MMP Ep 328: Patreon Sneak Peek

Laura Bruner: Hey friends! Can't wait till Wednesdays to get your Modern Mamas fix? Join us on Patreon. You can choose your tier, and when you subscribe, you'll get bonus content, early access to Retreat, first peeks at new swag, plus shoutouts and even real time monthly virtual hangs with us. Visit

Jess Gaertner: patreon. com forward slash modern mamas podcast to check it out and support the podcast.

Jess Gaertner: It truly means the world to us. We are so grateful for you and for this community.

Laura Bruner: Hi friends! Welcome to the Modern Mamas Podcast. We are two modern mamas here to inspire, empowerment, self love, deep physical and spiritual nourishment, holistic health, open minds, and joy, no matter your journey or perspective. I'm Laura of Radical Roots. I'm a certified CrossFit trainer, certified nutrition consultant, and mama to [00:01:00] Evie Wilder and Indie Bow.

Laura Bruner: I love outdoor adventure, good food, especially sourdough. And mindful

Jess Gaertner: movement. And I'm Jess of Hold the Space Wellness. I am a Level 1 CrossFit trainer, a licensed and certified athletic trainer with a Masters in Kinesiology, and Mama Tiberian Camille. I love food, trying new things, creating art, and being a perpetual learner.

Jess Gaertner: Please note that while we're here to provide advice and insights, we aren't medical practitioners, and always recommend that you check with a trusted provider before implementing any changes. Thanks for joining us. We're so happy you're here.

Laura Bruner: Well, hello, it's Laura here. It is very early on a Saturday morning and I am hopping on for this quick intro to let you know that we decided to do something kind of different and kind of fun this week and we are giving you a sneak peek, fly on the wall opportunity to tune into one of our exclusive Patreon episodes.

Laura Bruner: This is the one from last month where we are very real talk, very raw, very starting [00:02:00] frazzled. And And just settling in and finding grounding in the safe space that is Patreon. We love these episodes, we love recording them, we love sharing them, and we love the community that we get to share them with. So, without further ado, a little bit more of the real raw, deep insights into what life has been like over the summer.

Laura Bruner: It was a wild one, I know I'm not alone. And now as you tune into this, and it's the first Wednesday of autumn, Little opportunity for some deep breaths or some reflection on the summer that was and that flew by and some feelings as we moved towards this transition to kind of give you a little retrospective opportunity to tune in.

Laura Bruner: And see what we offer over there. And if you like this, you get this free episode, additional bonus episode, excuse me, every single month and even just the bottom tier. So 5 a month not only helps support the podcast and the [00:03:00] work that we're putting out here, it also gets you this bonus episode, it gets you text messages and then from there, there are multiple tiers of patronage.

Laura Bruner: I don't know if that's the right word there for this community that can get you things like our quarterly zoom calls and hangs. free flows and recipes from Jess and all kinds of cool stuff. And ultimately, you know, we've been showing up here for now six and a half years almost. And it just, it means a lot to have that extra bonus community there.

Laura Bruner: And as we move forward and out of this kind of Crazy, a little bit chaotic summer mode, Jess and I are having a lot of conversations about moving forward into fall, winter and the years ahead when I don't have this like itty bitty baby toddler anymore and a little bit more flexibility and we are going to be doing some in person events, but they're going to be exclusive and only available to our Patreon community because that is the space that feels really good to open these kind of in person events to keep them a little bit smaller, keep them a little [00:04:00] bit more intimate.

Laura Bruner: So. All that to say, if you're curious, go check it out. You can just go to Patreon, even if you just type into your browser, uh, Modern Mamas Patreon. You can see what we're creating there, see what we're doing, tune into these monthly episodes, and so much more. And if you're listening and you are already one of our members over there, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Laura Bruner: That support means so much. And even if you're not, you're here, you're listening, you're tuning in this week, you are bearing with us through every season, and the support and the solidarity and the love and the space to share means so much as well. Thank you for being here. Enjoy this episode and reach out anytime.

Laura Bruner: We love you, friends. Okay, enjoy. Hello,

Jess Gaertner: Patreon crew.

Laura Bruner: Happy August. We're

Jess Gaertner: happy. Yeah, I was gonna say, it's like we're getting towards the end, so. We're, we made it. We're almost there.

Laura Bruner: Your kids are back in school. My big girl's almost in school.

Jess Gaertner: She started [00:05:00] after Labor Day? .

Laura Bruner: Yeah. Like normal people.

Jess Gaertner: Well, what time did she get outta school? Which

Laura Bruner: I'm, uh, three. I'm just kidding. No. Like

Jess Gaertner: mid June. Oh yeah. So we, we, we're over at Memorial Day. Yeah. And I

mean,

Laura Bruner: you probably, like, I don't know, weather wise, I imagine it makes sense to be, I don't know. I

Jess Gaertner: don't know. I'm not going to try and even make sense of it anymore.

