Update On Tucker

Update on Tucker

We made the decision to stop Tucker’s kibble because, quite frankly, I have felt for a long time now that processed kibble may be contributing to cancer and other health problems in our animals.

We switched Tucker to homemade dog food made with fresh sweet potatoes, fresh carrots, fresh green beans, ground turkey and canned, unsalted chickpeas—and he has perked up BIG TIME!

We’re also giving him a little honey once a day with his meal. We’ve read about some of the potential benefits of honey, particularly its antimicrobial properties, so we’re hopeful it may be helpful if the nodules he has are fungal in nature.

The biggest thing we’ve noticed is that he hasn’t had any more vomiting episodes. His appetite has picked up tremendously. He will eat every ounce of the food I make in the crockpot—and probably more if I’d let him! 😂

He’s also so much more content now, and that makes my heart happy.

If this is cancer, then once we do his next scan, we’ll continue the course we’re on with him for as long as he has a good quality of life. When the time comes that his suffering becomes greater than his quality of life, we’ll make the hard decision we know we may eventually have to make.

But on the flip side, if what we’re doing now helps heal him, we will be OH SO HAPPY and praising God!

He knows just how much our furry creatures mean to us. ❤️🐾

WHEN STRENGTH LOOKS DIFFERENT

This picture is one of the last times that Tim lifted weight over his head.

I love this quote and included it with the picture because it's true.

After winning Nationals, Tim had been on such a high. He had worked so hard for that moment, and to see all of that hard work pay off was pretty incredible.

Then this...

For weeks now, Tim has been dealing with an issue with his elbow where it won't fully straighten out. He had some issues with it a few months back before Nationals. We thought it had gotten better with his working with his body guy, but after getting back to training, it has gotten worse.

He's been strictly doing lower body and core work while we figure out what is going on with his elbow.

Now we're going through the normal ropes to get everything that needs to be done, done. Tim has seen an orthopedic doctor. He's had X-rays done. There's no fracture or OCD changes and his joint spaces and alignment are normal. He's doing everything the orthopedic doctor is asking, along with PT. Next will be an MRI that will hopefully tell us what is really going on with his elbow.

We have to give what the orthopedic doctor is trying a chance first before we can move to the MRI step in order for insurance to pick up the tab.

Gotta love insurance... NOT!

But honestly, this has been a reminder that strength isn't always about what you can lift.

Sometimes strength is being willing to put the weights down when your body is telling you that something isn't right.

Sometimes strength is being patient when you want answers NOW.

Sometimes strength is doing the exercises you're supposed to do, going to PT, following the doctor's instructions and trusting the process—even when the process isn't moving as quickly as you'd like.

And sometimes strength is dealing with disappointment without allowing it to define you.

I know this isn't where Tim expected to be right now. After the excitement of Nationals and everything he had worked so hard for, I'm sure it's frustrating to have to back off and wait and watch others make the forward progress that you want to be making.

But this is just a pause. It's not the end of his story.

That quote says, "You can fake and buy a lot of things in life these days, but muscle and strength aren't one of them."

Tim has spent several years building his strength. He's put in the work when nobody was watching. He's learned that you don't get stronger by taking the easy road.

And maybe that's exactly what this season is teaching him too.

Because there are different kinds of strength.

There is physical strength.

There is mental strength.

And there is the kind of strength that comes from having to trust God when you don't have all the answers yet.

We don't know exactly what is going on with his elbow right now. We don't know how long this will take. We don't know what the MRI will show.

But we do know that God isn't surprised by any of it.

So for now, we wait. We do what the doctors tell us to do. We keep working the parts of his body that he can work. We keep moving forward instead of sitting still and feeling sorry for ourselves.

And we pray.

Because sometimes getting stronger doesn't mean adding another plate to the bar.

Sometimes getting stronger means learning how to keep going when you can't lift the bar at all.

This isn't the chapter we expected after Nationals, but it's the chapter we're in.

And we'll trust God with the rest.

YOU CAN DO ANYTHING

“You can do anything.”

Those are words we have told our son over and over again as he has grown into the man he is today.

Not because we believed life would always be easy for him. Not because we thought he would never fail, face disappointment, or have moments when he questioned himself.

We told him because we wanted him to believe something that is so easy to forget:

Your circumstances don't get to decide what you are capable of becoming.

From the time he was little, we wanted him to know that we believed in him. We wanted him to understand that when something is hard, that doesn't automatically mean you should quit. Sometimes hard simply means you have to work harder, try again, learn something new, or find another way.

