I voted! 🇺🇸

Posted on Posted in Life ReflectionsTagged , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Tuesday was the Michigan primary (the day after we celebrated our 15th anniversary!), and I made sure to cast my vote!

Travis and I always take the kids with us when we head to the polls, whether it’s Election Day or a primary election. We believe it’s important to include them so that voting simply becomes a normal part of life.

Photo of me on voting day! 💜

I honestly can’t remember ever going to the polls with my mom or dad when I was growing up.

That doesn’t mean it had a negative effect on how I viewed voting, and I certainly don’t blame my parents. It was simply a different experience.

Politics wasn’t really discussed with the children when I was growing up. (Of course, other 90s kids may have had a different experience than I did.)

I will say, though, that I didn’t fully understand the importance of voting when I was younger. It wasn’t until I was in my thirties (I’m 45 now) that I began to better understand the voting process and just how important it is for citizens to participate.

By including our children and having ongoing conversations about voting and how our government works, Travis and I hope they’ll have a much deeper understanding of the process by the time they turn 18. 😊

No matter where a person stands politically, I think understanding how our government functions is an important part of becoming an informed citizen.

💜 XO

Photo info: the photos featured in today’s post are from Tuesday’s voting day, 8/4/26.

Today is a gift 🎁

Posted on Posted in Life ReflectionsTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment
Daily writing prompt
What’s a quote that perfectly describes your outlook on life?
View all responses

The other day, when we were on our way to the grocery store, the kids were watching Kung Fu Panda on DVD in the van.

I overheard Master Oogway 🐢, one of the characters in the movie, say to Po (the panda 🐼):

“Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it’s called a present.”

This quote made me smile because Master Oogway is right—today is truly a gift. Each new day we are given is a great blessing.

When I wake up in the morning, I thank God for blessing me with a new day of life, drawing me back to Him, and keeping me connected to my loved ones.

So, Master Oogway’s wise words in the children’s animated film Kung Fu Panda is my outlook on life. 🐼🙏🏽

💜 XO

Raising a swallowtail caterpillar 🐛

Posted on Posted in Life ReflectionsTagged , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

When I bought a parsley plant at the farm store, I discovered what appeared to be a swallowtail egg on the plant.

So, we waited a few days for the egg to hatch, and sure enough—a swallowtail caterpillar emerged! 🐛

The kids really wanted to “raise” the caterpillar we found on the parsley. ast summer we took care of one and watched the swallowtail caterpillar’s metamorphosis into a beautiful butterfly. 🦋

Prior to finding our new little friend, I was thinking about buying a butterfly kit for this summer. Since we found a swallowtail caterpillar on our parsley, I didn’t need to buy a kit! 😁

Zechariah and Zhen looking at the caterpillar on the parsley plant.

It just so happens the kids have diy butterfly biome kits their big sis Mj (24) gifted to them last summer.

They placed one of their butterfly houses in a clear container box to create a caterpillar habitat for Cali (the name the kids gave the caterpillar lol).

We brought the caterpillar box inside our house and placed it on one of our art shelves near a window.

Based on our experience from last summer, caring for a swallowtail caterpillar is pretty easy. All you do is place it in a medium-sized box (preferably clear so you can see inside the box.

Zaya (5) checking out the little caterpillar. 🐛

Place an herb plant such as fennel or parsley in the box so the caterpillar can eat. Caterpillars eat and poop A LOT 💩. They’re basically like a newborn human baby. Lol! 😂 Just no crying. Haha

So, be prepared to see little, round balls in the box. 😆 You can just clean it out with a paper towel.

Later, we ended up scooping out the soil and straw because I realized it was just too much to keep up with.

Secure tulle to the top of the box for air flow and to keep the caterpillar inside the box. As long as there’s food in the box (such as fennel or parsley), the caterpillar will stay put.

But once the caterpillar is done eating and ready to form into a chrysalis, it will start to “wander” in the box. This is when it is looking for a safe place to change into a chrysalis.

This is also why we added the butterfly biome to the box for the caterpillar.

The chrysalis stage is very fascinating. Once the caterpillar turns into a chrysalis, you can actually see the outline of its body on the chrysalis.

I’ll share updates on our swallowtail caterpillar as it continues to grow!

