Today, we welcomed the New Year at mass by celebrating the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Zaya was feeling a little better, so she was able to attend church. We had her wear a face mask for added precaution.
The New Year’s Day mass was beautiful! I’m so glad we were able to begin 2026 in this way.
We spent the rest of our day quietly at home, just relaxing and spending time together as a family.
Here are a few moments from our New Year’s Day.
It snowed last night (New Year’s Eve). I like how the snow makes everything look so peaceful and soft.
It was our first time visiting this particular parish, so we were excited to see all of the beautiful Christmas decorations.
The stained glass window art was beautiful!
Blessed Solanus Casey
Travis and I bought E (25) an Instant Pot for Christmas. Unfortunately, it was damaged, so after church, I exchanged the damaged pot for a new one.
E was excited to try out his new Instant Pot for the first time. His first meal cooked in the pot was beef and broccoli.
Travis cooked homemade egg rolls and (what we call) cream cheese wontons. He uses his own recipe for making the filling for the wontons. They are DELICIOUS!
This evening, I worked on making new earrings. I love these classic literature book earrings I created.
These popcorn earrings I made are cute and silly. 🍿 I can’t wait to wear them this week.
I don’t have my New Year’s resolutions ready yet. I still need some time to think about it.
My 2025 resolution was to focus more on slow living. I think I did a pretty good job keeping my resolution.
I still have some growing to do, but I know in 2025, I made many positive changes in my life. 😊
Wishing you a Happy New Year! 😊✨️💜🙏🏽
“See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth — do you not perceive it?” Isaiah 43:19
I wish I had some heartfelt reflections to share for a New Year’s Eve post, but the truth is I am drained.
Today was a challenging day. I woke up early this morning in a cranky mood because I was sleep deprived and felt overwhelmed.
Caring for my sick five-year-old, taking two of the kids to their routine dental checkups, trying to remember all the things that need to get done this week, and running on very little sleep has been a lot for me to carry.
I don’t have the energy to write much tonight, but here are a few photos from the day — photos that brought me joy and reminded me of this:
Deep breaths. Pray when feeling anxious and overwhelmed, even if it’s a quick prayer right where I am.
Simple acts of kindness can truly make a difference in someone’s day. When the day is feeling heavy and chaotic, remember to find small moments to slow down.
Deep breaths.
This morning, I remembered my morning anchors to help me find my focus.
I lit my candles, turned on soft classical music, refilled the bird feeders outside, boiled water for the teapot, and cooked a light breakfast.
Steeping My Lavender Rose Black Tea first thing in the morning. Slow sips of tea helped me find calmness and slow down.
I refilled the bird feeders this morning. It made me smile watching the little Juncos hop around in the snow. 🐦😊
Miko, my oldest daughter’s kitten watching Zaya and Zephaniah (8) walk up to the door.
To cheer up a sick Zaya, I told her Miko would be waiting for her to arrive at her big sister’s apartment. Mj (23) adopted a kitten this past fall, and he loves playing with Zaya.
How adorable it was to actually see the playful kitten sitting in the patio window right when we pulled up to Mj’s place! It was as if Miko knew Zaya was on her way over. 🥹
(Mj watched Zaya and Zephaniah for me while I took Zhen and Zechariah to their dentist appointments.)
I’m thankful for moments of kindness today — moments when others showed me compassion and helped me navigate this challenging day.
I brought two of my favorite things with me to the dentist appointments: tea and a cozy book to read while I waited.
I am learning to bring along the things that help me find peace on challenging days.
The office manager at the dentist office was very kind to make me some more tea. Just a simple cup of tea made me smile and helped me to relax. I was so grateful for this moment.
How cool is this tissue box I saw at the dentist’s office? I want to get a couple for my house. 📚
After the dentist, I made a quick stop at a local market with Zhen (13) and Zechariah (10). In this photo, Zechariah was admiring all of the candy options at the store. 😄🍬🍭
Playing the game Perfection with Zaya.
