Thursday Encouragement 10/16/2025

I had a health setback this week. I started getting sick again last Wednesday, which means I never really got over what I had. I went back to the doctor on Sunday and I have a secondary bacterial infection. She put me on an antibiotic, but I am still sick. This crud does not want to go away. 

Thursday Encouragement 10/9/25

This has been a get back into the normal routines week (but add a few extra appointments). I have been tired this week and realized the new med my cardiologist put me on was causing me to have trouble sleeping. So, I have weened myself back off of it, and am hoping for better sleep, or at least for my sleep to regulate to where it was. I am already looking forward to the weekend, even though we don't have any plans.

Ten things guaranteed to make me smile

There are a lot of things that will make me smile, but there are a few things that will consistently get me to smile. I like smiling and I am always looking for things that will bring joy and delight in my life and other's lives. So, without further ado, I bring you a list of 10 things guaranteed to make me smile.

Fall bucket list 2025

I saw this idea on Instagram where you list five things on your fall bucket list. For me, it is going to be a few more than 5 (not sure exactly how many, you will see in a moment, LOL). This isn't so much a bucket list as an intentions list. And, for the purpose of this list, fall is October/November.

Thursday Encouragement 10/2/25

I went to the doctor on Friday and I had some wheezing in my bronchial tube. She did an xray, and thankfully I did not have pneumonia. I was still pretty sick on Monday, so my boss gave me another day off. I am thankful for all the days of rest because this virus has kicked my butt. I finally feel like I have turned the corner and am healing.

My Year in Pictures-September 2025

September went by so fast! Elijah started college, I was able to do a lot of walking, my job is going well, we had my family reunion in Tennessee, and I am ending the month getting over a sickness that does not want to go away.

Share Four Somethings September 2025

September was busy, but with lots of good things! Elijah started college, we had a family reunion, and I resurrected my Thursday encouragement posts (and hope to keep it going!). I have been sick for the last week, but hopefully I have turned the corner. Our prompts for the Share Four Somethings link-up are some things we loved, somethings we learned, some things that went well, and some things we let go of. We are linking up with Jennifer! 

Thursday encouragement-sick edition 9/25/25

This week has been something else. We left for TN last Friday for my family reunion. It has been over a decade since all my siblings and mom have been together. It was important for us all to be there. Before we left the kids I was working were sick and I just kept praying I didn't get sick. Saturday was the reunion and I praise God I was not sick, and to my knowledge, neither was anyone else. It was a fantastic day. Sunday morning I woke up feeling like I had the flu. Thankfully, I didn't, just a nasty virus, but it knocked me out all day on Sunday, I slept most of the day. We got back from TN yesterday evening and this morning I woke up with a fever and my cough is worse.

Thursday encouragement 9/18/25

I used to do Thursday encouragement posts weekly, but I got derailed. I need all the encouragement I can get. So, I am going to try to resurrect this practice in the hopes that I can offer you some encouragement, or if no one reads it, a place to put things that have encouraged me, or that I am thankful for, or that made me laugh. So, it's probably going to be more of a catchall post.

CVNP-the Ledges Trail

Welcome back to hiking the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, edition 3 😂. Today we explored the Ledges Trail. We saved this particular hike for a time that Elijah could join us. He has ALWAYS loved anything to do with rocks and this hike has so much to see. 

Thursday Encouragement-on a Friday

I used to do Thursday encouragement posts weekly...but my last one was in 2021! I am not sure what got me derailed, but I need all the encouragement I can get. So, I am going to try to resurrect this practice in the hopes that I can offer you some encouragement, or if no one reads it, a place to put things that have encouraged me, or that I am thankful for, or that made me laugh. So, it's probably going to be more of a catchall post.

Elijah's newest adventure

For the last 3ish years since he graduated, Elijah has been working. He worked at the Chick-fil-A in Monroe, then when we moved here, he got a job at the local Chick-fil-A.

