Happy Friday, friends! How has your week been? Mine has been amazing, and one I've looked forward to for months. I am leaving here in a couple of hours and going on a road trip with Marilyn, Amy, Tanya, Joanne, and Maria! We're meeting up for a long weekend of what will surely be an amazing time together. I will be back here tomorrow for Share 4 Somethings (the link will go live at midnight tomorrow morning), but after that I won't be back until Tuesday or maybe even Wednesday. Be prepared for a blogger's trip update!
Here are some favorite moments from my week:
Last Saturday at nine thirty in the morning, I left my house and went on a little road trip just for the day. I met my friend in Sikeston, Missouri; we had lunch at a Mexican restaurant, then we drove to Alto Pass, Illinois to visit this beautiful cross that is named The Cross of Peace. It was a gray, drizzly day, but the magnitude of this was breathtaking; it also happened to be sitting on the top of a beautiful mountain. While we were there, we overheard a group of singers doing a soundcheck for the sunrise Easter service the next morning. We stayed here for a while, walked around, and enjoyed the worship music while the singers rehearsed. It was really beautiful in many ways! The whole day was a favorite from my week; we drove back to Sikeston afterward, then I left at five to make the drive back home. I was there by seven thirty, then I showered, laid out clothes for the next day, and went to bed by nine.
This is one of my favorite Bible verses.
I went to choir on Wednesday night, and we rehearsed this song, which is a favorite of mine.
This is the song we practiced; Mercy by Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music. This is the lyric video, in case you want to watch and see the words while you watch.
Speaking of favorite music, thanks to the Release Radar playlist on Spotify that I keep talking about, this one was one I heard this week; it's an old favorite that Chris Tomlin has redone recently.
Because sharing music is what I do, here's the video in case you'd like to listen to it yourself.
This week has been a favorite at work; it was the week of kids' programs! I took this picture on Wednesday; I'd stepped into the sanctuary to watch the little Community Bible Study kids perform their end-of-year event, and loved that this little boy was sprawled out, enthralled by their singing. Children are so very precious!
Being on my town's library board is one of my favorite things; and so is the beautiful town hall that we use for our quarterly meetings.
This picture of my home is my new favorite; I was at my neighbor's house taking care of their dogs while they're out of town, and when I looked across the street and saw the beautiful sky and the moon that was still visible, I couldn't resist taking this picture. Home is one of my favorite places to be when I don't mind being there. 😉 Have you heard the story of how I came to live in this house? If you're curious about this beautiful and heartwarming story, here's a link for you to get caught up. I will never tire of telling this story! It's why I love my home so much, because of what my family did to get me there.
I loved seeing my favorite people this week; though I didn't see my Noah in person, I did get to FaceTime him on Resurrection Sunday. That'll do, even if it's no comparison to the real him.
Luna is my favorite two year old! Her dad, mom, Mimi, and Pappaw are also among my favorite people. I'm so blessed to have such wonderful friends who are like family!
These beautiful, kind, smart, and wonderful angels are my favorite people in all of the world! I cannot wait to see them this summer; I booked a trip to Denver in July for a full week. I have all the fun ideas of things I want to do while I'm there this time around!
Mom and Trish are my favorites!
Excitement is my favorite; this was me texting my friend before we met on Saturday in Sikeston.
I have some favorite outfits from the week!
Dresses will be my favorite for as long as I live, or at least for as long as I'm going through menopause. 🤣
Listening to this audiobook by my favorite author has been high on my list of good things from this week. Speaking of this week, did you happen to catch all of my blog posts? I'll link them below this.
What was a favorite of yours from this week? I'd love to hear from you! Thanks for being here to read my blog today, friends. Words will never adequately express what your encouragement and friendship mean to me. Thank you a million times over! Love to all.
P.s. Don't forget about April's Share 4 Somethings will take place tomorrow April 26th; if you're new here, all year long on the last Saturday of each month, we share some things we loved, some things we learned, some things that went well, and some things we let go of. The topics stay the same for each month. May's Currently link party will take place on Wednesday May 7th; in May we'll be talking about what we're currently loving, looking forward to, leaving behind, letting go of, and looking at. Again, for anyone new here who wants to participate, the topics for Currently change each month; I provide the next month's prompts at the bottom of that post, and this always takes place on the first Wednesday of every month. I hope you make plans now to join me for both of these each month! Meanwhile, I'll try to be better at giving you reminders.