Later in the evening, Zaya started to feel a little better. 😊 We played some games together, like Perfection and Minecraft with her dad.
It made me happy (and relieved) to see my chatty, joyful little girl get some of her energy back.
Happy New Year! ✨️
“But those who hope in the Lord shall renew their strength;they shall soar on wings like eagles.They shall run and not grow weary,they shall walk and not grow faint.” Isaiah 40:31
This is what the day after Christmas looks like: children’s gifts scattered about the table and all over the main room.
Opened boxes, crumbled packaging paper, Lego blocks on the table and the floor, ferocious dinosaurs with slime (gotta make sure the slime stays off the carpet!), board games with the tokens found here and there, French toast and a bottle of maple syrup, and soft, squishy plush dolls.
Lots of joy and laughter.
And I told my perfectionist brain that thrives on organization and clutter-free rooms: Everything is okay. Take a day (maybe two) to let the kids enjoy this. Let it all just be.
This is the day after Christmas. 😊🎄✨️
🥶 Freezing Rain + a Cozy Day Home
We had a few hours of freezing rain. Ice quickly started to cover the sidewalks and roads, so it was the perfect day to stay home and let the kids explore their gifts.
I made more homemade French Toast and hot cocoa. ☕️😊 I decided not to worry about to-do lists, laundry, or household tasks.
Except for the dishes. I did do the dishes. 😄
💅🏾 Painting Our Nails Together
Zaya and I painted our nails. I painted my nails a soft, shimmery color called “Triple Thread.”
Zaya used her purple and pink Piggy Paint nail polish I got for her Christmas stocking. It’s a non-toxic nail polish brand for kids.
One of the kids asked me, “So does that mean all the nail polishes for adults are toxic?!” 😱🙃
💄A Little Glam
It was a good time to wash my makeup brushes. About a year ago, I took a break from wearing makeup. It just started to take up too much time when getting ready.
I usually just wear my favorite Revlon red lipstick and mascara. But for some reason, I felt like wearing a little more makeup again. Not a full face— just a soft, natural look with my Revlon red lipstick for a pop of color.
🙄 Bruh!
Mj (23) got her little siblings a BIG Lanky Box gift set for Christmas. They were super excited!
I don’t understand why kids love replaying sounds nonstop. All day the kids kept pressing this “Bruh” button. It drove me crazy! Lol 🤪🤣
They thought it was hilarious hearing Lanky Box say over and over, “Breh! Bruh!” 😐😂
🎲 Playing Games with Big Brother
When E (25) got home from work, he promised his little brothers and sisters he’d play a game with them.
He played Minecraft with Zhen (13) and Zechariah (10) for a little bit, and then he played Monopoly Junior with Zephaniah (8) and Zaya (5). Zephaniah won. 😄
📚🍕 A Gentle (and Delicious!) End to the Week
I always get sleepy around 6 p.m. I start my days early, usually around 6:30 a.m. or 7 a.m., so once 6 p.m. hits, I am ready to wind down for the night.
For tonight’s cozy bedtime routine, I read a chapter of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. It’s one of the books I bought on Christmas Eve at my favorite local bookstore.
I love that Little Women begins on Christmas. It’s very fitting for a December read. 🎄✨️
And it’s Pizza Friday, so of course, I had my favorite Italian pizza from our local market. 😍🍕😋
“A joyful heart is the health of the body.” Proverbs 17:22
All images in this blog post are my own photography. If you’d like to use a photo, please contact me first for permission. Thank you!
Today started bright and early with a 7 a.m. store run for a few last-minute Christmas errands.
I picked up batteries for the kids’ gifts at Target. You think you’re done Christmas shopping until you realize you have to buy loads of batteries for your kids’ gadgets and toys. 🤦🏽♀️🤣
I also bought a couple of small presents for two of our neighbors — a little way to bless them for always being so kind to us.