Plum Creek Greenway

 September 6, 2025

Today we decided we didn't feel like driving all the way to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park to hike, we wanted to be closer to home. We were tired and didn't want to be out all day. So, we decided to stick closer to home and start the Trekking Through Autumn program. We heard about this program last year and it was a fun way to get out and hike, learning new trails in the area. We missed getting the beginner's backpack by one hike! This year, we are starting earlier, so hopefully we will have the right weather, and the time to complete it. If not, we will still have gotten out and exercised, so still winning!

My Year in Pictures-August 2025

I feel like September is already getting away from me! August was another blur month, and our second housing contract fell through. But, it was also the month that Matt and I started hiking again. It had already started cooling off, so it wasn't too hot to start back up.

Share Four Somethings August 2025

August was another busy month. I have no idea what really happened. We are starting to have more fall weather days and I am still not quite ready for fall/winter weather. I would love some more warm sunny days. Our prompts for the Share Four Somethings link-up are some things we loved, somethings we learned, some things that went well, and some things we let go of. We are linking up with Jennifer! 

CVNP-Blue Hen Falls

We hiked another trail at Cuyahoga Valley National Park on Sunday. We hiked the Blue Hen Falls, which is supposed to be a 3-mile hike, round trip. According to my watch, it is less than that. According to my body, it was way more than that 😂.

I Made It

I heard the song, "I Made It" by Cain when it first came out...I think in May. I have been meaning to do this post ever since, but we all know how quickly time goes. So, here's the thing. We have ALL been through hard things. I wish this song had come out YEARS ago. But, when I heard this song, I praised God for the opportunity to thank Him in worship for the hard things that I HAVE made it through. 

Cuyahoga Valley National Park-Brandywine Falls

I did not know until recently that we had National Parks here in Ohio. It might be dumb, but I didn't. Does every state have them, or just certain ones?

My Year in Pictures-July 2025

I feel like August is already getting away from me and I haven't finished up July yet, LOL! July was another month that went by in a blur, but not for the same reasons as June. We did not do any house hunting in July, even though our house went back under contract. They still have to sell their house before closing on ours, so we spent our time doing other things. 

Share Four Somethings July 2025

July was a super busy month with paddle boarding lessons, getting a whole year older (how does that happen over night?), moving Kayla to Columbus, extra doctors appointments, and extra days at the gym. My new job is going well, and I can't believe summer is almost over. I am not ready for fall/winter yet. Our prompts for the Share Four Somethings link-up are some things we loved, somethings we learned, some things that went well, and some things we let go of. We are linking up with Jennifer! 

Kayla's new chapter: Adulting in Columbus

Yesterday, Kayla took a big leap and moved to Columbus! She will be an hour and 40 minutes from us. I've had multiple questions and I will do my best to answer them in this post. (the black marks on the house are me marking out the address)

Tourist for a day-Wallace Lake

In June, I did a google search looking for the beach closest to our house. Imagine my surprise when it is only 15 minutes away!!!  It's called Wallace Lake-so obviously not a beach with an ocean, but a beach with a lake, no matter, I will take it! It is in Berea.

The Columbus Book Festival

I was pretty excited about being able to go to the Columbus Book Festival this year. Granted, there were only seven authors I was familiar with, but I planned to try and meet a few of them, and attend the Summer Big Book Sale that was going on at the same time, in the same place! (I only realized they were in the same location the day before, LOL!) We (me and Matt) had planned to leave our house at 7:30 so we would hopefully be there in plenty of time to park at the library. We got started a little later than planned because we had a showing scheduled for that afternoon, so had to leave the house show worthy.

Cain Concert May 2025

In May Matt and I went to another Cain concert. We were celebrating our anniversary, and I love Cain's music. The concert was at the Akron Civic center, which is a beautiful venue. However, I think the acoustics were not as good there as other venues.  The openers were John and Caleb, Ben Fuller, Joseph O'Brien, and Katy Nicole. My favorites were Cain and Katy Nicole.

My Year in Pictures-June 2025

June went by in such a blur I can't really tell you what all happened! July completely snuck up on me, and I am still struggling to remember it is already July, LOL! June was a blur of house hunting, house showings, job hunting, and lots of cleaning.

