When I think about the kind of life I want as I get older, it’s not about being skinny or fitting into a certain size. It’s about being strong, capable, and independent for as long as possible. I want to get out of my kayak without help when I’m 70. I want to crawl around with my grandkids and actually be able to get back up off the floor. That kind of freedom doesn’t just happen—it’s something I have to work for now.
That’s why daily movement has become one of my non-negotiables.
1. Daily Movement: Building Strength For the Life You Want
Walking has become my go-to form of exercise. Ideally, I aim for 7,000 to 10,000 steps a day—not because it’s trendy, but because it’s one of the simplest ways to care for my body. Even if I don’t hit that goal every day, just getting up and moving throughout the day makes a big difference. Walking, especially at a pace that keeps me in Zone 2 cardio, which is 60–70% of my max heart rate (maximum heart is 220 minus your age), is gentle but powerful. It helps balance blood sugar, especially after meals, and it keeps my body limber and energized.
Read more...Wellness is something I’m truly passionate about.
My health journey has had its share of ups and downs, and I’ve worked hard to support and improve my overall well-being. Now that I’m in midlife, that desire to feel good and stay strong is more important to me than ever.
I want to feel good as I get older—not just okay, but strong and capable. I don’t want to struggle to get off the couch. I don’t want to feel unsteady on my feet. I want to kayak, hike, travel, and enjoy making memories with my family without my body holding me back. That’s why I’m making intentional choices now—not to chase a swimsuit body, but to invest in my old lady body. Because what I do today will either support or limit what I’m able to do tomorrow.
Read more...Discipline isn’t about being perfect. It’s not about stuffing your emotions down or pretending everything is okay.
It’s about choosing what matters even when it’s hard.
As a widow raising young children, there were certain disciplines I had to choose again and again — not because I always felt like it, but because I knew it was who I wanted to become and who I wanted my children to see me becoming.
Read more...She did it! Jillian officially graduated from Cedarville University with a Bachelor of Arts in English, emphasizing Creative Writing, along with minors in Bible and Biblical Care and Counseling. What an accomplishment! After four years of hard work, growth, and perseverance, she walked across that stage—and we were all there to witness it.
The weekend was a whirlwind. Between traveling from New Hampshire, finals, packing up two kids’ belongings, and all the graduation events, it felt like a blur. But even in the chaos, I could see God's hand at work in every detail.
Our brakes started failing while we were traveling through upstate New York—definitely not what you want on a long road trip. But God provided. We found a garage that could do the repairs quickly, and because Heath’s parents were driving separately, I was able to go ahead to Cedarville while Heath stayed behind with the car. Somehow, it all worked out.
Read more...For a long time, I believed I had to choose.
Grief or gratitude.
Brokenness or healing.
Fear or faith.
Love for my late husband or love for someone new.
But God has gently taught me something so powerful—it’s not always either/or. Sometimes, it’s both/and.
There is such freedom in the word AND.
I can grieve AND be grateful.
I can miss what was AND embrace what is.
I can love the life I had AND the life I have now.
I can walk in faith AND still feel fear.
Read more...
