Have Fun, Get Organized & Enjoy Life!

My home is always a work in progress. I'm constantly going through things and making my donate piles, throw-away piles, and keep piles. My problem, and maybe yours too, is that my keep pile always seems to be bigger than the other two combined! 😂

That means I have to get creative about organizing the things that stay. I want our home to feel cozy, comfortable, and inviting rather than leaving me stressed because things don't have a rhyme or reason to where they're placed.

I'll be the first to admit that organizing isn't one of my strongest suits. Of course I do like everything to have a place and be put in it. It's figuring out the best placement that's a challenge for me, but over the past couple of years, God has been showing me what's truly important to keep and what I can let go of. More things that we don't really need are leaving our home, and the things that remain need to have a place where they belong.

I'm learning that it's not just about getting rid of stuff. It's also about being intentional with what we choose to keep.

When your budget doesn't allow you to purchase the furnishings or storage solutions you'd really like to have, you have to get creative. And while creativity doesn't come naturally to me, research does! These days, research is my friend. I'm always looking for ideas and practical ways to make our spaces look and feel better without spending a ton of money.

I'm learning to work with what we have, make a plan, and tackle things one step at a time.

One of the things I want to change is how comfortable I feel inviting people into our home. I don't generally have many people over beyond family and close friends, partly because I'm not happy with how some of our spaces look and function. I'd love to change that. I want to be able to entertain, enjoy fellowship with others, and have a home that feels welcoming.

I'm not trying to create an immaculate masterpiece. That's not the goal! I simply want our home to feel more intentional, with things in their proper places instead of looking as though they've been put somewhere just because there's no room in the inn. 😉

Pets add another layer to the challenge, but my guys hear me say it time and time again: "One day at a time, and we will get there."

And we will.

I'm thankful that we aren't people who hold on to things just for the sake of holding on to them. These days, we're learning to ask ourselves whether something has real value or purpose in our lives before deciding to keep it.

Over the years, we've helped friends move their parents and sort through their belongings. We've also experienced the loss of loved ones and the difficult task of going through their things, deciding what to throw away, what to donate, and what to keep or sell.

In some ways, we've become pros at sorting through other people's belongings. But that's not something you really want to become a pro at doing.

Those experiences have changed the way we look at our own home and everything in it. We've seen firsthand how overwhelming it can be for loved ones to face a lifetime of accumulated belongings, especially when they're already dealing with grief.

We don't want to leave Tim with that same burden someday.

That doesn't mean we have to get rid of everything or live in a bare, empty house. It means being thoughtful about what we keep and recognizing that a simpler life can leave us with more time and energy for the things that matter most.

Life goes by fast💨, and I don't want to spend so much of it managing our stuff that I forget to enjoy the life God has given us.

When you reach a certain age, you begin to see just how precious and short life really is. You start thinking more about the time you have with the people God has blessed you with and less about the things you own.

I want Scot and me to enjoy the years ahead of us. I want to make memories, welcome people into our home, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy this season of life without constantly feeling like there's something else around the house that needs to be dealt with.

We want the years ahead to be some of the best years of our lives, and that means making some changes now.

So, we're working on it. We're sorting, donating, organizing, researching, and figuring out how to make our home work better for us without breaking the budget. We may not get everything done overnight, but that's okay. Progress is progress!

My encouragement to you is this: Don't keep putting off getting things in order until tomorrow. Tomorrow isn't promised to any of us. You don't have to tackle everything at once, and you don't have to spend a fortune to make a difference. Start with one drawer, one shelf, one closet, or one room.

Do what you can today to make life a little easier for yourself and the people you love.

Because at the end of the day, it's not about having a perfect home. It's about having a home you can enjoy and a life you have time to live.

Make room for what matters. Let go of what doesn't. And don't forget to have fun while getting organized so that you can enjoy your life for years to come!

Next Gen Different

Next Gen Different 

Scot and I both feel this way when it comes to Tim. Our desire is to see him surpass what we've accomplished in our own lives and build an even better life for himself and the generations that will come after him.

Don't get me wrong. We've lived a great life so far! God has blessed us in so many ways, and we've been able to support Tim, not only emotionally but also financially, in the things he's pursued throughout his young life.

One of the greatest blessings Scot and I have experienced is being able to show up for Tim in ways that our own families weren't always able to show up for us. It wasn't for a lack of love or trying. They simply didn't have the same means or opportunities that God has allowed us to have. We're grateful for what they did give us, and we're equally grateful that we've been able to build upon what came before us.

That's what we want for Tim. We want him to have a stronger foundation, greater opportunities, and the freedom to pursue what God places on his heart. We want him to dream bigger, work harder, grow in his faith, and become the man God created him to be. We don't want him to feel limited by where we've been or by the things we may not have been able to accomplish ourselves.

We want him to go further.

And as he builds his own life, our hope is that he'll continue building upon what we've worked so hard to establish. Not just financially, but in his character, his faith, his relationships, and the way he treats others.

Because this isn't just about Tim. It's about the generations that will come after him.