Happy Thursday, friends! I have this running list that I keep in my journal each week entitled, "good things from this week". That's where the idea for this type of post came from; it's basically like the old Thankful Thursday posts that I made weekly. I have learned that especially when a lot of "dragons fly over my house", that it's of the utmost importance that I keep looking for the good things to thank God for. There is a purpose in everything, and I always want to remember this no matter what is going on in my life (or not going on). Here are the good things I've noticed so far this week:
Music is life-giving to me! I am in a phase of life where I'm listening to things instead of watching shows or reading books. I keep music going all day long, no matter where I am: at work, at home, in my car, lying in bed at night. No matter the time of day, I have music playing, and my playlists change to match my mood and time of day. My favorite playlist on Spotify is still the one titled Release Radar, where new music is put out weekly; this is a compilation of my favorite artists. I'm writing this post on Wednesday afternoon and listening to a new song called Pink + White by Vitamin String Quartet. My musical taste is eclectic, to say the least.
I love seeing my sons living their best life! Jonah took this picture of his truck with his baby girl Stella sitting like a model on it Sunday night. She's basically perfect.
I love being on my town's library board! We had our quarterly meeting this week, and we were all there for the first time in ages. Even our illustrious town mayor (my friend Maureen) was there. We took a new picture for the town website. Isn't our town hall beautiful? I took that first picture for my friend who "might" be old enough to be considered a senior citizen; I told him I saved it for him in case he wanted to join me at the meeting that night. His response was, "Ouch." Also, when I sent it, he was at his own town hall meeting because he is also involved in town government.
I'm so thankful to be able to continue to live in my beloved home. Jonah and I are taking care of the neighbor's dogs this week, and I took this one morning from their driveway. The sky was perfect, and the moon was still out as the sun started to make its reluctant appearance. I love (love) seeing Dad's truck in front of my house. It makes me think that he's here waiting for me inside; and that makes me remember all our fun Fridays together. I'd give anything for just one more!
I am so thankful for a job that I have loved for almost two years! I love my church family and truly consider this beautiful place my home away from home. What an honor and privilege to love what I do and do what I love. I will never forget how the Lord dropped this job right into my lap!
I loved seeing one of my bonus sons' graduation pictures this week; this is Zander, the nephew of my old neighbors and dear friends, Katie and Travis. They lived next to me for years and theirs was the pool we swam in everyday during the summer. We camped with them, we ate with them at least one night a week and played card games, and we exchanged kids all the time. This does my heart good to see this "little guy" all grown up!
This was him (black hoodie and then yellow jacket) on my favorite camping trip ever: the one we we took in Blanchard Springs, Arkansas, in the foothills of the Ozark mountains.
It was such a good thing that I was able to be a stand-in for my friend who couldn't make it to her daughter's performance yesterday. I loved being able to do this for my Abbey, and I think Everly enjoyed me being there for her.
This was absolutely adorable; please note the cutie patootie laying on the floor enthralled with these kids performing songs for us! I love my job and my life, because if this is "work", then I am the most blessed woman on the planet.
What were some good things that happened for you this week? I'd love to hear from you! Thanks for reading my blog today, friends. Love to all!
Happy Wednesday, friends! It's one of my favorite blogging days of the week: the Wednesday hodgepodge that Joyce hosts. I always love the prompts that she gives us, and it's fun reading the others' posts each week. I'll jump in!
1. The Hodgepodge lands on National Picnic Day...Will you celebrate? Do you enjoy picnics? Dining out of doors picnic or otherwise? What are three or four things I'd find in your picnic basket? I won't be celebrating National Picnic Day today, but I have always loved picnics, as long as it's not too hot outside. I don't enjoy the bugs that come once it gets too hot, and sometimes even the flies can be terrible. I used to make picnic lunches for my sons all the time; once Spring arrived, we were always packing something and heading to a park or to the zoo. Those were the days! I love alfresco dining when the weather permits! I love this time of year. I always have a good combination of foods in my picnic lunches: something cold (like cheese and turkey slices), something crunchy, something soft, and maybe a bite of something sweet.
