Some days come wrapped in setbacks. Others surprise you with unlikely detours that turn out to be the highlight reel. Day 5 started with a limp and ended with lights, laughter, and a couple of unforgettable performances—each one wildly different, both perfectly Vegas. Whether you’re strolling or struggling, the city knows how to show up for you when you lean into the unexpected.
July was a patchwork of party prep, sweet conversations, and mop-induced motivation—plus one roof-hugging feline and a whole lot of step counts. One sentence at a time, here’s what made the month memorable.
After a few days of comfort and calm, we traded poolside views for something a little more rugged. With the Vegas Strip still on the horizon, we took a scenic detour that turned out to be one of the most visually striking chapters of the trip. Think ancient formations, desert drama, and a few unexpected encounters that made us pause, laugh, and maybe sweat a little more than planned. Let’s just say—this day had layers. And not just in the rocks.
Day three in Henderson didn’t come with a checklist or sightseeing agenda—and that was kind of perfect. After a slow start at the hotel, I wandered through antique and thrift shops, soaking in the local charm. One vendor’s sprawling camera collection made me pause and linger—it was the kind of simple delight that sneaks up on you. With the afternoon heat pressing in, we made our way to the pool area to visit and take in the view—mountains in the distance, stories all around. If you missed the first post from this trip>>>Boulder City, NV (Vegas Trip Day 2) Our…
I tried The Lift Box after spotting it on Instagram, hoping to discover healthier snacks for my on-the-go days. My box didn’t include a shirt—just consumables—and it arrived looking like it had gone twelve rounds with the postal system. The Lift Box follows a no-choices model: you don’t pick what goes inside, so every month’s a surprise. That’s great if you like sampling new snacks and supplements without overthinking, but it can be hit or miss depending on your taste. The bright side? You can cancel anytime, so there’s no pressure to stick with it if the lineup doesn’t hit…
Day 2 of our Vegas trip led me to Boulder City, where a quiet personal connection added depth to an already charming afternoon. Between burgers, browsing, and camera-clicking strolls, I found plenty worth remembering—and even more worth sharing. If you missed the first post from this trip>>>Henderson, NV Day 0 & 1 Day 2 On day 2, I took the afternoon to drive over to Boulder City. A few weeks before going on this trip, I was looking at FindAGrave.com because I find it so interesting. I was going through linking some of my way back family members to each…
A couple months back, Rob had a conference scheduled in Henderson—just outside Vegas—and I happily tagged along to turn it into a fun little getaway. From delayed flights and airport vibes to hummingbird photo ops and desert walks, our first two days kicked off the trip in the best way—calm, curious, and full of local flavor. While Rob dove into conference mode, I explored, thrifted, and soaked up the sunshine. It was the kind of beginning that eases you right into vacation mode. Day 0 After church on Sunday, Rob and I packed up and headed to the airport. Some…
From fro-yo runs to a 50th birthday bash, here’s what life looked like lately around our corner of Auburn. July 5 LA turned 5 months…I mean how is it going by so fast?!?! My in laws throw a 4th of July party every other year. This year the party was actually on the 5th. You can read about it here>>>Celebrating Independence Day 2025 July 6 We went to visit our friend Marc at his church about 30 minutes away. We got to hear his sermon and then went to the parsonage to visit with him and his family. July 10…
In our corner of Alabama, my in-laws’ Fourth of July party is a biennial celebration complete with fireworks, laughter, and enough food to feed a marching band. But this year, we kicked things off the day before with a brand-new tradition: making the homemade ice cream ourselves. Usually, the churn duty falls to the seasoned pros in the family—but this time, we rolled up our sleeves and took the reins (and the rock salt). We arrived around noon, the house already buzzing with my nieces and nephews and some of their friends darting in and out. The charcuterie boards were…
LIFE Happenings Here’s my weekly posts to catch you up. Week 23 & 24 Week 25 & 26 Loving that I have gotten back into meal planning. Happy when she’s around… Excited to celebrate Rob’s 50th birthday next week. Reminiscing We’ve been talking about what we’re doing for 4th of July next year since its a big one for our country. 250 years!! Its made me think about our 4th of July during Drew’s high school graduation trip in the Pacific Northwest. That day in 2016 we explored Mount St. Helen’s as well as Lava Canyon and the Ape Caves.…
