Tag: Daily Life

A productive day out to the dentist and library

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Exhausted and inspired. That’s how I’m feeling right now.

Zephaniah (8) had a dentist appointment today. He did great! No tears. The dentist was finished in about 30 minutes.

Zephaniah at the dentist. They give the kids fun sunglasses to wear so the bright light doesn’t bother their eyes. ๐Ÿ˜Ž

The kids are really thriving with the new dentist office we switched to (in December). I think it’s because this practice is calmer and quieter.

They don’t feel anxious and overwhelmed at the new dentist like they did at the other dental office we used to go to.

And honestlyโ€”same! ๐Ÿ’ฏ๐Ÿ˜‚

After the dentist and a cozy lunch at home, we went to the library to checkout new books. I also let the kids play for a while. Whenever we go to the library, we stay for at least two hours.

I spent over two hours (maybe three? ๐Ÿ˜†) researching and finding the books we need for homeschooling in February and March.

I can’t wait to dive into these new library checkouts! I’m a total geek when it comes to getting new books and materials for our homeschool. ๐Ÿค“๐Ÿ“š๐Ÿ˜‚

But even though I’m excited for the new books we collected, this mama is pooped! ๐Ÿ’ฉ๐Ÿ˜ด

We ended up getting home around 7 p.m. (the library closes at 8! Lol) and eating dinner late. It was worth it because today was a happy, productive day! ๐Ÿ’ฏ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ“š

Time for bed! ๐Ÿ˜ด

๐Ÿ’œXO

P.S.โ€” Here are a few moments from today.

A simple lunch before heading out to the library.
Zaya (5) and Zephaniah (8) pulling the wagon to the library. ๐Ÿ“š
The library was hosting a book fair! ๐Ÿ“š I’m thinking about taking the kids back so they can pick ONE book to buy.
Zephaniah checking out the axolotl merch at the book fair. The kids are obsessed with axolotls! ๐Ÿ˜…
๐Ÿ• Zaya (5) was excited to show me this pizza book from the book fair. ๐Ÿ˜Š
Zechariah (10) really wanted to get this book. ๐Ÿซฃ We ended up checking it out at the library. I just don’t understand the kids’ interest in Five Nights at Freddy. It’s so weird to me! Lol

Happy Friday

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

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Cozy breakfast

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Lately, Zephaniah (8) has been waking up earlier than usual. (This may also be another sign that spring is on the way.)

When he gets up early like this, he always finds me cooking breakfast in the kitchen. On this particular day, I was making French Toast.

Zephaniah immediately ran to the bathroom to wash his hands. Then, he grabbed his dinosaur apron.

After I tied his apron for him, he picked up the spatula and checked the French Toast cooking in the cast iron skillet.

“It’s not ready yet,” he said to me. He didn’t even say good morning! Lol! ๐Ÿ˜‚

So, for breakfast we had homemade French Toast, eggs, turkey bacon, grapefruit slices, and tea. The kids now LOVE having hot, herbal tea with their breakfast.

Well, except for Zhen (13). She still doesn’t like the way tea tastes. ๐Ÿ˜

It makes me happy that I have passed on my love for tea to the children. I think that one day Zhen will change her mind about liking tea. I told her she just needs to find the right blend. That’s how I fell in love with it.

I discovered a small business owner who makes the best tea blends I have ever had in my life! After that, she converted me into a tea lover. ๐Ÿ˜…๐Ÿซ–๐Ÿ˜

I love how our mornings have transitioned into a cozy rhythm of cooking a homemade breakfast and sipping tea together.

๐Ÿ’œXO

Happy Friday!

Four fun things for Friday, including a new art exhibit I’m excited to see.

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Cleaning the Winter Bird Feeders

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The snow is finally melting. The temps will be in the 30s – 40s this week. Is this a sign spring is on its way?

Doubt it! This is Michigan, after all. ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜…

I bought new seeds for my patio birds, as I like to call them. This time I wanted to try a “no mess” seed mix because the squirrels have made such a mess on the patio with empty peanut and sunflower seed shells.

Also, the other day I discovered the birds don’t care much for wheat in their seed mix. When I upgraded the bird seeds to a higher-quality mix, they just left the wheat in the feeders. ๐Ÿ˜ฒ I also found quite a bit of wheat on the ground. These birds are fancy now! ๐Ÿฆ๐Ÿ˜‚

Mourning Doves, Juncos, and Sparrows eating seeds during a snow storm.

This afternoon, Travis and I started clearing out some of the shells and wheat. I told him we should get started as soon as the snow starts melting. I don’t want any mold or pest issues.