Here are some recent moments that I've picnic-ed or enjoyed dining alfresco: one Wednesday after work, I met Abbey, Everly, Asher, and Violet at a local park for a picnic lunch. It was the perfect day for a picnic! And then a few weeks ago, Marilyn and I ate at a local food truck for dinner before a dance class. This was us waiting on our street tacos from Taco-N-Ganas. They have the best food!
2. When is a time recently that you felt "antsy"? Y'all, I literally feel antsy every night of my life when I stay home. I cannot be here at night anymore, or at least if I am, it can't be for too long. I get bored, and I literally feel like the walls are closing in on me when I'm here for too long! I have to be out doing something for at least a good portion of the night. I prefer to be gone until at least eight p.m., and often time I'll come home and shower and then go lay in bed to watch tv, talk on the phone, or scroll social media.
I used to say that I turned into a pumpkin after nine p.m., but those days are a very distant memory. The old me is dead and gone; I don't even know who I am sometimes when I think of how much I've changed in less than a year!
3. As the saying goes, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." Do you like lemonade? When did you recently need to make lemonade out of lemons, figuratively speaking? I like lemonade, but I don't drink it much because of the sugar. I don't mind a diet version of that from Chick Fil A, though! The last time I made lemonade out of lemons that I'd been given is my very recent past. This wasn't a life that I would have chosen for myself, but now that I've been given this life, I'm making the most out of it everyday! I am living life to the fullest, which means that I'm enjoying all of the free time I have. I love being with my family and friends; I love not answering to anyone or checking in with a spouse if I go out at night; I love being independent in every sense of the word. I'm enjoying learning how to do things I've never had to do before, like on Monday when I had to go buy new windshield wiper blades for my car; the person who checked me out taught me how to change them myself when I replace them the next time.
4. Recently, five celebrities made a brief foray into space aboard Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin rocket. Did you hear about this? Do you have thoughts about it? If money were no object, would this be something you would consider doing? My mom told me about this after it happened, otherwise I wouldn't have heard about it or even cared. I don't really pay much attention to what celebrities do or don't do, you know? I don't think it's relevant at all to my own life, which is why I just don't care. That being said, I am very much into pop culture and love knowing all kinds of tidbits about that kind of thing. If I had a lot of money, I would want to do something meaningful with it instead of spending it on an adventure for me, you know? I'd donate it to St. Jude, most likely. I have no interest at all in going up to space.
5. What's your favorite thing about the "space" you're sitting in right now? I'm writing this on Tuesday night, as I sit in my living room.
My favorite thing about this space that I'm in is that it's cozy. I love that it's warm and inviting, and people are drawn to being here. I have this sign that people see when they leave my home that says, "You are dearly loved." And it's true! I want people to come into my home and feel welcomed; I want them to dig through my pantry if they're hungry, or grab a blanket out of the basket if they're here and freezing. I want my home to be lived in and inviting.
6. Insert your own random thought here. I recently discovered a new (to me) artist whose voice I love: this is Jamie MacDonald. The song is titled Who He Is; I love that she sings about the character of God; much of the song is straight out of Scripture. That's my favorite type of song! I hope you enjoy this one.
Thanks for reading my blog today, friends! I can't wait to read your responses to this. I hope you have a great day! Love to all.
Happy Tuesday, friends! As I sat down to write this post, I was blown away by the ending of yet another month of 2025. I know that we all say this often, but can you believe how quickly time flies by? It seems like just yesterday it was December of 2024, and I both looked forward and dreaded the coming year. I looked forward to it because I was ready to be divorced and to fully separate my life from my ex. I was dreading it because I wasn't sure what that time period would look like; I'd thought I would be moving and I was dreading have to be on my own financially.
But you know what? I'm killing this whole single woman gig. I don't want to brag, but I don't need a man to help me with things. I'm enjoying learning new things and I'm proud of myself for not having to ask for help too often. Just yesterday I went to Auto Zone to purchase my first ever pair of windshield wipers; the person who checked me out taught me how to put them on myself for future reference. See what I mean? What I need help with, I can easily ask the Google or the YouTube.
