Praises of a Wife and Mommy

  One thing that has felt so amazing since returning to work from Christmas break is my coworkers. I didn’t fully realize how much support I would feel just by walking back into the building without my scooter.  So many people noticed right away. Almost every day someone stops me, claps, or cheers me on, telling me how good I am looking and how proud they are of the progress I’ve made. It honestly feels like I have my own cheering section in the halls. Those small moments make such a difference in my workday. Healing can feel slow and lonely at times, but being surrounded by people who notice, celebrate, and speak life into the progress changes everything. I truly feel seen, and that is such a gift in any workplace. “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11.... I know I have shared that verse a few times but it is so so important!  I am learning that encouragement is powerful. It reminds us how far we’ve com...

  At PT this week I got on the bike. And let me just say, it felt so freeing to move my body more. After months of slow steps, careful movements, and learning how to trust my body again, this felt like a new chapter in my healing. There was something so joyful about pedaling. It reminded me that my body is capable again.  Not pain free yet. But capable. Healing is happening. Now I get to increase by two minutes each time, as long as it feels good. I love that part. Listening to my body. Respecting the process. Trusting that slow progress is still progress. I am learning that healing is not about rushing the finish line. It is about honoring every small step that gets me closer to it. The Lord keeps reminding me that growth often comes in stages. Just like faith, healing is built little by little, moment by moment, step by step. “The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun scorched land and will strengthen your frame.” Isaiah 58:11 I am choosing to celeb...

  I had a student write a writing probe recently, and the entire piece was about wanting to be more like me. Now let’s be honest. The first thought that crossed my mind was, Is this student sucking up or is this genuine encouragement? Even if there was a tiny bit of a goody two shoes energy in there, I truly believe his heart was in the right place, and on that particular day, it was encouragement I didn’t even realize I needed. Teaching, especially in seasons where healing is taking place, can sometimes feel like you are pouring out more than you are taking in. But moments like this remind me that relationships matter. Seeds are being planted even when I don’t see immediate fruit. I love that I get to build relationships with my students. I love that they feel safe enough to express admiration, gratitude, or even just honesty in their writing. Those connections matter far more than test scores or perfectly polished essays. “Therefore encourage one another and build one another...

  Well, PT sent me home with a bright pink band to do more exercises at home.   I noticed right away that when I use the band I get a much better stretch. And the biggest win of all is that when I walk afterward there is less pain with each step. How wonderful is that? It feels like such a simple thing, but it has made a noticeable difference. Stretching hurts in the moment, but it brings relief afterward. That feels like such a good picture of this entire healing journey. Sometimes the uncomfortable work is exactly what leads to freedom. This season keeps teaching me that healing is not just about rest. It is also about showing up, doing the work, and trusting the process even when it feels slow or awkward or uncomfortable. That little pink band is reminding me that progress often comes through consistency, not intensity. “Stretch out your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.” Isaiah 54:2 I am learning that stretching creates...

I had my 18 week follow up with my surgeon yesterday. I left defeated. I went straight to physical therapy and cried. Then I came home and cried again with my husband. This is the reality of healing. There are good days and bad days, but sometimes one person’s words and actions can weigh heavier than they should and leave you questioning everything. Six weeks ago at my last appointment I was still in a boot and using crutches. Over these last six weeks I have gotten out of the boot and off the crutches. That should be celebrated or at least that is what I was thinking when I went to the appointment. Instead, I walked into an appointment that left me feeling like I had failed my recovery and felt shame trying to attach. The surgeon looked at me and said, “I see you are walking with a limp.” That part is true. Most of the time I still carry pain or tight stretching with every step. Regaining a normal stride and gait has been one of the most frustrating parts of this journey yet I am stil...

It was a great Saturday out an about!   I was feeling good walking and having some fun shopping local.   First Baylee got a kombucha and then Selah and I tried both of their drinks and then I had to get back in line and get some of my own.   When I got to the counter the guy saw my crutch and said "Who did you kick" just making lite jokes where I was able to tell him a little bit of my story.   We exchange a few more sentences and was just generally friendly.  When I went to pay he said this one is on the house, enjoy your free kombucha!  What a sweet little blessing!   Since that day I have actually been craving more of the kombucha and want to go back.  One thing that I really liked was that they do not put any ice in the cup and its a good size cup and only costs $4.00!  Its a steal of a deal compared to most coffee shop drinks.    

  I love this family!   Christmas Eve 2025!!!  Look at that confidence growing... Look at that healing!!!  Praise the LORD!