Then, it was a quick stop at the grocery store for milk, eggs, and more rice. I must say, the stores were wonderfully quiet that early in the morning — my favorite time to shop. 😌
Gift cards are the best option when you don’t know exactly what to get a friend! 🙌🏾🎁✨️
Another Target run! 😏 Never fear—I went bright and early at 7 a.m. before the holiday shoppers rushed out. 🙌🏾
Christmas gifts for my sweet neighbors. 🎁😊
🥞 French Toast and Waffles for Christmas Eve Breakfast
After my early morning errands, Travis and I cooked breakfast. The kids wanted chocolate chip waffles, so he made a fresh batch (with little Zaya, of course 😉).
I think I upped my French Toast game because the way I’ve been making it this past week has been absolutely heavenly. 🤤😍 Travis even said my French Toast recipe tastes like fancy restaurant-style. 😊
Chocolate chip waffles for the kids. 🧇😋
We have been on a French Toast kick over here. Travis says the way I make my homemade French Toast tastes like the $9 kind you buy at a restaurant. 😁🥰
📚 A Christmas Eve Tradition: Visiting My Favorite Bookshop in a Cozy Little City
Later in the morning, Mj (23) joined me for our yearly Christmas Eve tradition: a visit to my favorite local bookshop, where I browsed the shelves and picked out books for Travis and the kids.
Every Christmas Eve, I visit my favorite local bookshop in a city just 20 minutes away.
I think I love going to this bookshop because while everyone else is rushing out to stores and standing in long lines, I’m doing the opposite — I’m slowing down and soaking in the cozy quiet of the shelves and stories. 📚🥰✨️
What Are You Reading? 📚
Get Your Mitts in a Book. 📚 I love bookstore signs.
🙏🏽 Christmas Eve Mass
We ended the day by celebrating Christmas Mass together at church — a peaceful and beautiful way to close out Christmas Eve.
The church was decorated beautifully with Christmas trees, big wreaths hanging on the walls, the Nativity scene, and twinkling lights.
A feeling of joy and peace enveloped me as we sang traditional Christmas hymns and celebrated the birth of our Savior. 🥰🙏🏽✨️
Zaya (5) and Zephaniah (8) were excited to see the Baby Jesus revealed at the Christmas Eve Mass. 🥰🎄✨️
The Nativity Manger at church is so pretty!
🎁 And Now We Gift Wrap All of the Presents
Sometime after church, Travis and I started wrapping some of the Christmas presents, but now we’re too tired to finish up the wrapping.
So, we’ll get up early and finish wrapping gifts before the kids wake up. These days, I’m an early riser, so I will be up before the sun rises.
Travis, however, will still be snoozing in the bed. If he doesn’t have to go to work, no alarm can wake him, no matter how many he sets on his phone. 😂
It’s okay—I’ll let him sleep in a bit. He deserves some extra rest after working overtime hours six days a week this past month.
It will also give me a chance to wrap the gifts I bought for him. 🥰🎁✨️ I can’t wait for everyone to open their gifts tomorrow! I hope the kids love what we picked out for them.
Merry Christmas Eve! ❤️🎄✨️🙏🏽
“For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.” Luke 2:11
All images in this blog post are my own photography. If you’d like to use a photo, please contact me first for permission. Thank you!
It is nearing 10 p.m., and I have decided to come to a stopping point with the Christmas prep. I have done all I can do for the day. Tomorrow is a new day, and I am very tired. 😴
📸 Enjoy these photos I took in Detroit and Rochester Hills, Michigan a few Christmases ago (2020 – 2023).
Merry Christmas Eve Eve! 😊🎄✨️
Downtown Detroit – December 2021
Zhen, Zechariah, and Zephaniah enjoying a Christmas window display. (December 2020)
Santa Claus and Rudolph – Downtown Rochester Hills, December 2020
Downtown Rochester Hills, December 2020
Campus Martius Ice Skating Rink in Downtown Detroit, December 2021
Beacon Park in Detroit, 2023
Light Up Beacon Park, Detroit – December 2023
Beacon Park 2020
All images in this blog post are my own photography. If you’d like to use a photo, please contact me first for permission. Thank you!
