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Refreshed

Another new year.  I'm entering this year with excitement as I do most years.  But it hits differently for sure. When your kids get to around middle school age, you start writing the graduation year of your student on school forms, surveys, and various other places where it is asked.  For awhile, I had to do the math because it was far away and not a time I really had planted in my head.  And then as high school begins, you start to get emails addressed to "The Class of 2026"....and you realize, yup...that's going to be a big year for my child.  And so here we are....already a month and a half into 2026.  Could we pump the brakes, please?! The start of this year has been full of basketball games, house projects, the daily hustle and bustle, and the coldest stretch of weather that I have experienced since living in this part of the country.  Thankfully, we were able to escape to the south for a few days and it was just what my soul needed.  Behold ...
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Christmas Memories

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 It's Christmastime!  and for whatever reason I've been feeling extra nostalgic this year.  I've been remembering the excitement of the Christmas decorations coming out of storage....the plastic based candles that mom would put in all the windows....the big multi colored bulbs on our Christmas tree....the nativity scene with the cutest little lamb.  I've been remembering the stops at all the family events that we would make....making time for each gathering....how on my dad's side we would all spend the night at one family's house....that's right, all 8 of my dad's siblings and their families, crashing together for one crazy night of games, food, and fun.  And on my mom's side, spending the night on Christmas eve night at Grandpa and Grandma's house with my brother and two of the best cousins...and Grandpa pulling one of us into his lap on his recliner to help him read the Christmas story from the book of Luke.  And our church caroling night....b...
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Thankful

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It's Thanksgiving week.  There is so much to be thankful for.  I'm thankful for beautiful sunrises  like this one from yesterday.   The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. ~  Psalm 19:1 I'm a fan of mornings in any form, but this always makes it just a little bit sweeter.  I'm thankful for my husband and children and this beautiful life we are building...we're not perfect...we have so much to learn...but my cup overflows with gratitude for the blessing of each of them. I'm thankful for our extended families...though most are far away in miles, I hold each of them so close to my heart.  I'm so incredibly thankful for our tribe of friends that are like family...thank you God, that you created us for relationships and fellowship...especially when my own family is so far away...thank you for filling my life with sisters and brothers that fill those gaps so perfectly.  I'm thankful for our church....as I con...
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Birthdays

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October is a double birthday month in our family…18 and 12...with the oldest entering adulthood and the youngest in the last year of his preteens.  It’s such a busy farming month, but I’m so thankful we found time to celebrate these two amazing young men.  My bookends.  So wonderfully unique and special in their own way.  I'll never get over what a blessing it is to be their mom.  It's hard to believe I've been doing this job for 18 years now...18 years...it's a big birthday for Jack for sure…marking such an exciting time in a young life. I remember how it felt to be just starting out on the journey of adulthood. But now as a momma…it’s bittersweet….and leaves me with all the feelings…which led me to this....   
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Victory

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I've started and stopped several posts over the past week.  My thoughts were jumbled...filled with disgust and disbelief over the events in our country.  But in the midst of those emotions, a verse kept repeating itself over and over in my mind.   Isaiah 54:17.  "The weapon may be formed, but it won't prosper."    A few years ago, a song was released with that verse as its opening line and went on to say..."when the darkness falls, it won't prevail...cause the God I serve knows only how to triumph...my God will never fail." the song ends with, "You take what the enemy meant for evil and You turn it for good. You turn it for good."  And that is where I choose to plant my feet.  Because it's true.  If you have doubts that God will always prevail over evil, I hope you tuned in to Charlie Kirk's memorial service.  The thousands and thousands of people who heard the gospel....the many who gave their hearts to Jesus for the very first tim...
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21

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 Twenty one years ago today, Chad and I began our story together.  We knew so little about life and love and marriage.  But that's the beauty of it.  Learning and growing together.  Navigating each season with God at the center and praying for wisdom and patience through it all.  Sure, there have been some tough seasons....but never one that ever made me doubt that God knew exactly what he was doing when he allowed our paths to cross and led us into marriage.  Chad you provide so well....you work so hard...and it's always evident how much you love me and the boys.  Here's to 21 years my love!            
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