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.

Mom's Outpatient PT Yesterday for her New Knee...

Mom had her first outpatient PT session yesterday, and it went really well. They gave her a solid workout, and she handled it like a champ—she’s such a trooper.

Later in the evening, while we were watching the hockey game, she said, “My knee feels much looser,” as she was sitting there moving it around. That was so encouraging to see and hear. She’s definitely heading in the right direction—getting stronger and feeling a little better each day.

We do need to find an in-network PT, though. Because of insurance, her current sessions aren’t being fully covered, and the out-of-pocket cost just isn’t something we can manage long-term. So now we’re looking for a provider that’s fully covered under her plan.

You Are Stronger Than You Think...

Some days you don’t feel strong.

Some moments stretch you more than you thought you could handle.

But look how far you’ve come.

Look at what you’ve made it through.

God doesn’t bring you this far just to leave you here.

There’s purpose in your progress—even in the pain.

Keep going. Keep trusting. Keep leaning on Him.

When I was younger, I clung to the verse, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" like it was oxygen. It wasn’t just encouraging—it was survival. Christ gave me the strength to get through each day when I didn’t have any strength of my own.

He still does. But back then… it truly felt like life or death.

People often say, “If it weren’t for God, I don’t know where I’d be.” I don’t have to wonder. I know with certainty—I would not be here. I had no will to live. I wanted out.

But Jesus met me there.

He rescued me. He pulled me out of that darkness and set my feet on solid ground. He breathed life back into me when I felt empty and showed me that life was worth living. That kind of transformation doesn’t just change you—it reshapes everything.

From there, God began writing a new story. I went to Bible college, got plugged into a church, served in youth ministry, and even went on a mission trip that deepened my faith in ways I can’t fully put into words.

I met my husband at church. A year later, we were married. The next year, we welcomed our son—who is now about to turn 18 and graduate high school in just 12 days.

Life hasn’t been perfect. Not even close.

There have been hard seasons, unexpected challenges, and moments that stretched us more than we thought we could handle. But through every high and every low, God has been faithful. He has carried us, sustained us, and never once let us go.

Looking back, one truth stands out more than anything else:

I am stronger than I thought—but only because He has been my strength all along.

So if you’re in a hard place right now, hear this:

God has brought you this far for a reason.

He has a plan for your life.

And you are stronger than you think—because you’re not doing this alone.

Don’t give up now.