It has been a while since I last updated you all on my healing journey. I am now 18 weeks post surgery, and I can honestly say that the research about Achilles recovery is very accurate. Months four and five are hard. Stretching the Achilles and trying to return to everyday walking feels like one step forward, two steps back, then a few steps forward again. It is not a straight line, and that can be discouraging. I have had many good days, many hard days, and many days where my faith has been stretched just as much as my tendon. There are days I am asking the Lord to remove the pain. I used to think I had a high pain tolerance, but walking through this season has humbled that belief. Pain has a way of teaching you what you really can and cannot carry on your own. Over the past month I have moved from wearing the boot full time, to part boot and part shoe, to no boot with a crutch, and now to no boot and no crutches at all. Even without the boot or crutches, there are still moments of p...

  As pastors we often have a busy Christmas Eve to prepare for service and have service. So this year we determined we should go out for dinner after service.  We had a gift card to the local hibachi place so it made sense and it was such a fun evening.  We ran into some friends we haven't seen in a few years and we were able to share a table together.   It was Titus first time at hibachi where they cook and entertain you!   It was a good fun show and tasty food.    I do hope it is a new tradition that sticks!  

Singing happy birthday to Jesus on Christmas morning is one of my favorite traditions. Gathering around pancakes and candles warms my heart every single year. There is something so simple and yet so meaningful about starting Christmas by celebrating Him together. This year the pancakes were berries and white chocolate chip and chocolate and peanut butter chip. We also had bacon, ham, and eggs. It felt like such a feast and such a gift to share that table with my dear ones. Laughter, full plates, and grateful hearts filled the room. I love traditions. I love that my family looks forward to these pancakes and that they are always curious about what kind I will make each year. These moments feel like little markers of joy, reminding me that celebrating Jesus does not have to be complicated. It can be sweet, simple, and shared around a table. Lord, thank You for the gift of traditions that point us back to You. Thank You for laughter, food, family, and the joy of celebrating Jesus together...

  It was Christmas Eve and I was ready to Praise. I was super stoked to be wearing a pair of shoes I have not worn in so long and a new dress that was gifted to me. When I put those shoes on I didn't have pain- I was certainly praising the Lord for relief!   Christmas Eve service felt extra special because I did not have to wear the boot. That alone felt like a victory worth celebrating.  Getting dressed up reminded me how far I have come. It was more than just shoes and a dress. It was proof of healing. It was proof that progress is happening even when the journey has felt slow and full of ups and downs. For the first time in a while, I was not thinking about pain or limitations. I was simply present, worshiping, and enjoying the moment. To be honest, I actually felt really pretty. That may sound small, but it mattered. Healing is not only about muscles and tendons. It is also about confidence, joy, and learning to see yourself through a lens of grace instead of fr...

The Village by Selah  Nativity by Baylee Wood Burner by Anthony Marshmallow Fun Mountain by Titus Church Winter Camp by April The Backyard by Abigail This has become a great annual tradition that takes a few hours of time and allows for some sticky fun!   I think each year we try to think of new things to use and do and instead of just a house we now have a full scene and that is showing some talent!  :)    

A silly and thoughtful Christmas gift from a coworker caught me completely off guard this week. Before my injury, we were supposed to meet up with her and her husband to play pickleball together. It was something we had talked about and looked forward to. Then the injury happened, and that plan was quickly taken off the calendar. Instead of letting it fade away, she got creative. She showed up with a tabletop pickleball game. Yes, pickleball for the table. I can sit down and still “play.” I laughed out loud when I opened it, and then I felt something even better. I felt seen by her. It may sound small, but being remembered in the middle of a season where so much feels paused means a lot. She did not forget the plan that never happened. She found a way to bring it back in a new form. I should probably bring it back to school so we can play together after break!  Now, if I am honest, I do still want to play real pickleball someday. Even though the doctors have warned me that pickleba...

Titus is in his winter soccer season, which has made for some very late nights. Now that he is in high school, games start after 8 pm and sometimes do not even wrap up until after 10 pm, which still feels a little wild to me. Late nights are not always easy, but they are worth it. I truly enjoy being able to cheer him on. There is something so special about watching your kids do what they love and seeing their hard work come to life on the field. Even when I am tired, my heart is full watching him play with passion and determination. GO Titus GO. Lord, thank You for the gift of watching our children grow and pursue the things they love. Give Titus strength, endurance, and joy as he plays. Protect his body, guide his steps, and remind him that You are with him on and off the field. Help me to savor these late nights, knowing they will not last forever.  

