I can at home with her. So if you guys will just like keep that in in your prayers. Um, obviously we were public school kids.

Addison Sewell:

We got public school and my kid will be a public school kid. Yeah, um, but I at this point and that's the thing too I think part of mom guilt is hey, she's doing X, y, z with her kids. I should do that, whereas it's whatever is best for you and available to like yeah, it's whatever is best for you and available too, like yeah. So don't compare. I think that's one thing I'm learning too. That's hard is just like yeah, we were just talking about this, but you are created to be your child's parent and you know them best. So what is best for your child today, in this moment? And that's how you make a decision, not externally.

Alexis Schmoker:

Yeah, absolutely, moment, and that's how you make a decision. Not externally? Yeah, absolutely, because comparing can be just the enemy. Yeah, like in every sense. Like whether it becomes like your body, comparison of yourself, your kids, comparing to other kids, your situation to other people's situation. Like you just have to know that you're in.

Alexis Schmoker:

We're going to talk about this too. You are in the middle of god's plan right now. So, even just reading the Bible, reading the Bible stories, sometimes I'll catch myself thinking like how crazy, like that these people lived through this. And like the other day we were talking about, if you go back and be in any time period, what would it be? In Jordan, I was like, oh, when Jesus was here. And I was like, yeah, that'd be awesome. But also like we are in the middle of God's plan right now. So, whatever you're doing with your family and everything, like, know that God is sovereign and all things work for those who love him.

Alexis Schmoker:

So try not to compare and I know it is so hard, it's so hard and I think, especially for women, it's harder, but anyway, okay, we're going to go to Q and a cause. On Instagram, we did like a little Q and a box, so I picked out a couple of these, and I did not tell Addie what they were before she came up. How kind of her. Yes, okay, so number one how do you calm your mom anxiety in the middle of summer chaos? Addie, I'll let you go first.

Addison Sewell:

I think we're kind of talking about this why is it easier to calm your mom anxiety with more children and like maybe one more adult? So I think it's I do so much better when it's you, me, crew pearl wilder briggs versus me and brings like I love that one-on-one time, but like when I'm feeling anxious I know I've got to get out of this house and I've got to go beer on other people and so sometimes I'll end up in the car ride with my husband going to work, like he's probably wanting me out of that car but like I just have to be around other people.

Addison Sewell:

Um and so that's one way. Um, I've been calming my mom anxiety over the summer and, like we've said a bajillion times, keeping a little bit of structure. Um, and I've said yes to multiple trips, which, if you know me, I don't do well with traveling, I don't do well with being away from my little environment, and so I had just decided I'm just going to say yes to every trip, and so I've done a girl's trip, we did a trip with my little family, I've done some Oklahoma city trips to see some of my college friends, and so I think, just saying yes to what I truly want to say yes to and saying no to what I truly want to say no to, yeah, definitely, because I feel like you you yourself that's something that you can struggle with.

Alexis Schmoker:

Oh yeah, like over committing to things and saying, yes, I feel like I absolutely agree with doing like little play dates. I definitely do better whenever I'm stressed out or whatever. Whenever there's other people around, and it doesn't have to be anything fancy, like I'll just sometimes text you or text people and be like hey, breakfast at my house. Like we're having breakfast anyway, I know you're having breakfast too. Like just don't, don't. You don't have to put clothes on your kids. Like put them in the car and come over. Like you don't have to bring anything. If you want to bring something great, like we've got food here. No one's going to eat the food probably anyway.

Alexis Schmoker:

Um, you know, like I've got coffee. That's really the only thing that matters. Show up, like if it's fine outside, we'll turn on the water table or whatever it may be, or we can just literally watch them in the floor. It really doesn't matter. But just like having people around makes such a difference and I think too, like having those people that you know you can text and text I mean I'm only talking like 7am. Like we're all up, like again, we're all going to have breakfast, like it doesn't have to be a 10 o'clock, 11 o'clock, 1pmm. Hang out like my best time, honestly, is before nap time, like 7 to 9 30 am she's literally non-joking.

Addison Sewell:

Her kid's first birthday party was at 8 45 in the morning yeah, and it was great, it was perfect.

