Happy Mother's Day!

My mom had me at 17. I can’t even imagine becoming a parent that young, but that was the reality for many women then—marry, raise children, and keep a home while the men worked to provide. In so many ways, she was still a child herself, learning how to raise children.

And yet, she did the very best she could with what she had.

We never went without food. We always had clothes on our backs—even if they came from Goodwill or Kmart. She stretched every dollar, living within her means to make sure our needs were met. We didn’t have much in the way of money, but we had enough to get by, because she made sure of it.

She sacrificed more times than I can count, going without so that we wouldn’t have to. We didn’t hear “I love you” all the time, but she showed it—in her sacrifices, her consistency, and her care.

With her ongoing health issues, I’m reminded more than ever that time isn’t something we can take for granted. We don’t know how many more years we’ll have with her, and that reality makes me hold even tighter to the moments we do have.

I hope she knows how deeply she is loved and appreciated, especially on this Mother’s Day.

This sweet lady—our “Nan”—is missed more than words could ever express. This is our first Mother’s Day without her here to celebrate, and that absence is deeply felt. But we take comfort in knowing she’s exactly where she longed to be—back with Popsie in heaven.

Life threw us a curveball after Popsie passed. We never imagined our time with Nan would be so short—just a year and two months without him. It still doesn’t feel like enough.

That last year was especially hard, because we didn’t fully understand what she was going through. Nan wasn’t one to go to the doctor—she hadn’t been in decades. So when we finally learned near the end that she had lung cancer, it was devastating for all of us.

Nan was an incredible mom and grandmother. She always put her children and grandchildren before herself, cherishing every moment she had with them. The love she poured out when she was with her family spoke louder than words ever could. We knew how special she was, and we didn’t take that for granted. We made the time, we made the memories—and I’m so grateful we did. Those moments will stay with us forever.

We miss her deeply, but we also have peace in knowing she is no longer in pain—that she is whole, healed, and happy again. And that means everything.

Happy Heavenly Mother’s Day to the most amazing mom, grandmother, and mother-in-law the Neal family could have ever been blessed with.

Last but certainly not least, there’s this incredible woman—Anne. She has been like a second mom to me ever since I met her at just 8 years old.

She and her husband, John, moved from Georgia to pastor the church I was attending at the time—thanks to a sweet older neighbor who made sure we kids were there every Sunday. That year, they were leading VBS, and something in Anne’s love drew me in. She loved me in a way I had never experienced before, and I held onto that—honestly, I still do.

Anne has had an immeasurable impact on my life and my walk with Christ. Her love for the Lord radiates from every part of who she is, and it’s evident in the way she loves and pours into others.

The ways she has shaped my life are too many to count. Her influence has never left me—it’s something I carry with me every single day. I truly don’t know where I would be without her. My life would look very different if God hadn’t placed an “Anne” in it, and I’m forever grateful that He did.

God blessed me richly when He brought her into my life.

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In my life, there have been three women who have shaped me in a motherly way and left a lasting impact on who I am today. Because of them, I have been incredibly blessed. The value of that kind of influence in a person’s life can’t really be measured—it’s beyond what words are able to fully capture.

I hope and pray that you have had mothers or mother figures like that in your own life—women who have poured into you, guided you, and left a lasting imprint on your heart. And if you haven’t, I pray that God brings someone into your life who will. Someone who will love, shape, and impact you in a way that stays with you forever, just like these women have done for me.

Happy Mother's Day!

May All  Mom's Feel Loved & Appreciated 

Today & Always!

1 Day to go...

Tomorrow will be here in the blink of an eye, and just like that, Tim will officially go from our boy to a man. Truthfully though, he’s been showing us his maturity and character long before now. The positivity and strength with which he approaches life is contagious, and he continues to amaze us more every year. He truly is an incredible young man, and we are so excited to celebrate this special moment with him.

We love everything about this kid—and honestly, we still would even if he weren’t ours. Everyone who meets him always comments on how mature he is for his age. The level of wisdom, perspective, and maturity Tim carries is something many people don’t reach until much later in life. Some of that has come through life experiences and challenges that forced him to grow up faster than most, but through it all he has handled himself with strength, grace, and determination.

Tim is such a treasure to us, and we never take that for granted. Watching him grow into someone who values life, family, faith, and purpose the way his father and I do has been one of our greatest joys. He has big goals, strong dreams, and a drive within him that we know will take him far. We truly believe he can accomplish anything he sets his mind to.

So go after it all, son. Dream big, work hard, and take life by the horns. The world is waiting for everything you have to offer, and we cannot wait to watch the amazing man you continue to become🩵.

Part of Tim's Birthday/Graduation Gift...

So we did a thing—we got Tim the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT graphics card along with the Ryzen 7 AMD 9800X3D. To say he’s elated would be an understatement. According to him, his computer is an absolute beast now😂.

Tim is a huge gamer in the little spare time he actually has, so this was a pretty big deal for him.

The other thing he asked for was for us to swap rooms so he could have the entire upstairs to himself. And honestly, at my age, I’m more than willing to comply because stairs and getting older do not mix well😂. It’ll give him his own space, privacy, and room to spread out.

