I’ve been reading the classic novelLittle 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 weaknesses—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 there’s a line that’s been sitting with you, too.
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 — just to keep things interesting — a squirrel somehow got into our basement. 🐿😂 (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.
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! 😊💜🙏🏽
Here are a few moments fromtoday’s Candlemas and our homeschooling day.
💜 XO
Zaya (5) looking at the candles used for the Candlemas service. She said she wanted to take an extra one home. 😆
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 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 bowl—taco meat, rice, lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese, and a dollop of sour cream on top with a taco shell on the side. 🌮
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.
Today at Mass, a mom was trying to console her crying toddler. They were in what I call the Quiet Room—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 breaths—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?
💜 XO
“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.” ‐— Thích Nhất Hạnh
Today, I learned that yesterday was the late Mac Miller’s birthday. He would have been 34 years old.
How very fitting because as it turns out for about two weeks now, I’ve been listening to his album Circles almost daily.
It’s my favorite Mac Miller album, and a few times out of the year, I will listen to it over and over.
I’m still so sad he passed away. He was so young and incredibly talented. 🕊🙏🏽💜
RIP Mac Miller
Cooking Dinner in the MorningSaves Time
I started cooking dinner in the morning time. It makes a HUGE difference in my day. I feel less stressed when 4 p.m. rolls around and I know dinner is already prepared. BIG mom win! 💯
Today’s dinner: BBQ chicken, rice, and cream of corn for the kids, broccoli for me. I don’t know how they like cream of corn. I think it’s so gross. 😆
The weather forecast for this weekend!
Below Freezing Temps This Weekend
I’m worried about the weather for the weekend. The low is supposed to be between -7°F to -10°F. 😲
WHAT EVEN IS THAT?!! 😱🥶
So basically, we’ll be in the house all weekend. I hope we can make it to church. I’m going to go ahead and do the grocery shopping Thursday before the freezing temps hit us.
Here are a few moments from today.
Zaya (5) placing Stitch and Pandy on my bed.
Reading practice with Zephaniah (8).
Little Junco at my patio bird feeder. The Blie Jays, Juncos, Mourning Doves, and Sparrows have been eating all throughout the day at my bird feeders to prepare for the upcoming freezing cold.
Writing practice with Zechariah (10). Ever since we started working on writing skills with Building Writers (from Handwriting Without Tears) and The Usborne Creative Writing Book, Zechariah’s and Zhen’s writing has improved so much! I love that the writing activities are engaging, fun, and brief.
For some creative time, Zechariah worked on making a stop motion video. We got him this film slate for Christmas because he’s always making mini movies.
Todays art activity was creating a design with diagonal, horizontal, and vertical lines using strips of construction paper.
The kids really loved this art activity, and they got creative with it creating their own designs.
This is the art book we’ve been using. We’re loving it so far!
Sunlight shining through the stained-glass windows at church. 🙏🏽
I’m getting closer to finishing my 1,000 piece Jane Austen puzzle!
“Get swept away by love.” ❤️
“There’s a lot of beauty in the world, so go hang out and go be a part of the solution rather than the problem.” — Mac Miller
Feature image from Spotify. Personal photos info here.
For the last few years, I have tried to take the kids to an MLK, Jr. Day event, but the weather was always too cold.
Today was no different—it was freezing cold just like it always is every MLK Day. We got hit by an arctic blast, and the temps were 18° for the high and about 7° for the low! 🥶
However, I was determined to make it happen this time, so we were able to attend an MLK, Jr. Day Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
The Mass celebration and music were beautiful! I’m so glad we were able to brave the cold weather and attend the service.
Here are a few moments from our MLK, Jr. Day.
Once we got back home, I spent the rest of the afternoon working on my Jane Austen puzzle.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Today was peaceful and relaxing. 😌 I made a big batch of French Toast for breakfast before we headed out to church.
We were running a little behind schedule, though, (kids taking their sweet time getting ready 😏😆), so we ended up going to the 12 p.m. Mass.
That’s one of the plus sides about living in a big metropolitan — there are a lot of options for Mass times because there are so many Catholic churches here! 😄
Do you play in your daily life? What says “playtime” to you?
In the children’s book The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg, at the end of the story, the last gift the little boy receives under the Christmas tree is the silver bell he lost on the train ride home.
Mr. C (who is Santa Claus) includes a handwritten note to the boy: “Found this on the seat of my sleigh. Fix that hole in your pocket.”
One of my favorite children’s books—The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg.
Excitedly the little boy shakes the bell and he says, “it made the most beautiful sound my sister and I had ever heard.”
Just like the silver bell ringing, this is how I think of play—the most beautiful sound that brings me happiness and reminds me to find moments of beauty in life.
“It made the most beautiful sound my sister and I had ever heard.” — The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
Sounds of the Bell Ringing in My Life
It’s the sound of my spade digging in my garden to plant flower seeds. It’s the sound of my tools putting together jewelry that I create. It’s the sound of turning the page of a library book I’m reading.
It’s the sound of my children’s laughter when we play a board game together or I push them on the swing at the playground.
It’s the sound of children’s imagination when they create a fantastical world of make-believe with their dolls and action figures.
Zephaniah pretending to be a superhero on the seesaw.
Zaya and Zephaniah playing at a local park in the summertime.
Hobbies are My Playtime
My hobbies are my way of “playing.” It may not be playful like a child would play, but I find great enjoyment in my hobbies.