Jess Gaertner: My brain is just so tired right now. So tired. I know. Full disclosure, I just, I, I don't know that I, I can't remember the last time I didn't. Like I did something like this, but I just know it's definitely usually me. Well, I've been like, I mean, honestly, just a representation of how frazzled I feel like I have really never like when I have something on my calendar, like, like I know I checked my calendar the night before, but today for some reason I was like, I have a free day.

Jess Gaertner: I'm gonna go like, you know, take help him take the kids to [00:06:00] school and, you know, just had this like a long list of stuff and I do have a relatively free day, but like just. That I'm supposed to record today, so we

Laura Bruner: could change it up on you, so that's probably why well

Jess Gaertner: still still It's on my calendar and Tim was even like yeah, it's on the family calendar, too.

Jess Gaertner: I was like, dang it

Laura Bruner: And here we are so we audibled from a regular regular catch up to a patreon because we know that we can show up here In our frazzled states, which I'm standing in my parents kitchen right now, um, with the girls asleep upstairs, and they can wake up any moment, and we just got back from, it's been like three insane days of travel, back to back to back to back.

Laura Bruner: So I don't even know, like it's, I woke up this morning, I'm like, where am I? Whose bed is this? How did I get here?

Jess Gaertner: For some reason I keep thinking that you're already back home, but like, No, you're not at all. I had like Evie's, like

Laura Bruner: Evie's leg, because I'm sharing a bed with Evie and Indy right now, and I had like, I think Evie's arm was like over my forehead, and Indy's leg was like [00:07:00] over my waist.

Laura Bruner: I was like, where am I?

Jess Gaertner: Oh man, it's like kind of like reminiscent of college days kind of like waking up. Except for I didn't have a drop

Laura Bruner: to drink.

Jess Gaertner: Oh, I love it. So, okay, tell us about your trip so far. I feel like we need a, a catch

Laura Bruner: up. So I couldn't go to my sister's wedding in Germany last month, as many of you know, because life's, there's just literally no way I could have made it work.

Laura Bruner: Um, without like, you know, sacrificing mental health for me, probably while being in my daughter's, all of it, our financial situation. So anyways, um, my aunt threw this fun, like barbecue to celebrate them with my cousins and aunts and uncles that couldn't make it out there, which was pretty much everybody.

Laura Bruner: So. It's currently Monday, so Friday morning I woke up at four as I do, made coffee, got the girls in the car, we drove two and a half hours to the airport, or to the shuttle, got on the shuttle, over to the airport [00:08:00] two hours early, got on the plane, landed in San Jose about 2 p. m., sister picked us up with the car seats that my mom has.

Laura Bruner: Went to Whole Foods, which is, feels like a luxury, had lunch, then drove to this rental car place. Because I decided I wanted the freedom and flexibility for reasons that I'll probably explain more another time when I'm not here in this house. Um, I just wanted some freedom to be able to go. Get away if I needed to.

Laura Bruner: Um, I'm also spending time in Santa Cruz. I wanted to drive down to Santa Barbara on my own with the girls. Leave when I want. Stop where I want. I just wanted the freedom. A new ground seven. Um, and so, get to the rental place. And I, I don't know if you guys have heard of the app. It's called Hopper. But it's like, helps you plan travel for cheap.

Laura Bruner: And so, got on there and I was like, Sweet, all the rental cars are like 400 plus dollars for the week. But then I found one. It's like, get you a mystery car. 160 bucks. And I was like, sweet. Let's do it. It's an electric vehicle, which

Jess Gaertner: Oh,

Laura Bruner: I have never like 100 percent electric. There isn't. It's not a hybrid.

Laura Bruner: There's no gas. I was [00:09:00] like, all right, let's do it. And meanwhile, this is like, at this point, it's like, you know, 3 p. m. I'm leaving the next morning at 6 a. m. to drive all the way down to Santa Barbara, which is. Or plus hours, 300 ish miles, you know, that whole thing. And so like, I got this and they're like, there's an app and you plug in here.

Laura Bruner: I'm like, what, whatever. I just, I need some, I need to go for a walk. I've been in buildings and cars for all day anyway. So then, um, get back to the house or whatever. We go for a hike, do dinner, all the things I got the next morning. I'm like, okay, cool. 200 miles. That'll get me to San Luis Obispo. Um, it was just a cluster.

Laura Bruner: Like the way down was such a cluster because I didn't realize. First of all, so you have to find the plugin spots, right? Bay area, California. I'm like, this will be easy, but there's different speeds. So you pick the different charge points. I don't know why they're not all just fast. I guess some of them are meant to like, you just plug in overnight.

Laura Bruner: Right. But yeah, so I get to slow first, we have to stop and sold out at a Starbucks. There's a plug in there and I get in there for half an hour. You go to the bathroom. I answer email, get back in the [00:10:00] car and then I get to slow and like, perfect. We're going to go to my favorite coffee shop, get breakfast, hang out downtown, go to the playground, plug in.

Laura Bruner: An hour and a half later, I get back and it gave us 20 miles. What? Yeah, and we have a deadline. We have to get down to Santa Barbara. My, my mom, my sister's party was that day. They're like, all right, cool. So then I like really, I'm like, I need to figure this shit out. I start looking for like the various, I'm like, okay, different speed.

