Several years ago my sister went through a really hard season in her family and one that went on for a handful of years. When everything first started I was given the nudging to tell her that I loved her, just because. It was my way of saying that I loved her because she was my sister and for no other reason. I didn’t love her because of what she brought to the table, what she didn’t do, what she may do, or what she has done. I love her because she was my sister and nothing would change that. 

No post this week. I have a horrible double ear infection and have been days without sleep. Post will return next week when I can walk straight and hear. 

The cutest thing happened a couple of weeks ago. When all of us were snuggling in bed and saying our prayers, I asked Allie if there was anything that she wanted to thank Jesus for. And to our surprise after a few minutes of her being quiet she said the name of her best friend. Then proceeded to say thank you for her best friend’s younger sibling, her Auntie, Uncle, all the dogs, her blankie, and the list goes on and on. 

Here we are again. It’s 2:45am (yes it is literally 2:45 in the morning and I am writing) and Allie is up. Not sure why she is up. Maybe it is because a cold front has come through, maybe it’s because she didn’t eat enough dinner, or maybe it’s because she had to go potty and wanted to use the potty. I’m not really sure why Allie is up but I feel like it is all my fault. 

Since my panic attack about a month ago and catching the Flu a couple of weeks ago, I have been moving at a much slower pace. Initially it was done purely from the panic attack and realizing just how much I was trying to cram into every moment of every day. Which was stretching me way too much. But then when we all caught the Flu I saw how much Allie loved me being still. 

I had a little revelation last week in a course that I am doing at our church. A revelation that reminded me that I get to be a part of this course at my church. That I get to spend intentional time with the Lord each week to understand the Word and how God inspired it to be understood. I get to spend time being the Lord’s vessel and share a message based on what I have read each week. I get to do this!

This past week I turned another year older. I am now 34 and this was the first birthday where I didn’t become offended or upset when someone missed my birthday. 

Have you ever noticed the increase of pressure and static in your mind around the holidays? For me before Allie, it all revolved around my weight. And the judgement that I feared would come at me once again gaining back weight that I had lost. Now with having Allie, I still have that static playing around in my head but it is often overshadowed by the louder static, screaming that I am not doing enough. 

I don’t know about you but this week I feel like I was running at hyper-speed, or at least trying to at the start of the week. I was trying to make the most out of every second, of every minute, of the day. If I am going to do laundry then while that load is going, I can read Allie her devotional, open up the coffee maker to let it dry, put the loaf of bread in the oven, after the book I can do the dishes, and then maybe be able to make the bed before the load is done. And really the coffee maker should happen right after the laundry is put in and then the bread should go into the oven because that all can be drying and baking while I am reading Allie her Bible stories. But I should be starting her day off with the Bible, like I do my own and let the chores wait until after. But then I could not finish all these things I can get done while the laundry is going and I’ve wasted all that time….

With the start of every new year, there is also the many resolutions made. Many of which will make it no longer than the first couple of weeks of the new year. At least that is how many of my resolutions went until the year I stopped making resolutions. Instead of resolutions I started a jar of keepsakes throughout the year. A jar filled with movie stubs, concert tickets, event tickets, wrists bands, restaurant receipts, pictures, shells, etc, any and everything that marked the events of the year. Even the sadder moments, like the hand out from my Mimi’s funeral. The years go by so fast, that at the end of the year instead of focusing on all that God had done and taken place, I was hyper focused on what I wanted to do or change for the coming year. But I think it’s important to pause and take a moment to look back over the year and give thanks for all that God has done and all the ways that He has shown up in our day to day lives. 

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2026 Ladies! Can you believe that we are in 2026? That we all survived the joy and chaos of another holiday season to ring in a new year? I don't know about you but this year flew by and also felt like there were many years between January and December all at the same time. 

We have officially entered into the Holiday Season! I am sure I am not the only momma who feels like her plate is running over already. There are gifts to think through, holiday crafts, holiday cooking, traditions, decorations, and the list just goes on and on. Right on top of the other millions of items we keep track of, manage, and keep alive during our day to day routines.