We Have Arrived in Colorado Springs...

Well, we did it again—we drove all the way to Colorado Springs for USA Weightlifting Nationals with Tim!

Thankfully, this trip got a little easier this year now that we can divide the driving between the three of us. I can still remember the days when Tim was competing in Taekwondo and Scot and I had to split all of those long drives ourselves. There were plenty of early mornings, late nights, countless hotel stays, fast-food meals on the road, and more miles than I could ever begin to count.

Looking back, I wouldn't trade a single one of those moments.

Those years gave us so many memories together as a family. Some of our best conversations have happened while traveling down the highway. We've laughed together, prayed together, dreamed together, and watched our son pursue the goals God has placed before him.

One of my favorite parts of road trips is seeing parts of the country that we'd never experience otherwise. Last year and this year are no exception. As we crossed through the Midwest, we saw what felt like endless fields and some of the largest windmills I've ever seen—it's impressive to see. Pictures truly don't do them justice. Standing hundreds of feet in the air, they seemed to stretch endlessly across the landscape. It's amazing to think about the engineering behind them and how small they make everything else look by comparison. They are a reminder of just how vast and beautiful God's creation really is.

Now we're settled in and looking forward to an incredible week together. We love supporting Tim on this journey he's on with Olympic weightlifting. Watching him grow—not just as an athlete, but as a young man—has been one of the greatest blessings of our lives.

This will be Tim's first Nationals as a Junior lifter, and we're excited to see what he accomplishes. More than the medals, records, or rankings, we're proud of the discipline, perseverance, and character he's developed along the way. Those things will serve him long after the competition platform is gone.

And yes, we still have a dream tucked away in our hearts. We can't wait for the day when we see "USA" across his chest. Whether that day comes or not, we're incredibly grateful to be along for the ride and to have a front-row seat to this chapter of his story.

Here's to another road trip, another competition, and more memories we'll cherish for years to come.

❤️🏋️‍♂️🇺🇸🚗

Happy Father's Day...

I know we are in the midst of traveling to Nationals with Tim but I didn't want to let this day go by without making this blog post.

Babe, There are so many things I could say about the kind of father and husband you are, but one thing is certain—you are such a blessing to our family.

Watching you be a dad to Tim over these past 18 years has been one of the greatest joys of my life. From the big milestones to the quiet everyday moments, you have always been there for him with love, wisdom, patience, and support. The way you have guided him, encouraged him, and shown up for him year after year cannot truly be measured.

You are the kind of father every child deserves and the kind of husband every wife prays for. Through every season of life, you have loved us faithfully and sacrificially. Your strength, steadiness, and devotion have helped shape our home into a place of love, security, and encouragement.

As I look at the amazing young man Tim has become, I know so much of that is because of the example you have set before him. He has grown up watching what it means to work hard, love deeply, lead with integrity, and put God and family first.

We are incredibly blessed to have you, and I never want you to doubt how deeply appreciated and loved you are.

Happy Father’s Day to the best dad in the world and the best husband I could ever ask for. We love you more than words can say.

There are so many things I could say about this amazing man who is no longer with us, and somehow words still never feel like enough.

You were the kind of father-in-law every girl hopes to have. In so many ways, you were a better dad to me than my own father ever was. You welcomed me into the family with love, kindness, and acceptance, and from the very beginning, you made me feel like I truly belonged.

You loved your family deeply, and everyone who knew you could see it in the way you showed up for us year after year. You were always there with help, guidance, encouragement, and support whenever any of us needed you. No matter what was going on in life, we knew we could count on you.

You celebrated every milestone, every holiday, every birthday, and every special family moment with us. Your presence brought strength, stability, laughter, and comfort to our family. You were truly the heart of so many of our gatherings.

You were the best patriarch a family could ask for, and your absence is felt more deeply than words can express. There will always be a place in our hearts that only you could fill.

Though Father’s Day looks different now, we still celebrate the incredible man you were and the legacy of love you left behind. We carry your memory with us every single day.

Happy Father’s Day in Heaven, Pop. You are loved, honored, and missed beyond measure.

Losing a parent leaves behind so many emotions, memories, questions, and reflections that seem to grow deeper with time. It’s been 24 years now since you passed away, Dad, and there are still moments when it feels hard to believe how much time has gone by. 

You’ve missed so much over the years—the births of your grandchildren and great-grandchildren, including my son, Tim. There are so many moments I wish you could have witnessed and so many memories I wish they could have made with you.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to understand so much more about your life than I did when I was younger. You loved your family the best way you knew how, shaped by the difficult and painful examples you were given growing up. Life was not kind to you in many ways, especially during your childhood, and I can only imagine how deeply those experiences marked your heart and followed you into adulthood.