Laura Bruner: Obviously, this is like supposed to be a 12 hour charge, not a 90 minute charge. Yeah. So we make it to Pismo and there's outlets there that are fast charge. And so the plan was my sister and my mom and my sister's husband were like on their way. We were going to meet up and like jump in the water at the beach, a very nostalgic beach in Pisma where we went growing up and all the things, but like slowly we're realizing we are running out of time to get to the, to get there in time to get ready for this party.

Laura Bruner: Um, so they were going to pick us up from the charge point, go away, we're going to go like go to the beach for a little bit. But then I'm like, just, I was like, just go, you get ready. It's your party. So it was actually the, in this moment after like two crazy days of [00:11:00] travel, um, I plugged in. We went pee, and then I just like opened the back of the car, I sat there, Indy like, Indy like laid over my lap, Indy nursed.

Laura Bruner: We just, like, had a moment to, like, fully decompress for about half an hour, charged us enough to get to Santa Barbara, got there, enjoyed the afternoon. The party was so lovely. I saw cousins I hadn't seen in so long. My girls got to meet, like, my cousin's kids they hadn't met or seen in so long. Um, we just, like, hung out in the backyard and, you know, ate good food and got to just be.

Laura Bruner: So that was lovely. Um, and then the next morning... I went to downtown Santa Barbara and met my cousin and her daughters, who are, it's so fun because they're like a similar age gap to mine, but they're so much older. Her, her oldest is going into seventh grade and so, and she's just so sweet with the girls and we went to this bakery called Helena's.

Laura Bruner: And it's like, I mean, you know, like real deal, organic sourdough, like all the things. Laura's love

Jess Gaertner: language. Yeah.

Laura Bruner: And my cousin knows me and she's like, this is where we're going. Um, but we had to park on one [00:12:00] side of town at one of the fast charging stations and walk 25 minutes to get to the bakery. Um, and met my cousin there and just had this delicious meal.

Laura Bruner: And like, Indy's like totally figured out the croissant in the foam dip. And she likes the taste of coffee. So she's like dipping her bits of croissant in my, like, in my Americano with steamed cream. It was so sweet. Um, so I had this incredible chocolate croissant and I had avocado toast with like all the things on it.

Laura Bruner: It was so good. And then my cousin drove us back to my car. Don't tell the police that Indy wasn't in a car seat. Um, and then telling the police, then we got to like go to the beach and this hurricane rolled in. So we're at the beach playing in the water, all the things, Indy found these awesome shells are with my cousins.

Laura Bruner: And then we, I tell it out of there just in time. And I had a plan. So at this point, Friday, I've traveled for, from like. 5 a. m. until basically 3 p. m. Then Saturday, I traveled from 5 a. m. to basically 3 p. m. And then the next day, my plan was to go from my aunt's where we slept that night to my friend Mariah's in Lompoc, which is [00:13:00] only like an hour, but it's about also like an extra hour of driving total to get back up here to my parents house.

Laura Bruner: And then we'd gone to the beach, I'm like trying to rush to get the girls showered, and then I was gonna have Indy nap in the car, and we were gonna drive there and sleep, you know, another new place the third night in a row. And I just had a moment where I was like, no, I can't, I can't. Mm hmm. Evie has, like, big feelings, right?

Laura Bruner: Indy is fucking exhausted. She hasn't napped yet. It's like 1. 30. And I'm like, okay, here's the thing. I'm gonna, first of all, I just had to, like, hold Evie, like, hear her things, get her sorted. She went into my aunt's hot tub. And then I, like, I was like, I'm gonna lay down with Indy. If she falls asleep, that'll be a sign that we just need to stay here.

Laura Bruner: So I laid with her. She crashed immediately. And then I took some deep breaths, I went to Sprouts, I got some food, and then I came back, and my sister and her husband and I went out to downtown Santa Barbara, and I got time with them, which was so special because, you know, I hadn't really been to their wedding, and they're moving to Santa Barbara, so I got to experience it with them, from this place of like, this is going to be our home, somewhere they both wanted to live forever.[00:14:00]

Laura Bruner: We went to Llamadag, if anyone's down there you know it, it's such a fun little, like, tap room, and they had this organic, like, honey, honey fermented cider that was so good, and we sat there and we just, like, talked about life and their wedding and their highlights and, like, all the things about Germany.

Laura Bruner: And then we walked through State Street, and, and meanwhile, like, my girls are at my aunt's house, where I felt very comfortable, because it was my mom, my two aunts, who are, like, kick ass grandmas, and then my, my uncle, who's phenomenal, um, and so they were all just, like, loving on my girls, and I got a break, which I needed desperately.

Laura Bruner: Just to like walk around and not, not be like, come on, Evie, keep up, hold the stroller or like Indy, like trying to get her, she's like yelling at the stroller, you know, and then, and then we were walking down State Street and I, my brother Maud dropped off to get some food at this cool Asian spot and we walk by this place and we stop, my sister and I both just got a vibe and we look in and there's this woman and she's got like three shaggy haired boys running around barefoot and we look at the menu and it's all like, Local, organic, honey fermented, [00:15:00] there's like a honey fermented wine.

