Week 1: Choosing Gratitude in the Middle of the Mess
Sometimes I need to pause and remind myself: gratitude is not just for the good days. It’s not something we practice only when everything feels peaceful and easy. In fact, it’s often most powerful when life feels overwhelming—when it’s messy, heavy, and uncertain.
Lately, I’ve been feeling distracted and weighed down. The mental to-do list never ends, emotions hit at odd times, and grief still shows up, even after all these years. Sometimes it’s loud. Sometimes it’s just a dull ache that never really leaves. And when I’m in that place, gratitude is not my default response. I’m more likely to spiral into frustration or discouragement than pause and say, “Thank You, God.”
Read more...Yesterday marked 16 years since Jon passed away.
Today would have been our 27th wedding anniversary.
And even now—after all this time—we still miss him. The ache of loss doesn’t vanish. It softens and shifts over time, but it never quite disappears. Especially not during weeks like this.
This week is always difficult. Grief is strange like that—sometimes it’s predictable, and sometimes it catches you off guard in the middle of an ordinary moment. An old photo. A song. A memory. Or just the quiet absence of someone who once filled every part of your life.
Read more...Camping is one of my favorite things — the fresh air, the slower pace, the chance to unplug and spend time with family. Over the years, I’ve figured out what works for us and what doesn’t, and now I have a go-to list of things that I always bring to make our trips smoother, more comfortable, and a whole lot more fun.
These are some of my camping must-haves — the things I’ve come to rely on year after year:
🧼 Thieves Household Cleaner
This is my all-in-one cleaner for camping. I bring a small spray bottle of diluted Thieves Cleaner and use it to clean countertops, picnic tables, coolers, camper surfaces, and more. It smells great, works incredibly well, discourages bugs, and keeps things fresh and tidy.
🌿 Essential Oils
I never go camping without my oils! Here are a few I use the most:
- Digize – For tummy troubles. Whether it’s motion sickness or too many campfire snacks, this one always comes in handy.
- Peppermint & Clove – Great for cooling down and helping keep the bugs away.
- Citronella – A natural go-to for deterring insects. I use it in a spray bottle with peppermint, clove, rosemary and lemongrass to freshen the air in the tent or camper and discourage the bugs.
- Lavender – calming, soothing, great for after too much sun (dilute with a carrier oil).
My Favorite Camping Prep Tips
We’ve got a big camping trip coming up… and let’s be real: getting ready for camping often takes more energy than the trip itself! 😅 Cleaning up the camper after it’s been sitting in the yard all winter, meal prepping, digging out gear from every corner of the house, and packing all the things for everyone — it’s no small task. It takes a lot of energy and planning!
But despite all that, I love camping. My family has been camping for many, many years. Some of my favorite childhood memories are of my grandparents loading up all the grandkids and taking us camping — and that was no small feat! These days, I look forward to our annual trip all year long.
That said, I won’t sugarcoat it… camping is a lot of work!
Read more...Simple Shifts, Lasting Change
After sharing the five key areas of midlife wellness, I want to take a moment to tell you about something that became a turning point in my own journey: the 14 Day Reset.
Before the Lord led me to it, I truly believed I was doing all the right things. I was trying to eat clean, move my body, and get enough rest. But still—my energy was low, my inflammation was high, and my brain felt foggy most days. Even gentle movement felt like a chore, and I was overwhelmed by the idea of making big changes.
If you’re in a similar season—tired, frustrated, and unsure where to start—I want to offer you some hope.
Read more...