You didn’t always know how to express love, but looking back now, I can see the ways you tried. Sometimes love is shown imperfectly through broken people carrying wounds no one else can fully see. You worked hard to make sure we had food on the table, clothes to wear, and a home to live in. You carried responsibilities and burdens that I understand far more clearly now than I ever could back then.

None of us are perfect. We all carry pieces of the lives we were raised in, and so much of how we move through life is shaped by the examples we were given growing up. But despite the imperfections, one thing never changed—you were our dad, and all seven of us loved you deeply because of that.

Time has softened some of the harder memories and brought greater understanding in their place. There is grace now where there once may have only been hurt or confusion. And even after all these years, you are still missed by all of us.

In many ways, pieces of you still live on. We see you when we look into the eyes of our children because so many of your grandchildren inherited your eyes. It’s a quiet reminder that even though you are gone, part of you remains woven into the generations that came after you.

Twenty-four years later, you are still remembered, still loved, and still missed. 

I hope and pray that I will get to see you in heaven someday—while I'm not certain if you ever made a profession of faith to God, I certainly hope and pray in those last moments of your life that you did.

There are truly not enough words to say about this incredible man—my mentor, my father figure, and one of the greatest blessings God ever placed in my life—John Gordon.

God brought you into my life when I was just 8 years old because He knew I needed someone I could look up to, learn from, and feel safe with. From such a young age, you became the steady, godly influence that helped shape so much of who I am today.

All these years later, the impact you had during my formative years is still influencing my life every single day. The love, support, wisdom, encouragement, and godly example you gave me helped mold me into the person I became. So much of the strength, faith, and perspective I carry through life was shaped by your presence and influence.

You showed me what consistency looked like. You showed me what kindness, faithfulness, and integrity looked like. You were there with guidance when I needed direction, support when life was hard, and encouragement when I doubted myself.

Having a strong and loving male role model like you in my life is something I will never stop being grateful for. The value of that kind of influence on a child cannot truly be measured in words. It changes the course of a life.

You were one of the biggest and best blessings I could have ever had growing up, and I thank God for you more than you will probably ever know.

Some people leave fingerprints on your life that never fade, and you are one of those people for me.

Be Who God Created You to Be...

Be Who God Created You to Be...

When I read that statement, it immediately made me think about my own life and how different it looks today from where it started.

If you had known me in high school, you probably wouldn't have imagined the life you see me living today.

I was very worldly. I hung out with friends who made worldly choices, and I followed right along. There was partying, smoking, and enough foul language coming out of my mouth to make a sailor blush. I knew God, and was saved at the young age of 12, but truly knowing Him is something very different. Yes I asked Him to be my savior because I knew I needed Him in my life but it would be much later before I fully surrendered my heart and life to Him.

For years, I played church.

I attended services. I knew the what the Bible said and right things to say. I looked the part on Sunday mornings. But my heart wasn't fully surrendered to God.

Then God really began to get hold of my life.

Part of that journey led me to Mercy Ministries (now Mercy Multiplied), where I spent several months working through the effects of an abusive upbringing. Growing up with an alcoholic father and an enabling mother left wounds that ran deep. There was physical abuse. There was emotional abuse. There were unhealthy patterns and beliefs that had shaped the way I viewed God, myself and the choices I made.

At Mercy, God began the process of healing what I could never fix on my own.

Was it easy? Not on your life. 

Healing rarely is.

But for the first time, I started to understand that I wasn't defined by my past, my mistakes, or what other people had done to me.

I was defined by who God said I was. That was so huge for me.

After my time there, I attended Christ For The Nations, where I spent time growing deeper in my relationship with the Lord. It wasn't about religion anymore. It wasn't about appearances. It was about learning to know God personally and allowing Him to transform my life from the inside out.

That foundation has carried me from 1996 all the way to today.

Looking back, I can see how many times the world tried to tell me who I was supposed to be.

The wounded girl.

The angry girl.

The girl with baggage.

The girl who would never move beyond her past.

But God had a different story to write. A different plan for my life.

He saw a daughter.

He saw someone worth redeeming.

He saw someone who could use her experiences to encourage others.

Even before Mercy and Christ For The Nations, God was planting seeds. As a young woman, as broken as I was, I spent summers serving as a camp counselor, helping young people come to know Jesus and grow deeper in their faith. Looking back now, I can see that God was pursuing me even then, long before I fully surrendered my life to Him. He was using me despite my past and all my failures.