The more we can build, steward wisely, and pass along, the more we can leave for those who follow us. An inheritance isn't just about money or possessions. It's also about the values we teach, the faith we live out, the work ethic we demonstrate, and the foundation we leave behind. We want the next generation to start from a place that allows them to go even further than the generation before them.

Proverbs 13:22 tells us that a good person leaves an inheritance for their children's children. That verse reminds me that what we're building today can reach far beyond our own lifetime.

That's what Next Gen Different means to us.

It's not about thinking we're better than the generations before us. It's about recognizing what we've been given, being thankful for how far God has brought us, and doing our part to make the path a little easier for those who come after us.

God has been faithful to us, and we want that legacy of faithfulness to continue through our family.

Our prayer is that Tim will take what we've given him, build upon it, and one day pass along something even greater to his own children and grandchildren.

Not because we expect him to follow in our footsteps, but because we want him to have the opportunity to go further than we ever did.

And if the generations after him can do the same, then what we're building today will have mattered long after we're gone.

That's the goal. That's the legacy. That's Next Gen Different.  

What a Freaking Blessing ❤️

This is exactly how I felt after spending last weekend at the Carolinas WSO Championships!

Whether Tim is lifting or we're sitting on the sidelines cheering on the athletes who are, we genuinely enjoy being there. There is something special about watching these young men and women step onto the platform, give it their all, and accomplish things they've worked so hard for.

But what makes these weekends so special to us goes far beyond the lifting.

It's the community.

One of the things I love most about the weightlifting community is how much they genuinely want to see one another succeed. When an athlete hits a personal record, makes a lift they've been chasing, or earns a medal, there is so much excitement and celebration. You see athletes cheering for one another, encouraging one another, and sharing in those special moments.

Of course, they're competing against one another, but there is no reason someone else's success can't be celebrated, too. Someone else's accomplishment doesn't diminish what you've worked for or what you're capable of achieving.

And I LOVE that!

We've seen how sports can sometimes become wrapped up in backbiting, comparisons, and negativity. That's one of the reasons this weightlifting community has been such a blessing to Tim. It has lifted him up in ways other sports never did. The encouragement, friendships, and support he has found along this journey have made a difference in him, not just as an athlete, but as a young man.

As his parents, that means more to us than words can adequately express.

Last weekend at the Carolinas WSO Championships, we weren't just there to watch a competition. We were there to cheer, encourage, reconnect with friends, celebrate accomplishments, and make more memories with people who have become such a meaningful part of our lives.

We love watching Tim's fellow athletes succeed. We love seeing the hard work pay off. We love the excitement that fills the room when someone makes a big lift. And we love being part of a community where people can compete against one another while still wanting the very best for each other.

That's what makes this sport so special to us.

At the end of the day, the weight on the bar matters, the personal records are exciting, and the medals are wonderful reminders of hard work. But the people, the relationships, the encouragement, and the memories made along the way? Those are the things that stay with you long after the competition is over.

So, yes, we came home exhausted after the Carolinas WSO Championships. But it was the kind of exhaustion that comes from spending a weekend doing something you love with people you love being around.

And honestly?

What a freaking blessing that is! ❤️

I'll take a weekend like that any day. The tired feet, the long days, the excitement, the laughter, the cheering, and all the memories are worth every bit of it.

We are so thankful for this weightlifting community and the role it has played in Tim's journey. We may have started this journey because of a sport, but we've gained so much more than that along the way.

And that's something worth celebrating!

Tell Them While You Can

Tell Them While You Can

A close friend's aunt passed away last Friday. Although I didn't know her personally, my heart hurts for my friend and her family as they grieve the loss of someone they love so dearly. Over time, they have become like family to us, and when people you care about are hurting, you feel that hurt right alongside them.

As I was thinking about them and what their family is going through, I came across the quote above and knew I wanted to share it here.

Too often, we wait until it's too late to say the things we should have said all along.

Life moves so fast. 💨 We get caught up in our daily routines, our responsibilities, and all the things we think need our attention. Sometimes, we forget to pause and tell the people we love just how much they mean to us.

Don't wait for a special occasion. Don't assume they already know. Take the time to tell them you appreciate them, that you love them, and that they matter to you. We aren't promised tomorrow, and we never know when an ordinary day might become a memory we wish we could relive.

As I think about what my friend and her family are experiencing right now, I am reminded that any of us could find ourselves in that same place. But God! He has carried us through our own seasons of grief, uncertainty, and fear, and He has reminded us just how precious the gift of life truly is.

In 2024, we lost Pop. In 2025, we lost Nan. Then, in June of 2026, we came frighteningly close to losing two more members of our family. But God! He showed up in a mighty way, and we are beyond thankful that those two loved ones are still here with us today. And now, in October 2026, my friend and her family are facing the heartbreak of losing her aunt.

Life has a way of reminding us that none of us is exempt from heartache. It seems there is always something challenging happening in someone's life, and perhaps part of that is the stage of life we are in.

When we're young, we haven't experienced enough of life's losses and challenges to fully understand how quickly things can change. As we move through our 30s and 40s, our perspective begins to shift. But by the time we reach our 50s, something often changes in the way we look at life.