Laura Bruner: So a honey wine, a honey kombucha, like a June, an alcoholic June kombucha and, um, and mead, which is like, it's like cider, but instead of apples, it's honey. And we go in there and we're, and no one else is in there, but there's like a piano, someone's playing this grand piano and it's like, her art is all over the walls.

Laura Bruner: And we just, we like, and they started this business cause they've been, they're honey farmers, beekeepers, and we're just chatting with her and she's like this, we're trying the different things. And she's like, this honey wine is the one that we had at our wedding. And I was like, stop it. And so we'd sit there and we each got a, um, um, a super dry mead and sat there and like listened to the piano.

Laura Bruner: They've got this little pug running around that like my sister's snuggling. And then I buy a bottle of the, of the honey wine. And today my sister and I are going to go out to her favorite spot, do a hike, sit under this oak tree. And, and have a glass of honey wine and I just want her to like relive, like tell her wedding experience from start to finish.

Laura Bruner: So that was lovely. And then, you know, we went and got dinner at this like surprise spot we found called Tiger Tiger. It's attached to a coffee shop and it's like all like [00:16:00] farmer table, like kind of Asian fusion. It was so fucking good. Santa Barbara has such good food and such good sets everywhere you look and there's all these really fun little eclectic places, but I'm glad we don't live there because I'll be broke.

Laura Bruner: Um, but I can't wait to visit my sister and like, you know, splurge for a weekend. Uh, but I was talking to my friend Nicole about this, who I'm going to go see in Santa Cruz tomorrow for a couple of nights and it's like, I'm saving so, so the inconvenience of the car situation on the way down, it was a huge pain in my ass.

Laura Bruner: But to fill the quote unquote tank, it's like. 13 and I saved like two to three hundred on the rental itself. So ultimately I'm like, okay, I have a little more wiggle room for some splurges when it comes to eating, you know, um, so anyways, that was lovely. We got back to my aunt and uncles and right now my sister and her husband are like, this is where we're supposed to be.

Laura Bruner: I can feel the energy from them, like so happy. I would get back and there's a double rainbow. And my girls come running out and they're so happy, like to come home to them, [00:17:00]like content with these, you know, with family. I'm just, I'm a little anal about that. Like I just don't like leaving them if they're not feeling happy.

Laura Bruner: And they're like jumping and like trying to catch the rainbow. And it was, and my sister was like on the verge of tears, like, this is a sign we're meant to be here. It was just very special. So I was just really glad that I stuck around and so grateful to Mariah for understanding. And then the next morning, you know, up at four, loaded them up and started the way home.

Laura Bruner: Um, and I figured it out on the way home. Like I knew the stop, there's a stop at Paso Robles. I can plug in, it's fast charging, we can walk downtown, got, we got breakfast, brought it to the park, let the girls play, walked back to the car and it was a hundred percent. So I got back to my parents house with like 70 miles to spare and I'll deal with that today.

Laura Bruner: So that was our situation. And then, and then I had to get back. I had a work call at 1230. Uh, I didn't get a walk in door till 1235, so I had to start my call while I'm like, transitioning into the house. My parents have a puppy now, and it was like, pure chaos, but I did it. And so like, today and tomorrow, some work catch up, some time with my sister, and then we're gonna go to Santa [00:18:00] Cruz midday tomorrow, and stay with my friend Nicole, who some of you know or know of, and her two kids.

Laura Bruner: Um, and then on the, on Friday, we'll spend, we'll do like, lunch or brunch with the barbers. And then come back Friday afternoon, return the rental car, because it's way more affordable to not get at the airport. So I got it at just like a regular rental car spot. Come back to my parents house, and then we leave to fly home Saturday morning at 6.

Laura Bruner: 15. So we'll land back in Seattle at like 8. And then I'm gonna cruise through, probably do like the Poulsbo Farmer's Market. And then get back by like Saturday afternoon and have the rest of the weekend. And through all this, Rusty's engine was put on the board, which means they're like first to go. On Dispatch, but then there's been like a number of weird series of events.

Laura Bruner: So they got pulled off the board. So I was like really hoping there'd be overlap or he would be Dispatch while we were here. So, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. So he's just at home, you know. He's working a lot, but it's just, he's not going to get sent away probably until like right when I get back, of course, but you know, that's the nature of this work and I'm [00:19:00] just happy that he loves his work and I feel like we're already planning a trip down in February for his birthday to like, we'll fly cause we want to do a California trip or like Arizona or somewhere really warm every winter because that's his off season and.

Laura Bruner: It's just a good time to get away and I really want to prioritize staying in the, um, on the peninsula or nearby in the summer because it's the best time of year. So anyways, it's really fun to like find all these spots and kind of, I do better under like stress and uncertainty than he does and I'm like, okay, we can do a rental car again, save a bunch of money on a EV and then I know all the good spots and.