Share Four Somethings June 2025

I have no idea how we are already in June! I completely missed the transition from June to July, which means I missed doing this post on the right weekend. Our prompts for the Share Four Somethings link-up are some things we loved, somethings we learned, some things that went well, and some things we let go of. While the prompts may be new, our host is not, we are still linking up with Jennifer! 

My Year in Pictures - May 2025

June is halfway over, but I am still determined to highlight pictures that represent May. May was a crazy busy month, with celebrating mine and my husband's 26th anniversary, closing my business down, house hunting, and putting our house on the market, I feel like we didn't blink. But, we did survive.

Share Four Somethings May 2025

I have no idea how we are at the end of May. This month flew by! I have not posted anything this month, but we have a lot going on. Our prompts for the Share Four Somethings link-up are some things we loved, somethings we learned, some things that went well, and some things we let go of. While the prompts may be new, our host is not, we are still linking up with Jennifer! 

My Year in Pictures-April 2025

Four months in and I am still remembering to highlight pictures that represent each month. April passed in a whirl and I am thankful for pictures to remind me what happened this month, LOL!

Share Four Somethings April 2025

I have no idea how we are in the last weekend of April. This month flew by! Our prompts for the Share Four Somethings link-up are some things we loved, some
things we learned, some things that went well, and some things we let go of. While the prompts may be new, our host is not, we are still linking up with Jennifer! 

Book Blanket Update (crochet)

 As I mentioned in February I am doing a book blanket with classic granny squares. Instead of doing a classic granny square with five or six rounds, I am choosing to do mine with four rounds. In the post I shared last month, I had pictures from seven squares that I had completed. 

What plans?

I figured if I planned out what blog posts I wanted to write in April, that I would be more consistent with publishing them.

Bookshelf Quilt and Ohio quilt

I have been wanting to do a bookshelf quilt for a year and a half (ever since I saw the idea in a quilting magazine!). But, with running our own sewing business I always had things to prep for that and didn't have time to start it. As we have gotten better organized (and decided not to do camps this summer), I have had more free time. Once I finished my Ohio Quilt, I couldn't wait to dive into my bookshelf quilt. It's been up a few weeks, so I am glad to finally get around to finishing this post!

My Year in Pictures-March 2025

I am hoping to highlight pictures again this year that represent each month (someone keep me accountable, LOL). I can't believe we are already at the end of March!! This year seems to be flying by!

Share Four Somethings-March 2025

March usually feels like the longest month for me, but this month flew by. I am still struggle to believe the month is basically over!! Our prompts for the Share Four Somethings link-up are some things we loved, some things we learned, some things that went well, and some things we let go of. While the prompts may be new, our host is not, we are still linking up with Jennifer! 

Engage

I am having trouble engaging my brain to write on the topic of "engage." All I can think is do not engage. 

Toby Mac Hits Deep Tour-Columbus

I bought tickets back in September for the Toby Mac Hits Deep tour as one of our Christmas presents. Matt has always enjoyed Toby Mac (back when he was with Third Day), and Elijah has kept up with his music as well. I had the opportunity to see Cain in concert in the fall of 2023 while on a ladies retreat. I LOVED it and have been wanting to see them in concert again. So, they were the band I was most excited to see. Ryan Stevenson, Crowder (another of Elijah's favorite's), and Terrian also performed. We had a blast enjoying our final Christmas present  

Five Minute Friday-Journey

Life is a journey, full of ups and downs.

My year in pictures-February 2025

I am hoping to highlight pictures again this year that represent each month
(someone keep me accountable, LOL). I did post January here, and now, even though I am a few days late, here is February. 

Share Four Somethings-February 2025

I have no idea how we are already at the last weekend of February! It was a weird month for us with lots of sickness and doctors appointments. Once we have some answers, I will expound upon that further. Our prompts for the Share Four Somethings link-up are some things we loved, some things we learned, some things that went well, and some things we let go of. While the prompts may be new, our host is not, we are still linking up with Jennifer! 

