Beautiful music.

February 14, 2026

Day 3,285

Thankful for: 

A nice morning. 

A safe drive to Charlottesville to see Adelyn perform in her choir concert. The songs were beautiful. 

Whoppers for dinner. 

A little bit of time with my parents. 

A delicious salad. 

Hank, Mook, and Tilly. They always come and look at me and want pets when I go to visit. 

Going to bed early. 

Time alone. 

Time to be quiet and think. 

Two more days off ahead of me.  

Cute new decorations for the house from Matt for Valentine's Day. 

My new phone. It's nice to have a working screen. 

A comfortable bed to sleep in. 

A new day tomorrow. 

Hanging with Odette.

February 13, 2026

Day 3,284

Thankful for: 

Friday. 

A delicious dinner. We had pizza from Spittony's. I love pizza on Friday nights. 

Sweet students who were excited to give me Valentine's Day cards and little gifts. 

Sweet co-workers. 

My job. 

Getting to hang out with Odette after school.

I officially found out that in 4 weeks, we get our puppy. It's probably going to be a girl. I cannot wait to meet my new puppy. 

Time to relax and be quiet. 

Going to bed early. 

Valentine's Day is tomorrow, and I'm excited to celebrate with my family. 

Addy has districts tomorrow for choir. I'm excited to hear her sing. 

Being able to see snow for so long.

February 12, 2026

Day 3,283

Thankful for: 

It's almost Friday. 

Sweet students. 

Sweet co-workers. 

Family. 

Friends. 

My job. 

Songs that bring me joy. 

Prayer. 

The voices of people I love. 

Being able to see snow for so long. 

Bare trees in the forest. 

Sanderson Surprise for dinner. 

Time with my kids. 

A long weekend coming up. 

Thinking about my new puppy arriving soon. 

Little ways of thinking that make scary things not scary anymore.

February 11, 2026

Day 3,282

     For some reason, when things feel too overwhelming or big or real, I like to picture life and people and this world like a Richard Scary book. Or like we're all just cute little creatures living in this world with someone watching us while we do things the way we watch animals do things. I used to watch Higbee hide his bones.

"Okay, watch this...he's going to hide it...see, there he goes. He's looking around for a place to hide it. Oh my goodness, look where's he putting it...he's going upstairs now. Isn't he cute! It's so funny how he wants to hide his bone and save it for later." 

    For some reason, it brings me comfort to think of life like this. It's not so serious this way. Someone's watching while we do things. While we cook food, dance, go out to stores to buy things. If I picture scary things like doctor's appointments like a Richard Scary book, suddenly, it's not so serious. It's just a cute bunny looking down another bunny's throat with a little light. It's just a pig wearing a stethoscope. We're all just the little animals going about our business in a very cute way while someone watches from above. That someone watching from above must think it's pretty cute the way we go to the store to pick out strawberries and yogurt and fun things to drink. It must be pretty cute seeing all the people go to the bunny doctor to get their throats checked out. Or their hearts listened to by the pig doctor. It must be fun to watch all the people go to the store to buy clothes to eat. Or travel by boat or plane or train to explore new places. 

     Maybe it all makes no sense. Maybe it's just in my mind that this works. We all have our little ways of thinking about things that helps us to feel better about the world. My way is this. It's weird, but it works. 

    But if I think about it, it's almost Biblical, right? There is Someone watching over us as we buy things from the store, and go to the doctor, and get dressed for work every day. And better than in the Richard Scary books, that Someone is not only watching over us, but He is protecting us, He has promised to help us, and He has promised us His peace. 

     Thankful for little ways of thinking that make scary things not scary anymore. Thankful for God watching over us as we do things. 

Quiet sky space.

February 10, 2026

Day 3,281

Thankful for: 

Time at home. 

Quiet sky space. 

Stars. 

A good dinner. 

Time to talk to my family. 

Time to talk to my friends. 

Going to bed early. 

It's still winter, and that makes me happy.

February 10, 2026

Day 3,280

     It's still winter, and that makes me happy. I don't know why the coming of spring and summer makes me feel like I don't have enough time. When it's winter, I feel like there is enough time. There is enough time to rest. There is enough time to be still. There is enough time to be home and cozy. There are comfortable things like cold air and warm sweaters. There are things like hot tea, coffee, and hot chocolate. I'm not ready for things like blooming flowers and leaves on trees and sunshine and long days. 

     I'm uneasy about the coming of a new season. I'm uneasy thinking about spring and summer. I'm thankful that it's still winter. But I know that those are just thoughts, and those thoughts don't really equal absolute truth. 

    I may feel uneasy, but there are so many good things to look forward to. I know I need to focus on those things instead of wishing for all the good things of winter to stay forever. I'm not sure I would love winter as much as I do if there wasn't a hot summer to loathe. 

    This spring, we will get our new puppy. This spring, I will be able to sit outside longer and feed my birds after school. This summer, I will have many days when I can work from home and be with my family and our new pup. 

     Just like I don't want to wish precious time away, I don't want to long for different days when the day I have right in front of me are gifts to enjoy. 

    I'm thankful for winter. 

    I'm thankful for spring and summer because they make me love winter so much more. 

    I'm thankful for my family and friends. 

    I'm thankful for my puppy. I love the thought of him or her already. 

    I'm thankful for time to rest now. 

    I'm thankful for the sunset. 

    I'm thankful for the forest. 

    I'm thankful for prayer. 

Celebrating Ryker's birthday!

February 8, 2026

Day 3,279

Thankful for: 

A good Sunday. 

Time with Matt. 

Time to rest and be quiet. 

We got to celebrate Ryker's birthday today! 

It was good to be with family. 

I got to talk with my dad a lot today. 

Good food. 

Lots of salad. 

Starting a new project tomorrow. 

Sweet babies. 

Cake. 

The hope of cuddling a sweet puppy very soon. 

Friends. 

Time with my kids. 

Tobin cuddled with me several times today. 

Remy dancing to music.