That's one of the things I love most about God. He never gives up on us.

He sees who we can become long before we do.

Today, I certainly don't have everything figured out. I still need God's grace every single day. But I am thankful that my life is not shaped by the expectations of the world. It is shaped by the One who created me.

When I look at my life now, I see the faithfulness of God everywhere. He blessed me with a godly husband who loves the Lord and has faithfully walked beside me through every season of life. Together, we've built a family-owned business that allows us to serve others while working side by side. And He entrusted us with an incredible son who has brought so much joy to our lives and continually reminds us that God's plans are always better than our own.

None of those blessings came because I had everything figured out. They came because God took a broken, wounded young woman and continued the work of healing, growing, and transforming her. The life I have today is a testimony to His grace, His mercy, and His faithfulness.

And if there's one thing I've learned, it's this:

Freedom comes when you stop trying to become who everyone else expects you to be and start becoming who God created you to be.

The world will always have opinions.

But God has a purpose for our lives.

Choose purpose.

Where the Spirit of the Lord Is, There Is Freedom...

Where the Spirit of the Lord Is, There Is Freedom...

Freedom is something every one of us longs for, whether we realize it or not. Freedom from fear. Freedom from shame. Freedom from guilt. Freedom from the pain of our past. So often, we spend years carrying wounds we never asked for, trying to survive the best way we know how.

For many of us, those wounds start in childhood.

For me, finding freedom in the Lord was one of the most pivotal parts of my healing journey. Growing up, I endured emotional and physical abuse at the hands of my alcoholic father. Those experiences left scars—some visible, but many hidden deep within my heart. The kind of scars that shape how you think, how you trust, and how you love.

When you grow up in chaos, dysfunction can start to feel normal. You learn to stay guarded. You learn to expect disappointment. You build walls to protect yourself because vulnerability feels unsafe. And while those walls may protect you for a season, they can also keep healing out.

For years, I carried the weight of that pain. I carried anger. I carried fear. I carried rejection. I carried questions that seemed to have no answers. Why did this happen? Why wasn’t I enough? Why did the person who was supposed to protect me become the source of so much pain?

Those questions can haunt you if you let them.

But what I’ve learned is that healing begins when we stop looking for answers in our pain and start looking to God.

The world often tells us freedom looks like moving on, numbing out, or pretending the pain never existed. But God’s freedom is different. His freedom doesn’t erase the past—it redeems it. He takes the broken pieces of our story and uses them for His glory.

That’s what He did for me.

When I surrendered my pain to Him, He began doing the hard work in me. He showed me that my identity was not rooted in what happened to me but in who He says I am. He taught me that I was loved, chosen, and worthy—not because of my past, but because of His grace.

He also taught me forgiveness.

And forgiveness was one of the hardest steps in my healing.

Forgiveness didn’t mean what happened was okay. It didn’t excuse the abuse or the damage it caused. It meant I was choosing to release the hold that pain had on me. It meant refusing to let bitterness take root and poison the life God was calling me to live.

That is freedom.

The freedom to no longer be chained to what hurt you.
The freedom to breathe again.
The freedom to trust again.
The freedom to love without fear.
The freedom to walk in peace.

Healing is rarely instant. It’s a process. It’s layers. It’s tears, prayers, surrender, and sometimes revisiting wounds you thought were buried. But with every step, God is faithful.

Where His Spirit is, freedom is.

Not because life suddenly becomes easy—but because His presence changes everything.

If you’re carrying wounds from your past today—whether from childhood, relationships, betrayal, or loss—know this: God sees you. He sees every hidden scar, every silent tear, every burden you’ve carried.

And He wants to set you free.

Your past may explain you, but it does not define you.

There is healing in Him. There is peace in Him. There is freedom in Him.

And if He could bring freedom to the broken places in me, He can do the same for you.

Travel Day - USAW Nationals 2026...

Travel Day - USAW Nationals 2026...

Today we begin our journey to Colorado Springs for USAW Nationals Week! The first leg of the trip includes a stopover at Tim’s uncle’s house for about a day and a half—roughly an 8-hour drive from home.

From there, we’ll start the second leg of the trip, which will be a much longer drive into Colorado Springs.

Thankfully, there are three of us taking turns driving, which will make the trip much easier. Tim will actually be driving the entire first leg to prove to his dad and me that he can handle that kind of distance on his own. He’s hoping to make a solo trip later this year to visit a friend, and it’s about the same driving distance as this first stretch to his uncle’s house.