Laura Bruner: You know, bringing back, having it all under my belt, um, and just make it smooth next time. So, Silver Linings, we'll get to visit my brother and sister, or my sister and brother in law, and they'll actually live here, and we won't necessarily need to stay in his house, and it will be, it will be great. So that is the, that's the latest from here, and then we get back Saturday, and then the following, and it's what, a week, and then Labor Day weekend, and then Evie starts kinder, so she's very excited about that.

Laura Bruner: And that's where [00:20:00] we're at. I feel like the most, the most hectic part of this. This whole experience is behind me now. So I feel like ready to, um, I feel like I took some deep breaths last night and went to bed at 7. 30. The girls. Amazing. Hello friends, Laura here, popping in real quick to rave about my current favorite product from Paleo Valley.

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Laura Bruner: Cannot recommend it enough. Give it a try. Creamy, delicious. Flavor packed and none of the junk you'll find in typical protein powders. We also add it to pancakes and oatmeal, and I look forward to smoothies this summer. Don't wait. Go grab yours and save [00:21:00] 15%. That's paleo valley.com/modern Mamas. Enjoy.

Jess Gaertner: Oh my gosh.

Jess Gaertner: You're doing it. You're like freaking rocking it. I mean, I'm sure some parts of it have been challenging, Uhhuh, but

Laura Bruner: is someone not? Maybe just came downstairs. Hold on. Whatcha are you doing? It's very early. You go like, is Shea asleep Still? Okay. You want to just hang out? I'm working. Okay. You can go sit on the couch.

Laura Bruner: Yeah. So that's it. Wow.

Jess Gaertner: That's incredible. It sounds so fun.

Laura Bruner: I'm exhausted. Yeah,

Jess Gaertner: I'm sure. I'm sure. Um, and I like, I'm just freaking proud of you, man. I would probably have been like, I don't know where to charge the car. Oh

Laura Bruner: my God. I was like, I can do hard things. I can do hard things. I can do hard things.

Laura Bruner: What the hell? There's moments where I told, I'm like talking to you. I'm like, Just so you know, on the verge of tears right now, but I'm okay, we will figure this out. And they were so patient, like, so patient through it all, because not only is it like, you gotta find them, but then, you know, it's technology, so you get there, I'm [00:22:00] like, plugging it in and pulling it out, and it's not working, plugging it in, pulling it out, and then I gotta like, move to a different one, and I'm downloading, I have like, five apps downloaded on my phone now for the different charging stations.

Laura Bruner: This is so dumb, but also, like, I would never, ever buy one. But I, now that I figured it out, for this specific trip, that we will do again, Because it makes sense for us to fly into San Jose and then go visit my sister in Santa Barbara and get to spend time in San Luis Obispo where we met and fell in love.

Laura Bruner: Like, you know, that makes sense because there are, it's California, there's charging stations all along the way. But like, for our lifestyle, like camping and like, kind of like going off grid and stuff, there's options. Well, I

Jess Gaertner: just figured like, a hybrid would be... Like ideal probably.

Laura Bruner: Yeah, then you have a backup.

Laura Bruner: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I'm just

Jess Gaertner: charging at home, you know, yeah And I feel like in Texas here too, like I'm not super familiar with like the charging situation But I don't think they're probably not as like for like what's the word looking for like as abundant? Yeah prevalent I'm here. Like I don't know. I don't know We have a couple friends with [00:23:00] Tesla's and I guess it's different because those are hybrids, right?

Laura Bruner: Not always. Actually, I have no idea. But I know there are like test plus specific stations and they are way faster. Um, but you, you know, my, my, uh, lowly Chevy Chevrolet, you can't, but you can like buy an adapter. It's all just like any scheme, you know, and then, I mean, I don't know much about it, but I've also heard people tout it as being like so much more sustainable, but I guess it's like pretty gnarly.

Laura Bruner: Like the minds and the people like basically slave labor working to like get the stuff to make it work. So, you know, human existence is not sustainable in general.

Jess Gaertner: Right. Oh, okay. I need, I need to like take some time to dive into more of that a little bit. I think, um, we're coming up on getting some, we're going to have to get new vehicles at some point.

Jess Gaertner: I mean, we've had ours for like, I have my black car I've had since before we were married. It

Laura Bruner: makes me smile

Jess Gaertner: every time I get it. It's uh, you know, she's chugging along. She's

Laura Bruner: just don't open the door to her

Jess Gaertner: right. Oh, [00:24:00] That's getting even worse because, I mean, just, this sounds scarier than it is, but like, our cars frequently get broken into because we're downtown, and so, at first we were like, locking, there's nothing in there for people to take, like, it's just like, literally, yeah, I'll take some of the insurance, yeah, and we were like, locking them, but like, people broke the handles, because they're, yeah, like, pulling so hard, and so now we just leave everything unlocked and we're like, whatever, um, you It's just easier that way, but the driver's side door handle is broken in half.

Laura Bruner: I'm whispering like

Jess Gaertner: you can't hear me. She's talking. Um, but yeah, so I, we're going to have to make some decisions on new cars soon ish. Um, so we'll see. We'll see. We'll see what that, that holds. Ah, cool. I feel great. So see.