Most kids want a car for milestone moments like this, but our kid wanted his own space and computer upgrades instead. So somewhere in between Mom’s knee surgeries, we’ll be doing a full room swap. Sounds simple, right? Not even close...LOL!

We’ll have to take everything off the walls, patch all the holes, repaint, and completely empty one room before we can even start moving things around. Definitely more work than it sounds like. Plus we will be setting him up with his own small kitchenette area so that he has a small fridge/coffee maker/microwave. 

Truthfully, he already knows my car is basically his anyway since he drives it more than I do😂. So in his mind, upgrading his setup and getting his own space was a much better deal.

He’s such an amazing young man that we don’t mind doing this for him in the slightest. Of course, I’ll still be making weekly trips upstairs to make sure he keeps it clean because he already knows I don’t tolerate a dirty house😂.

That will probably be the one thing he dislikes about still living at home while doing online computer science courses and continuing to pursue his goals in Olympic weightlifting. But honestly, we’re proud of the young man he’s becoming and love being able to support his dreams however we can.

2 Days to go...

Oh my goodness😱! Oh my goodness😱! It's almost here. Just two more days & it will be time to celebrate. We are so excited to be celebrating this milestone moment as a family. 

Life is precious folks. Make the most of every moment you have with those you love. Don't take even one moment for granted. Love deeply. Laugh more than you cry. Enjoy life to the fullest. 

3 Days to go...

There’s honestly not much more we can say about this amazing kid who is about to be a kid no more. Watching him grow into the young man he is today has been one of the greatest blessings of our lives.

He knows who he is, whose he is, and the kind of man he wants to become—and that already puts him ahead of so many people his age. There’s something powerful about having direction, purpose, and a clear vision for your life. Knowing where you’re headed and what you want to accomplish gives you a foundation that keeps you grounded no matter what life throws your way.

We are so proud of the heart, strength, and maturity Tim has shown over the years. The future is bright for him, and we can’t wait to celebrate this incredible milestone and all that lies ahead🩵. 

My "Baby" is a baby No More...

Next Monday Tim turns 18 years old, and I honestly don’t know where the time has gone. These past 18 years have flown by, and I’ve cherished every single moment of watching him grow into the man he is now. Being his mom has been one of the greatest privileges and blessings of my life.

Motherhood comes with both beautiful moments and challenging ones, but through it all, the love we have for our children only grows deeper. Every hug, laugh, milestone, and even the hard days become memories we hold close to our hearts.

Tim will always be my most precious Mother’s Day blessing. Having him on Mother’s Day was the greatest gift I could have ever received. No present could ever compare to the moment I first held my child in my arms on a day meant to celebrate being a mom. That memory will forever be one of the most special moments of my life.

Even though his birthday doesn’t always fall exactly on Mother’s Day, it always comes around that same time of year, and it serves as such a beautiful reminder of the best Mother’s Day gift I’ve ever been given — his life, his love, and the joy of being his mom.

His dad and I are counting down the days until we get to celebrate our boy turning 18🩵. We’re so proud of the young man he’s becoming and can’t wait to continue supporting him and cheering him on as he goes after his dreams with everything he’s got.

4 Days to go...

God Has A Beautiful Plan...

God’s plans for our lives are good—full of purpose, hope, and a future that is far greater than what we can see in the moment. Even when life feels heavy, uncertain, or overwhelming, we can hold onto this truth: what you’re walking through right now is not the end of your story.

If you find yourself in the thick of it, don’t lose heart. Better days are not just wishful thinking—they are part of God’s promise. He has not left you, and He never will. He is present in the waiting, in the struggle, and even in the silence. His Word does not return void; what He has spoken over your life will come to pass in His perfect timing.

And prosperity—true prosperity—is so much deeper than finances. It’s found in a healthy mind, a renewed spirit, restored relationships, and the quiet peace that comes from knowing you are held by Him. It shows up in love, in family, in growth, and in the strength to keep going when it would be easier to give up.

When I look at my own life, I see God’s goodness in ways that can’t be measured by material things. I am rich in love, in family, in grace—and for that, I am deeply thankful. Every day, I’m reminded of just how much He has blessed me, and that gratitude continues to grow with each passing moment.

Whatever season you’re in, trust that God is still writing your story—and it’s going to be beautiful.

5 Days to go...

Real Beauty Comes From Within...

It’s possible for someone to look stunning and speak with charm, yet carry a heart that’s anything but kind. Beauty on the outside and eloquence in words can be convincing—but they don’t define who a person truly is. At best, that kind of “beauty” is a performance. It may impress for a moment, but it doesn’t last.

Genuine beauty reveals itself over time. You see it in the way someone loves without keeping score, in how they show up for others, in their patience, their humility, and their willingness to extend grace. It’s found in quiet acts of kindness, in integrity when no one is watching, and in how a person treats those who have nothing to offer them in return.

That’s the difference—surface-level beauty draws attention, but inner beauty builds trust, respect, and lasting impact. One fades, the other deepens.

Real beauty isn’t something you put on—it’s something that flows from within. It’s reflected in a heart that chooses compassion over convenience, truth over image, and love over self. And when you encounter that kind of beauty, you don’t just see it… you feel it.