Enjoying my daughter’s last high school Christmas concert felt extra special. I am always blown away by the talent of her choir, and somehow, even surrounded by so many voices, I am convinced I can still hear her voice throughout the entire group. A mom’s ears know as well as a dads ear cause we both can hear her. I love hearing her sing and being reminded that God has truly gifted her with a beautiful and unique voice. This concert also carried a quiet victory for me. At the last concert, I had my scooter, which meant sitting on the outside aisle. This time, no scooter. I was able to sit right in the middle. Woot. That might seem small to some, but to me it felt like real progress and another reminder that healing is happening, even if it comes slowly. As the music filled the room, I found myself grateful for so much. Grateful for the years of watching her grow, grateful for the discipline and heart she brings to her craft, and grateful for the ways God shows His faithfulness through ...

At work, I still use my scooter and rely on the elevator since I have not practiced stairs yet. It has become part of my normal routine. So imagine my surprise when I rolled up and saw the elevator wrapped in caution tape. No elevator ride meant Mrs. Flanigan was not making it to Earth Science class to help that day. I felt frustrated, of course. But honestly, what I felt even more deeply was sadness. I can work around an inconvenience. I can adjust a schedule. But what about the students who require that elevator every single day? Students who do not have another option. They could not get to their own class. That moment made me pause and wonder: how often does this happen? And how often do we not notice because it is not affecting us personally in that moment? It reminded me that accessibility is not a luxury. It is not a bonus feature. It is a necessity. And when it is missing, even temporarily, it sends a message to those who depend on it that their needs come second. Scripture ca...

  Schools are the most vital of institutions where our children learn, grow and prepare for their adult lives. Sadly, not all schools are created equal, and some could even be holding back your child’s progress. Read more about this issue in the post below.  Behavior  One thing that could be harming your child’s progress in school, rather than helping their behavior. Behavior is a very important part of any school because, unless it's properly managed, it can seriously impact both safety and learning. Indeed, many professionals believe that behaviour lays the foundations for learning, and the latter can be done without the former.  That is why your child’s school must have an effective behaviour policy that outlines exactly what is expected of each student and the consequences they will incur if they do not meet these expectations. Additionally, a good school will be consistent with these expectations, enforcing them for all students equally, as well as making sure t...

  Can the smallest sound in your house shape your monthly budget? That quiet, steady "tap" can seem harmless, almost negligible, but it has a story to tell about water and the wear & tear it can cause. The statistics are revealing, and the benefits go far beyond just saving money on your water bill. Via Pexels The Math Behind a Drip A single drip per second does not look dramatic. Over a minute, it feels trivial. Over a day, the math shifts. About five drops make a teaspoon. Those drops become gallons that slip away while you brush your teeth or sleep. Many homeowners are shocked to discover that a single leaky faucet can waste thousands of gallons of water in a year. When you apply that to local water prices and calculate that amount into steady dollars being taken from your wallet with no return, you'll begin to view those drips as a personal budget leak waiting to be closed. Beyond the Water Bill Water waste is merely one layer of this story. When moisture stays w...

Is your child’s schoolwork taking more out of you than it should do? Homework can be a battle even if you're lucky enough to have a super compliant kid, (and if you’re dealing with transitions for kids with ADHD and other neuro differences it can be even harder). But after a long day of schoolwork, all anyone wants to do is relax which is completely fair! You know your child is capable, but schools expect so much of them, and as much as their home learning is important you cant help but feel sorry for them when they bring home a load more learning (after spending all day learning). Consider a reset Once your child gets home, you'll be well aware how their brain is worn out from trying to focus all day. After a full day of schoolwork their mental and physical energy is likely to be all used up, it doesn't leave much in the tank for homework and who can blame them? Even if you want to just get the homework out the way so you can all relax, giving them a little time to reset a...

  Living in the age of technology can sometimes make you feel as though you are not doing enough with your children. You sit them in front of a TV, you let them play on games consoles, and it can get to a point where you wonder if any of this is actually helping their development or education. It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that modern tech is only a distraction, but when you look closer you realise that their laptop can be one of the best learning tools in the house. In this article we are going to look at ways laptops can help your kids learn , and how simple it can be to turn something they already enjoy into something that supports their growth. Keep reading if you want a few practical ideas that fit into real family life. https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-and-young-boy-sitting-on-floor-with-laptop-4624915/   Use Educational Websites One of the easiest and most effective things you can do is introduce educational websites into your child’s screen time. There...