Jess Gaertner: Let's see. Let's see. Back up. Kids started school. It's been going really well. I think I shared a little bit [00:25:00] about, about that on the last catch up episode. Um, I think they had like maybe been in for like a day or two or they were going to, but, um, it's been great. Like they have been enjoying school. It's been a lot less.

Jess Gaertner: I don't know. I'm always that first week of school. I'm always like, okay, we're not scheduling anything. We're going to like chill, you know, really to kind of like be mindful of like their Um, Energy and like what it takes out of them to like get back into that routine. But honestly. They've been great. I mean, they have loved school.

Jess Gaertner: They love seeing their friends again, like with the Montessori there. They didn't change classrooms this year. Um, and so they didn't change teachers and they really didn't change like many of their classmates. I think there's like three kids and three new kids in the whole like upper and lower elementary.

Jess Gaertner: That's two classrooms. And so Um, you know, for being like a really big transition period, this back to school, I [00:26:00] think, like, it's been relatively smooth and we had, um, Bear's birthday party this first this weekend, which is the first weekend after the first week of school, and it was kind of nice. So it gave like we, you know, invited his whole class and they got a chance to, like, kind of get together and have fun.

Jess Gaertner: And so we did it at this like indoor soccer place that's really close to our house, and it was still hot, but it was Kind of like a warehouse with a bunch of fans and no air conditioning or anything like that, but the oh my gosh they had so much fun like the Boys and girls actually came and played and like the parents played soccer and we had pizza Cupcakes and all that all that good stuff and we got to celebrate bear bear, which is like, you know, he's a I don't know.

Jess Gaertner: He's just like a, obviously both of my kids are, are very special and very easy to celebrate, but he is like a very just, uh, [00:27:00] what's the word I'm looking for? Just go with the flow kind of kid for the most part. And so he just had the best time. This was like his dream birthday party, playing soccer, eating pizza with his, with his friends.

Jess Gaertner: And, um, we came back to the house afterwards and presents and some of my family came and, um, just. You know, he had a great time. We made him all his favorite foods. That's kind of like our, kind of one of our birthday traditions is when it's your birthday, you get to essentially like pick everything you want to eat from start, start of the day to finish.

Jess Gaertner: What did that for breakfast?

Jess Gaertner: Oh,

Jess Gaertner: I can't remember what she did for breakfast. Wait, which is breakfast tacos. I can't remember. Um, but she got to pick all of her things that she wanted for [00:28:00] breakfast and it could be we can like go out to eat or if they want something homemade, we can do that too. Um, but bear did breakfast tacos for breakfast from the taco place down the street that we are obsessed with.

Jess Gaertner: He did. We did pizza obviously for lunch because his actual birthday party was like on his actual birthday. Um, and then he is like, Him and I share the same favorite meal, which is like double bonus for me, because I'm like so he loves fried shrimp, fried shrimp, hush puppies, french fries. So we did like a big like shrimp fry at home.

Jess Gaertner: My dad came by for it and bought and kind of did all the frying, which was nice because I mean, it's a it's a labor of love, a little bit more of like an intense thing, especially if you have to like peel and devein the shrimp. Um, but we did fried shrimp for dinner and then he wanted, he's like, um, a citrus fan.

Jess Gaertner: Like he likes tart, lemony, lime things. And so he asked for a key lime [00:29:00] pie. And so I made homemade. Well, there was no key limes because I couldn't find key limes, but I made a homemade graham cracker crust. I made a lime curd, which was like, oh my gosh, this is the first time I ever made a lime curd, but I did like, I did like the real deal, made the curd, I strained it so that there was like, it was super silky, um, and smooth.

Jess Gaertner: And then originally was going to do like a whipped cream topping, but he was like, can you make a meringue topping? And I've never made a meringue topping, but I was like, sure, we'll give it a shot. Um, made my first ever meringue topping and it was like actually surprisingly not that hard. There's a little bit of like, you know, stirring.

Jess Gaertner: Have

Laura Bruner: you ever made a meringue? No, but Rusty has. He's like, I'm the baker, but he's the baker. Like, he's, he's like, I'm like the savory baker and he's all about like the sweet

Jess Gaertner: stuff. Yeah, he's like into pies and stuff. Yeah, yeah. [00:30:00] Well, it was surprisingly easy. Like there, you had to get it, or at least this recipe, like you have to get it to a certain temp.

Jess Gaertner: Um, and, and then like whip it, um, which was like the hardest part was just making sure it like didn't get too hot, um, too fast. And so made it, it was perfect. It was, the pie was great pat on the back for my efforts and everyone was happy. And it was, it was a good weekend. It was a really good weekend. Um, much needed.

Jess Gaertner: I actually, I, you know, it's been. I've been, there's a lot of my play right now, like me in particular in our family unit, um, with just Tim's still looking for a project right now, and it's, I think I've mentioned this before, it's really, it's been a while since he had a project, and so now we're kind of like, at the like, okay, instead of like, okay, you know, it would be nice to get a project soon, it's like, okay, like, we need Tim to have a project, [00:31:00] like, yesterday.