I’m super paranoid after having a squirrel sneak into our basement. ๐Ÿฟ

Although, the squirrel getting into our basement is unrelated to the bird feeder. We’ve always had squirrels climbing our tree and scurrying across the patio fence.

The Starlings have discovered my winter bird feeders.

In January, we had a snow storm every week. This made cleaning the empty seed shells really challenging.

Trust meโ€”I tried! Lol ๐Ÿ˜†

The below freezing temps caused the shells to freeze. The shells were basically just blocks of seeded ice cubes. ๐Ÿ˜ฒ

But I have been diligent about regularly emptying the bird feeder trays. So, at least there’s that.

We’re going to keep working on cleaning up the patio each day as the ice and snow continue to melt.

A Blue Jay picking up a shelled-peanut.

BTWโ€”this is my first time having winter bird feeders. I have loved feeding the birds so much! I get excited when I discover a new bird species has found my bird feeders.

Within the last two weeks, Cardinals, Red-breasted Nuthatches, and Starlings have joined the bird patio cafรจ.

And guess what?

I can now identify six types of birds when they are calling out a distance away. I think it’s safe to say I’m a backyard birder now. ๐Ÿ˜†๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿฆ

๐Ÿ’œ XO

P.S.โ€” I’d love to know any tips on bird feeding if you know some! ๐Ÿฆ๐Ÿ’—

๐Ÿ“ธ Feature image credit Melissa Burovac.

Finding My Morning Again

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Iโ€™ve been working on getting back to starting my days at 6:30 a.m. Itโ€™s been a struggle with the cold mornings and the sun rising later, so Iโ€™ve been easing back into the habit.

For the past few months, 8 a.m. had become my normal wake-up time. Our schedule changed quite a few times last year, and being a person who thrives on routines, this was a hard adjustment for me.

Starting the day at 8 a.m. isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I just function better if I can start my day a little earlier. I need at least an hour to myself before the kids wake up (usually between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.).

This morning I started my day at 6:30 a.m., and it felt good! The day flowed more smoothly, and I felt more grounded.

I filled the patio bird feeders, turned on soft music, lit candles, prayed, and enjoyed a cup of ginger peach black tea. That quiet hour before the house wakes up always feels like a gentle gift to myself.

Thereโ€™s something special about returning to rhythms that steady us.

๐Ÿ’œ XO

โ€œThe present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.โ€ โ€” Thich Nhat Hanh

Tattoo collector

American traditional tattoosโ€”I love the classic, vintage imagery and bold colors and lines.

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Feature image credit Liana S.

World Marriage Day

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Today is World Marriage Day! Travis and I have been married for 14ยฝ years now. โค๏ธ

At church today, the priest said a special blessing and prayer for the married couples. Then, the wives were given a beautiful white rose, and the husbands received a marriage prayer card.

Travis and I were married on August 3, 2011. We look so young in this photo dated August 2011, just a couple of weeks after we were married.

One of the many things I love about being married to my husband is that we get to grow old together. It is truly a great blessing from God to share my life with Travis.

I love looking back on pictures of us from over the years (like the one above).

To me, these photographs show how much we’ve grown togetherโ€”both as a couple and individualsโ€”deepening in love, faith, and spirit.

Present day โ€” February 8, 2026. One of the many things I love about being married is we get to grow old together. โค๏ธ

I can’t help but smile when I see the gray in our hair and the silver in Travis’ beard. They’re cherished reflections of the milestones we have reached together in our fourteen years of marriage.

โค๏ธ XO

P.S.โ€” Happy World Marriage Day to you, too, if you are married! ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ’—

โ€œDeep waters cannot quench love, nor floods sweep it away.โ€ Song of Songs 8:7

Eight Comfort Shows I Return To

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I wasn’t feeling good today, so Travis took off from work early to care for the kids so I could rest.

I am so thankful for his love and care. I was able to get into pajamas by 3:30 p.m.โ€”something I normally don’t get to do on a weekday!

While Travis took the kids to the library for a homeschool meetup, I relaxed in our cozy bed watching one my favorite TV series (Southland). I got to thinking about how comforting it is to rewatch a favorite movie or TV show when I feel anxious or under the weather.

My go-to comfort shows are the Canadian television series Heartland, Downton Abbey, The West Wing, Grantchester, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, ER, Pride & Prejudice (starring Kiera Knightley and Matthew Macfayden), and Persuasion (starring Dakota Johnson).

Whatโ€™s a show or movie you always return to when you need comfort?

๐Ÿ’œ XO

The old journal

A visit to an art thrift store leads to a journal discovery.

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A small thought on faith

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I’ve been reading the classic novel Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, and in today’s reading, I particularly loved this quote in chapter eight from Mrs. March.