Once we arrive in Colorado, on Sunday the 21st, the fun begins—two days in the training hall followed by competition day.

This will be Tim’s first time competing at Nationals as a Junior competitor, and he’s excited for everything he’ll learn from the experience, especially getting to watch so many talented athletes compete and lift at that level.

Safe travels to everyone heading to Nationals this week! We are looking forward to seeing everyone lift—especially Tim😊.

Better Days Are on the Way...

Not every day will be easy.

In fact, some days can feel downright overwhelming. Life has a way of piling things on all at once. Plans change. People disappoint us. Health concerns arise. Financial pressures creep in. We carry burdens that no one else sees and sometimes wonder if we're ever going to catch a break.

I've had seasons like that.

Days when I felt exhausted—not just physically, but emotionally. Days when it seemed like every answer led to more questions. Days when I found myself wishing I could fast-forward through the hard parts and get to whatever God had planned next.

But one thing I've learned is that even the hardest days eventually come to an end.

Every evening, as the sun begins to set, it's a reminder that no matter what happened that day, tomorrow is coming. The mistakes, frustrations, disappointments, and struggles of today don't get the final word.

There's something peaceful about watching a sunset. For a few moments, everything seems to slow down. The worries that consumed the day don't disappear, but they seem a little smaller. The beauty of the sky reminds me that there is still goodness in the world, still hope, still reasons to keep moving forward.

Lately, our family has been walking through a season of change. Tim has graduated. Our homeschool journey has officially come to an end. New opportunities and new challenges are ahead. My mom continues her recovery. Life looks different than it did even a year ago.

Some days I've been excited. Other days I've felt uncertain.

But through it all, I've been reminded that growth often happens during the seasons when we feel stretched the most.

If you're walking through a difficult season right now, I want to encourage you: don't give up.

Keep taking the next step.

Keep showing up.

Keep trusting that what you're experiencing today is not the whole story.

The hard days may feel long, but they won't last forever.

One of my favorite things about a sunset is that it's not the end of the story. It's simply the transition to a new day. The sun will rise again. New opportunities will come. New mercies will arrive with the morning.

So if today has been difficult, give yourself some grace.

Take a breath.

Watch the sunset if you can.

And remind yourself that peace still exists, even after the hardest days.

Keep going.

Better days are on the way.

Before the Elevation...

Before the Elevation...

This season has taught me something deeply—before God elevates you, He will often reveal the hearts around you.

Not to hurt you. Not to discourage you. But to prepare you.

As I’ve watched Tim grow—not just as an athlete, but as a young man stepping into adulthood—I’ve seen this firsthand. From homeschooling for 12 years, to watching him graduate, to now standing on national platforms in weightlifting, it has been a journey of faith, sacrifice, and obedience. And with every new level, God has been faithful to show us who is truly for him, who is simply watching, and who needs to be loved from a distance.

Growth has a way of exposing things.

When God begins to move in your life, not everyone can go where He’s taking you. Some relationships shift. Some people celebrate you from afar, while others become uncomfortable with your growth. That can be hard—especially as a mother watching your child step into his purpose.

But I’ve realized something: God doesn’t reveal hearts to make us bitter. He reveals them to give us discernment.

As Tim steps into this next chapter—competing, working alongside us in the family business, and figuring out what adulthood looks like—I know the road ahead will be filled with opportunities, challenges, and lessons. And one of the greatest lessons is understanding that your circle matters.

Who you walk with matters.

Who speaks into your life matters.

Who prays for you matters.

God has a way of pruning before promoting.

Sometimes the separation feels lonely. Sometimes it feels unfair. But often it’s protection. He removes what would hinder the calling He placed on your life.

As a mom, I can honestly say this season has stretched me too. Watching Tim grow up, watching him chase big dreams, and knowing I can’t go into every room with him like I used to has made me trust God in a deeper way. Because ultimately, Tim belongs to God before he ever belonged to me.

And I trust that the same God who has brought him this far will guide every next step.

Before elevation comes revelation.
Before promotion comes pruning.
Before the next level comes discernment.

And for that, I’m thankful. Because God is always preparing us for where He’s taking us.

June Family Newsletter...

I'm adding the text below each of these:

CH-CH-CH-CHANGES...

Life is Changing...