There have been times when he didn't believe he could do something himself. But that's when we would remind him:

“You can do anything.”

Those words weren't meant to tell him that he would always get exactly what he wanted.

They were meant to tell him that he shouldn't put limits on himself before he ever gives himself a chance.

You may not be the smartest person in the room.

You may not be the strongest.

You may not have the most money, the most opportunities, or the easiest circumstances.

You may even have people who tell you that you can't.

But none of those things mean you should stop trying.

Sometimes the biggest obstacle standing between us and what we want to accomplish isn't our circumstances. It's the voice in our own head telling us we're not capable.

That's why I think it is so important to speak life into our children.

Tell them you believe in them.

Tell them they are capable.

Tell them that failure isn't the end.

Tell them that falling down doesn't mean they can't get back up.

And most importantly, teach them that success isn't always about winning. Sometimes success is simply refusing to quit.

As parents, we can't walk through every door for our children. We can't protect them from every disappointment or remove every obstacle they will face.

Eventually, they have to walk through those doors themselves.

That's why we wanted our son to carry those words with him:

You can do anything.

Not because we think he can literally do everything without limitations.

But because we want him to approach life believing that he is capable of more than he may realize.

And as I look at the man he has become, I am so thankful we kept saying it.

Because sometimes the words we speak to our children when they're young become the words they hear in their own heads when they're grown.

I hope when life gets hard, he remembers our voices telling him:

“You can do this.”

“Don't give up.”

“Keep going.”

“We believe in you.”

And most of all...

“You can do anything.”

Maybe that's one of the greatest gifts we can give our children—not a life without obstacles, but the confidence to face those obstacles believing they are capable of overcoming them.

And if you're a parent reading this today, don't underestimate the power of your words.

Your child may not always show it.

They may roll their eyes.

They may act like they don't care.

But keep telling them.

Keep encouraging them.

Keep believing in them.

Because one day, they may become the man or woman you always knew they could be—and they'll carry those words with them long after they leave your home.

You can do anything.

Sometimes, they just need someone who loves them enough to believe it until they believe it too.

Tim's Senior Yearbook

 Here are Tim's Senior Yearbook pages from Lighthouse Homeschool Association: 

I still can't believe that we aren't getting ready to go back to school again this year. It hasn't really sunk in yet, but I have a feeling it will once everyone else starts heading back to school.

Tim is taking a gap year.

When you say that, most people gasp because they immediately assume it means the person isn't going to pursue further schooling.

Honestly, I don't know what lies ahead for Tim. But I do know that whatever he chooses to do, he will be as focused and driven as he has always been.

We are so incredibly thankful for the blessing it has been to raise this incredible young man. To say we are proud of him is an understatement.

And yes, I know I said the word proud, and I know what the Bible says about pride. I promise you, that's not the kind of pride I'm talking about.

It's the kind of pride that comes from watching your child walk through hard things, learn from them, grow through them, and become someone you genuinely admire.

Tim has been through a lot in his young life. He's learned a lot, too.

He knows what kind of person he wants to be—and what kind of person he doesn't want to be.

He has dreams and goals that he is going after with all of his heart. And I don't believe there is any amount of anything anyone can say or do that will keep him from pursuing those dreams and goals.

For Tim, living a full life means living life on purpose and with purpose.

For him, being an elite athlete isn't just something he does. It's his job, his passion, and what he believes he was put on this earth to pursue. We believe he will continue to strive for greatness in athletics and in life.

And honestly, if he never accomplished another thing from this point forward, he could still look back on his life and know that he has already done more in his time on this earth than most people do in an entire lifetime.

And that's okay.

Everything hasn't always been great. There have been plenty of ups and downs along the way. But the man he is today makes us smile because when we look at him, we know we did something right.

I love the person he is.

I'd love the person he is even if he weren't our son.

He's just that good of a man.

And getting to watch him step into this next chapter of his life is something I don't take for granted.

I may not know exactly where this road is going to take him, but I know Tim.

And wherever he goes, whatever he does, he'll give it everything he's got.

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Popsie

Birthdays are supposed to be a time of celebration—cake, laughter, presents, and gathering together with the people we love.

But sometimes a birthday comes around and reminds us of someone who is no longer here to celebrate with us.

Today is one of those days.

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Popsie.

It has been 2 years and 3 months since you left us for your heavenly home, and somehow, that amount of time feels both incredibly long and like just yesterday.