Alexis Schmoker:

It was perfect like we did breakfast, we did the water slide, everyone left and then we still had the whole day and wilder went down for for his nap. So maybe find like those couple of people if you're needing that, that like are on the same page, that can text like, hey, come over at seven, 30. Like I'll have some fruit and some coffee, you can bring the yogurt and it'll be great. Um, or just like meet at a coffee shop. There's multiple different little coffee shops around here that have like little play things or something. But I know sometimes it can be hard and it can be hard with nap schedules, so I get that. Um, like Addy said, doing maybe little getaways. I have kind of gone the opposite this year because I will say yes to every travel trip thing and I'm trying to be better about not doing that because my husband has us on a financial plan. So I am being good um and doing the opposite of trying not to spend a whole lot of money and enjoy our time like locally doing little things around. Hints are glamping upcoming experience. Um other things time in my Bible. I need that and I think I do it every morning and you know, god says his mercies are new every morning and it just like helps. I missed it last someday last week and I was so fussy about what? Oh, because we were going to um state park Natural Falls with the waterfall or whatever. So the night before I had gone to Walmart and got like sandwich stuff or whatever, and whenever I got back, jordan was asleep and so I woke him up, like coming in. I'm like, hey, we still have more groceries out. I'm like trying to carry crew in because Wilder had already gone down but she wanted to come to the store with me and her princess sandals, you know, so it was a whole her tippy toe shoes, it was a whole thing. Um, so we get the food in. I think he's going out to like get the rest of the food.

Alexis Schmoker:

We wake up in the morning to go to the camp, go to turner falls. I'm like ready to pack the lunches, because I got up early. Uh, it's not in there, it's still in the car and our trunk is open and all of the food is in the car and it had been out there overnight, open, all of the sandwich, I was like, and then so I had to go back to the grocery store early in the morning and buy all the food, come back, remake everything. So I was like in a mood, I was being a little grouchy. And then on the way there, jordan was like asking me what I had read in my Bible that morning. And I was like, well, I didn't, because I had to go to a grouchy store. And he was like I can tell, I can tell. So I listened to it on the way there and then I felt better.

Addison Sewell:

But I think just like For real.

Alexis Schmoker:

It gives you perspective, it gives you perspective, because because we forget, we're human and we forget, and I think that it's so good to like have that new perspective. And that brings us into our next question how do you reset after a bad mom moment?

Alexis Schmoker:

um, guys, this is still a work in progress for me, I think oh yeah um, I feel like this is something that I could do better with and I've noticed that, like when I start to feel heated, cruise in that stage where, like she feeds off that energy so we just can vibe off of each other real fast and things escalate. So one thing I have started doing is like whenever I'm getting a little bit frustrated, I will like start singing about it and I always I'll be like telling crew sit down, you know, can you sit down? And then I'll be like can you please sit down, please, you know, because I'm about to lose it. Um, and I think just like singing or doing like a funny voice or a funny face or something, even though I am like about to lose it, kind of deescalates the situation whenever I feel like I'm like on my last little, my last little nerve, um, and then, speaking scripture out loud, I will say all the time and if you've been around me you've probably heard this I'll be like I can do the hell things through Christ who strengthens me. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Alexis Schmoker:

And I'll be saying it kind of sarcastically, because sometimes I feel a little bit sarcastic about it, but I'm so serious, like it's something that I feel so deeply and I truly believe that and I think, just like speaking that scripture out loud, or like literally saying a prayer out loud, like super short, like dear Lord, please give me patience with these children. Dear Lord, please give me patience with these children, you know, and crude will sometimes like mock me, um, yes, but just like I don't know, stay trying to stay calm, praying about it, like truly asking God, like for patience, and just like new perspective in different situations, and then, um, circling back like and apologizing because crew is at the point where she definitely knows and I want her to know that like you can have an upset moment or like a disagreement, or maybe handle something wrong, and but it's important to say sorry and know that these people still love you and you are still loved and that it's okay, and like even mommy can kind of mess up sometimes. What about you, adi?

Addison Sewell:

Yeah, I mean all of the same things. I feel like I have started having to like okay, briggs, I'm going to give you a couple minutes, mommy needs to walk away for a minute. And then I feel like, if I can, at least walk away, get out, get a little perspective and then come back. But now he's picked up on it, but I don't know if it's a good thing. He'll be like one minute, mom, one second, and we're all telling him five more minutes. And he'll be like you need five more minutes, mom. And I'm like, well, okay, we're at least learning that we need to take a second, walk away and we'll come back. And then I think, just the apologizing thing walk away and we'll come back.