We are halfway through 2026, and I wanted to send this out & share the changes that are taking place in our home now that Tim is finished with homeschooling and moving into adulthood while still chasing his goals in Olympic weightlifting. Even though life is different, from the outside looking in it may not seem that different with Tim still living at home. It's a little weird having another adult in the house. Tim is making his own decisions now. He's turned 18, graduated high school, earned his full Class C driver's license, & is getting his own bank account. While we are still actively involved in his life, it's his life now—he's calling the shots.

Graduation and Beyond...

So, what's next for Tim? Right now, he's taking a year to solidify his plans for the future. He's focusing on working with his dad while continuing to pursue his goals in Olympic weightlifting, with the hope of one day wearing USA across his chest. Everyone who knows him believes he can achieve that dream. It certainly doesn't hurt that he has his dad and me cheering him on every step of the way. We are, without a doubt, his biggest fans.

Our Family...

Our family is entering a new and exciting chapter. Scot and I continue to own and operate A Clean Solution, working side by side in both business and life as we prepare to celebrate 20 years of marriage this November. Looking back, it's hard to believe how quickly the years have passed. We've experienced our share of challenges and blessings along the way, and through it all God has been faithful.

After 12 years of homeschooling, life looks much different these days. For now, all three of us are working together in the family business, and I'm thankful that Tim and I can help Scot more often so he's not carrying the workload on his own. It's such a blessing to spend this extra time together as a family and to watch Tim grow into the young man God has called him to be. As parents, we are learning what it looks like to guide and encourage him while also giving him the freedom to make his own decisions and pursue his own path.

At the same time, there are more and more days when I can't work with them as I would like because I'm helping care for my mom. As many of you know, she recently had knee replacement surgery-which she's healed from beautifully. She is the last of Tim's grandparents, and there is no place I would rather be than making sure she is cared for well. The older I get, the more I realize what a gift time with our loved ones truly is. After losing so many family members over the years, I cherish every conversation, every visit, and every opportunity to make another memory. We are doing our best to make the most of every moment we have together.

Through every season, our family remains grounded in our faith, grateful for God's blessings, and excited to see where He leads next. We don't know exactly what the future holds, but we trust the One who does, and we look forward to seeing how God continues to work in our family, our business, and the lives of those around us.

Our Business is getting Stronger...

Being able to work together full time has made a tremendous difference. Working together as a team on client projects keeps everything running smoothly and lifts a huge portion of the workload off Scot's shoulders. It's an incredible feeling to have us all working together as we continue to grow our business stronger to better serve our clients.

Your Legacy Matters...

As Father's Day approaches, I've found myself thinking a lot about legacy.

Not the kind of legacy measured by bank accounts, businesses, or material possessions, but the kind that is built day by day through the investment we make in our children.

I recently saw this simple statement pictured above and it stopped me in my tracks:

Those words resonated deeply with me because they perfectly describe what Scot and I have spent years trying to do with Tim.

When Tim was little, we had dreams for him just like every parent does. We hoped he would be successful, responsible, and hardworking. But more than any achievement he could ever earn, we wanted him to know and love God. We wanted him to become a young man of character—someone who would stand firm in his convictions even when the world encouraged him to do otherwise.

The truth is that raising children isn't always easy. There are sacrifices that no one sees. There are countless conversations, prayers, corrections, lessons, disappointments, and celebrations along the way. There are days when you wonder if anything you're teaching is actually sinking in.

Then one day you look up and realize that little boy isn't so little anymore.

This year has been filled with those moments for me. Tim graduated. We officially closed our homeschool. He is working alongside his dad. He is pursuing his weightlifting dreams with determination and discipline. In just a few weeks, he'll compete at Nationals as a Junior athlete, chasing goals that once seemed far away.

As I watch him step into adulthood, I'm realizing something important: the investment was worth it.

The hours Scot spent teaching him how to work hard.

The countless projects completed side by side.

The lessons about integrity, responsibility, and keeping your word.

The example of a father who shows up every day, not seeking recognition but simply doing what needs to be done.

Those things matter.

In a culture that often celebrates instant gratification, fathers have the incredible opportunity to shape the next generation through consistency. A godly father doesn't have to be perfect. He simply has to be present. He has to be willing to lead, teach, encourage, correct, and point his children toward Christ.

I've watched Scot do that for years.

Has he made mistakes? Of course. We all have. But he has consistently invested in Tim's life, and today I can see the fruit of those investments beginning to emerge.

As Father's Day draws near, I'm especially grateful for the dads who understand that their greatest accomplishment may never appear on a résumé or a trophy shelf. Their greatest accomplishment may be the young man or woman they helped shape through years of faithful love and guidance.