There are still moments when I think about you and wish I could pick up the phone, hear your voice, or see that smile again. I wish we could sit together, talk about life, laugh at the things that only our family would understand, and celebrate another birthday with you.

Time may continue to move forward, but missing someone doesn't have an expiration date.

There isn't a day that goes by that you aren't thought about and missed. You left behind memories that we will carry with us for the rest of our lives. Those memories become even more precious as the years go by.

I find comfort in knowing that while we miss you terribly here, you are no longer hurting, no longer growing older, and no longer experiencing the struggles of this world. You are home.

And I believe that one day, we'll see you again.

Until then, we will continue to talk about you, remember you, laugh at the memories, and keep your place in our family and in our hearts.

So today, we celebrate you.

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Popsie. 🎂💙

I hope Heaven is celebrating you in a way that only Heaven can.

We love you.
We miss you.
And you will forever be in our hearts.

Until we meet again… ❤️

Cherishing Every Moment With Tucker

I'm writing this post with a heavy heart.

On the 10th, we found out from the vet that Tucker's lungs are full of nodules. The vet won't say with certainty that it's cancer, but what we saw on his X-rays looked just like Dexter's did when we found out that he had lung cancer.

We were told that with dogs, lung cancer generally forms somewhere else in the body before it takes over the lungs. So, more than likely, if this is cancer, it could be somewhere else in Tucker's body as well.

The only way we would know for certain would be to do an ultrasound, but those are very expensive. For now, we've decided to wait a month and have another set of X-rays done to see if there have been any changes.

After going through this once before with Dexter, we've made the decision to keep Tucker as comfortable and happy as possible for as long as we can. When the time comes that his suffering outweighs his quality of life, we'll have to make that incredibly difficult decision to let him go.

It's never easy having to make that kind of decision. We love our pets so much that they really aren't just pets—they're family.

Tucker has been the most amazing dog. We cherish every moment we've had with him, and right now, we're cherishing the moments ahead because we simply don't know when one of them will be our last.

Dexter went downhill very quickly. He was good one day, and the next, he wasn't. He couldn't walk and was floundering all over the floor. Tucker, thankfully, is still doing fairly well other than having some sick spells and bouts of dehydration. He's still acting pretty normal. We can tell that he's slowed down some and wants to rest more, but he's 10 now, so that's to be expected.

Right now, our focus is simply on keeping Tucker as happy and comfortable as possible. We're going to spoil him, love on him, and enjoy every moment we have with him.

Tucker turned 10 this past March, and honestly, that just seems so young to me to be facing something like this. But in dog years, he's still lived a good life, and we are incredibly thankful for every year, every memory, and every moment God has given us with him.

I'm sure there will come a day when I'll write another post about Tucker—the day when we've had to make the hard call that I already know is coming.

But that's not today.

Today, Tucker is here. He's still enjoying life. And we're going to cherish him for as long as God allows us to have him.

For now, enjoy a couple of pictures of Tucker—one from when he was younger and one from more recently.

And if you have a pet you love, don't take those moments for granted. Love them a little harder. Take the pictures. Make the memories. Because sometimes, the moments we think we'll have forever are the very moments we later wish we could have back.

We Didn't Get Everything Right… But We Got This Right...

As parents, it's easy to replay the things we wish we had done differently.

There are moments we wish we had been more patient. Days we wish we had handled a situation better. Decisions we might change if we could go back. No parent is perfect, and if we're honest, we all have moments we'd like a do-over.

We've certainly had ours.

But every now and then, we take a step back and look at our son, and one thought rises above all the rest:

We may not be perfect, but when we look at our son, we know we got something in our life perfectly right.

Not because he's flawless—he isn't. None of us are.

But because of the kind of young man he has become.

He's respectful when no one is watching. He works hard without complaining. He keeps his commitments. He honors his family. He treats people with kindness and dignity. He loves the Lord. He has learned that success isn't handed to you—it comes through discipline, perseverance, and character.

Watching him grow into adulthood has been one of God's greatest blessings in our lives.

There were years filled with early mornings, late nights, long drives, sacrifices, difficult conversations, homeschooling, practices, competitions, disappointments, victories, and countless prayers. There were moments when we wondered if what we were pouring into him was taking root.

Now we see the fruit.

Parenting isn't about raising children who make us look good. It's about raising adults who will honor God long after they've left our home. 

The world tells parents to be their child's best friend.

