the Weekender

Black and white photo of a goose family crossing a quiet road with the quote “life is a series of thousands of tiny little miracles. notice them.”

Happy hellos from the Ozarks!

If I’m being honest, this birthday month has been an exceptionally hard one for me. There’s been a lot of crying, a lot of self-reflection, a lot of soul-searching… and then probably some more crying after that.

Without unpacking all the details here, I’ll simply say there’s been quite a bit happening behind the scenes lately, and I would truly appreciate your prayers.

One thing I’ve been reminded of lately is how important it is to notice the tiny miracles tucked into everyday life. The small things. The quiet gifts. The moments we often rush right past.

I took the photo above a couple of weeks ago and added this fitting quote:

“Life is a series of thousands
of tiny little miracles. Notice them.”

Miscellany:

1. One of my favorite little moments this past week was taking the dogs out for their nightly potty break and slowing down long enough to look up at the stars. Isn’t it funny how often we miss what’s been there all along?

2. We’ve been planning a trip to South Dakota, and having something fun to look forward to has felt really good lately.

Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Needles Highway, the Badlands… I’m excited for all of it. The fresh scenery, the road trip snacks, the memories waiting to be made — yes, please.

Honestly, this trip feels a little like medicine for the soul right now.

3. Some weeks call for homemade comfort meals… and some weeks call for easy Sam’s Club finds that make life feel a little simpler.

These Teriyaki Chicken Bowls have been one of my current favorites lately. Quick, easy, filling, and, honestly, pretty tasty, too. With 46 grams of protein, it’s probably safe to call it a protein bowl. Winning!

p.s. I like adding some green beans to mine.

4. I came across a couple of interesting little wellness facts this week and thought I’d share:

Eating five whole walnuts (10 halves) daily is said to support heart health, brain function, and gut health.
And apparently, just six minutes of silent reading can reduce stress levels by up to 68%. 🤯

Honestly? That second one made me want to grab a blanket and a good book immediately. Haha.

5. I’ve shared two new posts since the last Weekender… if you missed them, be sure to check them out. Mmmkay?

6. Tomorrow, May 17th, I turn 52. 🫣 🤯

This birthday feels different than most.

Not worse. Not better. Just different.

But I’m walking into this new chapter grateful for the people who continue to show up for me, pray for me, encourage me, and read these little Saturday notes week after week.

And even in the middle of hard seasons, I still believe there is goodness to be found.