Switching things up a bit this year for our Christmas outfits. We were planning on dressing up for church, but today I had a fun outfit idea for Christmas mass: wear Christmas sweaters!
This way we don’t feel so pressured to get dressed up (and it saves us a little money 😉).
I think it will be fun to wear Christmas sweaters for Christmas mass. 😊🎄✨️
Thankfully, all I needed to buy were two Christmas sweaters for two kiddos (Zaya, 5 amd Zechariah, 10).
So, we stopped by the thrift store to buy a couple of gently pre-loved Christmas sweaters.
My Christmas sweater I’m wearing for Christmas mass.
One thing about the thrift store—you can always find a good Christmas sweater, especially the cringy ones! 😂
The cringy (but cute) Christmas sweater we found for Zechariah, complete with a red bow tie! 😄👔
I couldn’t find a sweater for Zaya, but we found this cute, sparkly Christmas dress. 👗✨️ The velvet material of the dress is fitting for a Christmas sweater theme. 😊
Christmas sweaters are definitely better for us. I already feel more relaxed because I don’t have to rush out to the store trying to find dressy Christmas outfits for everyone. 😌✨️
Plus, it will give us something to smile about and focus on spending time together as a family and making happy memories. ❤️🎄
All images in this blog post are my own photography. If you’d like to use a photo, please contact me first for permission. Thank you!
I woke up early this morning (6 a.m.) to another order of Christmas boxes on the front porch. It felt exciting to step out into the cold, crisp air and collect the packages.
I’m buzzing with excitement because Christmas is almost here! Just FOUR more days! 🎄🎅🏾✨️
Travis and I can’t wait for the children to open their gifts. It’s one of our favorite things about Christmas, watching the kids open their presents and seeing their faces light up with joy.
Sunday Breakfast: French Toast and Omelets
For our Sunday breakfast I made another batch of French toast and omelets. We had French toast for dinner last night, and everyone loved it so much that I thought I’d make more today.
Sweet scents of chocholate chai tea, vanilla, and cinnamon and nutmeg (my favorite Christmas spices) filled the house. 😊
Fourth Sunday of Advent: Love
Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent—Love. We celebrated the mass at church today. We were running about 10 minutes late, but we made it.
We’ve been trying so hard to get out the door in time for church. It’s challenging with a big family, but we’re doing our best!
All of the candles are now lit on the church Advent wreath! 💜✨️
I can feel the joyous energy at church, too. It’s such an exciting time!
Sunday Funday:Donuts, Hot Cocoa, and Uno
After mass, we enjoyed donuts and hot cocoa at church. Almost every Sunday, the church hosts coffee amd donuts for parishioners.
We like to bring our Uno cards to play a round while eating our donuts. It’s quickly become our regular Sunday activity.
If for some reason the church isn’t hosting coffee and donuts, then we buy a ½ dozen of donuts and play a game of Uno at home.
Zaya won Uno again! 😄
The kids were giggling that Zaya placed a #6 card next to the #7 card in the deck— 6 7. 😂
The Christmas Spirit is Buzzing Through the Air
All of the church decorations for Advent and Christmas are so beautiful! I love the angels and Christmas tree display the church had put up in the family life center.
You can tell the other children at the church are excited for Christmas, too. There were so many kids laughing and running in the social hall.
Their Christmas spirit is buzzing through the air, and it is very contagious! 🥰🎄✨️
Homemade Macaroni and Cheese for Lunch
Back at home, I cooked two pans of homemade macaroni and cheese with extra cheese. 😍🧀 One pan for lunch and the other for dinner.
I was not surprised we didn’t have any leftovers from lunch. 😄 Travis and the kids LOVE my homemade mac and cheese.
I made this macaroni and cheese recipe with four different types of cheese! It was delicious!
I made today’s macaroni and cheese recipe with four different types of cheese: mild cheddar, sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.