God calls us to be their guide.

That means saying "no" when it's unpopular. It means teaching responsibility instead of making excuses. It means correcting with love, modeling integrity, and pointing them toward Christ even when it's hard.

Children learn far more from what they see than from what they hear.

They watch how we treat our spouse.

They watch how we respond to adversity.

They watch whether our faith is genuine or just something we talk about on Sundays.

Our example often becomes their foundation.

Psalm 127:3 reminds us:

"Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him."

What an incredible responsibility—and what an incredible privilege.

Looking back, we realize that while we made mistakes along the way, God was faithful. He filled in the gaps where we fell short. He gave wisdom when we asked, grace when we failed, and strength when we felt inadequate.

Any success we see in our son is ultimately a testimony to God's faithfulness far more than our parenting.

As he continues to chase his dreams, work hard, and follow the path God has for him, our prayer remains the same as it has always been:

That he would love Jesus more than success.

That he would value character more than recognition.

That he would lead with humility.

That he would never stop pursuing the purpose God has placed on his life.

No, we haven't been perfect parents.

Far from it.

But if raising a son who loves God, respects others, works hard, stays humble, and lives with integrity is any indication...

Then by God's grace, we got something beautifully right.

And for that, we'll be forever grateful. 

One Year Without You, Nan...

It's hard to believe it's been a year since you left us, Nan.

Losing you just a little over a year after Pop passed has left a hole in our family that can never truly be filled. Family gatherings aren't the same anymore. There are empty chairs where laughter once echoed. There are stories we wish we could still tell you in person. There are moments when we still instinctively think, "I can't wait to tell Nan," before remembering you're no longer here.

People often say time heals all wounds. I don't think that's entirely true.

Time teaches us how to carry the loss, but it never erases the love.

So much life has happened this past year.

Tim turned 18 and five days later he graduated from high school. He got his full class c driver's license. He started a new chapter of adulthood working with his dad. But perhaps the biggest milestone of all was becoming a USA Weightlifting Junior National Champion.

We couldn't help but think of you and Pop that day.

Scot and I can still picture how proud you both would have been. You watched Tim work toward that dream for years. You saw the countless hours of training, the setbacks, the disappointments, and the determination that never wavered.

When he stood on that podium as National Champion, our hearts were overflowing with joy—but there was also an ache.

We wished you were still here to share it.

We wished we could have called you afterward.

We wished we could have seen the smile on your face and heard you tell him how proud you were.

But even in the middle of that bittersweet moment, we found comfort knowing that while you weren't here with us, you are safely in the presence of the One you loved most, watching and smiling from heaven.

Scripture reminds us:

"To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8)

That promise doesn't erase the pain, but it gives us hope.

There have been birthdays, holidays, celebrations, and ordinary days that have all looked different without you and Pop. We miss your laughter, your hugs, your wisdom, and simply having you here.

Grief has a way of reminding us just how deeply we loved someone.

And what a gift that love was.

I'm so thankful for the years we all had together. Thankful for the memories you've left us. Thankful for the example you lived before us. Thankful that our goodbye isn't forever.

Because for those who know Christ, death isn't the end of the story.

It's simply "see you later."

Until that day, we'll continue living the lives you and Pop encouraged us to live—loving God, loving each other, working hard, celebrating life's victories, and trusting the Lord through every season.

We miss you every single day, Nan.

Not a day goes by that you and Pop don't cross our minds.

Thank you for loving us so well.

We'll carry your memory in our hearts until we're together again.

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain..." (Revelation 21:4)

Until we see you again, We love you, Nan.

Me and My House...

There are certain verses in Scripture that seem to become part of your heart. For me, Joshua 24:15 is one of those verses.

It's more than a beautiful plaque hanging on a wall. It's more than a verse stitched onto a decorative pillow or displayed above a doorway. It's a declaration. A commitment. A decision that affects every part of life.

When Joshua spoke these words, he was addressing the people of Israel after reminding them of all God had done for them. God had rescued them, protected them, provided for them, and fulfilled His promises. Joshua challenged the people to choose whom they would serve. Then he boldly declared that regardless of what others decided, he had already made his choice.

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

I think that's what makes this verse so powerful. Joshua wasn't waiting to see what everyone else was going to do. He wasn't taking a poll. He wasn't following the culture around him. He had made up his mind.

In today's world, that's not always easy.

