What's Up January

   Happy Thursday, Y'all

Today, I'm joining Shay and Sheaffer for their What's Up Wednesday link-up. However, I’m actually a day late… At any rate, it’s still hard to believe this is the first post for 2026. How is that possible? 

Anywho, here we are :)

Every month we answer the same list of questions based on how things are currently going in our lives.

So let's get started...

What am I eating?

Y'all... I bought this Chef Woo brand ramen on a BOGO offer at Publix a few weeks ago and finally ate it the other night. It was delicious. However, it was only AFTER I ate the thing and drank the soup at the end that I looked at the Nutrition Facts and about died at the sodium level. It was so insanely high! So, delicious or not... I most definitely will NOT be eating these anymore. Wow!

Past that... I've been on a Greek yogurt kick. I rarely have time to eat a real lunch these days. There's just no way with the level of support my people need. And that's fine... But anywho - I'm finding if I don't eat something, I'm starving by the end of the day when I'm driving home and as my wallet can tell you, that's not always the best (or healthiest) thing. So, on the days I have time for it, I eat a bowl of yogurt with some kind of fresh fruit added in the mix. My latest obsession is coconut flavored yogurt with fresh blueberries mixed in. So good!

What am I reminiscing about?

There was a thing going around on social media at looking at life in 2011. So I went digging through my photos on Facebook and found these... In January of 2011, I was in Senegal, visiting Goree Island with a group of missions colleagues in town for our West Africa Missionary Retreat.

Then in July 2011, I was back in the US, wrapping up a quick visit to raise more missions funds, and got to attend my family reunion. It's hard to believe since that time, two of my favorite men in the world (my dad and my Papa) have both passed away since these photos were taken...

What am I loving?

I'm still loving my daily morning photos. 

I started taking a photo of the sky or whatever my morning view was each morning during a particularly stressful time while in Senegal. The Lord had laid Lamentations 3:21-23 on my heart as a reminder that every morning is a new chance to start fresh, but at the same time, it's still a guarantee that His love, mercy, and faithfulness will be there to meet me each morning. And that was so comforting at that point in my life, that it stuck. So yeah... Even though I'm feeling quite overwhelmed/stressed at my ever growing To Do List and quite often anxiously wonder how I'll get it all done, I still take those daily pictures each morning because I love the reminder that they leave on my heart and mind.

What have I been up to?

Work - It's pretty much all I do or think about these days :)

What am I dreading?

I would always rather be cold than hot. I hate sweating. I could live without these super high temps/humidity that we have here in south Alabama. But y'all... This extreme cold we're experiencing in south Alabama is kicking my tail. Oh my word, it's so painfully (literally - hello arthritis) cold!

Also, come on Mother Nature... If you're going to make me be this cold when I go outside every day, at least let there be some snow, which would be so pretty. Just sayin' :) Anywho... See these fun pics from last year when we got out of school for a full week. That was fun!

What am I working on?

Remembering this goodness...

 What am I excited about?

My brother and his family are coming to visit next weekend. We'll catch a Mardi Gras parade and enjoy time sitting around the house, hanging out. I can't wait! I love it when my people are all here!

What am I watching?

Not a thing.

Seriously... Y'all, I realize that's unheard of in this day and age, to not have a TV or TV service. But it's actually pretty nice. Just saying. I am looking into getting eventually. …just for news (even though it's horribly depressing) and the occasional show/movie/ball game. But for now, I'm enjoying not having it.

What am I reading?

I’m still reading The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins. And yes, I realize I've been reading it for a while. But let's be honest... I've barely read it for the last month. Not due to the book, itself. It's good and I really like it. No, I haven't read it because I've been so exhausted after work every day that I would have fallen asleep if I would have tried to read it. Ha :)

What am I listening to?

Lately, I've had Good Day by Forrest Frank stuck on repeat. I love it!

What am I wearing?

All the warm clothes and almost always sitting under a blanket when I'm at home too. Y'all... It's so cold!

 What am I doing this weekend?

I'll have to do a little grocery shopping and secret Valentines/Mardi Gras goodie bag buying for my two favorite humans who, along with their mom and dad, are coming to visit us the following weekend. I can't wait!

What am I looking forward to next month?

Mardi Gras and Valentines fun crafts with my students

Mardi Gras fun for myself

a visit from my brother, sister-in-law, and nieces

Mardi Gras Break (3 days off + 2 days of PD - so 5 days with no teaching)

Favorite recent Amazon find?

I actually haven't bought anything off Amazon in a while. But I'm thinking about buying a cute Valentines gift set for my students that I saw the other night. It's not terribly expensive and there would be enough for both classes in the set. But I'm just not sure. Hmm... Decisions, decisions :)

What's new this month?

I got my hair cut. I'd been debating for a while. But I finally decided one day to just go for it. Y'all, it's so much cooler (temp wise) and lighter too. And thankfully, I found a hair stylist who listened to what I wanted and it's easy to style as well. 

pic

And that's what I'm up to this month.

What about you?

What are YOU up to this month?