We begin to understand more deeply that time is precious. We cherish the moments we have with our loved ones a little more. We become more intentional about making memories, staying connected, and being present. We also find ourselves reaching out to others who are walking through similar seasons because we understand, perhaps more than ever before, how much it means to have someone beside you when life gets hard.

The older I get, the more I realize that love should never be left unspoken, and time spent with the people who matter most is never time wasted.

No matter what stage of life we're in, one thing is certain: the circle of life continues to turn. Life doesn't stop for our grief, our struggles, or our wishes that we could have just a little more time. We cannot control how many days we are given, but we can choose how we spend them and how we love the people God has placed in our lives.

So, please, don't wait.

Tell someone you appreciate them. Tell them you love them. Check on the friend who may be struggling. Make that phone call. Send that text. Give that hug. Forgive when you can, encourage when you see a need, and never underestimate the difference your words can make in someone's life.

We may never know just how much those little moments mean to someone else, but we don't want to look back one day and wish we had said more, loved more, or simply been there.

Life is precious. Time is a gift. And the people God has placed in our lives are not to be taken for granted.

Don't leave what you think about someone to their eulogy. Tell them while they are still here to hear it. ❤️

The Treasures That Fill Our Home

The Treasures That Fill Our Home

When I read these verses, I don't think about a physical house. I think about a home.

Wisdom and knowledge build a strong house. What I take that to mean is that through wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, everyone in a home has a part in making that home stronger. Everyone has a special place to fill.

A house can be beautiful. It can be filled with beautiful furniture, decorations, pictures, and things that we have collected over the years. But none of those things are what truly make a house a home.

The greatest treasures in our home are the people who fill it.

In our home, the rare and beautiful treasures that fill our rooms are our loved ones. Each person is unique and holds value that only they can hold. Each person is rare and beautiful—and I'm not talking about outward beauty.

I'm talking about the beauty that comes from within.

The kindness.
The love.
The laughter.
The wisdom.
The strength.
The compassion.
The faith.
The memories.
The experiences that have shaped each of us into who we are.

These are the things that fill a home with treasures that money could never buy.

Every person brings something different into a family. We each have different personalities, different gifts, different strengths, and even different weaknesses. And yet, God can use all of those differences to build something beautiful.

I think about our own home and how grateful I am for the people God has placed within it. The people I love are not simply occupants of our house. They are the reason it is home.

They are the treasures in the rooms.

And just as Proverbs says, a strong house doesn't happen by accident. It is built. It is established. It takes wisdom, understanding, patience, forgiveness, grace, communication, and most importantly, God.

Because homes aren't perfect.

Families aren't perfect.

People aren't perfect.

But a home built on God doesn't have to be perfect to be strong.

There will be difficult seasons. There will be disagreements. There will be misunderstandings and moments when we don't get it right. But when we allow God to be the foundation of our home, He teaches us how to love each other through those things.

He teaches us to listen when we'd rather speak, to extend grace when we'd rather hold onto hurt, to forgive when it isn't easy, and to value the person in front of us more than whatever disagreement we may be facing.

And perhaps that is part of what makes the treasures in our rooms so rare and beautiful.

They aren't valuable because they are perfect.

They are valuable because they are ours—and because God entrusted them to us.

When I look around our home, I don't want to see only what we've accumulated. I want to see what God has built.

I want the walls of our home to hold memories of laughter, conversations, celebrations, tears, prayers, hard seasons, answered prayers, and ordinary days that we didn't realize were actually some of the most precious days of our lives.

I want our home to be a place where the people inside it know they are loved, valued, safe, and accepted.

Because one day, the furniture will be old. The decorations will change. Things will break, be replaced, or eventually be gone.

But the people God has given us?

They are the treasures.

And if I have learned anything, it is that the most beautiful things in life aren't things at all.

They are people.

They are relationships.

They are memories.

They are the love we give and receive.

They are the people who walk beside us through every season.

And when God is the One building the house, He doesn't just fill its rooms with possessions.

He fills them with rare and beautiful treasures.

I pray that our home will always be a place where those treasures are recognized, cherished, protected, and loved.

Because to me, that is what makes a house a home.

Happy National Son's Day

Happy National Son's Day

Happy National Son’s Day to our amazing son! 💗

Where has the time gone? From the little boy we watched grow up to the strong, determined young man you are today, we couldn’t be more proud of you.

We’re proud of who you are, not just what you accomplish. Your strength, determination, heart, and the person you continue to become make us incredibly grateful that God chose us to be your parents.

We love you to the moon and beyond! 🤟

Happy National Son’s Day, Tim! 💙

Happy 74th Birthday Mom!

Happy 74th Birthday Mom!

Mom was 16 when she married my father and 17 when she gave birth to me.

Today, that seems almost unheard of, but back in those days, a lot of women got married and started their families young. They stayed home, took care of the house and kids, while the dads went to work and provided for the family.

I think about how young my mom really was when she had me, and then my brothers and sister. I think about all she gave up so young in life to become a wife and a mom.

Her life has not been an easy one.