💜 XO

My favorite quote

Posted on Posted in Life ReflectionsTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment
Daily writing prompt
What is your favorite quote?
View all responses

“Ye are blood of my blood, and bone of my bone. I give ye my body, that we two might be one. I give ye my spirit, ’til our life shall be done.” — Jamie Fraser to Claire on their wedding day, from the novel Outlander (1991) by Diana Gabaldon

Today, is my 15th wedding anniversary, so this quote seemed very fitting! 🥰❤️

We were married on August 3, 2011.
About a few weeks after we got married.

Happy anniversary to us!

💜 XO

One life-changing tip 😌

Posted on Posted in Life ReflectionsTagged , , , , , , , , , 4 Comments
Daily writing prompt
If you had to give one life-changing tip, what would it be?
View all responses

If someone were to ask me for one life-changing tip to share with them, then I would quietly say a quick prayer and offer this thought:

Love and trust in the Lord with all your heart. Pray for His wisdom so that you may know His will for your life. Then pray for the guidance and strength to follow it.

Trust me, friend—I speak from experience. It took me more than 25 years to truly understand the importance of this.

Photo of me at a local coffee shop.

For much of my life, I struggled with my faith. Whenever I experienced hardship, I turned away from God instead of turning toward Him.

Is my life perfect now that I have returned to the Lord? Not at all.

Life still brings difficulties, disappointments, uncertainty, and sorrow. The difference is that I no longer walk through those seasons alone.

Photo of me at a local greenhouse.

By God’s grace, even the difficult moments have taught me something and have drawn me closer to Him.

I am still very much growing in my faith. But each day, I find that my faith grows a little deeper. I am learning to trust more, worry less (big emphasis on this one!), and see things more clearly than I once did.

For me, that has changed everything.

💜 XO

Making blueberry muffins with Zaya 🧁

Posted on Posted in Life ReflectionsTagged , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

This morning, Zaya (5) was the first one of the children awake. She popped into the kitchen just in time to discover I was making blueberry muffins.

Naturally, she wanted to help me because Zaya loves cooking. 😊

After filling one muffin pan with liner, we realized we had run out of cupcake liners. So we made our own! 😁🧁

Using a sheet of parchment paper, you cut out squares. Then, make small slits along each side. Place the parchment paper in a well and use a small cup to help form the shape of the liner. Then, fill it with batter.

As she helped me fill the liners with the muffin batyer, Zaya said, “The batter looks like lava, and the cupcake cups are the volcanoes.” 🌋🧁

Days like this remind me how important it is to slow down and enjoy these ordinary moments—not stress about perfection.

The muffins don’t have to have matching liners or look Pinterest-perfect. All that matters to me is spending time together and the memories we’re creating. 🥰

💜 XO

Enjoying the view

Posted on Posted in Life ReflectionsTagged , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

We had appointments and errands to run in the city, so we stopped by Michigan Central Station to take a break at Roosevelt Park in Detroit.

The kids really loved sitting on the swings at Roosevelt Park.

The kids were amazed by the view of the historic train station from the park, and it reminded me how much Roosevelt Park has changed over the years.

I really like the new walking paths and seating throughout the park, especially the swings.

I enjoyed seeing people walking, riding bikes, reading books, playing catch, and simply slowing down to enjoy the afternoon.

Lovely flowers at the park 🌸
Zaya enjoyed picking dandelions at the park. 🌼

I wish I had taken more photos, but honestly, I was feeling a little anxious after my annual doctor’s appointment. Now I’m waiting for my lab results, along with the biopsy results from an unusual spot I found on my skin.

I just needed a quiet moment in the park to slow down and let my mind rest. 😌

💜 XO

How was your weekend?

A weekend of museum visits, Mass in the city, and a family picnic.

Jenn's avatar by Jenn

It’s all coming together 🌻

Posted on Posted in Simple LivingTagged , , , , , , Leave a comment

Here’s how I’m using the thrifted folding tables I bought yesterday.

I’m trying to create a bistro café vibe for the front porch. I still need to buy the folding chairs for the tables, but for now, I will use the captain folding chairs.

Now I can enjoy reading a good book while sipping tea on the front porch. ☺️🫖📚 Sometimes I like to put on a jazz or classical music playlist.