One day, every father will leave a legacy.

The question is not whether you'll leave one, but what kind of legacy  will it be?

Money can be spent. Possessions can be lost. Titles and accomplishments fade.

But the impact of raising a son to love God, honor others, work hard, and live with integrity can echo for generations.

That's a legacy worth investing in.

As I look at the young man Tim has become, I can see so much of his father in him. I see the strong work ethic, the determination, the sense of responsibility, and the quiet willingness to do what needs to be done even when no one is watching.

This Father's Day, my heart is especially thankful for Scot. He has been an ever-present father throughout Tim's life—not just physically present, but fully invested. Through the everyday moments, the difficult seasons, the lessons taught on job sites, around the dinner table, and through his example, he has helped shape Tim into the young man he is today.

The older Tim gets, the more I appreciate the countless ways Scot has poured into his life. His legacy is already evident, and I am so grateful that Tim has had a father who chose to show up day after day, year after year.

That kind of investment cannot be measured, but its impact will last for generations.

Babe, Thank you for being the father our son needed and for building a legacy that truly matters. 

And as Father's Day draws near, I wanna to leave all fathers with this challenge:

Leave the impact of raising your children to love God, honor others, work hard, and to live a life of integrity that will echo for generations to come.

That's a legacy worth investing in.

And for all the fathers doing the hard, often unseen work of raising godly children—thank you.

Your legacy matters more than you know.

Count Your Blessings...

Sometimes we're so focused on what's missing that we forget how much we already have.

That thought hit me hard recently.

It's easy to get caught up in the things we wish were different. We look at our finances and think about what we don't have. We look at our circumstances and focus on the struggles. We compare our lives to others and wonder why certain doors haven't opened for us. Before long, our attention is consumed by what's lacking instead of what God has already provided.

I've been guilty of that myself.

There have been seasons where I've spent so much time worrying about the next step that I failed to appreciate where I was standing. Seasons where I focused on unanswered prayers rather than the many prayers God had already answered. Seasons where the challenges seemed bigger than the blessings.

But when I stop and really look around, I realize just how much I have to be thankful for.

I have a husband who stands beside me through life's ups and downs. I have a son who has worked hard, graduated, and is pursuing his dreams with determination. I have a home, food on the table, friends who care, and a God who has faithfully carried us through every difficult season we've faced.

Has life been perfect? Not even close.

We've walked through disappointments, financial concerns, health issues, and unexpected changes. We've had plans that didn't work out the way we thought they would. Yet through it all, God has remained faithful.

The truth is that gratitude changes our perspective. It doesn't make our problems disappear, but it reminds us that our problems are not the whole story. There are blessings woven throughout every chapter of our lives if we're willing to look for them.

When I think back over the years, I can see God's hand in so many places. Doors He opened. Protection He provided. Lessons He taught. People He placed in our lives at just the right moment. Even in the hardest seasons, there were blessings I couldn't see until much later.

Today, I'm choosing to focus less on what's missing and more on what's been given.

Not because everything is perfect, but because there is always something to thank God for.

So if you're walking through a difficult season right now, take a moment to count your blessings. They may not erase your struggles, but they can remind you of God's goodness and faithfulness.

Sometimes the richest life isn't the one that has the most—it's the one that recognizes how much it already has.

Count your blessings. They are far greater than you think.

Conn Smythe Trophy Winner: Jordan Staal...

Some players are known for their goals.

Some players are known for their statistics.

And then there are players like Jordan Staal—leaders whose impact can't always be measured on a score sheet.

When the Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup Championship last night, there were plenty of players who could have been considered for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. But there was something fitting about seeing Captain Jordan Staal receive the honor.

For years, Staal has been the heartbeat of this team.

He isn't flashy. He doesn't seek attention. He simply shows up every night and does whatever is needed to help his team win. Whether it's shutting down the opponent's top line, winning key faceoffs, killing penalties, or providing leadership in the locker room, Jordan Staal has been doing the little things that championships are built on.

What makes this moment so special is how long he's waited for it.

Since arriving in Carolina, Staal has been part of the foundation that transformed the Hurricanes from a struggling franchise into a perennial contender. Through coaching changes, rebuilding years, playoff heartbreaks, and near misses, he never wavered. He remained committed to the organization, his teammates, and the city of Raleigh.

That's the mark of a true leader.

As captain, he has led by example. His work ethic is second to none. His teammates respect him. The fans love him. And when the biggest games of the season arrived, he elevated his play even further.