Addison Sewell:

And then I think, just the apologizing thing, I think that's like you said, like just a life lesson of we're not perfect, but just because you messed up doesn't mean that's the end of the road, like you can go back, apologize, and that doesn't have to ruin our whole day. We can say sorry, we can end it, I love you. Now what's next? And I think that's one of the hard parts, because if you let every little toddler tantrum ruin your day, your day will be ruined. I think that's one of those things where I've had to just decide like, okay, he's three and a half little boy, something's going to go wrong and we're going to have to have like to regroup, but I'm not gonna let it ruin my day.

Addison Sewell:

And they pick up on that. I feel like after he has time out or after he gets his thinking or whatever, and I come back in a different vibe or energy, he matches it, um and so which is powerful? That you have that much power over the environment that you are in? Um. So I think, just like controlling my own emotions and they talk about that a lot at mom collective, one of the mom small groups that we're in of like, you have to control your emotions before you can. You know your kids get the overflow of you, so they're getting your emotions, whether that's going to be good, bad or ugly, you know.

Alexis Schmoker:

So, yeah, you truly are like the heartbeat of the house. Yeah, yeah, definitely, um, what is an I'll never do that that you have most definitely done as a mom. I will go first. Mine is co -sleeping. Um, I know, guys, don't cancel me, but with crew pearl, we were, we were just trying to survive and so she still sleeps with us and I, before kids said I will never, never, ever, ever. And guys, I don't want to. It's not that I want to, jordan does. Jordan loves cuddling with her, and it's not that I don't love cuddling with her. But Wilder, I like put him down in his bed and I see him in the morning and he sleeps great and I sleep great and crew, we just um, are still surviving. So I would say that that is like my biggest thing that I said I will never, ever, ever do. And she's three and a half, so she will grow out of that.

Addison Sewell:

She can't sleep with you in her college dorm, I guess.

Addison Sewell:

I don't know, maybe Alexis says she's going to move to college with him, so that might be a possibility. One thing I don't know if it's a never, but I always envisioned myself of like being this, like super strict mom and like my kids being always super done up, and I almost felt like even growing up, like we would kind of joke about that. And I'm not gonna lie, my kid's cute it's not that he's like you know, goes out and whatever but he went through a Lightning McQueen phase and that's all he wore. Y'all was those ugly Lightning McQueen shirts and like never would I have ever thought I would let my kid go out not matching wearing a Lightning McQueen shirt. So I think, like I don't know, just being, I feel like I'm a lot more chill and then the co-sleeping breaks up with us. What year and a half?

Alexis Schmoker:

so, yeah, you just gotta do what you gotta do. Out there I would say, I mean as long as you can sleep, but we were kind of talking earlier too you just have like all these expectations, I think, before you become a mom, and don't like let that dictate you. Like you don't know what kind of mom you're going to be, I think, until you are a mom, and it changes with every kid, I would say, because you change and we all grow and evolve and that's a good thing. And then another question we got was tell me more about the new podcast series coming. So, guys, I'm excited about this. I we are working on three new different podcast series right now. So that is why I'm not putting them out once a week right now, because we've got a bunch of things in the works. So one of them that we've got in the works is Enneagram mama. So if you don't know what Enneagram is, it's like a tool, I would say, to help you kind of better understand yourself. So God created each of us on a purpose, for a purpose. So in this series we're going to really dive into each Enneagram type and see how each type reflects God's design and motherhood. So, whether you're like this justice seeking type one, the nurturing type two or a peaceful type nine. Your personality isn't a flaw of yours. It's a reflection of his image. So we're going to dive deep into the different types of motherhood, or the different types of Enneagram with motherhood, and just how like you can feel and be connected through real stories, biblical truth and grace-filled encouragement. I found out I'm a type two, which honestly took some convincing for me to to agree with, because I thought that I was a type three but I wanted to be a type seven. Um, I'll share more about that, like in the series, but be on the lookout on social media because I'm going to be reaching out just to see different Enneagram type moms that would be interested in coming and talking with me.

