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.

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😊.

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.

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.

(picture is from Precept Ministries)

Where Do You Go When Life Gets Hard?

One simple verse, but it says so much.

In Acts chapter 4, Peter and John had just been arrested because they were boldly preaching about Jesus. They were questioned, threatened, and warned to stop speaking His name. What should have been a reason to become fearful only strengthened their resolve.

Then verse 23 tells us something important:

"When they were released, they went to their friends..."

After everything they had endured, they knew exactly where to go.

They went to people who shared their faith.

They went to people who would understand.

They went to people who would pray with them and encourage them.

That challenges me to ask myself a question: Where do I go when life gets hard?

When I'm discouraged, overwhelmed, or facing uncertainty, do I isolate myself? Do I try to carry every burden alone? Or do I seek out the people God has placed in my life for encouragement and support?

I've learned that some of the greatest blessings God gives us are faithful friends and family members who point us back to Him. They may not have all the answers, but they can pray with us, listen to us, and remind us that we're not walking through life's struggles alone.

There have been seasons in my life when I desperately needed that kind of support. Times when circumstances felt heavy, when decisions were difficult, or when I simply needed someone to remind me that God was still in control. Looking back, I can see how God used others to strengthen my faith when I was weary.

Peter and John didn't return to their friends to seek pity. They returned to share what God had done and to join together in prayer. The very next verses show believers lifting their voices to God with confidence and faith.

What a reminder for us today.

We weren't created to walk this journey alone. God designed us for fellowship, encouragement, and community. When challenges come—and they will—we need people around us who will help us keep our eyes on Christ instead of our circumstances.

So today, I'm thankful for the people God has placed in my life. The ones who pray, encourage, listen, and walk beside me through both the joys and the struggles.

And I'm reminded that when life gets difficult, the best place to run is not away from God's people, but toward them.

Because sometimes the strength we need comes through the very people God has placed in our path.

Got Our Jarvys Concrete Cups...

We made a special trip to Goodberrys to get our Jarvis cups, and of course, we couldn't leave without some concretes too! They were absolutely delicious and definitely worth the drive in. We picked them up after Tim finished his recovery therapy next door.

I meant to post this last week when we got them. It was the day after Jarvis scored the game-winning goal, which made it even more exciting. The timing couldn't have been much better! 🏒🍦😊

Do We Ever Truly Own Our Home?

I recently came across the statement in the picture above, and it really made me stop and think.

The more I thought about it, the more it made me reflect on our own situation.

In less than ten years, if all goes according to plan, Scot and I will have our home completely paid off. No mortgage. No monthly payment to a bank. The house that we've worked for, sacrificed for, and poured years of our lives into will finally be ours.

Or will it?

The reality is that even after the mortgage is paid, there will still be property taxes. If those taxes aren't paid, the government can place a lien on the property and, in some cases, eventually take it. That means that while the bank may no longer own a piece of our home, there will always be an ongoing cost attached to the land we live on.

Now, I understand that taxes help fund schools, roads, emergency services, and other public needs. This isn't about arguing whether those services are important. It's simply about the interesting reality that "paid off" doesn't necessarily mean "free."

For many families, paying off a home is one of life's greatest milestones. It represents years of hard work, discipline, delayed gratification, and perseverance. It's the reward at the end of decades of budgeting, making sacrifices, and choosing needs over wants.

When I think about our own journey, I realize that a house is so much more than lumber, bricks, and drywall. It's where memories are made. It's where we've celebrated birthdays, gathered around the dinner table, welcomed family and friends, and weathered life's storms together. It's where we've laughed, cried, prayed, and dreamed about the future.

Like many families, we've had seasons where money was tight and unexpected expenses seemed to come out of nowhere. There have been repairs, maintenance projects, rising costs, and all the responsibilities that come with homeownership. Yet through every season, God has faithfully provided what we needed.

That's why the thought of making that final mortgage payment is exciting. Not because it means we'll never have another expense, but because it marks the completion of a long journey. It represents years of commitment and sacrifice. It represents choosing financial responsibility when it would have been easier to spend elsewhere. It represents staying the course even when progress felt slow.

At the same time, the statement above serves as a reminder that true security isn't found in a house, a deed, a bank account, or even a paid-off mortgage. Any of those things can change in an instant.

Scripture reminds us in Psalm 127:1:

"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain."