“If I don’t seem to need help, it is because I have a better friend, even than Father, to comfort and sustain me.

My child, the troubles and temptations of your life are beginning and may be many, but you can overcome and outlive them all if you learn to feel the strength and tenderness of your Heavenly Father as you do that of your earthly one.

The more you love and trust Him, the nearer you will feel to Him, and the less you will depend on human power and wisdom. His love and care never tire or change, can never be taken from you, but may become the source of lifelong peace, happiness, and strength.

Believe this heartily, and go to God with all your little cares, and hopes, and sins, and sorrows, as freely and confidingly as you come to your mother.”

Marmee, as the girls call their mother, shares with a troubled Jo one of her own weaknessesโ€”refraining from speaking out of anger.

Mrs. March’s words about the “troubles and temptations” one experiences in life and how to find help, strength, and solace in the Lord were a blessing even to me.

The words may be from 1868, but I find them very relatable and encouraging even today in 2026.

Certain words seem to find us exactly when we need them. Maybe thereโ€™s a line thatโ€™s been sitting with you, too.

๐Ÿ’œ XO

Feature image credit Alex Harwood.

Notes from January

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January always feels like the longest month of the year, especially when you’re stuck in the house because of super cold weather and snowstorms!

In January, we had snowstorm after snowstorm, a week and a half of being sick, extra cozy reading days, and โ€” just to keep things interesting โ€” a squirrel somehow got into our basement. ๐Ÿฟ๐Ÿ˜‚ (It took four days to get the squirrel out!)

January was a long winter month filled with quiet days, warm drinks, and small moments worth remembering. (Photo from one of the snowstorms we had in January.)

Here are a few blog highlights from the month of January.

How was your January?

๐Ÿ’œ XO

โ€œEvery moment is a fresh beginning.โ€โ€” T. S. Eliot

Candlemas

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I’m not really sure why, but this is the first time I have ever heard of Candlemas (Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ). Maybe in the past, I had heard it mentioned, but I just didn’t make the connection.

One of my 2026 goals is to grow deeper in my faith by attending an occasional weekday Mass and participate more fully in the Church calendar.

So, when I learned of Candlemas (just yesterday), I said to Travis, “I think I’m going to take the kids and go.”

And so we did! ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿฝ

Here are a few moments from today’s Candlemas and our homeschooling day.

๐Ÿ’œ XO

Zaya (5) looking at the candles used for the Candlemas service. She said she wanted to take an extra one home. ๐Ÿ˜†
โ€œI am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.โ€ John 8:12
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas, is celebrated on February 2nd.
Our candle that we had blessed at today’s Candlemas Mass. Next year, we will definitely bring more candles with us!
Zephaniah (8) helping me shred cheese for lunch.
For today’s lunch we had a taco bowlโ€”taco meat, rice, lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese, and a dollop of sour cream on top with a taco shell on the side. ๐ŸŒฎ
For Math, we played a game of Monopoly Junior (I highly recommend this game for elementary-age children!).
Math board games are a great way for kids to practice their math skills without feeling weighed down by worksheets and book work.

6-7 chicken nuggets

The new addition to the “6-7” trendโ€”chicken nuggets! ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ”

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Take a deep breath

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Today at Mass, a mom was trying to console her crying toddler. They were in what I call the Quiet Roomโ€”a small room separate from the main part of the sanctuary for anyone who needs a quieter space.

Zaya (5) and I just so happened to be in the Quiet Room at the time because it connects to the restrooms.

As the little boy (bless his heart) continued to cry loudly, his mom remained very calm, and she did something that surprised me.

She sat down with her son and in a gentle, loving voice said to him, “Take a deep breath.”

At first, the toddler didn’t comply. He just kept wailing. So, his mom calmly repeated, “Take a deep breath.” This time the little one listened and through his faint sobs I could hear him take a deep breath.

“Breathe in and breathe out,” his mother said. And together, mother and child took deep breathsโ€”in and out. Breathing slowly and mindfully.

I was also silently saying a prayer for the mom and her son. I know exactly what it’s like to have an inconsolable toddler get upset in public (and at home).

After a few deep breaths, the little boy stopped crying, and I smiled to myself and thought, “Well done, Mama!”

It also made me happy to see another mom use deep breaths as a way to calm her child. I do this with my children, too, and the majority of the time it helps the kids calm down.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if more adults would stop and take deep breaths when they are feeling upset?

๐Ÿ’œ XO

โ€œFeelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.โ€ โ€โ€” Thรญch Nhแบฅt Hแบกnh

Feature image credit: Nienke Burgers.