Alexis Schmoker:

Another series we're working on and this is a working title because I don't know what I'm going to call it yet, but it's like a mama wellness series and it's going to be a series where we bring in just different experts in each kind of wellness of a mom. I I mean from fitness to beauty, to spirituality, to health, to finances, to pelvic floor, um, basically all the things that support a thriving mom Cause, like we've talked about, like you are the heartbeat of your home, and it doesn't. I'm not even talking just mom in this, I guess I should just say woman wellness. Um, and we need to, you know, make sure that we're okay, and I'm really doing this kind of, too for myself, because I honestly need this, just like an all around wellness series. So, again, keep a lookout for that, and if that's something that you have expertise in, honestly, like the finance one is the one that I don't know anyone. So if you're like a hardworking finance mom out there, reach out to me, cause I need, I need your advice, okay, and then the last one, which I am the most excited about, is going to be a new kids series called the wild crew kids.

Alexis Schmoker:

Um, it's going to be a fun, faith filled mini series hosted with me and my girl crew, pearl Schmoker.

Alexis Schmoker:

We've already like recorded a little bit and it's definitely going to take like more time and patience than I have, but I'm excited about it because we like love Miss Letty, we love the little lights and she's so into the deep blue sea podcast right now, and I was, like I was saying earlier, like I just want to make sure we're always having that conversation going and I thought, well, why not just, like, do a podcast with her, because she likes podcasts and it's something that we can listen to in the car and learn about different things.

Alexis Schmoker:

So right now, we're kind of going through each of the fruits of the spirit, and then we're also going to be focusing on the armor of God, and so I'm super excited to be putting that out there. So keep an eye out for that. Um, it's gonna be silly, but it's gonna be rooted in Jesus and just something fun that we can, you know, start conversations with our littles. So just a little bit of final encouragement and takeaways, um, something that we both want the mom to walk away with today. Addie, what would you want?

Addison Sewell:

I kind of was thinking that, just because you have an idea of what your family story could look like, so maybe you think that you are going to have all your kids super close together, or your kid is going to be the kid that is always matching and he ends up in a Lightning McQueen shirt that you were created to be the mom of your children today, in the time frame and time span that Jesus decided. So just know that you are where you're exactly supposed to be and to take heart in that and be present where you are. I think sometimes I struggle to like look too far forward or too far back. But today is today and Briggs needs me today and my husband needs me today. And how are we going to make the most out of today? So just knowing that you are in the right place and you're doing the right thing by showing up every day.

Alexis Schmoker:

Yeah, that's so good. Presence is something that I struggle with too, like always trying to think about what's next, or, guys, I can even like catch myself on vacation or doing like a fun activity that I've like been excited to do and like thinking like, oh well, next time we should try this activity, or what if next time we bring the kids and we do this? Or what if next time we invite these people Like no, like just be present and enjoy this moment? And so that's something that I do need to work on myself too. So that's a good challenge for me.

Alexis Schmoker:

Takeaway I want people to remember just that God is sovereign and you had kind of said earlier like you're not going to mess up his plan and he does all things for those who love him, all good things for those who love him. So just trying to remember that whenever things feel crazy and chaotic and um, another thing that has really helped me lately is just always like having worship music on. I feel like that's something easy that you can do, but it's it's honestly, it's an armor, like it's a shield, it's a defense, like it's giving praise to God, and so that has been something that has been an easy takeaway for me to do that. I feel like others could do, and it's just a good one. So, anyway, any. Any last thoughts?

Addison Sewell:

No, just thank you for showing up for your family and for your kids and for being you, and you're doing the right thing by seeking Christ, and he will use you as long as you're available.

Alexis Schmoker:

Yeah, we love you guys. We will see you soon and reach out on Instagram. Dm me, message me, text me, whatever you know how to get a hold of me. Follow Mama of the Wild Crew underscore podcast on Instagram. Guys, if you would to go on whatever platform you listen to, whether it's Apple Music on Spotify and rate or leave a review for the show it's how it gets to other moms out there I would absolutely appreciate it. Um, thank you guys. You guys are not alone. You're not broken. You've got this. You're becoming. Let's go out and do it. Love you guys.

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Alexis Schmoker

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