Hope Floats

  The rest of February was mostly relaxed.  I stand by my decision to take a break from school and not put extra pressure on myself to set new goals through January and February (of course, I did technically set dating goals in that season, but that's okay).

I felt some serious burnout with the counseling profession and schoolwork at the end of last year, along with sadness and confusion over what God is up to and what I should do with my desire for a family.

I don't have a lot of answers at this point, but I am grateful for the resilient nature of Kingdom hope.  For the knowledge that "when we go through deep waters," God is with us and for us.  The verse does not say if, but when.  No one gets through life unscathed, but we get to choose our response and whether we anchor our souls in the hope of Heaven.

* * * * * * *

This was encouraging for me - believe in your ability to figure things out - YES!

And now, a couple lighter memes:

The Mini Miss K is being bullied by a petty former Coach in the club volleyball world.  It's absurdly poor leadership, and it is not okay, and I hope there is systemic change there.

In the meantime, I hope she knows she is loved and supported and valued and worth fighting for!

This = her Rise team taking silver in a Valentine's Day tournament!

Pierson, Emma, Addy, Alivia, Jacelyn, Coach Kate, Aniston, Kyndal, Kennedy, and Jayla!

Aunt Lindsey, Miss K, and her Mom!

Fierce serving power!!

The sassiness and leadership are strong with her! ❤

Valentine's Day is centered right between Rach and my birthday, and it also happens to be K-Faith's half-birthday! lol

Speaking of Valentine's day, here's a throwback to our 2010 Johnny Carino's dinner, or "the lonely hearts club dinner" as JEM calls it. lol  I'm sure Chettles and Natertot were entertaining for me, along with Sarah and Jeffrey close by.

Mmkay that's all for this post!

❤ ❤ ❤

Everything Else

Whilst I was galivanting around Disney World, the Miss K had her first volleyball tournament and got some new photos taken!  Her team did great and won all but their final game, so go Rise!!

They told the girls they could bring props for their individual pics, and she chose to bring a Bible.  Could not love that more! ❤

She and her friend Aniston chose 6 and 7 for their numbers because of the popular six-seven trend. lolol

She's the best! lol

Just Dana being cute in all the pink!

Small doses of novelty - I like that!  Trying to embrace that more this year.

*LIGHT is coming!*

So sooooo true.

One last walk with Kristin on Thursday at 12:30 before the snowstorm arrived last weekend!

Not positive how much snow we got, but I haven't left my home since Friday (short workday + movie at Warren - life is good lately!)

Seriously - the longest and most dreary month sandwiched between two of my favorites!

Moore PD quoting Fast and Furious and making me laugh!

Dominoes fam dinner last Wednesday!

Miss K loving the Uno Reverse card (putting it in her phone case to rapidly pull out as a comeback to any insult or unwanted request)! lol

And now, a series of pics from our Tulsa Hills CFA dinner after my Tuesday hair appointment!

(Throwback to 2023)

Our best group pic that night!

Mom got me a cute new kitchen wreath that feels extra-perfect as Valentine's Day approaches! ❤

Speaking of kitchens, their new cooktop finally arrived on Wednesday.  It was weird seeing the hole before that.

Two dating "methods" or philosophies I am considering.  Mom and I both lean more toward the burned haystack, but I'm trying to consciously keep an open mind at the same time.

Mom's 71st Birthday dinner at Red Rock in Norman!

Collage for that day - yay, Mom!

I screenshot this the day I withdrew from CCU classes and decided to focus on dating through 2026.  Reminding myself that nobody really cares, and I'm allowed to "hit 'em with a plot twist" when that feels right!

Why I love Mel. lol

Working on it, thanks!

Made apple dumplings during my second day of being snowed in yesterday! =)

Also watched the 2019 Little Women - so freaking good!!

And today, I got my driveway shoveled thanks to Katie's friends - huzzah!

I shouldn't have to get out until Wednesday at the earliest, but it's really nice to have this taken care of!!

In other news, here's some adorable tiny hops from a baby goat video Rach sent me!  Gaaaaah, it brings me great joy how her head bobs back and forth!!