My folks struggled on a daily basis to rub two pennies together to feed and clothe us kids. We never went without the things we truly needed, and they always found a way to make do, but it wasn't easy.

Mom sacrificed so much to make sure we had what we needed.

It's what moms do.

I've done that with Tim many times through the years. We have never been in the dire straits my parents were in—praise the Lord—but I've still given up things I wanted or needed in order to give Tim what he needed as he chased after his hopes and dreams in his young life.

And because I've experienced that kind of sacrifice myself, I understand so much more now what my mom gave up while raising us.

She never really had much of a youth.

She went from being a student in school, to dropping out, to getting married, to having babies, to taking care of a home and being a wife and mother.

Now that's a mouthful.

She went from being a kid herself to suddenly being responsible for a family.

When I was younger, I didn't fully understand that. Honestly, I don't think I could have. Young people simply haven't lived enough life yet to understand some things.

But now that I'm older and have lived more life myself, I look back and I can see so much more clearly.

What sticks out to me the most is her resilience.

She kept going even when I'm sure every fiber of her being didn't want to.

She was strong because she needed to be strong for us kids. She kept going because she simply couldn't stop. There were mouths to feed, a house to take care of, children to raise and a husband to care for.

And Dad was a hard man to keep happy. She did her best, even though it didn't always work out the way she hoped.

At 74, Mom is still doing life to the best of her ability.

She's had to do it alone since Dad passed away in 2002. Of course, she's had us kids to support and help her along the way, but that's not the same as having your husband beside you.

At 74, I can see more of the wear and tear that all those hard years have left behind.

But she's still a trooper.

She's like the Energizer Bunny—she just keeps going.

And honestly, I have so much more respect for my mom today than I ever did when I was younger.

Age has a way of changing your perspective.

When you're young, you see your parents as simply Mom and Dad. You don't always stop to think about the sacrifices they made, the things they went without, the worries they carried or the times they kept going when they were probably exhausted and didn't know how they were going to make it through the next day.

Then you grow up.

You become a wife. You become a mom. You have responsibilities of your own. You make sacrifices for your own child.

And suddenly, you understand things you never understood before.

I understand my mom a whole lot more now.

I understand what it means to put someone else's needs ahead of your own. I understand what it means to worry about your child, to sacrifice for your child and to keep going because someone is counting on you.

And I understand her resilience.

I'm sure some of that resilience and determination is where her kids and grandkids get our drive from.

Mom has been through a lot of life.

She's experienced hard times, loss, struggle and more than her share of challenges. But she's still here. She's still going. She's still doing the best she can with what she has.

And today, I want her to know that I see it.

I see the sacrifices.

I see the strength.

I see the resilience.

And I appreciate her in a way I don't think I was capable of appreciating her when I was younger.

Happy 74th Birthday, Mom!

I'm praying this 74th year of your life is your best one yet. You deserve to be celebrated every day, but especially today.

I love you, Mom.

Happy Birthday🎂🎈! 

Happy Grandparents Day

Today we celebrate our grandparents—those who are still with us and those who have passed on.

I've been thinking about my grandparents today. I only knew two of them—my dad's father and my mom's mother.

My grandfather was a hard man, much like my dad. My grandmother was like a box of chocolates—you never knew what you were gonna get😂.

My dad's mom I never got the chance to know because she passed away before I was born. But Dad named me and one of my sisters after her. He gave me Lorraine as my middle name and my sister Margaret as her first name. Our grandmother's name was Margaret Lorraine.

She was also full-blood Cherokee, and I've always been proud of my Cherokee heritage. Dad always talked about his mom with so much love and hurt in his eyes because he lost her when he was just a child. I think that loss stayed with him throughout his life.

My mom's dad was someone I never knew either. She didn't know who her father was until she was an adult, and by the time she found out, he was already having health problems. He passed away not long after.

Even with the grandparents I didn't get to know, I'm thankful for the grandparents I did have the opportunity to know and remember.

Today, I also think about Tim's grandparents—my parents and his dad's parents.

Tim was incredibly close to his grandparents on his dad's side. He got to spend so much time with them growing up, and they absolutely doted on him. When Tim came along, it had been a long time since there had been a little one around. Most of their grandchildren were already grown, so having another little one in the family brought so much joy to the Neal family.

They loved watching Tim grow up. They enjoyed him, spoiled him, encouraged him, and made so many memories with him.

Sadly, Tim had to lose both of his grandparents on his dad's side just a year apart—in 2024 and 2025. Both lived long lives and were in their late 80s when they passed. We are so thankful for the years we had with them and for the memories they left behind.

Tim has one grandparent left—my mom. My dad passed away 24 years ago, so Tim never had the opportunity to know him. My mom is still here, though, and we cherish the time we have with her as we watch her age and face more challenges in this season of her life.

So today, we celebrate them all.

The grandparents who are here.

The grandparents who are gone.

The grandparents we knew well and the ones we only knew through the stories that were passed down to us.

They have meant—and still mean—so much to our families. They helped shape who we are, they gave us memories to hold onto, and they left pieces of themselves behind in the generations that came after them.