Jess Gaertner: Um, and so it's been a lot in terms of, because he's obviously still doing everything he can to get a project, he has a second interview on Wednesday, tomorrow, just if you're listening, keep us in your thoughts, your prayers, your vibes, all of it, we'll take all of it, um, that we really, really are hopeful that he gets, and it's interesting because it's like, yeah, They're like, the first interview, they were like, you're overqualified.

Jess Gaertner: Like, are you sure? Cause he's technically like senior level talent for what he does, but this is like a mid level position and we're like, without being like, no, literally we will take anything. He's like having to convince them essentially that like, he wants this job even though he's like overqualified.

Jess Gaertner: So it's just a wild job market right now. Um, and so I'm really, really hopeful about Wednesday. Like I just am just. Like praying, but also like letting letting go because there's nothing I can do. There's literally nothing I can do to help him get this job [00:32:00]

Laura Bruner: Well, we will be thinking and praying and sending the energy out to you.

Laura Bruner: Hi girl Thank you. Say hi to me Say hello. Oh Sweet girl and you need to oh, that's really this is gonna happen Well, that is, I mean, I'm glad there's something kind of in the works. Yeah. And I'm, if you know Tim, you love Tim. Yeah. So

Jess Gaertner: I'm very confident. He's, uh, he's the best and he really. Anyways, it's gonna be good.

Jess Gaertner: We're gonna figure it out. But on the flip side, I have been so like the really interesting thing is that like, while I feel frustrated because we're, I feel like, okay, we're like in this tight spot and we're not getting provided for at the same time, like my food photography business is growing, like I literally cannot take on any more clients.

Jess Gaertner: And it was kind of like all of a sudden, you know, It was like the floodgates came in. That I've noticed,

Laura Bruner: you're like, you're not on social much anymore and I can [00:33:00] tell that you're just like pouring into that and I've been wanting to ask like how it's going and so to hear that makes me

Jess Gaertner: giddy. It's going so great but at the same time I'm like, I don't know if I can do this.

Jess Gaertner: Like, I don't know if I can do all of these. Um, like I have to because I need to like support my family but at the same time I'm like a little bit nervous that I'm, I'm taking on too much. Um, and so all I can do, all I keep doing is telling myself, like, just show up tomorrow, like just show up tomorrow, do what you need to do that's in front of you.

Jess Gaertner: Um, and then like rinse and repeat. Like I can't think too much ahead. And it's interesting cause I had a human design session yesterday. We're going to have Aaron podcast. And so one of the prep things was like doing, um, a session with her. And one of her things that she said about me was that I have this unique.

Jess Gaertner: Um, superpower to, like, essentially, like, continue to persevere to, like, just keep on [00:34:00] and on and on. And, like, I feel that when I look back in my life, I'm like, whoa, like, you have been able to, like, really power through a lot of things by just it's almost like. And part of it, you know, there's a shadow side to every, like, superpower, but, like, I can compartmentalize really well most of the time, where it's like, I can't think too much ahead about how hard this is gonna be, or else I get, like, a little bit, like, like, scared.

Jess Gaertner: But if I just wake up and tackle the next thing on the list, it's like amazing what I can can do. And so I'm just that's what I'm doing. I'm just

Laura Bruner: going to think the most daunting thing to me about that is like you have to make all the things and it has to look just right. Yes.

Jess Gaertner: And it's like, it's creative.

Jess Gaertner: And it's like, I, a part of me is wondering, like, will I run out of creative juice? Like, can I actually do this? Like, I don't

Laura Bruner: know. So, no, there's, I have no doubts that you can do this.

Jess Gaertner: Hey there, friends. Pausing this episode to share a bit about our wonderful friend, Brianna [00:35:00] White, a fantastic real estate agent based in Bend, Oregon.

Jess Gaertner: She's also a wife, mama, and a member of this awesome Modern Mamas podcast community.

Laura Bruner: She has a super unique approach to real estate, which includes using her mobile Airstream bar for open houses

Jess Gaertner: and housewarming parties. And she offers a complimentary family photo shoot for her clients in their new home, and then presents them with a beautiful coffee table book to cherish this major life milestone.

Jess Gaertner: I wish I had that when I moved into my home. Seriously. So cool.

Laura Bruner: So if you're in Bend, And looking for a real estate agent who truly understands the needs of a modern family, connect with our amazing sponsor. She's the perfect partner to help you find or sell your

Jess Gaertner: dream home. Even if you're not in Bend, Oregon, our fantastic sponsor, Brianna can still help with your real estate needs.

Laura Bruner: That's right. Brianna has access to top real estate agents all over the country, and she's more than happy to help you find the perfect agent for your needs, no matter where you are now or where you're looking to move.

Jess Gaertner: She does the legwork for you, interviewing agents in your area or your desired location, and then making a personal introduction to ensure you're working with someone who truly [00:36:00] understands your needs and preferences.

Laura Bruner: It's like having a personal real estate matchmaker. So whether you're in Bend or anywhere else in the country, don't hesitate to reach out to Brianna. Let someone else do the searching when it comes to finding a great real estate agent. You deserve the best and Brianna will help make that happen.