Adults are always expected to be serious doing the tedious “adulting” tasks of life. Our hobbies, however, are a way of “playing” because it brings us joy and a momentary escape from the world.
A few of my “playtime” hobbies include gardening, street photography, visiting art galleries, reading books, spending time at public libraries, and making jewelry.
Gardening is one of my favorite hobbies. 🌸😊
Playing with My Children is Creating Beautiful Memories
I was looking through the photographs I took in 2025, and I was struck by how many of the photos showed how much time I had spent with my children doing a multitude of wonderous activities such as going to the lake, gardening at the community garden, making crafts, hanging out at the library, going on nature hikes, and cooking together.
This made me smile and deeply touched my heart to know I spent all of 2025 with the ones whom I love so dearly.
Travis and the kids playing with toy racecars at a local car show.
The kids enjoying a nature hike at the lake on the first day of fall.
Immersed in a World of Play
When Travis and I play board games with our children, create crafts with them, take the kids to places to play (parks, arcades, etc.), we are making time for play.
I am always encouraging my children to immerse themselves in a world of play. In fact, I center our homeschooling around play because I strongly believe children learn best through play.
Zephaniah (about 5 years ago) playing with cars and trains on a sunny afternoon.
Zaya (age 4 in this photo) playing with baby dolls at the public library.
Remember to Hear the Bell Ringing
At the end of The Polar Express, when the little boy shakes the silver bell, his parents don’t hear it ringing.
“But my mother said, ‘Oh, that’s too bad.’
‘Yes,’ said my father, ‘it’s broken.’
When I’d shaken the bell, my parents had not heard a sound.
As he grows older, he discovers his sister Sarah and his friends could no longer hear the bell ring.
At one time most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I’ve grown old, the bell still rings for me as it does for all who truly believe.”
This closing scene of The Polar Express has always stayed with me. It’s a strong reminder to never let your light fade, never give up on what brings you joy, and always keep the faith.
I almost titled this blog post “The Day the Bell Stopped Ringing,” but after writing out my thoughts, I realized I needed to change the title.
Because for me, the bell never stopped ringing.
Zhen enjoying swinging on a sunny summer’s day.
At a certain point in my motherhood journey, I started to hear the bell ring. I realized there will always be things to do, errands to run, and a house to clean.
I will always have to do the mundane “adulting” things that we grownups are expected to do.
But if I’m not taking time to play—taking time for my hobbies and taking time to play with my children—then I am truly missing out on experiencing joy in my life.
And I don’t want to ever stop hearing the bell ring.
I’m feeling very overwhelmed today, which can only mean one thing—holiday break is ending and my busy mom life is returning.
It’s not even the end of the week yet, and I’m ready for the weekend to begin. Ha! 😆
It felt good to work on my new puzzle yesterday afternoon. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to work on it today.
Maybe tomorrow.
Yesterday, I started working on my new Jane Austen puzzle. I’m hoping to put it together a little at a time throughout the week.
A Day of Errands and Lesson Planning
There was a lot of running around today, which I’m paying for now with a stuffy nose and low energy.
Tomorrow — definitely tomorrow — I will focus on resting at home. 😴
This is our final week of holiday break. Then, next Monday, we begin our winter term of homeschool.
I’m still trying to decide if Robin Hood or The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe should be the focus for our winter literature unit.
I’m proud of myself—last September, I prepared ahead for both unit studies, so we already have the majority of the materials and supplies we need for both units.
Just need to get the books—I’ll check them out at the library.
Anyway, I’m rambling. Here are a few photos from today’s foggy day.
🍲 Chicken noodle soup and strawberry raspberry herbal tea. 🍵 I had the kids eat a bowl of homemade soup and sip warm strawberry raspberry tea for part of their breakfast. I’m a strong believer in home remedies for cold/flu season.
Today, the weather was foggy and rainy. 🌧 The temps warmed up a bit, so the snow also melted. I like to light cozy candles on gray days like this.
While driving home this afternoon, Oscar Peterson’s “A Foggy Day” came on my Spotify playlist. This song was perfect for today’s foggy day! 🎷🎹🎶
Zaya (5) started drawing in her sketchbook today. For Christmas, we got the kids their own sketchbooks. 👩🏽🎨👨🏽🎨
“Arise! Shine, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you.” Isaiah 60:1
If you have trouble slowing down, try doing a puzzle.
Trust me—you will be amazed at how this quiet activity nudges you to focus on the present moment and slow down. 😌
Today, I started working on a 1,000-piece puzzle I got for Christmas from my favorite bookstore. It’s a Jane Austen-themed puzzle made of different book covers from her works.
As much as I love slow living and try my hardest to practice it daily, I actually struggle with slowing down.
I always think of things I should be doing to stay busy when I have downtime.
But now that I am sick with a cold—which I caught from the kids—I have no choice but to slow down.
So, I opened my new puzzle, and made myself sit down and get started. Two hours later, I found myself immersed in organizing the pieces and putting it together.
It will probably take me a few days to complete my Jane Austen puzzle. I plan on working on it a little at a time as I will need to take breaks to take care of the kids and rest in bed when I can (a mother never really gets full sick days 😆).
But I welcome the slower pace because it will give me something fun and low-key to work on while my body heals.
“My son, when you are ill, do not delay, but pray to God, for it is he who heals.” Sirach 38:9