That's why we take the time to remember them and celebrate them today.

Because they are worth remembering.

And they are worth celebrating.

Happy Grandparents Day❤️

FAMILY IS EVERYTHING

FAMILY IS EVERYTHING

We spent Labor Day weekend at my sister-in-law’s house in Kentucky.

She and her husband were in a horrible accident back in June, and he was left with no feeling from his waist down and is wheelchair bound, for now. We're praying and believing for God to heal him and for him to walk again.

Before they could come back home, their house had to be made wheelchair accessible. Let me tell you—there is a lot that goes into making a home accessible for someone in a wheelchair.

Their entire master suite had to be gutted and revamped, all the way into the master bathroom and shower. Doorways had to be widened. Two new doors had to be added at entry points with another entry door stilling needing to be replaced. They had to have two entry and exit ramps installed, a ramp in their great room had to be installed, with one more still needing to be added at another entry. It’s not just about making things convenient. It’s about making sure he has a way to get in and out of the house safely, especially in an emergency.

Everything from their master suite had to be removed and put into storage bins and bags, which were scattered throughout the house wherever there was room.

Their formal dining room had become a disaster. There was just enough room to squeeze a wheelchair through, with things piled everywhere.

So, that’s what we spent our weekend doing—working through the mess left behind by all the construction and workers and putting things back where they belonged.

Below, I’m sharing the after pictures of the two spaces that were probably the worst.

Imagine the dining room being so crowded that you could barely squeeze a wheelchair through it, with stuff piled everywhere. Now look at it.

A vast improvement from what we saw when we arrived.

The other space I’m showing you is their hangout space—the place where everyone gathers. The pool table was covered with stuff, and buckets and bags were piled all around it, filled with things that needed to be sorted through. Even the pinball machine had things piled on top of it.

Now look at it.

A much more organized and usable space.

And honestly, that was our goal.

We wanted my sister-in-law to be able to walk—or, in this season, live and breathe—in her own spaces without feeling overwhelmed by everything around her.

We wanted her and her husband to feel comfortable in their home again.

That was why we went to Kentucky this weekend.

And honestly, there was no place we would rather have been than right there, helping our family.

Because Family Is Everything!

Family is there when life gets hard. Family steps in when there is work to be done. Family doesn't always wait to be asked.

We do for one another because we love one another.

There is nothing we wouldn’t do for our family, and we know there is nothing they wouldn’t do for us either.

That’s love on display at its deepest level.

That’s walking love out the way God intended.

We can all talk a good game. We can say we love people. We can say we’re there for them.

But are we actually walking the walk?

Because walking the walk means being there when it counts. It means showing up in ways that only you can show up.

You are unique.

And what you bring to your family is unique, too.

So don’t ever take your place in your family for granted. Don’t convince yourself that what you have to offer isn’t needed.

You are needed.

God placed you in your family for a reason.

And while you have the opportunity, love your family. Show up for them. Do for them. Make the memories. Say the words. Be there when they need you.

Because the truth is, we aren’t promised tomorrow. One day, there may be things you wish you had said or done, but the opportunity will be gone.

So love them while you can. Serve them while you can. Help them while you can. Don’t wait for tomorrow to show someone you love them when you have today.

Sometimes love looks like a hug.

Sometimes it looks like a prayer.

And sometimes it looks like spending your Labor Day weekend cleaning out rooms so someone you love can finally breathe again in their own home.

That’s family.
That’s love.
That’s walking the walk.

Happy Labor Day!

I know everything is still green right now, but it won't be long before the saying in the picture above holds true:

“As the greens of SUMMER give way to the reds & golds of AUTUMN, here's wishing you a beautiful & relaxing LABOR DAY!”

Summer is beginning to wind down, and autumn is quietly making its way toward us, bringing with it the beautiful reds, oranges, yellows, and golds that make this season so special.

There is something about this transition that I love. The changing of the seasons reminds us that life is always moving forward. One season gives way to another, bringing new beauty, new opportunities, and new memories to be made.

As you celebrate Labor Day, I hope you and your family and friends have a wonderful and blessed day.

May the weather cooperate with whatever adventures you have planned, whether you're heading out somewhere special, gathering with family and friends, firing up the grill, or simply enjoying a quiet day at home.

And don't forget to take some time to relax.

We live in such a busy world. There always seems to be something that needs to be done, somewhere we need to be, or someone who needs our attention. Sometimes we can get so caught up in the busyness of life that we forget to simply slow down and enjoy the moment.

So today, be intentional about making time to rest.

Put the to-do list aside for a little while. Sit outside. Enjoy a good meal. Laugh with the people you love. Take a walk. Watch the sunset. Or simply sit back and breathe.

Whatever you do, I hope you take the time to enjoy this day and make memories that you will cherish for years to come.

Happy Labor Day! 🇺🇸

May your day be filled with beautiful moments, good weather, laughter, relaxation, and the people you love.

And before we know it, those beautiful greens of summer will be giving way to the magnificent reds and golds of autumn. 🍂

(my concept but AI made it look better)

Happy Birthday, Dad

This year, your birthday falls on Labor Day.