I love porch sitting. My favorite time for porch sitting is in the early mornings. I find it very peaceful and relaxing as I simply sit, sip, and watch the neighborhood come alive.

It’s my time—whether for a short moment or an hour—to slow down. 🐌

When I was a little girl, I remember visiting my grandparents in Florida. My grandma and grandpa would always sit on their front porch to talk with friends and the neighbors and wave at drivers passing by their house.

Other times they would just simply sit and enjoy the quiet, not needing to say a word to fill the silence.

I also thrifted this wicker basket $3 and the “all you need is love” book decor. 🥰

My grandparents passed away in 2006 in their mid 90s, just two weeks apart from each other. They were married for over 70 years. ❤️

I often think of grandma and grandpa when I sit on my front porch. I think they would have loved sitting with me, Travis, and the kids on our cozy little porch. ☺️

Do you enjoy porch sitting?

💜 XO

Groceries and thrift store shopping day

Posted on Posted in Simple LivingTagged , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

The kids went to hangout with their big sis this afternoon, so Travis and I got some shopping done.

It was a nice break to get in and out of the stores without having to wait on children lingering in the aisles asking if we can buy them this and that or searching for one or two kids who suddenly disappeared to browse the store on their own. Lol 😆 (Yes, sometimes that happens.)

Mj (24) and the kids heading out to her apartment. 🥰
We shared a complimentary pink lemonade at the grocery store. 🥰
Photo of me outside of the grocery market. 😊

I get it. Going to the store as a child must feel wondrous because everything is so big and there’s so much to see and do.

But as a grownup with a long to-do list, sometimes we just want to get in and out of the store as quickly as we can! 😄

After we got the groceries, we stopped by two different thrift stores. I wanted to see if I could find some inexpensive flower pots for my new houseplants.

I didn’t have much luck finding flower pots at the first thrift store, but I did happen to stumble upon a vintage-style Sacred Heart of Mary print.

At the second thrift store, I found a bunch of hanging baskets flower pots for 49 cents! 😲

These pots will come in handy for my new plants, plus my overgrown pothos and snake plants that need to be split and repotted. 🪴

Another great thrifty find—these two repurposed folding tables for about $5 each!

I’m going to use the tables for my front porch so I can sit outside, enjoy a cup of my tea, and read a good book. 😊🫖📚

I was excited to finally find folding tables for my porch. I’ve been wanting a bistro-style table set for sometime, but the cost of a table and chair set are pretty pricey at $100+.

Finding these two folding tables with the cottagecore-style art prints for $10 made me so happy! Now all I need to get are two folding chairs to go with the tables.

Aren’t these McDonald’s tin boxes so cute? They were only 49 cents, too! I bought one for myself and two for the kids to use for crafts or playing.

And I bought these vintage Christmas cookies trays for less than $5 total!

As soon as I saw the Santa Claus cookie tray, it reminded me of a similar Christmas tray from my childhood. 🎅🏾🍪

If I close my eyes, I can smell the M&M chocolate chip Christmas cookies we used to make during the holidays when I was a little girl. 🍪🥹

I love family traditions, especially creating new ones with my own children. So, I bought the vintage cookie trays for us to use this Christmas. 🎅🏾🎄🍪

Have you bought anything fun lately?

💜 XO

Sunflowers and tomatoes 🌻🍅

Posted on Posted in Simple LivingTagged , , , , , , Leave a comment

One of my sunflowers is blooming! You can see a few of the petals peeking out. 🌻🥹

It makes me so happy. It feels as if I’m waiting for a baby to be born. 😄🌻😍

And the cherry tomatoes are finally blushing. I have never seen cherry tomatoes so big before!

I read that homegrown cherry tomatoes taste better than the store. I’m looking forward to seeing if that’s true. 😊

This weekend, I plan on transplanting some of my seed starter plants (okra, sugar beets, basil, cauliflower, and sugar baby watermelons) and getting a few of the fall plants started in seed trays.

Mj (24, oldest daughter) invited the kids to come hangout with her on Saturday, so this will give me some free time to focus on gardening chores.

💜 XO

Happy Friday

Three things to reflect on in honor of September 11th.

Jenn's avatar by Jenn