The Good Life

Taking it back a year for this post. In the summer of 2024, Oakley played a show with some friends in our small hometown. His Great Pap came to watch, and I had completely forgotten I had taken a photo until I found it on my computer this past week. Great Pap passed away earlier this year, and seeing this image was such a sweet memory for us and a little glimpse of God's glory.

Family weekend with our Wildcat! We love UK sports, Lexington, visiting our girl, time well spent with the five of us, and watching our three kiddos enjoy hanging out together. It makes my heart so happy!

My Mamaw made the best sourdough bread. One of my favorite things about visiting her was the taste of her homemade bread fresh out of the oven, with just the right amount of sweetness and softness. It's different from San Francisco sourdough with a more tangy flavor and crispier crust. Both are so good, but sweet sourdough has my heart! In 2020, I got the recipe for her starter and began baking it myself. But once life picked back up and I wasn’t home as much, I gave it up. Then, a couple of weeks ago, at the football game, a friend sitting near us in the bleachers had a loaf she was giving to one of the players. We started talking, and it turned out she made hers similar to how my Mamaw did. Last Friday night at the football game, Rita surprised me with a loaf of my own, and it was delicious. One bite took me right back to my Mamaw’s kitchen and her homemade bread. Thank you, Rita. Your gift of sourdough bread was truly precious.

This season hasn’t turned out like we hoped, but I see God’s glory in the way this kid plays every time he steps onto the field. His perseverance through challenges reflects the faith and grit that can only come from God. With integrity, heart, and determination, he gives his all and never stops. In two weeks, he will play his last game under the lights on his home field. Senior year is passing far too quickly.

Through her, I see God’s glory in the strength she draws from Him. Her perseverance through trials, unwavering determination, fierceness, and deep love for Him reveal His grace. She stands firm and isn’t afraid to stand up for herself, a true reflection of courage, faith, and grace. Yet it’s not only in the hard seasons that His light shines through her; it’s in her joy, her laughter, and the way she embraces life with such warmth and wonder. She finds beauty in the simple things: music, laughter with friends, nature, midnight swims, harvest moons, glistening snowflakes, and warm summer days. She works hard, loves deeply, and fills every space she’s in with life. And flowers. She loves flowers. They reflect her perfectly, bright, resilient, and full of grace. She is a Proverbs 31 woman, an inspiration who challenges me to grow and become a better person. I am in awe of the children God has blessed Jason and me with. Through them, I see His glory, goodness, and faithfulness revealed eac...

Fair warning — I’m going to be a little vulnerable. 2025 has been a season of hard . My family and I have been walking through a lot. It hasn’t been just one thing; it’s been multiple things. It’s been a season of loss in one way or another. A season of feeling out of control. A season of anger and bitterness, while trying so very hard to forgive. A season of saying good-bye to people and things. I should also say these aren’t just my own personal stories or trials; they are shared with those I love the most, so I won’t be sharing any details. But I’m sure many of you reading this have walked a similar path and felt the weight of a hard season. We all do at some point. In this season, I’ve been learning to fight for joy. To find beauty in the everyday — in the mundane. In the days that are nothing special, in the days that are beautiful, and even in the days that just plain suck. A little over a month ago, I decided to take a social media break for at least 30 days. It was hard at firs...

1|52 Looking ahead, with 2017 just a reflection. My hope for 2018 is to simplify my life. Spend more one on one time with each kiddo, take more walks in the woods, sit and talk more, laugh and enjoy each other to the fullest. Oaks and I took a walk to the river today, just the two of us. It was seriously cold, but it was sweet to have some time with him. Cheers to the new year!

Even though it's cold outside, we still try to have as much fun as we can!  This particular week in February ended with a ton of fun at Great Wolf Lodge.  Jason and I decided that instead of buying the kids more "things" for Christmas, we would buy them experiences.  We hadn't been to Great Wolf since Lakelyn was one.  Avery and Oaks had been talking about going back, and were always telling Lakelyn how much fun it was.  We made a cute little note and wrapped it in a box to give them Christmas morning.  Needless to say, when they opened it, they were super excited.  Might of been the best response ever to a Christmas gift!  Beautiful snowflakes! Isn't God's beauty AMAZING!  My little Elsa watching Frozen on this snowy day.  This costume has been worn more than any other in this house!  Family challenge of who can do a handstand push up.  I lost, but I will get them next time!  lol!  Morning s...

Another week in February has come and gone.  With Valentine's Day this week and Spirit week at school, it has been a fun, but busy one.  Lazy Sunday mornings can be such a blessing sometimes.  Can you believe I was on this couch too until I got up to take the picture?!  These girls sure love to cuddle with their Daddy.  I can't say that I blame them! ;) For spirit week, students had to dress like they were 100 one day.  Avery wore her hair in rollers with a robe and house shoes.  I think she will be one cute 100 year old some day. Lakelyn loves to floss her teeth.  Now if I can just get her to quit pulling off a whole yard of dental floss to do it! This was 80's day for Spirit week.  Now that is something I can do well!  haha!  You can't really tell in this picture, but I have Avery's hair teased and "winged" out on both sides.   They were so proud of their Valentine's Day boxes.  Lake sa...

On February 6, 1926, an extraordinary person was born, one of my hero's, someone I love with all my heart, my Papa Crawford.  As a little girl, I would run around his milk barn with my sister, Katie, and cousin, Jill.  We couldn't wait for the milk truck to show up, the driver would always give us a carton of ice cold milk to drink.  We spent many hours playing in the barn, letting the calves suck on our fingers, building hideouts, trying to tame the wild barn kittens, creating escape routes, riding the 4-wheeler around the farm and the list goes on and on.  When we weren't outside we worked puzzles, colored, roller skated in the basement, set up photo shoots and pretended to be models, and sang to the top of our lungs...Grundy County Auction and The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia were our favorites.  I have too many wonderful memories to count, but I am willing to bet my Aunt Linda probably has most of them on video.  haha! Visiting Papa and Granny ...

At one time, February was my least favorite month.  Now I can honestly say it is one of my favorites.  Basketball is winding down, softball is only once a week and baseball, and soccer have yet to start.  Jason isn't crazy busy and we seem to have more time at home together.  These are the moments I cherish.  Again, wrestling is always a favorite activity!  Daddy got the new basketball goal put up and the kids stayed out way past dark to shoot hoops.  These two were glued to a movie.  Lakelyn was so excited to get a bag of M&M's to put in her "M&M Trophy" as she calls it.  Oakley has been wearing these house shoes every night.  Lakelyn was walking her dog! lol! Hanging out in "mine and my sisters" bedroom at Papa and Granny's.  Mom, Uncle Mike, and Oaks are looking at old pictures.  Avery, Lakelyn and Aunt Kat are playing barbies.  This bedroom will forever hold a special ...

Goodbye January 2016.  Thanks for the memories!  Nature and God's beauty never ceases to amaze me. "You were born to dance to the beat of your own heart; to roam without cages; with the innocence of a child, and the free spirit of untamed horses; I hope you laugh without stopping, live with abandon, and love like that's all there is; say wild, my wild, wild child." Jason and I were upstairs when we heard Lakelyn, from the basement say, "My abs hurt!"  We tiptoed down there and all three were doing T25.  lol!  Homework.  I am so proud of Avery when it comes to homework.  She jumps in and always get it done before we even ask, most of the time!  Afternoon wrestling sessions are a favorite with the boys!  Sending my love ones out the door on a Friday.  Now for a little peace before I leave for work. ;) She was so proud of her painting that she made at a friends birthday party!