And like so many years since you passed away, I find myself thinking about all the moments that have been missed.

You never got to meet or know Tim. He’s an amazing young man, and I know you would be so proud of him. He has your eyes. I’m reminded of you every time I look into them.

So much life has happened in the 24 years since you’ve been gone.

There are many things I’m sure you would be glad you weren’t here to see. But there are also so many things I wish you could have been here for. Milestones. Memories. Changes. The ordinary, everyday moments that somehow become the most important ones.

Life was never easy with you, Dad. There were things that happened that left wounds, and there were things I didn’t understand when I was younger.

But through it all, all of us kids still loved you.

And as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to understand something I couldn’t fully see back then—you had a hard life, too.

You lived through things that most people probably wouldn’t have been able to survive, and somehow, you did. The things you experienced shaped you. They impacted the way you lived, the way you loved, the way you responded to life, and so many of the choices you made.

Looking back now, I can see some of that much more clearly.

That doesn’t erase the hard things. It doesn’t change the things that hurt. But understanding more about what shaped you has given me a different perspective. I can hold the good and the painful memories together and simply say, You were my dad, and I loved you.

I often wonder what you would think of my life now.

I wonder what you would say about Tim. I wonder what you would think about the woman I’ve become. I wonder about all the conversations we never got to have.

I pray that you are in Heaven celebrating your 77th birthday with your mom—the woman you loved so much and talked about so often with us kids.

I wish I had known her.

I hope she is there, too, and that someday, when I get to Heaven, I’ll finally have the chance to meet her.

One thing I’m especially grateful for is the Cherokee heritage you and she gave me.

Knowing who you are and where you come from is important. It’s a part of my story—a part of where I came from—and I’m thankful to carry that with me.

Twenty-four years is a long time.

Yet sometimes it feels like yesterday.

There will always be things I wish had been different. There will always be questions I wish I could ask. And there will always be moments when I wish you were here.

But today, on your birthday, I choose to remember.

I remember the good.

I acknowledge the hard.

I’m grateful for the life you gave me.

And I love you, Dad.

Happy 77th Birthday.

Until we meet again.

Less Stuff. More Life!

It’s amazing just how much stuff we accumulate over the years.

My husband and I got married in our late 30s. By that time, we had already lived a lot of life and collected a lot of our own stuff. Then we brought those two lives—and all that stuff—together under one roof.

Recently, after losing both of Scot’s parents, we’ve realized just how much stuff can clutter your life and, ultimately, leave behind a huge mess for your loved ones to deal with.

It’s been over a year since Nan passed, and we’re still working on getting things done at his parents’ home so we can put it up for sale and settle the estate. Of course, we have our own lives to live, so we’re trying to deal with everything there whenever we can find the time.

But going through their home has really made me take a closer look at our own.

How much stuff do we actually have?

How much of it do we really need?

And more importantly, what are we leaving behind for our son to deal with someday?

That last question really hit home for us.

We don’t want to leave Tim with a house full of things that he has to spend months—or even years—sorting through, deciding what to throw away, what to sell, and what to donate. We don’t want our stuff to become his burden.

So, we’ve started sifting through our own home and getting rid of things.

Some things get thrown away. Some things get donated. Some things get sold. And sometimes we simply stand there holding something and ask ourselves, “Do we really need to keep this?”

More often than not, the answer is no.

I’ve heard it said that a cluttered home can lead to a cluttered mind, and I can definitely relate to that. Personally, I have a hard time concentrating and feeling settled when my surroundings are cluttered. And honestly, I have so many other things I’d rather be doing with my time (like blogging for instance), than constantly moving, organizing, and decluttering the same stuff over and over again.

That’s why we’re embracing a new mentality:

Less Stuff. More Life.

We want less stress.

We want to reclaim space in our home.

We want to be able to enjoy the spaces we live in instead of constantly feeling like we need to organize them.

And most importantly, we want to make more room for what matters most—our family, our friends, and the life God has given us.

Life has certainly never been boring for us. Raising a very active son kept us incredibly busy for many years, and there were plenty of things that simply got pushed to the side because life was happening.

Now that Tim is grown, we find ourselves in a different season of life. We have the opportunity to focus on some of those things we let go by the wayside—including our stuff.

So, little by little, we’re going through our home.

We organize.

We sell.

We donate.

We throw away.

And then we do it again.

Because the funny thing about decluttering is that once you start, you begin to see even more things you don't need.

Our goal isn't to have an empty house or to get rid of everything we own. We simply want to be more intentional about what we choose to keep.

We want a home that feels peaceful instead of overwhelming.

A home that has room to breathe.

A home where the things we own serve a purpose instead of taking up space just because we’ve always had them.

And eventually, I believe we’ll get there.

We’ll have our home the way we want it—less cluttered, more organized, and filled with the things that truly matter.

Because in the end, it’s not really about having less stuff. It’s about making room for more life.

And I, for one, am really looking forward to a home that is less in stuff but more in life❤️.