We live in a culture that constantly pulls our attention in a hundred different directions. There are endless distractions competing for our time, our energy, and our hearts. The world tells us that success, achievement, popularity, and possessions should be our highest priorities. But Joshua's words remind us that our greatest purpose is to know God and serve Him.

Serving the Lord isn't just something we do on Sunday mornings. It's a daily choice.

It's choosing prayer before panic.

It's choosing faith over fear.

It's choosing forgiveness when holding a grudge would be easier.

It's choosing obedience even when it costs us something.

It's choosing to trust God's plan when we don't understand what He's doing.

For our family, this verse has been lived out in countless ways over the years.

When Scot and I married nearly twenty years ago, we made a commitment that Christ would be at the center of our marriage. Have we done everything perfectly? Absolutely not. But through every season—the good times and the hard times—we've tried to keep our eyes on the One who brought us together.

When we chose to homeschool Tim, it wasn't simply about academics. It was about discipleship. We wanted him to know that his identity is found in Christ before anything else. Long before he became a weightlifter, a graduate, or began planning for college, he was a child of God.

Now, watching him step into adulthood has given me an even greater appreciation for this verse.

As parents, there comes a point when you realize that all the lessons, prayers, conversations, and examples you've tried to set are being carried forward into the next generation. You pray that the faith you've lived before your children becomes a faith they embrace for themselves.

My prayer has never been that Tim would simply be successful. Success comes and goes. Trophies collect dust. Records get broken. Achievements fade with time.

My prayer has always been that he would love Jesus and follow Him wherever He leads.

Because at the end of the day, that's what matters most.

The older I get, the more I realize that serving the Lord isn't about having a perfect family. Every family has struggles. Every family faces challenges. Every family experiences heartbreak and disappointment.

Serving the Lord means choosing Him in the middle of those moments.

It means trusting Him when the diagnosis isn't what you hoped for.

It means trusting Him when you're grieving the loss of someone you love.

It means trusting Him when your plans change.

It means trusting Him when you're stepping into an unknown future.

I've seen God's faithfulness through seasons of joy and seasons of loss. I've seen Him provide when I didn't know how things would work out. I've seen Him comfort when my heart was broken. I've seen Him guide our family through decisions that seemed overwhelming at the time.

Looking back, I can honestly say that God has never failed us.

Not once.

That doesn't mean life has always been easy. It means God has always been faithful.

As our family enters a new season, my commitment remains the same as it was years ago.

The world may change.

Circumstances may change.

Children grow up.

Seasons come and go.

But our foundation remains unchanged.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Not because it's popular.

Not because it's easy.

But because He is worthy.

And after all He has done, all He has carried us through, and all the blessings He has poured into our lives, I can think of no greater purpose than to serve the One who has been faithful every step of the way.

Forgiving the Inexcusable...

There are some quotes that stop you in your tracks, and this is one of them.

Forgiveness sounds beautiful when we're talking about minor offenses. It's much harder when we're talking about real hurt. The kind of hurt that leaves scars. The kind that changes relationships, breaks trust, and leaves you asking, "How could they do that?"

If you've lived very long, you've been hurt by someone. Maybe it was a friend. Maybe it was a family member. Maybe it was someone you trusted completely. The details may be different, but the pain is something we all understand.

I've learned that forgiveness is one of the hardest things God asks us to do.

Not because we don't know we're supposed to forgive, but because sometimes the hurt feels too deep. We replay conversations in our minds. We relive disappointments. We carry wounds long after the moment has passed. Sometimes we convince ourselves that holding on to the hurt somehow protects us from being hurt again.

But the truth is, bitterness doesn't protect us—it imprisons us.

Over the years, I've had moments when I had to choose forgiveness even when every emotion in me wanted to hold on to the offense. I've had to remind myself that forgiveness is not saying what happened was okay. It's not pretending the hurt didn't exist. It's not giving someone permission to continue hurting you.

Forgiveness is choosing to release the debt.

It's placing the situation into God's hands and trusting Him to handle what I cannot.

As a wife, a mother, a daughter, a friend, and simply as a person trying to walk faithfully with Christ, I've learned that relationships can be messy. People will disappoint you. They will say things they shouldn't say. They will make choices you don't understand. Sometimes they'll never apologize. Sometimes they'll never acknowledge the pain they caused.

That's when forgiveness becomes less about them and more about your obedience to God.

When I think about all the grace God has extended to me, it changes my perspective. There have been countless times in my life when I didn't deserve His mercy. Times when I failed. Times when I made mistakes. Times when I fell short of who He created me to be.

