Hello sweet friends!

Happy February 🩷
We made it through a longgggg and very cold January — my goodness, that one tested us. Columbus got hit with our first truly big snowstorm in a long time, temps dipped into the negatives for days, and school was canceled for most districts for an entire week. A full-on winter mess. Elsa was clearly not happy.

The first few days actually felt kind of magical. Cozy. Everything closed, nowhere to be, nothing to rush to. It gave us all permission to pause — and honestly, that kind of stillness is something we don’t get enough of. I leaned into it. Even went into the backyard and made a snow angel. Yep. Silly, fun, childlike… and something I haven’t done since the kids were little.

Now? I’m done. I’m grateful for my big, long, warm winter coat — but I’m real tired of putting it on and taking it off. I’m ready for milder winter temps, melting snow, and seeing sidewalks, driveways, and grass again. Forward motion sounds real good right now.

So let me ask you this… what do you do when your brain tries to talk you out of something you know you’ll love, but you’re nervous or unsure?

You do the thing.
Yep. Just like Nike says — JUST DO IT.

Anxiety and mind-spiraling have been part of my story for as long as I can remember. All the “what ifs,” the “I don’t want tos,” the wild scenarios that play out before I even begin. And of course, they always make things feel bigger and scarier than they ever truly are.

Over the years, I’ve worked hard to not let those thoughts stop me like they sometimes did when I was younger. Taking control, naming the feeling, and pushing past it has given me life-changing moments I would’ve never experienced if I’d let the negative thoughts win.

The unknown is still a tough space for me. I love a good plan. A tidy, predictable outcome. Don’t we all? But that’s not really where growth, resilience, or change live — and I know that now.

I’m proud of myself for feeling the anxiety and moving forward anyway. Staying “safe” isn’t where I want to live. Showing up — for myself and for others — no matter what the feelings are, that’s the plan. Feel it. Do it anyway. Come out the other side with a full heart and a smile because I did the thing. That’s living.

MOM-ing big kids… one of the most unexpected gifts of this season is that my time is becoming my own again. You think it’ll never happen — and then one day it does. They’re independent, on the move, doing their thing. Do I miss the carpool chaos sometimes? Maybe. But if I’m being honest, I love their independence. I love asking them for help. I love being the passenger princess while they drive. And I love having my time without a clock attached to it.

This might be an unpopular opinion, but I’ve always believed that filling myself first made me a better mom. Even when the kids were little, I protected time for me. I knew that if I was happy, strong, and full, they’d get the very best version of me — and hopefully see how to do the same for themselves.

MOM-ing is all the things, in every stage. But this one feels especially freeing. It’s giving me the gift of rediscovering who I am.

Our living room has been the center of our world these last few weeks — and I’m guessing yours has too. Big snow, bitter cold, and suddenly the most central room becomes the coziest one. All the blankets, all the movies, all the snacks. Togetherness at its finest. I’ve been writing bundled up on the couch instead of at my desk, coffee in hand… sometimes even a warm bowl of chicken noodle soup.

The living room is having a moment, and I’m here for it. Being in the space so much has me itching to finish its decor — Pinterest boards open, inspiration flowing, ready to breathe some fresh life into the heart of our home.

So start this week with a smile and a little bit of silly. Do something you haven’t done in a long time — something that makes you laugh, that feels light, maybe even a little ridiculous. Find that childlike wonder again. Life is buzzing, it’s fast, and it’s feeling a bit heavy. We could all use a little more silly and a little more light. 💫