I also like to add a few dahses of smoked paprika and dry parsley to my macaroni.
I still have a few Christmas errands to take care of by Wednesday. One of those errands is going to the post office.
I’ve been trying to mail the grandparents’ gifts for a few days now. Hopefully, I can get it done soon!
P.S.— Happy First Day of Winter! ❄️💙
All images in this blog post are my own photography. If you’d like to use a photo, please contact me first for permission. Thank you!
Spoiler alert: I didn’t make it to the post office today. Yesterday, I shared how my post office plans got derailed by inclement weather, among other things.
Well, life happened again today around mid-morning and my original plans to go to the post office were unexpectedly altered. 🫤
First—I Started the Day with Early Bird Christmas Shopping
I went to Target around 7:30 a.m. to finish the Christmas shopping. The store wasn’t very busy. It was calm and quiet—just the way I like it.
I honestly love running my errands and shopping early in the morning. I used to be a night owl, but once I turned 40, I transitioned into a morning person.
Now that I’m a morning person, I prefer doing my grocery shopping and errands first thing in the morning. I can get in and out of places quickly, and I don’t feel rushed or overwhelmed by crowds, long lines, and congested traffic.
One of my favorite things to do is go early bird shopping at Target. You just about have the aisles to yourself!
Everything is So PeacefulWhen You’re anEarly Bird Shopper. 😌✨️
Early morning Target runs are one of my quiet joys.
Even though, I’m not a coffee drinker, I find comfort in being greeted by the sweet aroma of Starbucks coffee as I walk through the front doors.
But once 11 a.m. hits, the quiet of the morning fades, and the day picks up.
I’m proud of myself for finishing the Christmas shopping for the kids’ gifts before 9 a.m.! 🙌🏾🎄🎅🏾
And Then I Started Having Car Troubleat the Grocery Store. 😫
Because of course I would have car trouble. This day wouldn’t be complete without a little hiccups, right? 😂🙃
After finishing my Christmas shopping, I decided to go ahead and knock out the weekly grocery shopping.
However, something weird happened as I was walking back to my minivan from the grocery store. My car wouldn’t unlock.
I tried pressing the buttons on my key fob many times, but it still wouldn’t unlock. I said a quick prayer and called Travis at work for help.
He thought maybe the remote key needed a new battery So, he walked me through how to open the key fob (it’s quite hard!) and replace the battery.
I replaced the fob battery, but I still couldn’t get my van to unlock. Travis said he’d leave work right away to come meet me and help me out.
Time for tea!
A Warm Cup of Tea to Ease My Anxiety
Feeling anxious and very hungry, I needed something to help calm my nerves and give me a little energy.
I remembered the grocery store also had a Starbucks café, just like Target, and I thought that was the best place to wait for Travis. So I ordered an overpriced Earl Grey tea and blueberry muffin. 😆☕️
It was exactly what I needed in that moment of high stress!
The warmth of the tea and blueberry muffin helped ease my anxiety. I took a deep breath, sipped my tea, and told myself everything is going to be okay.
Just breathe. ☕️😌 The warmth of my Earl Grey tea and blueberry muffin helped calm my nerves.
Problem Solved: Bad Car Battery
Long story short—it turned out the issue wasn’t the key fob. The actual minivan had a bad battery. 😲
We had just bought a new battery for the van in the summertime, so this was a little surprising.
Thankfully, the battery was still under warranty, and Travis was able to get it replaced at no charge.
Travis looking over the key fob.
Thankful for My Loving, Caring Husband! ❤️
I love my husband. 🥰 He doesn’t even think twice if it sounds like I need help. He immediately offers his help and comes to my aid. He’s amazing. ❤️
Travis helped put the groceries up, and he went back to the store to call a locksmith to come out and unlock the minivan.
Ending the Crazy Day with Homemade French Toast
My peaceful-turned-chaotic day took a lot of energy out of me. I needed something cozy and warm for dinner, so I made homemade French toast and scrambled eggs. 😋🥞
I am SO grateful we were able to resolve the issue with the van. It took a few hours to fix everything, but in the end, everything worked out.