That verse has taken on greater meaning for me over the years. We can work hard, make plans, and strive toward financial goals—and we should—but ultimately everything we have comes from God. He is the One who provides opportunities, strength, wisdom, and blessings.

The older I get, the more I realize that ownership is often an illusion. We spend our lives accumulating things, maintaining things, and protecting things. Yet none of it truly belongs to us forever. We are simply caretakers for a season.

Our home is a blessing. The land we live on is a blessing. Every mortgage payment we've been able to make has been a blessing. Every improvement we've made and every memory we've created within these walls has been a blessing.

So while I may still find myself pondering the question of whether we ever truly "own" our homes, I know this much: I am grateful. Grateful for a roof over our heads. Grateful for God's provision. Grateful for the opportunity to work toward a goal that once seemed so far away.

Ten years from now, when we stand in our paid-off home, I hope I'll remember not just the financial accomplishment, but the journey that got us there—the lessons learned, the sacrifices made, the prayers prayed, and God's faithfulness through every season.

Because at the end of the day, everything we have is His anyway. We are simply stewards of the blessings He has entrusted to us.

And perhaps that's the most important lesson of all: our true security isn't found in what we own, but in the One who owns it all.

We are Officially Done with Homeschooling....

We are Officially Done with Homeschooling.... 

Today feels like a turning point in our home.

I officially closed our homeschool—there’s a 30-day window after graduation to wrap everything up, and today I marked that final step. It’s one of those moments that doesn’t feel loud on the outside, but inside it carries a lot of weight. One chapter really is over now.

Homeschooling has been part of our everyday rhythm, our identity, our routines, and honestly, our lives for so long that it’s hard to explain what it feels like to close that door. There’s pride in it, yes. So much pride. But there’s also this quiet mix of emotions that comes when something you’ve poured years into is complete. You don’t just “finish school”—you finish a season of life.

And now we’re stepping into something new.

Tim is moving forward in a direction that feels both exciting and deeply intentional. He’s working alongside his dad, learning, growing, and building a strong foundation through real-world experience. At the same time, he’s continuing his weightlifting training and competitions with a level of focus that’s been building for years.

There’s something powerful about watching him chase something bigger than just the next meet or the next lift. His goal is clear: to one day wear “USA” across his chest. And as a parent, you don’t always get moments like this where you can see a dream forming so clearly and so steadily in front of you.

What makes this season special isn’t just the goals—it’s the work behind them. The early mornings, the discipline, the consistency when no one is watching. Those are the things that don’t always make headlines, but they build the kind of foundation that lasts.

So while one chapter closes today, another is already unfolding.

Different pace. Different structure. Same heart behind it all—faith, hard work, and a hope that what’s being built now will carry him exactly where he’s meant to go.

We’re grateful for what’s been completed. And we’re hopeful for what’s ahead.

Mom's Recovery Update...

Mom had her follow-up appointment with her surgeon yesterday, and we received some great news. He wants her to finish out her physical therapy—which only has two weeks remaining—and he also told her she could return to work if she feels ready.

Needless to say, that made her incredibly happy.

Anyone who knows Mom knows she isn't one to sit still for very long. Being able to get back to some of her normal routines is something she's been looking forward to for quite a while.

Today marked another major milestone in her recovery journey. She packed up her things and headed back to her own house. She's driving well on her own now and has regained enough independence to return home confidently. It was a big day and one she has been working hard toward since the day of her surgery.

June 7th will mark two months since her knee replacement surgery. Looking back, it's amazing how much progress she's made in such a short amount of time. During those first few weeks, the recovery process felt long and sometimes overwhelming. Physical therapy was hard work, and there were days when progress seemed slow.

But as is often the case, healing happens one day at a time.

When you're living through recovery, it can feel like you'll never get to the finish line. Then one day you realize you're walking better, driving again, regaining your independence, and doing things you couldn't do just a few weeks earlier.

That's exactly where Mom is now.

We are incredibly proud of how hard she has worked throughout this entire process. She has approached every challenge with determination, grit, and a positive attitude. Even when therapy was difficult, she kept showing up and doing the work.

She's a trooper, that's for sure.

We're thankful for the progress she's made, grateful for everyone who has prayed for her and encouraged her along the way, and excited to see her continue getting stronger in the weeks ahead.

The recovery journey isn't quite finished yet, but she's come a long way—and we're celebrating every milestone.