And now, I am finally caught up on blogging (after another grueling 5-minute remote workday), so I'm off to watch TV and maaaybe do a living room workout this afternoon if I'm feeling ambitious! =)

❤ ❤ ❤

Prepared for Magic

Happy Sunday, friends and fam. ❤  

In spite of the disappointing medical delay, having this break week between CCU semesters has been really nice!  I am 100% caught up on my progress notes and treatment plans for the first time since I joined ITS.  Yay!  I scoped and filed 2 transcripts, started a new show about the 1990s Dallas Cowboys, took advantage of the extra writing time, and enjoyed a couple days off from the courthouse!  This weekend included a great convo with Katie and Jennifer at Lifegroup, a 7-mile walk/jog to officially kick off my 3 months of training for the Route 66 Relay, a relaxing bath, and watching my favorite HP movie at Warren Theater tonight!!

As per usual, the book is better and far more detailed, but the final battle scene in this movie is THE. BEST. depiction of spiritual warfare I've ever seen.  Truly, I adore it.  And I love everything about Harry leading the Dumbledore's Army group - I could easily work that into my presentation on heroes and guides and leadership.  Also love when Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore pops in as a surprise witness for the defense at Harry's trial (pictured) - yes, please.  When they bring movies like this back, it delights me that the 4Dx theater is packed out with true HP fans who are willing to pay good money to watch something they could've streamed for free...  We laugh at all the overt and subtle humor, cheer for APWBD, react with groans when Deloris Umbridge first appears, boo Lucius and Bellatrix, shake our heads at Cornelius Fudge, tear up for Sirius, and clap as if it's the first time we're seeing it when the movie ends.  All while enjoying our Butterbeer Icees topped with caramel and whipped cream - yum. =)  What a fantastic way to end the break!

And now, catching up on everything else...

"If you believe that nothing is working for you,
then you will notice all the signs
that nothing is working for you.
And if you believe things are moving in your favor,
then you will notice all the signs
that things are moving in your favor!"

~Jay Shetty

Dr. Mayfield and other CCU professors wrote a book for church leaders that releases this coming week! =)

Speaking of, I am signed up to co-author a chapter of a textbook written by CCU and Liberty University professors, so yay for adding that to the resume!

I'm seeing a lot of Jay Shetty on FB lately.  He talks about how praise and positive feedback from others are not enough to change how we feel about ourselves... he says the three keys to building real confidence are:

1)  Choosing discomfort
2)  Keeping promises to yourself

3)  Building competence 

In my experience, this holds true.  We have to choose to step into things that are hard and uncomfortable for us, to press through fear and honor our commitments, and to take action in order to become more competent and confident in anything new!  Then the positive feedback is just icing on the cake. ❤

Our current AppleTV+ users. =)

For real!

"Sometimes we cling to loyalty when liberation is needed... Sometimes, the most loyal thing you can do for your future is to stop being loyal to your past."  ~Jay Papasan (Full post HERE)

I totally feel this right now.

Lindsay and fam - I'm so rooting for them!

I'm determined to crack the code on resetting a new normal/ new identity that embraces healthy habits.

Breese Campbell's latest cake for their 3-year-old neighbor's bday. ❤

Feeling this.  Signed up for 6 months of WW starting tomorrow.

"Difficulty shrinks with action."  Absolutely!  A key phrase I want to remember for myself and my clients moving forward!

Hanging out with the Mini Miss K, 7 years back and today!

Tomorrow starts the Fall Semester that includes the very last math-based class I will ever have to take!!  I gave myself a legit break and didn't glance at the new courses this past week, so I'll be diving in full force tomorrow.  Quantitative Research and Qualitative Research will likely be less fun for me than the Leadership class, but I'll make the best of it.  We're moving into better weather and football season, which will lead straight into the holidays!  I've been in a self-indulgent stress-eating pattern with all the embryo adoption drama and disappointment, but I'm not staying there.  Frustration ignites the level-up, and I feel really good about tracking with WW and training to run the relay in November.

Wherever you find yourself today, I'm praying we embrace the daily grace and strength we need for the race God has marked out for us.

And that we believe with all our hearts the best is yet to come!

❤ ❤ ❤