Yet God never turned His back on me.

He didn't make me earn His forgiveness.

He didn't keep a running list of my failures.

Through Jesus Christ, He offered forgiveness freely.

And if God can forgive me for all the ways I've fallen short, how can I refuse to extend forgiveness to others?

That question isn't always comfortable, but it's necessary.

The older I get, the more I realize that forgiveness is not usually a one-time event. It's often a daily decision. Sometimes you forgive someone, only to wake up the next day feeling the hurt all over again. In those moments, you choose forgiveness again.

And again.

And again.

Not because the pain magically disappeared, but because you've decided that Christ's example matters more than your feelings.

One of the greatest lessons I've learned is that forgiveness doesn't free the other person nearly as much as it frees you.

The moment you stop carrying the weight of bitterness, resentment, and anger, something changes. The burden becomes lighter. The wound begins to heal. The peace of God has room to work in your heart.

I've also learned that forgiveness and trust are not the same thing. Some relationships can be restored. Others require healthy boundaries. Wisdom and forgiveness often walk hand in hand.

But regardless of the outcome, God never gives us permission to hold on to unforgiveness.

As Christians, we're called to something different from the world. We're called to love when it's difficult. To show grace when it's undeserved. To forgive when it feels impossible.

Not because people deserve it.

But because we serve a Savior who forgave us when we didn't deserve it either.

The cross is the greatest example of forgiveness the world has ever seen. Jesus looked at those who mocked Him, beat Him, and crucified Him and still chose forgiveness.

If He can do that for me, then surely He can help me forgive those who have hurt me.

Maybe today you're carrying a wound that you've held on to for years. Maybe every time you think you've moved past it, the pain resurfaces. Maybe you've been waiting for an apology that never came.

Can I encourage you to give that hurt to God?

Not because it's easy.

Not because it's fair.

But because your freedom is worth it.

Forgiveness doesn't change the past, but it does keep the past from controlling your future.

And sometimes the most powerful testimony of God's work in our lives isn't what we've overcome—it's who we've chosen to forgive.

After all, every single one of us is living proof that God specializes in forgiving the inexcusable.

Lift Day...

Lift Day...

Today, in Colorado Springs, Tim lifts at 2:00 PM local time (4:00 PM Eastern) for all of you back home cheering him on. The event will be available to stream online, though there may be a viewing fee—please check for the official broadcast details at USA Weightlifting National's Event page. There is a link as you scroll down the page for livestreaming. 

We’ll continue to update this blog with how Tim performs once his session is complete, so stay tuned for results and highlights.

As a first-year Junior, Tim is excited for the opportunity to compete alongside some incredible lifters today. More than anything, he’s looking forward to learning from the experience—watching how other competitors do, and continuing to grow in the sport he loves.

Now the Work Begins...

After days of traveling across the country, we finally arrived yesterday in Colorado Springs for USA Weightlifting Nationals Week.

As exciting as it is to get here, the reality is that the competition doesn't start the moment you arrive. In many ways, this is where the real work begins.

Over the next couple of days, Tim will focus on getting his body acclimated to the elevation, adjusting to the environment, and spending time in the training hall preparing for competition day. Every athlete has their own routine leading up to a meet, and these days are an important part of the process.

It's always impressive to watch the level of dedication these athletes have. Most people only see the few minutes they spend on the competition platform, but they don't see the months and years of training, early mornings, sore muscles, sacrifices, and discipline that got them there. They don't see the countless hours spent perfecting technique, chasing personal records, and pushing through days when motivation isn't easy to find.

As parents, we're incredibly proud of the work Tim has put in to reach this point. His journey into Olympic weightlifting began after closing the chapter on a sport he had spent over a decade pursuing. Watching him embrace a new challenge, commit himself fully, and continue growing as both an athlete and a young man has been a blessing.

Now we wait for competition day.

Lift Day is June 24th at 4:00 PM Eastern, and we're excited to see all of his hard work put to the test. No matter what happens on the platform, he's already accomplished something special by earning his place here among the nation's best.

We're grateful for the opportunity to be here, grateful for the coaches, teammates, and supporters who have encouraged him along the way, and grateful for the memories we're continuing to make as a family.

The travel is done.

The preparation continues.

Now the work begins.

#USAW #USAWeightlifting #AthleticLabWeightlifting #CarolinasWSO #Nationals2026 #RoadToNationals #WeightliftingFamily #ProudParents

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.