Laura Bruner: Supporting our sponsor can be as simple as following her on Instagram at Brianna Sells Bend. That's at B R E A N A Sells Bend, where you'll find great content, education, gorgeous homes, and family adventures. I'm sure you will connect with her just like we have.

Jess Gaertner: Thank you friends for supporting our podcast by considering our sponsor Brianna for your real estate needs.

Jess Gaertner: Check her out at briannacelsbend. kw. com that's B R E A N A C E L S B E N D K W D O T C O M. Brought to you by Brianna White, broker with Keller Williams Realty, Central Oregon, Equal Housing Opportunity. Now let's dive back into our episode.

Laura Bruner: What about, do you have like All the lighting you have set up. I think that's what stresses me out when [00:37:00] I'm like, I want to take photos for this.

Laura Bruner: Whatever. It's like, I can't control the light in my house. I know the like decent best times and kind of things, but at least I'm glad to know you have like good lighting, but the timeline, like you got to take pictures when it's very fresh. Yeah. I can tell when food starts to not be fresh. That's just that when it's like all those, those like logistics would

Jess Gaertner: stress me out.

Jess Gaertner: It's very logistical and it's actually a lot more planning than. Yeah, like people imagine it's not quick. It's not quick. It's not quick. And it's good for me. That's good for me. I think because we're little words that sound I, um, anyways, it's just, it's going to be fine. And I'm, I'm like contracted. I mean, I think I have like five clients.

Jess Gaertner: One is huge. I can't necessarily announce it yet. Um, because I haven't signed a contract but like, it's basically like, we're going back and forth about rates and proposal and stuff and I like if barring something like just totally out of left field, like I will [00:38:00] have a huge contract, um, for a really big, um, food blocker and I'm just so grateful.

Jess Gaertner: So so grateful, really trying to just stay confident in my. Self and my ability to do all this and the positive side is like, you know, if Tim doesn't get a project, he can help me and I need help and that's what I put out into the universe. Like when slash if Tim gets a project, he won't be able to help me.

Jess Gaertner: I'm going to need a kitchen assistant. To basically like cook and prep and all of that. So I'm putting out into the world. I don't even know if anyone like who listens to Patreon, like knows anybody in San Antonio or close by, but like if anyone wants to come and, you know, have a very flexible slash fun slash informal job every now, every couple of days, um, of the week, I would love to be connected.

Jess Gaertner: I'm just going to put out into the universe. I need a kitchen assistant. So. [00:39:00] If you or someone you know is, might be interested, send them my way. Cammie's only a few years out. I know, I keep telling her, I'm like, when you get old enough, you want to work with the mom? Like, I'll pay you. That's so fun. That's so awesome.

Jess Gaertner: I know, so, yeah, that will, so, that's kind of like the biggest thing. I just would love for Family. Continued prayers for our family that Tim will get a stable position and that I will be able to like, dig deep in this season. And show up and not only show up for like my business and like, you know, the financial aspect of our family, but show up for myself and for my kids and it's like, I just, I'm so acutely aware of like not wanting to lose this, lose my, what I've worked so hard to gain in terms of like presence and, um You know, self care for the last couple of months, like, I don't want to lose that and just toss it all to the wayside because now, like, I have this flourishing business.

Jess Gaertner: So anyways, [00:40:00] trying to find balance. I could use some prayers.

Laura Bruner: And that's it. And they're coming your

Jess Gaertner: way. Ah, you guys want to say hi, Auntie. Hello. Can

Laura Bruner: you hear

Jess Gaertner: me? Oh, they're so cute. Well, I hope y'all have a good day over there. Thank you. You too. I'm

Laura Bruner: gonna, I've got a couple more meetings actually for CrossFit and then, yeah, a date with my sister.

Laura Bruner: Hopefully this one goes down for a night long nap. Are you gonna go down for a night long nap? And then I think we're gonna get, we're gonna have that, that honey wine and then find a spot to get dinner together. Like an early dinner. Oh, that sounds so beautiful. And Evie, last night, we were like laying in bed and she's like, I just feel like I need some nature time.

Laura Bruner: It's so different here than at home and I know, I'm feeling it too. You go for a walk or whatever. It's just like... There's not as many trees, there's, we're in the suburbs, we're so far from like, forest, it's hard to get there. Um, and it's been a few days for you, we went to the beach, we haven't been like in the trees.[00:41:00]

Laura Bruner: She's having a withdrawal.

Jess Gaertner: Oh my gosh, she is your daughter for sure. Oh my gosh. You know, and when it's all they know,

Laura Bruner: it's like, school and trees every day and the mental health component of that, it's amazing to me that at six she like can acknowledge that she needs it. It's pretty powerful. Well,

Jess Gaertner: I hope you'll find some trees soon.

Laura Bruner: Thank you. I'm gonna go find some trees, okay? Okay. Bye. All right. I love you, friend. Love you. Thanks

Jess Gaertner: for listening. We'll chat at you soon. Bye.

Laura Bruner: Thanks for listening to our podcast. See you next time. Bye.[00:42:00]