The Conn Smythe Trophy isn't just awarded for scoring goals. It's awarded to the player who has the greatest impact throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In many ways, Jordan Staal's entire career has been about making an impact that goes beyond the numbers.

He has shown that leadership matters.

Character matters.

Consistency matters.

Watching him lift the Stanley Cup as captain was emotional enough. Seeing him receive the Conn Smythe Trophy felt like recognition for years of sacrifice, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to his team.

As a die hard Hurricanes fan, I've watched Jordan Staal give everything he has to this organization. This championship validated what we've known all along—he is one of the greatest leaders to ever wear a Hurricanes sweater.

Twenty years after Rod Brind'Amour captained the Hurricanes to their first Stanley Cup, another captain has etched his name into Carolina hockey history.

Congratulations, Jordan Staal.

Stanley Cup Champion.

Conn Smythe Trophy Winner.

Forever a Carolina Hurricanes legend.

🏒🏆❤️🖤

Jaccob Slavin: Christian Athlete, Olympic Gold Medalist, and Stanley Cup Champion...

Some athletes become known for their talent. Others become known for their character. Very few are remembered for both.

That's what makes Jaccob Slavin so special.

For years, as a die hard Hurricanes fan, I have known what the rest of the hockey world is finally recognizing—that Slavin is one of the best defensemen in the game. Night after night, he quietly shuts down the league's top players, makes impossible defensive plays look routine, and leads by example both on and off the ice.

But 2026 elevated him into truly rare company.

In February, Slavin helped lead Team USA to its first Olympic gold medal in men's hockey since the famous "Miracle on Ice" team of 1980. Wearing the red, white, and blue, he played a critical role on the blue line as the United States captured gold in Milan, fulfilling a dream that every hockey player has when they represent their country.

Then, last night, he helped bring Lord Stanley's Cup back to Raleigh as the Carolina Hurricanes captured the Stanley Cup Championship win.

With that accomplishment, Slavin joined one of the most exclusive clubs in hockey history. He became only the second American player ever to win an Olympic gold medal and a Stanley Cup in the same year, joining 1980 Olympic gold medalist and New York Islanders defenseman Ken Morrow.

Think about that for a moment.

Generations of American hockey players have dreamed of accomplishing what Slavin achieved in a single year. Winning one of those championships is extraordinary. Winning both in the same season is almost unheard of.

Yet if you've ever listened to Slavin speak, you'd never know it.

What stands out most about him isn't the gold medal around his neck or the Stanley Cup ring he'll soon wear. It's his unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. Through every interview, every success, and every accomplishment, he consistently points the attention away from himself and toward God.

In a sports culture that often celebrates self-promotion, Slavin chooses humility. In a world that encourages athletes to build their own brand, he chooses to build a legacy of faith, character, and servant leadership.

As a Hurricanes fan, I couldn't be happier to see him finally lift the Stanley Cup. No one deserves it more. He has represented this organization, this community, and his faith with integrity since the day he arrived in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Olympic Gold Medalist.

Stanley Cup Champion.

Christian husband, father, and role model.

Not a bad year for Jaccob Slavin.

And perhaps the most inspiring part of all is that if you asked him which title matters most, he'd probably tell you it's none of those. His identity isn't found in a medal, a trophy, or a championship banner.

It's found in Christ.

Congratulations, Slavo. Hurricanes fans couldn't be more proud.

🏒🥇🏆❤️🖤

Carolina Hurricanes are Stanley Cup Champions...

Carolina Hurricanes are Stanley Cup Champions...

Lord Stanley's Cup is coming back to Raleigh, North Carolina!

What an incredible moment it was to watch the Carolina Hurricanes complete the journey and bring the Stanley Cup home once again. Last night's shutout victory was the perfect ending to a season filled with determination, sacrifice, and unwavering belief.

Bussi stepped into a huge role in the net and did an outstanding job after taking over for Freddie Andersen, who had an incredible playoff run himself. Throughout the postseason, every player on this team contributed in some way, proving that championships are won through teamwork, resilience, and a commitment to something bigger than yourself.

As a lifelong Hurricanes fan, this win feels especially sweet. We've waited twenty years to see Lord Stanley's Cup return to Raleigh, and seeing it happen on the 20th anniversary of the Hurricanes' first championship makes it even more special. It's hard not to think back to 2006 when Coach Rod Brind'Amour, the captain of that championship team, hoisted the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history.

