marching along
March has been bursting with all the life that comes with springtime. The flowers are blooming, the leaves are unfurling, the chickens are laying eggs again with gusto, and the scent of jasmine from our front gate’s trellis wafts through our screen door every evening. Our days have been very full, spent outside with all the house’s windows flung wide open to bring the smell of spring inside. I’ve been writing, gardening, making, and trying to live life as presently as possible, focusing on the little world within my garden gates. The March issue of HERLIFE was released, and I’m…
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february
I can’t believe we’re nearly in March. Between article deadlines, parenting hurdles, travel, illnesses, and preparing for Lent, we’ve been quite busy. But finally, I’ve had enough time to gather my scattered thoughts and put them in a rambling blog post. Two of my articles have been published in HERLIFE’s February issue, including the cover feature! I’ll link them here and here. It was a delight and honor to tell their stories. Our family took a trip to Hawaii to celebrate my 30th birthday. It was a lovely time. Beatrice did a great job on the airplane, and Michael loved…
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birthday celebrations
Michael had a birthday earlier this month — I can’t believe my little boy is four years old. I love his enthusiasm for life: he wants to figure out how everything works, he thinks number games are the coolest thing ever (basic addition/subtraction using fingers or random objects), and he still spends every possible waking moment playing outside. We had a small dinner for his actual birthday (the meal request was spaghetti, and chocolate cupcakes with yellow frosting). The following weekend we celebrated with friends and family with a “camping” themed birthday party. I was pretty proud of the cake…
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bright spots
Well, December knocked us down and ran us over. Illness waxed and waned, cycling through us in pairs, and still lingers in raspy coughs and runny noses. I got a chest infection, and somehow a stress fracture in my foot, which makes walking difficult and is still healing. Jake managed to escape unscathed until the New Year, and then he too fell victim to whatever this illness is. We covet your prayers, friends. It’s been a doozy of a month. So I’m breaking up my complaining with some pictures of adorable kids. Though December was much more low-key than any…
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thanksgiving 2025
Goodness, we’ve had a busy time these last few weeks. Starting the week before Thanksgiving, every room on our property ended up being full with a total of 13 people from out of town staying with us. The kids were delighted to see so many of their aunts and uncles (both honorary and those by blood). They were surrounded by so many people who love them and cherish them, and it made my heart full to see it. Aunt Boo flew in Saturday and the kids got to pick her up at the airport with Jake while I prepped the…
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deep breaths
It’s the week before Thanksgiving, and it feels like a deep breath before plunging into a river. Next week brings guests galore, loved ones we haven’t seen in weeks or months, and honestly I’m so excited. Thanksgiving is usually a big affair at our house, and this year is no exception. But right now we’re in that period of calm before the storm, finishing the last minute travel coordinations and cooking plans and decoration ideas. November has been quiet, mostly because we all fought off a few weeks of sickness, including Michael having strep throat and reacting to his antibiotics.…
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october adventures
Once again, I didn’t get a second post written for October — but as I mulled over everything that’s happened over the last few weeks, I realized we’ve really been too busy for me to sit and blog. Between writing for HERLIFE Magazine, impromptu trips, Halloween, and visitors, October ended with quite a bang. I was privileged to write the cover feature for HERLIFE’s November issue — a spotlight on the Stockton Symphony in anticipation of its 100th anniversary. You can read it here. It’s a piece I’m quite proud of, and a subject that’s dear to my heart. Jake…
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october joys
I didn’t quite reach my goal of posting twice a month last month, but I hope to make up for it in October. It’s my favorite month of the year: so beautifully golden and crisp, full of soup and bread and fall vegetables, and the best weather for going on walks or sitting and reading a good book. Now we keep the windows open all day, letting the breeze waft through the house and bless each room with the smell of drying leaves and petrichor. I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. — Anne Shirley…
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september glimmers
It has been the most lovely September. For the first time in a handful of years, we’ve had actual fall weather this month! No hellish 100+ days. I’m so grateful. I don’t care if loving autumn makes me “basic” — I unashamedly I adore the weather, the seasonal foods, the temperatures, the traditions — all of it. In exciting job news: Jake has officially accepted a position with EverBlue Partners — a company that focuses on SAP implementation for retail clients. His first day will be on September 22nd. He’s very excited — he loves the company and its culture,…
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new rhythms
August somehow passed both incredibly slowly and in a flash. I’m still reeling from all that’s happened, and still hardly believe September is around the corner. Regarding Jake’s job news, we’re still waiting on some last minute things, but his start date is hopefully in early September. We continue to ask your prayers! Thanks for being along for the ride with us. It’s been a very interesting season: so much unknown, so much “hurry up and wait”. It’s been an emotional and spiritual workout, learning to embrace the discomfort of this transitional season. We’re exhausted, yet also restless. But God…
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five acres four generations 