What's up December

  Happy Wednesday, Y'all

Today, I'm joining Shay and Sheaffer for their What's Up Wednesday link-up. Somehow this year has gone by and we’re now on the last day of 2025. How is that possible? 

Anywho, here we are :)

Every month we answer the same list of questions based on how things are currently going in our lives.

So let's get started...

What am I eating?

My mom’s cooking - I mean, I eat her cooking more than my own usually anyway. But the holidays bring on all the traditional family favorites. So that’s been a nice treat lately :)

What am I reminiscing about?

It was such a special Christmas this year, being able to host my family in my own home for the first time ever! But of course, it made me reminisce and think back to memories of these two, (not so little anymore) ladies from over the years. What a blessing it is to be their aunt!

 What am I loving?

Christmas Break and time to relax :)

What have I been up to?

Have I mentioned that it’s Christmas Break and I’ve enjoyed being able to have time to relax. I was tired, y’all. This break came at a great time! Just saying :)

What am I dreading?

I love my students but I’ve so enjoyed NOT having to set an alarm clock, drinking all the ice water I want without fear of not having the chance to go to the bathroom, and actually having time to sit and eat my lunch every day. So while I do love my students and will be happy to see them again next week, if I’m being honest, I’d have to say that I might be dreading losing all of the perks of Christmas Break. 

What am I working on?

I actually haven’t been working this Break. Shocking, I know. So unlike me… Anywho, I will be taking Friday as my day of work. I figure if I devote the entire day to work and combine that with the Teacher Workday we get our first day back, I might get everything I need to get done done. We’ll see.

PS - I saw this sticker on Etsy marked down for a Christmas sale and I grabbed it. Isn’t it cute?

 What am I excited about?

Have I mentioned that it’s Christmas Break and that I got to have my family here at my house for Christmas? :)

What am I watching?

The theater here has shown a few different Christmas movies at like half the price of a regular ticket during the Christmas holidays. I went and saw The Grinch last week and then I’m taking my mom to see Elf later today. So fun! 

What am I reading?

I’m slowly working my way through this book. I like it. And while I’d normally not take this long to read a book, I figured I’d take my time and really soak it in. 

What am I listening to?

I’m still listening to Christmas music. I suppose I should stop. But it’s still December. So it’s ok. Right? :)

What am I wearing?

I’ve basically lived in Christmas/winter themed pajamas and warm slippers this whole Break. I’ve been all about comfort/coziness because y’all, it’s just so cold!

 What am I doing this weekend?

I got this beautiful Bible cover/case from my brother, sister-in-law, and nieces for Christmas. So I’m planning to fix it all up and start my 2026 Bible Journaling/Reading Plan. I’ll also be doing the usual… Working one day (Friday), grocery shopping, church, meal prep for the week, and hopefully maybe one more Christmas Break nap thrown in the mix as well. :) 

What am I looking forward to next month?

Getting back to school and back into a routine again… With a few fun January/New Year’s activities thrown in the mix too :)

Favorite recent Amazon find?

I found this cute Adopt a Christmas Animal package on Amazon a couple months ago and added it to our class Christmas Wishlist. I was a little worried when I saw they were so tiny, but they all loved them. And those, added to the books we had on the Wishlist (or that I purchased myself), as well, helped us make a nice gift set for our sweet kiddos in the two classes I work with. I so love this time of year with our kids! It’s so much fun!

What's new this month?

I got placed on a new medicine. Ironically, the first one he prescribed contained a med I’m allergic to. 

* Side note: Always read the paperwork that comes with your prescriptions just in case the doctor’s office and pharmacy both miss an allergy because yep, that happened. 

Anywho… Today’s only Day 2 of taking it but here’s hoping for less headaches, among other things, and also to feeling more like myself again. 

And that's what I'm up to this month.

What about you?

What are YOU up to this month?

What's Up November

 Happy Wednesday, Y'all

Today, I'm joining Shay and Sheaffer for their What's Up Wednesday link-up. October somehow flew by and I didn't post. So it's been a while, but here we are :)

Every month we answer the same list of questions based on how things are currently going in our lives.

So let's get started...

What am I eating?

I’ve been on a soup kick lately. There’s something about Fall and the arrival of slightly cooler temps that makes me want all the soups :)

What am I reminiscing about?

I've been missing (parts of) life in Senegal so much lately... I miss the culture. I miss the bright colors. I miss the community I had there. I miss my students and I miss friends. I miss the food. I miss being out in the neighborhood. I even miss speaking French, even if I wasn't the greatest at it most days :) I miss church services full of a diverse congregation from many different countries, all worshiping together in one place. I miss the slower pace of life. I miss being just minutes from the ocean. I miss going into stores or restaurants in the neighborhood and having conversations with the workers about their lives and their families and then them talking with me about mine. I miss so much…

And before anyone asks... No, I'm not going back. And I still do 100% know that I was meant to leave when I did. But still… It was such a huge part of my life for such a long time

R. And it just feels strange for that part of my life to be over. It feels strange to rarely ever have someone to talk about it with. I’m happy to be here. But I still occasionally feel homesick for there...

 What am I loving?

A friend gave me this a few weeks ago. 