Frozen Lake Erie

Today, 2/22/25, we went out to Edgewater Park in Cleveland to see the frozen Lake Erie! It was partially frozen earlier in the year, but we were not able to make it out there. This is the first time since we've moved here that it has been frozen. We went to the part of the park where there is a sandy beach and a swim area. It was 19, sunny, with a brisk wind when we got there. Most of the sand is covered with snow, and the lake is as well. In case you are wondering what frozen sand feels like, it feels like frozen dirt (Elijah made that observation 😂). We went a decent way out onto the lake, but not as far as other people had gone. The snow was pretty deep on the lake, and it was hard to walk in, plus super cold! I would love to go again and see it when it is frozen without snow, which I think would be even cooler than it was today. I will make comments on some photos, but basically all the uneven terrains are frozen waves.

 

When you're at the end of your rope...

We all go through those seasons where it seems like we are being bombarded on all sides. As soon as one thing settles, another hits. Before we know it we are spiraling down into depression and/or anxiety. I certainly don't have the answers, but hopefully, I can offer you a little bit of hope.

Winter Wonderland

Winter seems to be here to stay. We had snow the entire month of January (which made for a lot of great pictures!). We've had a wintery mix several times recently, which left our sidewalk and driveway covered in ice for quite a few days (even with salt having been thrown down ahead of the storm!).

Book blanket

Have you heard of the temperature blanket? It's a blanket that you crochet using different shades of yarn for each temperature. I believe a color represents ten numbers, like blue for temps in the 30's or yellow for temps in the 70's.

My year in pictures-January 2025

It has been over a year since I did my year in pictures. Last year was a hard year, with so many different distractions there wasn't room for many "extras," plus I just had a hard time remembering things. I am hoping to highlight pictures again this year that represent each month (someone keep me accountable, LOL).

Fitness App

I was recently reading my friend Jill's blog and she mentioned an app that I had never heard of. I know Jill is into Yoga and walking, and she is a certified health coach. More than that, she is my friend and has been for almost 20 years. I trust her. So, I knew when she mentioned this app, I had to check it out.

Share Four Somethings January 2025

It is the first Share Four Somethings post of the new year! I am DETERMINED to be close to time with these posts, LOL, but we'll see how the year goes. If only determination equaled success, right?! Well, new year, new things to share. Our monthly prompts have been tweaked a bit. For 2025 they are some things we loved, some things we learned, some things that went well, and some things we let go of. While the prompts may be new, our host is not, we are still linking up with Jennifer! 

Junk Journal

So, I have a new hobby based off of an old hobby. I recently heard of junk journaling from Deb, a book blogger friend. I am sure I had heard of it before and simply forgotten it. Anyway, she mentioned that she had finished her second junk journal and I was intrigued by the picture she posted.  So, I went researching to see what it was, and then immediately started TWO. Because I am an overachiever like that, LOL!

Dreaming of a Sabbatical

We were dreaming of a white Christmas, but that didn't pan out. However, we have had a white January. We have had snow on the ground since January 1st, with fresh snow still falling today (1/19/25).

Reusable Paper Towels

Before Christmas, I was talking to Matt and I told him that I had come across a blog talking about reusable paper towels. I LOVED the idea and couldn't believe I had never thought of it before. Essentially, you use old towels, washcloths, or flannels to make the paper towels. Who doesn't have old towels laying around? But, you can pretty them up with other fabric. To see how it is done, you can click here. I love how the blogger lists all the reasons you should switch to reusable paper towels, it is a great article and they are so easy to make.

Tourist for a day-Brunswick Lake Nature Preserve

Brunswick Lake Nature Preserve-one of the first places Matt and I hiked/walked after moving to Ohio, but I never got the post posted. So, here are pictures from September 2023 (gah, how has it been that long?!)

December 2024 Share Four Somethings

Well, once again I am very late to the party. December has come and gone and we are practically halfway through January. The weekend this post was due I was traveling to TN, and once we got back home, we hit the ground running. I still have very little free time, and I am trying to balance everything, but not doing as well as I would like.