1. What does freedom mean to you? Wow! When I hear this question it evokes so many emotions. Across the country, conversations about freedom are emotionally charged—whether it’s the right to vote, bodily autonomy, what books kids can read, or how history is taught. These aren’t abstract debates; they shape people’s lives and futures. America is a place where “freedom” has meant radically different things to different people. That contradiction—between the ideal and the reality—can be frustrating or heartbreaking. And when the word is used as a shield or a weapon by those with opposing views, it can feel like…
Another month down and I actually kept up with my again. I’m impressed! I think the format makes it easier for me to wrap my brain around each day. I am write them in my Day One journal on my computer and then just copy them over here. Another month down, and I actually stuck with my Sentence a Day Who even am I? The format just makes it way easier to wrap my head around this task each day. I type them up in Day One journal on my computer like a responsible adult, then copy them over here…
Over the past couple of months, I’ve dipped into everything from emotional docuseries and twisty dramas to podcasts that made me laugh, cry, and question what’s real. Whether I was winding down with a cozy show, diving into a mind-bending story, or just letting a podcast play while I cleaned the kitchen, here’s what’s been on my screen (and in my ears) lately. Some hits, some surprises—definitely a few I can’t stop thinking about. Jump to: Movies | TV Shows | YouTube | Podcasts | Music Movies/Docuseries Nonna’s (Netflix) A Deadly American Marriage (Netflix) Sherri Panini: Caught in a…
1. What does adventure mean to you? Adventure sparks personal growth by pushing you out of your comfort zone. It builds confidence, adaptability, and resilience through real-world challenges. You gain broader perspectives, discover hidden strengths, and often redefine what you’re capable of. Growth happens in the stretch. As I grow older, I find myself holding back from adventure out of fear—and I really can’t stand that about myself. 2. What are your thoughts on tipping? What businesses or service providers do you regularly tip? Do you resent being asked if you’d like to add a tip? What about when a…
Another two weeks down. There was a lot that went on in the last 2 weeks from conference ending that Rob was in charge of to the determination of what trip was going to be taken. Of course, some LA time. If you missed the last weekly post, you can find it here. June 2 Snapped this on my afternoon walk through of the building. This is from the added on Mell building that was built on to the front of the library looking out at the original facade front of the library. June 4 This day was the last…
1. Summer officially begins this week (in the northern hemisphere)…what was your favorite thing to do in the summer when you were a kid? What do you like most about summer now? I loved swimming and since we didn’t have a pool at home or somewhere to go swim, I always swam on vacation. With that being said, I also loved to travel. My Granddad (who raised me with my Grandmother) was a traveling salesman, so I often went with him. We also went on family vacations most summers. 2. Something you’ll celebrate this summer? Not sure, we’re celebrating anything…
1. June 10th is National Herbs and Spices Day. Besides salt and pepper, what herb or spice container do you reach for most often? Is there a spice you truly dislike? What’s a recent dish you made that called for more than salt and pepper? Garlic powder and red pepper flake are my go to spices. I also use a lot of basil, onion powder, and cayenne. I am not a big fan of fennel seeds. I make a taco soup that calls for taco seasoning, which I typically just make my own and that has a lot of seasonings…
Time to sum up another month. Here we are for May already! LIFE Happenings Here’s my weekly posts to catch you up. Week 19 & 20 Week 21 & 22 Loving the weather lately. It hasn’t been super hot here and I’m loving it! Happy So happy my Cologuard came back negative. No colonoscopy for me!! PTL!! Excited to hopefully get the ball rolling on more projects in the backyard. Reminiscing This from 2003 when Drew was in Kindergarten, with his best friend at the time Austin. They are both Daddy’s now with kids just a few month apart. Crazy!…
If you missed the last weekly post, you can find it here. May 23 I’m never alone… May 24 Memorial Day Weekend was different this year. We made the decision not to camp at the lake, but instead just go up on Saturday. It’s always a good time at the lake. It was LA’s first time. Kayleigh even enjoyed getting in the water Such a great day! I love getting to see ‘firsts’ of LA’s. May 23 A few days later we decided to check out Waldo’s Chicken and Beer. Pretty good My boss has an unhealthy fear of Big…
1. What do birthdays look like in your house? How are they celebrated? Any special traditions? What about birthdays growing up? Birthdays now are usually dinner at a place of our choosing and for the boys we come back and open presents and sometimes have cake. Here’s some photos of my boys on their birthdays. And to clarify bc I have new people visiting today…I have 2 boys. These are them at different ages. My birthdays growing up were always fun. In upper elementary and middle school, I usually had friends over for a spend the night party. I think…