What have I been up to?

Teaching, and all that entails 

What am I dreading?

Nothing blog worthy :)

What am I working on?

Work pretty much consumes my life and my brain at the moment. But sometimes my work includes cute/educational crafts like this…

 

 

 What am I excited about?

Thanksgiving Break is this week. That is definitely exciting! I do so love my students. But y'all... My brain was so tired and ready for a break.

What am I watching?

Basically the same answer as last month... 

The US losing its mind... Sometimes I miss living in a foreign country and being kind of removed from seeing the craziness happening in my own country. Yes, I'd stay informed. But at the same time, I could sometimes live in blissful ignorance. And that, I miss.

What am I reading?

I've been hearing a lot about the book, The Let Them Theory, by Mel Robbins. And when I saw it was marked down at Target a few weeks ago, I snagged it. Then life got busy at work so I haven’t started it yet. But I will this weekend. 

What am I listening to?

Last month, my mom and I went to the Coldplay and Imagine Dragons Candlelight Concerts. It was such a fun thing to attend. I so enjoyed it! And I want to go back to the next one in December too. Well, actually the next two - One is Vivaldi on Strings and the other is Christmas Music on Strings. I would love it all!

What am I wearing?

I bought this cute shirt off Amazon a week or so ago and I wore it to school on the day of our class Thanksgiving meal. It might be my new favorite holiday themed teacher tee. :)

 What am I doing this weekend?

I'm driving home from my aunt's house on Friday. The con Saturday, I'm planning to come to my classroom and decorate it a bit for Christmas. I don't do everything. After all, part of the fun is having the kids make fun decor to hang on the wall too. But I do plan to at least get our tree and the classroom lights put up for sure. Then we’ll see what else I get done.

What am I looking forward to next month?

Christmas, and all that comes with it... Christmas fun in the classroom (educational stuff and fun stuff), Parties and special dinners/meals, Fun outings, Christmas markets and other fun Christmas shopping, Family get-togethers, and of course, Christmas Break too :)

And best of all... We get to celebrate the birth of our Savior. And that is always a good reason to celebrate :)

What's new this month?

Very little…

And that's what I'm up to this month.

What about you?

What are YOU up to this month?

What's Up September

Happy Thursday, Y'all

Today, I'm joining Shay and Sheaffer for their What's Up Wednesday link-up. ...except it's actually Thursday. Oh well. Let's just go with it.

Every month we answer the same list of questions based on how things are currently going in our lives.

So let's get started...

What am I eating?

My mom and I visited a local pizza place the other day - Semmes House of Pizza. The ingredients were fresh and it was so good! And the pizza was huge so we had leftovers to bring home, as well, which is always a nice thing :)

What am I reminiscing about?

This picture popped up in my Facebook memories the other day. It was Rainy Season in Dakar and as usual, parts of the campus would flood regularly. But that didn't stop our creative students who came up with this clever solution to traverse the ankle deep (or higher) water to buy treats/lunch from the Cantina (snack shop) during lunchtime.

 What am I loving?

I loved this picture of the sky yesterday morning. I don't love the idea of leaving for work before the sun is up each morning. But I do love the pretty views of the sky. I must say, that part is, indeed, a nice perk.

What have I been up to?

On Tuesday nights, I'm taking an ASL class. It's a lot of info for my tired brain to take in. But at the same time, I'm really enjoying it.

What am I dreading?

Nothing blog worthy :)

What am I working on?

Work pretty much consumes my life and my brain at the moment.

 What am I excited about?

Thanksgiving is in 2 months. Does that count?

What am I watching?

The US losing its mind... Sometimes I miss living in a foreign country and being kind of removed from seeing the craziness happening in my own country. Yes, I'd stay informed. But at the same time, I could sometimes live in blissful ignorance. And that, I miss.

What am I reading?

I've been reading through the book of Lamentations this week. 

What am I listening to?

I haven't been listening to much music lately. I am going to a concert next month. It's one of the Candlelight Concerts that are being advertised all over social media. I'm looking forward to it.

What am I wearing?

I got this bracelet as a gift a few weeks ago. Such a sweet surprise!

 What am I doing this weekend?

Same as every other weekend... On Saturday, I'll go in and work from 9ish-3. Then, I'll go home and pick up my mom and go grocery shopping for the week ahead. And on Sunday, I'll go to church and then come home and do meal/snack prep for the week ahead. And if I can squeeze in a nap or some "for fun" reading at some point over the weekend, I always do that too :)

What am I looking forward to next month?

Nothing exciting happening that I know of :)

Favorite recent Amazon find?

I've purposefully stayed off of Amazon lately, in an effort to curb my spending and save up for Christmas fun :)

What's new this month?

Nothing much is new. I did have to find a doctor. I needed to get established with a primary doctor here in Mobile. That, of course, took longer than I thought it would. Most doctors weren't accepting new patients for the next few months. But thankfully, I found one - a good one too. Anywho - I now have a primary doctor and I got some routine lab work and stuff done while there too. Being a grown up isn't always fun. Just saying ;)

And that's what I'm up to this month.

What about you?

What are YOU up to this month?