Also? Stay tuned for more exciting updates.
Here are my favorite moments from a very full and busy month:
The day the lights went out at work will forever be a favorite memory of working at my church. We sat in the lobby and played games all morning; at 11:30, our boss Sam sent us all home. Six of us went to lunch at a favorite local restaurant, and I had the very best nachos for lunch that day.
Time with Mom on a random Friday will forever be something I love the most. I love doing everyday life with the people I love.
Seeing Mare a lot this month was something else I loved and appreciated. Last Thursday was a rough day for me; I was talking to a friend at work when I saw her walking into my church, and I literally ran to her and hugged her. I almost cried! It's a long story, but it was a bad day, and I'd never needed to see anyone more than I needed to see her at that moment. She hung out with me until I left work that day, then rode to Sam's with me; after all of that she came to my house until she had to leave for a thing she needed to be at that evening. Get you a friend just like Marilyn! You'll be so grateful that you listened to my advice.
I loved the scenic walks that I took this month.
I got this ice cream as a celebratory "happy divorce" gift; I ate one small spoonful at a time until it was completely gone. I just finished this last week!
Hot pink lipstick was something I enjoyed this month.
Spending time with friends is a major theme in my life...I will never in a million years take this gift for granted!
Drew (and my bonus son Alex) being here for Drew's birthday and spending that night with me was the best thing from this month.
My home away from home is my favorite place to be. I sent this picture to my friend a few weeks ago, to show him the sheer size of my church compared to his tiny one of fifty people. 🤣
My best friends are life-giving! This is my sweet Abbey; I loved spending time with her as we ran an errand for her on a Sunday afternoon.
My Missy and I went out to dinner one night, just the two of us, and it was such a great night of catching up with each other. We're like ships passing in the night these days, and rarely see each other outside of church.
This walking trail was a fun one!
I loved reading the book of Ruth! I'm currently in 2 Samuel.
Puppy cuddles have been therapeutic this month!
I've loved eating lunch with friends at work on Thursdays.
Babies at work are the best!
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The gala that I attended with with Marilyn was fun! I loved dressing up for this event.
Peaceful nights in the country at my parents house are good for my heart!
Time with my boys is the very best; I loved being able to FaceTime with Noah while we ate lunch together on Sunday.
Luna time is the best time!
I've never talked about how I named my car Dory when I got her in 2020; I decided it was time for her to be known as that, so I put this bumper sticker on her.
Celebrating the birthday of my best friend's husband was fun. I will always be grateful for the fact that my friends include me in their everyday lives. I love that Jeff did this with my phone when I left it on the table Sunday night. He cracks me up!
I loved seeing my beautiful great nieces celebrate Easter! A big highlight was booking a flight to Denver for a week in July; I can't wait to see these little dolls and do all the fun things with them.
Having a fun Saturday was a big highlight for me in April. I would love more Saturdays like this in my future!
I loved having family over to my house for lunch on Sunday after church! I'd like to do this kind of thing more, moving forward with life. We've always had celebrations like this at my mom's, but I'd like to start doing them at my house more. I enjoy the whole process of having people over, the shopping, the food prep/cooking, the company, all of it!
Please peep the dogs waiting on me at the front door.
I texted this to my friend Friday afternoon before I went to church that night. I loved singing in choir in that service! I was also excited about the next day that I'd planned.
Did you have any highlights from the month so far that you want to tell me about? I'd love to hear from you! Thanks for reading my blog today, friends! Love to all.
P.s. Don't forget about April's Share 4 Somethings will take place this Saturday April 26th; if you're new here, all year long on the last Saturday of each month, we share some things we loved, some things we learned, some things that went well, and some things we let go of. The topics stay the same for each month. May's Currently link party will take place on Wednesday May 7th; in May we'll be talking about what we're currently loving, looking forward to, leaving behind, letting go of, and looking at. Again, for anyone new here who wants to participate, the topics for Currently change each month; I provide the next month's prompts at the bottom of that post, and this always takes place on the first Wednesday of every month. I hope you make plans now to join me for both of these each month! Meanwhile, I'll try to be better at giving you reminders.
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