I could be wrong, but I think this is the most it has snowed in the winter out of all the winters I have lived in Michigan (10 years). It feels like it snows at least twice a week!
I used to love it when it snows, but now I dread the snow because I have to drive in it so much. Lol 😆☃️
While driving to pick up my daughter from work it snowed…again. 😏❄️
Please, no more snow! I’m ready for May to get here!
I would say I can’t wait for the spring, but the truth is, here in Michigan it can still snow in April! 😲❄️😭 Haha!
Everything is slushy outside—the sidewalks, parking lots, and the roads.
A lot of the neighborhood roads and store parking lots are still covered in snow because they haven’t been plowed yet.
Some of the main roads are clear, but not all of them. So, you still have to be cautious when driving on the roads.
But some people are so impatient and will still zip down the roads in the slush. Smh 🤦🏽♀️❄️ Couldn’t be me! You can honk your horn at me if you want to, but I’m not getting into a car accident.
Here are a few moments from today’s slushy snow day.
Snow-covered statue at church.
A black squirrel eating sunflower seeds at my patio bird feeder.
These green alien earrings I made were a great accessory for my thrifted green cardigan and green deer hunting shirt (no, I don’t hunt lol).
Keeping warm on this slushy snow day with a cup of Lavender Rose Black Tea. 🫖🍵
Zaya (5) pouring herself a cup of Mango Tango herbal tea.
Every morning, Zaya now asks for tea with her breakfast. Just like Mommy! 🫖🍵😊
I’m trying to take advantage of these cold, snow days and read more books!
Reading one of my library books while waiting for our pizza order.
M also reading her library book in the car while we wait on the pizza.
Here’s the book M is currently reading: Kill Switch.
My fortune from my fortune cookie. 🥠
“Better is the end of a thing than its beginning; better is a patient spirit than a lofty one.” Ecclesiastes 7:8
I’ve been posting a new blog post every day for the last thirty-five days.
I started daily blogging because I wanted to challenge myself creatively and I thought it would be a fun hobby.
I am amazed that I actually did it this time! Last year, I tried daily blogging, and I didn’t last very long. Lol! 😂 It was just too much for me.
But I think I got the hang of it now.
I admire people who can daily blog consistently. It’s not as easy as I thought it would be.
Some days the words flow, and other days it takes real effort just to hit publish. But it’s teaching me discipline—and helping me appreciate ordinary life.
Five things I’ve learned about daily blogging so far:
It pushes me to find something worth writing about in the moment.
It keeps me on my toes — in a good way.
Not every post has to be long. Short posts still count.
Since I thrive on routines, I actually love the consistency of showing up daily.
It makes me more present… because I’m paying closer attention to my day.
BONUS: It also gives me space to test out creative ideas. For example, I thought it would be fun to use a title theme like “The Day…”
It was fun for about a month 😆… but it’s not working for me anymore, so I’m letting it go.
After 35 days of consistently daily blogging, I decided to keep going! It’s become a small daily ritual I genuinely look forward to.
Even on the ordinary days, it helps me slow down, reflect, and appreciate the little moments that would’ve otherwise passed by.
“Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.” Romams 12:12
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.