To My Athlete

I hope someday you understand just how much I want you to know this—not just as your mom, but as someone who has had the privilege of watching you grow, work, struggle, overcome, succeed, and become the young man you are today. 

I know that I don't say these things to you enough.

As your mom, I spend a lot of time talking about the next goal, the next competition, the next lift, the next thing that needs to be done. We talk about numbers and training and injuries and what comes next.

And sometimes, in all of that, I probably don't say the most important thing nearly enough:

I am proud of you.

Not because of what you can lift.

Not because of the medals or the trophies.

Not because of the PRs or the competitions you've won.

Not because of what you might accomplish someday.

I was proud of you before any of it began.

Before you ever walked into a dojang or a gym.

Before you ever stepped onto a TKD mat or touched a barbell.

Before you ever knew what a PR was.

Before anyone knew what you were capable of.

You were my son, and I was already proud of you.

I love watching you pursue something you are passionate about. I love watching you work hard and discover what you're capable of. I love seeing the discipline, determination, and dedication you've developed through this journey.

And yes, I am incredibly proud of the athlete you've become.

But I want you to understand something even more important: 

Your accomplishments are something you do. They are not who you are.

There will be day when you win, and there will be days when you don't.

There will be days when the weight moves easily and day when it doesn't.

There will be seasons when your body allows you to do everything you want to do and seasons when an injury forces you to slow down.

There will be moments when you surprise yourself with how strong you are and moments when you question whether you're strong enough.

Through it all, I hope you remember:

You never have to prove yourself to me.

You never have to put a certain number on the bar to make me proud.

You never have to win a competition to make me love watching you do what you love.

And you certainly never have to be perfect.

I believe God gave you an incredible athletic ability for a reason. I don't know exactly where He will take you with that gift, but I believe there is purpose in it. Maybe the purpose will be found in the competitions you win. Maybe it will be found in the people you encourage along the way. Maybe it will shape you for something completely different that God has planned for your future.

Whatever He has for you, I pray you never lose sight of the fact that your worth was never found in your performance.

You get to enjoy this.

You get to chase big goals.

You get to work hard and see what you're capable of.

You get to stand on a platform and give everything you've got.

And you get to enjoy the incredible feeling of accomplishing something you once thought might be impossible.

But you don't have to accomplish those things to be worthy of the joy.

You are already worthy.

So lift the weight. 

Chase the goal.

Dream bigger.

Work hard.

Celebrate the victories.

Learn from the disappointments.

Get back up when life knocks you down.

And when you stand on that platform, I hope you can look out into the crowd and know that your mom isn't sitting there thinking about what you have to prove.

She's sitting there thinking, "That's my boy."

And whether you are holding a medal or walking away without one, whether you're setting a record or simply doing your best, whether you're sitting on the sidelines because your body needs time to heal...

I'll still be thinking the same thing.

"That's my boy."

Because I was proud of you before any of it began.

And I will be proud of you long after it ends.

I love you, Tim.

Never forget that.

(I made the concept—AI helped sharpen it up)

The Journey Behind the Lift

Tim's plans are to lift at this year’s State Championships—prayerfully🙏. A lot will depend on how his elbow responds to rehab between now and then, but he’s signed up regardless.

Before Tim went to Nationals, he had already started having some issues with his elbow. We thought we had gotten everything lined out with his body guy, but once he returned home and got back into training, the problem got worse.

I shared a little about what was going on in an earlier blog post. If you missed it, you can read it here: When Strength Looks Different.

Thankfully, rehab is going well. Just not quite as quickly as Tim would like😊.

The next step is getting an MRI scheduled while he continues working with PT. At this point, Tim wants to know exactly what he’s dealing with—and quite frankly, so do we. Having some answers would help us understand what’s going on and what the best path forward looks like.

For now, Tim is hoping and praying that his elbow will allow him to compete. If he does get to lift, he’ll be taking a very conservative approach with his numbers. As much as he wants to compete, he doesn’t want to push things and cause further injury.

For someone who loves to lift and compete as much as Tim does, being patient through an injury is not easy. But sometimes strength looks different.

Right now, strength looks like showing up for rehab, being patient, listening to his body, and trusting God with the outcome.

God has blessed Tim with an amazing athletic ability, and we don't believe that gift is an accident. We believe God has a purpose for Tim's life, and we believe that purpose includes this athletic journey he is on. We don't know exactly where God is going to take him through it, but we know that God does have a purpose and plan.

Maybe this season is about competing. Maybe it's about learning patience. Maybe it's about perseverance. Maybe it's about something we can't see yet. Whatever it is, we want Tim to remember that his identity and purpose are bigger than a platform, a PR, or a championship.

We're praying for total healing, answers, and the opportunity for Tim to step onto that platform at State Championships for his 4th straight time. 

Whatever happens, though, we trust that God is using this journey Tim's on for something bigger than we can see right now💪🙏. 

The Most Important Institution in Society is the Family

“The most important institution in society is the family. If we lose the family, we lose everything.”
— Charlie Kirk

Today, many would argue that this simply isn't true. But I know it to be true.