What makes this championship even more meaningful is that Rod was at the center of both victories. Twenty years ago, he led the Hurricanes on the ice as their captain. Last night, he led them from behind the bench as their head coach. Very few people get to experience one Stanley Cup championship from either role, but Rod has now been part of bringing a championship to Carolina in both. That full-circle moment is something we Hurricanes fans will never forget.

This group of players worked tirelessly for this moment. Through the highs and lows, they never stopped believing, never stopped battling, and never stopped playing for each other. They earned every bit of this championship.

Today, as the Cup makes its way back to Raleigh, Hurricanes fans everywhere are celebrating. From the loudest fans in the arena to those cheering from their living rooms, we've all been part of this journey.

For me, it makes the moment even more special because Scot and I are celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary this year. We were married in 2006—the same year the Hurricanes won their first Stanley Cup. To see them bring the Cup back to Raleigh on the 20th anniversary of that championship, with Coach Rod once again leading the way, feels like the perfect full-circle moment.

Twenty years in the making, and worth every second of the wait. 

🏒❤️🖤

Packing for National's...

Packing for National's...

Washing and packing for a long trip always seems never-ending—even when you have a list to guide you. You can check things off one by one, feel like you’re making progress, and then suddenly realize there’s always something you forgot or didn’t think you’d need. Of course, that item ends up being the exact thing you’re now trying to squeeze into your luggage at the last minute…LOL!

As exciting as the destination is, it’s the getting there that can really drain you. Between washing clothes, organizing gear, double-checking lists, and making sure nothing important gets left behind, it feels like the to-do list just keeps growing instead of shrinking. There’s always something else that needs attention, and it never quite feels “finished” until you’re finally on the road.

If you’re anything like me, lists are your best friends. Honestly, I don’t know how people keep track of everything without them. My family likes to tease me about how many lists I make, but they’ve also seen how helpful they are—so the jokes are only so serious. At this point, they know if it’s not on the list, it probably won’t happen.

But even with all the packing chaos, there’s still something special about it. It means Nationals is here. The preparation, the rush, the last-minute reminders—it’s all part of getting ready for something exciting and meaningful.

In four short days, we will be on the road traveling to our first destination—Uncle Jeff’s—before heading to our final destination: Nationals. Looking forward to the week ahead and all the fun we will have.

One Step at a Time...

I came across this picture recently, and it really made me stop and think.

At the top of the mountain is a flag labeled "Success." But what caught my attention wasn't the destination—it was the path leading there.

The stairs are marked:

Effort.

Patience.

Failure.

Hard Work.

Consistency.

Isn't that how life works?

We often look at someone's success and assume they got there quickly or easily. We see the mountaintop, but we don't see the countless steps they had to climb to get there. We don't see the early mornings, the late nights, the setbacks, the disappointments, and the moments when they wanted to quit but kept going anyway.

The truth is that success rarely happens overnight.

I've seen that firsthand in our own lives.

Whether it was homeschooling Tim through graduation, watching him pursue his weightlifting dreams, building our family business, or simply navigating the challenges that come with everyday life, none of it happened in a single moment. It happened one step at a time.

And honestly, some of those steps weren't easy.

There were days when progress felt slow. Days when it seemed like we were working hard without seeing immediate results. Days when plans changed, obstacles appeared, and disappointment tried to convince us to quit.

But that's where the signs on this mountain path speak volumes.

Effort means showing up even when you don't feel like it.

Patience means trusting that growth is happening even when you can't see it yet.

Failure isn't the end of the journey—it's often one of the greatest teachers along the way.

Hard work is what keeps moving you forward when motivation fades.

And consistency is what turns small daily actions into big results over time.

As believers, we know that success isn't measured only by achievements or accomplishments. Sometimes success is simply being faithful to what God has called us to do.

Galatians 6:9 reminds us:

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

In due season.

Not immediately.

Not according to our timetable.

But in God's perfect timing.

Maybe you're climbing a mountain of your own right now. Maybe you're working toward a goal, praying for a breakthrough, caring for a loved one, building a business, strengthening a marriage, or pursuing a dream that feels far away.

Keep climbing.

Keep taking the next step.

Don't let a setback convince you that you've failed. Don't let slow progress make you think nothing is happening. Every step matters, even the ones that feel small.

The people who eventually reach the top aren't always the fastest or the strongest. Often, they're simply the ones who refused to quit.

One step.

One day.

One prayer.

One act of faithfulness at a time.

And before you know it, you'll look back and realize that what seemed impossible was accomplished by simply continuing to move forward.

So today, if you're tired, discouraged, or wondering if it's worth it, remember this:

The path to success isn't a giant leap.

It's a series of faithful steps.