All images in this blog post are my own photography. If you’d like to use a photo, please contact me first for permission. Thank you!
I feel like I’m never going to make it to the post office to mail these gifts for the grandparents. Every time I try, I get busy with other commitments and errands.
There has just been so much to do to prepare for Christmas. Not to mention the weather has been challenging to navigate.
Yesterday, it was pretty warm out. I think the temps were in the 40s—warm enough for me to wear my denim jacket.
But this morning, I opened my front door to snow and cold, high winds.
Today, I worked on a homemade Christmas wreath for my Mom.
At Least I Finished the Christmas Wreath
Despite the busyness, I was able to finally finish making my mom’s Christmas wreath. Zephaniah (8) helped me piece it all together.
I bought the pine wreath at the farmers market a couple of weeks ago for only $10. Every year, I like to buy a real pine wreath at the market and decorate it myself.
This year, I thought I’d make a homemade wreath for my mom as a Christmas gift.
Ibused these cute felt ornaments to decorate the wreath.
Zephaniah loved helping me make Nana’s Christmas wreath. 🥹
TwoLessons Learned for Next Year (and Every Other Holiday and Special Occasion)
This holiday season has definitely taught me two important things.
When making homemade gifts, I need to plan ahead and start the creation process much sooner. Definitely not two weeks before Christmas! 🫣😂
I need to remember to take time to rest regularly, especially during a busy holiday season.
Tomorrow, I will try again to get to the post office to mail the grandparents’ gifts.
I have just a few more gifts to get for Travis and the kids. I’m dreading the long lines. I know it’s going to busy wherever I go.
All images in this blog post are my own photography. If you’d like to use a photo, please contact me first for permission. Thank you!
The day started with an early morning drive to take M (23) to work, right as the snow began to fall. It came down fast and thick, making it hard to see far ahead, so I drove slowly and carefully.
I had checked the forecast earlier that morning and didn’t see snow mentioned, so it caught me by surprise.
I always get nervous driving in the snow, so I made sure to drive carefully and at a slower speed.
A quick photo of my view of the snow from the car. It’s always snowing, it seems! ❄️☃️
I had originally planned to run errands, but the snowy weather felt like the perfect excuse to stay home instead.
It turned into a cozy day of baking homemade cookies and working on fun crafts.
Zaya (5) painting one wall from our wooden dollhouse. Zephaniah (8) had a creative idea to repaint the dollhouse and make their own designs.
Zhen’s (13) Homemade Christmas card. 😸✨️
So, the kids spent part of the day making homemade Christmas cards for their Nana and working on their crafts.
While they created, I read aloud the storybook Christmas with the Mousekins by Maggie Smith.
We loved the illustrations with scenes of baking, decorating for Christmas, and cute cottage homes in the mouse village.
This storybook also features festive crafts and recipes, so we plan on doing a few of the activities sometime this week.
The kids really want to make the gingerbread mice and a Christmas tree hat (see below).
I also baked homemade cookies—with Zaya,of course! She loves cooking. 😊
We made Kitchen Sink Cookies with chocolate chips, crushed walnuts, and caramel.
I sprinkled sea salt on top of the cookies once we took them out the oven. The cookies were DELICIOUS!
It was hard to eat just one. 😄🍪
Zaya mixing the cookie batter.
Photo by Zaya. 🥰
As we baked the cookies, we listened to the Pride and Prejudice soundtrack (the Keira Knightley version—my favorite!), and the whole experience felt dreamy and cottagecore. 😌✨️
Zaya said the sweetest thing to me while we were making the cookie dough batter:
“I love making things with you, Mom. And I love making things with Dad. Making things with you and Dad is the funnest thing I can do.” 🥰🥹💜
That just made my heart melt. 😊🩷
All images in this blog post are my own photography. If you’d like to use a photo, please contact me first for permission. Thank you!