Not only because of my faith—which has certainly added to my understanding of why family matters—but because I’ve had the opportunity in my life to be exposed to other cultures and societies. And one thing I’ve come to believe is universal is this:

The family is the foundation of society.

When the family is strong, society has a strong foundation. When the family begins to fall apart, everything built on top of it becomes weaker.

Think about it. Family is where we first learn how to love, how to sacrifice, how to forgive, how to work together, how to take responsibility, and how to care about someone other than ourselves.

Family is also the reason we do so many of the things we do.

We work hard because we want to provide for our families. We make sacrifices because we want something better for our children. We push through difficult seasons because the people we love are depending on us. We want to build something that will outlast us because we want our families to have a better future.

Family gives us a reason to think beyond ourselves.

And I believe that is one of the things that has made our nation great.

It wasn't simply government, money, technology, or opportunity. It was families who were willing to work, sacrifice, raise children, teach values, serve their communities, and pass those things down to the next generation.

When the family is weakened, those values become harder to pass on.

For me, my faith makes this even clearer. I believe God created the family with a purpose. I believe He cares about our families and wants us to place them in His hands so they can become everything He has purposed them to be.

That doesn't mean families are perfect. They aren't.

Every family has struggles. Every marriage has difficult seasons. Every parent makes mistakes. But that doesn't change the importance of the institution itself.

We don't need to abandon the family because families aren't perfect. We need to fight for them because they matter.

Because if we lose the family, what exactly are we replacing it with?

Who teaches the next generation what love looks like?
Who teaches sacrifice?
Who teaches commitment?
Who teaches responsibility?
Who gives a child the security of knowing, “These people will always be there for me”?

Those things matter.

And perhaps that's why the family is worth protecting, worth investing in, worth fighting for, and most importantly, worth placing in God's hands.

Because if we lose the family, we don't just lose a part of society.

We risk losing the very foundation that holds society together.

And I think we are already seeing what happens when that foundation begins to crumble.

When families become disconnected, people become disconnected. When commitment becomes optional, relationships become disposable. When children don't have the stability of a family structure, they can spend their lives searching for the security, identity, and belonging that should have been established at home.

And when the family stops teaching values, something else will step in to teach them.

That's the part that concerns me.

There is no such thing as a value-free society. If parents don't teach their children what is right, wrong, good, bad, honorable, and worth standing for, someone else will gladly fill that role.

Our children are being shaped every single day by something.

By their families.
By their friends.
By their schools.
By social media.
By entertainment.
By the culture around them.

The question isn't whether our children are being influenced.

The question is: Who is doing the influencing?

That's why I believe parents have an incredible responsibility—not to raise perfect children, but to be intentional about what we are putting into them.

Teach them to work hard.

Teach them to keep their word.

Teach them to respect others.

Teach them that life isn't always about getting what they want.

Teach them that marriage is something worth fighting for.

Teach them that forgiveness matters.

Teach them that serving others matters.

Teach them that character matters when nobody is watching.

And teach them that God matters most of all.

Because eventually our children grow up and leave our homes. We won't always be there to tell them what to do. We won't always be able to protect them from the consequences of their choices.

But if we've done our job well, we've given them something they can carry with them.

Roots.

Roots that remind them where they came from.

Roots that give them a foundation when life gets hard.

Roots that help them recognize truth when the world is trying to convince them of something different.

Roots that remind them that they are loved.

And maybe that's what building a strong family is really about.

It's not about creating a perfect home.

It's about creating a home where people know they belong.

A home where you can laugh together.

A home where you can disagree and still love each other.

A home where forgiveness is practiced.

A home where hard work is expected.

A home where dinner around the table matters.

A home where grandparents are valued, children are cherished, marriages are protected, and faith is lived—not just talked about.

Because families don't become strong by accident.

They become strong because somebody decided they were worth the effort.

Somebody decided to stay.

Somebody decided to forgive.

Somebody decided to put down the phone and listen.

Somebody decided that dinner together was more important than another activity.

Somebody decided to take their children to church.

Somebody decided to pray over their family.

Somebody decided that what happened inside their home mattered more than what the culture outside their home was telling them.

And I believe that's where change begins.

Maybe we can't fix everything that's wrong with our society.

Maybe we can't change every law, every institution, every cultural influence, or every decision being made around us.

But we can build strong families.

We can love our spouses well.

We can raise our children intentionally.

We can honor our parents and grandparents.

We can create homes where people know they are loved.

We can put God at the center of our families and trust Him with what we cannot control.

We can do our part.

Because the family isn't just important to our lives.

The family shapes the next generation.

And the next generation will eventually shape the world.

So yes, I believe Charlie Kirk was right.

The most important institution in society is the family.

And if we want to preserve what is good about our nation, perhaps one of the most important places we can start isn't in Washington, D.C.

It's at our kitchen tables.

It's in our living rooms.

It's in the conversations we have with our children.

It's in the way we love our spouses.

It's in the way we care for our aging parents.

It's in the way we show up for one another.

It's in our homes.

Because if we strengthen the family, we strengthen society.

And if we lose the family, we lose far more than we realize.