Saturday, April 4, 2026

Easter Blessings

 


Saturday, April 4th, 2026 — Easter Weekend Joy 🌸


There is just something about Easter weekend that feels extra special, and this Saturday was one of those days that reminded me how sweet life can be—even when it’s a little cold, muddy, and windy.



Luther and I started our morning early, heading to Marlow to the Eddie Palmer ballpark to watch the grandboys play t-ball. Now, let me set the scene for you… the night before, we had over five inches of rain. Yes—five. So you can imagine what we were walking into. Mud everywhere, wet bleachers, a cold wind that cut right through you… but none of that was going to stop us from showing up.



Lane was playing on field 6, and Brooks on field 7, so we were bouncing back and forth trying to catch all the action. I sat for a bit with John and Sherry—Jessica’s parents—and we visited while watching the boys. But I’m going to be honest… after about two innings, I waved the white flag. That cold was no joke! I told them, “I’m heading to the car,” and that heater never felt so good. Sometimes you just have to listen to your body and warm up where you can.


Once the games wrapped up, Luther and I headed home because the day was far from over. We had a full afternoon ahead with our Easter celebration—and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.


But before I get into all that goodness, I just want to pause for a moment and say how grateful I am. Watching Luther and Elizabeth co-grandparent the way they do truly warms my heart. They’ve found a way to put differences aside and show up for those grandbabies in such a healthy, loving way. And that? That is a blessing. It may not always be perfect on every level, but when it comes to the grandkids, they are doing it right—and that matters.




Now… let’s talk about the food, because oh my goodness, there was plenty! This was one of those gatherings where nobody leaves hungry and everybody goes back for seconds (or thirds). We had hamburger sliders, several kinds of hot links, classic wieners, potato salad, not one but two kinds of deviled eggs, fresh salad, all the burger fixings, mac and cheese, and corn. And of course, the sweets—because what is a celebration without dessert?








We celebrated Alicia’s birthday with her cake, and there were cupcakes with pink icing that were just as cute as they were tasty. Rickie made a cookie cake (which is always a favorite around here), and between all of that, there was more than enough to go around—and then some. Leftovers for days, which I’m definitely not complaining about!




At the end of it all, I sat back and just took it in. The laughter, the kids running around, the conversations, the full plates, and full hearts. These are the moments that matter. The ones you don’t rush. The ones you hold onto.


If I had to sum up the day in just a few words, I’d say it was blessed, meaningful, and full of love.


And truly… that’s everything.



Thursday, April 2, 2026

You’re So Bad Book Review

You’re So Bad — A Fake Dating Rom-Com That Completely Hooked Me 💕


I just finished You’re So Bad by Angela Casella, and let me tell you—this one was such a fun, feel-good escape that I didn’t want to put it down.


At the heart of the story is Shauna, who agrees to be a bridesmaid in what might be the most awkward wedding setup ever: her ex is marrying her former best friend. Instead of letting anyone see how much that betrayal affected her self-worth, she puts on a brave face… and that’s where things start to get interesting.


Enter Leonard—her grandma’s very unexpected solution. He’s rough around the edges, totally not what he seems, and somehow gets introduced as a pediatric surgeon (thanks, Grandma 😅). Their fake relationship quickly spirals into a series of hilarious, chaotic, and surprisingly heartfelt moments. The chemistry between Shauna and Leonard is so entertaining to watch unfold, especially as the “fake” part starts to blur.


What I really loved about this book is that it’s more than just a rom-com. Yes, it has all the fun tropes—fake dating, bad boy vibes, revenge energy—but it also weaves in deeper themes like healing after betrayal, rediscovering your worth, and finding unexpected family in the people around you. The addition of a runaway teen trying to escape a tough foster care situation adds another emotional layer that gives the story more heart and purpose.


And can we talk about the side characters? Between the supportive friends, quirky grandma, and even a few lovable pets, the whole world feels warm and full of life. It’s the kind of story that makes you laugh, swoon a little, and root hard for everyone to find their happy ending.


Overall, this was such an engaging read—funny, emotional, and just the right amount of messy. If you love fake dating romances with a little bite, a lot of heart, and characters you won’t forget, this one is definitely worth picking up. I already know I’ll be reading more from this author. 

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Midweek views

 




Hello, my friends. Happy Wednesday morning 🌤️


I am feeling so much better today, and let me just say—I am incredibly grateful for that. Yesterday had a bit of a rough start. I ended up getting sick at work, and for a little while there, I really thought I might have to pack it up and head home early. I’m still not entirely sure what caused it, but I have a feeling it might be related to my medication. Thankfully, I took a Zofran for the nausea, and it worked pretty quickly. That relief was everything in the moment.


Even though I wasn’t feeling my best, I pushed through and made it to the end of my shift. I ended the day with seven saves—not my strongest day, but honestly, I will take it. Especially considering I also handled several special handling calls, which may not bring in as much, but they still count for something. By the time 4:00 p.m. rolled around, I was more than ready to head home and rest.


But the day didn’t end there—instead, it turned into something really sweet.


Later that evening, we headed out to the Marlow baseball fields to watch Lane and Brooks play… against each other, which made it extra fun. There was one moment that absolutely cracked me up. I had been sitting on one side near the opposing team’s dugout when Brooks spotted me and called out, asking what I was doing over there and telling me I should be on his side. I thought, well now… I didn’t realize I was being monitored so closely by a five-year-old! 😄


A little while later, I moved over to the other side to visit with Blake and Jessica, and Hattie went off to play on the swings. Not long after, Brooks noticed my empty seat and asked where I had gone. When he found out I had wandered off, he seemed very concerned until it was explained to him. Later, I told him I had another grandson playing on the other team, and that’s why I had been over there. His little “oh, okay” made it all make sense to him. These babies—they just melt my heart.


Moments like that really make everything else fade into the background.


Now here we are—Wednesday morning, 6:40 a.m., and I’m on my way to work. Today is going to be a shorter day for me since I’m leaving at noon, and I’m really looking forward to that. We had originally planned to go to the doctor, but those plans changed, so instead I’m going to take care of a few errands.


First stop will be returning my Skechers—they’re just a bit too big, so back they go. After that, I’ll be picking up Mr. C from Brody and Savannah’s, and we’ll head to the tag agency to get his license taken care of since it expired at the end of February. Somewhere in there, I’m sure we’ll just enjoy some time together, which he already seems excited about—and honestly, so am I.


Before I fully settle into the afternoon, I’ve got a few small but important things I want to accomplish:


• Call PikePass and pay my outstanding balance (and prepare myself for the inevitable hold time 🙃)  

• Refill my medication organizer so I can stay on track a little easier  

• Sit down and write a letter  


Nothing too overwhelming—just enough to feel productive while still keeping the day gentle.


For now, I might swing by Sonic and grab a drink to help carry me through the morning hours. Sometimes it’s the little things, right?


Overall, I’m just thankful today—to be feeling better, to have had such a sweet evening with family, and to have a slower afternoon ahead with someone I love.


And that feels like more than enough 💛