Friday Reset + New Goals

Happy Friday, dearest friends and fam!! ❤

I went to lunch with the Cleveland County court reporters yesterday... pic = me, Melissa, Tonya, Marla, Sandy, Victoria, and Jacinda.  I had a good talk with Marla and Melissa, and we all talked about how they can best handle the coming changes with two reporters retiring and Marla and I leaving next year.  (We ate at The Winston - I had half a grilled cheese dipped in tomato soup, and it was fantastic!)

Last night (20 days out from surgery) was the first time I have been physically sick and thrown up post-op.  Without shaming myself or blaming this on any one food, I will say that my fear-based thought process and indulgent food choices yesterday were out of alignment with my overall goals, and I am honestly grateful that it made me sick... as it felt like a good physical boundary and a needed mental/emotional reset moment.

This = my current screensaver, and yes, it makes me think of Mufasa. lol  But the message feels important and worth highlighting!

After a short workout and a morning Launch session, when I got to work today, I promptly registered myself for the Route 66 Half (exactly six months from my pre-op diet start date) and the OKC Memorial Full (on their 25th anniversary next April).  I printed off the happy training plans below, Googled the start dates, and decided to train to walk/jog a 16-minute mile on the Half and a 14-minute mile or better next April.  GET EXCITED!!  Completing a Full has been a long-term goal for me, and the timing on all of this feels right and feasible.  And if I can talk my close friends/fam into doing a 5-person Marathon Relay Team (maybe Dad, Triston, Kristin, JEM, and Chet) where I get to run with various people throughout the course next April, that would be EPIC, soooo be expecting that discussion -- unless, of course, you wanna join me for the entire course!! lol ❤  

These plans allow me to ease into it and commit to two shorter runs on weeknights and one long weekend run, and I'm going to be cautious and research the best way to train after bariatric surgery, as it adds some unique challenges.  It's only 14 weekends with double-digit mileage (including both races), so that feels manageable.  *I would still love to try a Disney half or full at some point, Lord willing... but the RunDisney system is surprisingly complicated and quickly sells out and getting a spot is very difficult, so I'm going with the races I'm already familiar with for these milestone goals - the full closer to home feels like a solid choice when I don't know exactly how my body will react to that!  Anyway, I start training for the Half around three weeks from now, then there is a delightful three-week recovery break around Thanksgiving, then I train for and complete my first Full Marathon next Spring (and run a 5K with Kyndal Faith the day before)... and then approximately two weeks after the Full will be my Graduation ceremony in Colorado.... umm, let's freaking go!! lol  The surgery is helping to reshape my physical body, and this training (+ HCOTF calendar strength-based cross training) will help with reshaping my identity and mindset.  As Alex from Peloton would say, "You're an athlete.  Act accordingly!"  ❤

I've been thinking about how true this is lately - hooray that I'll be cleared to swim and strength train a week from today!

❤❤  Love them!  And their parents.  And their pool. lol

The Myers celebrating Jessica's birthday (on the 13th)!

I try to remember this with counseling... to bring my God-given energy and light into the room rather than empathetically merging with the client's distress in a way that makes it harder to help.

Focusing on the protecting my peace mindset.

And that's probably plenty for today. lol

I love you and believe in you, and I believe in your ability to reset and remember who you are... and to live in better alignment with your values and God-given strengths!! ❤

Reflecting

This = our list of topics to choose from on our Research course paper and presentation, all integrating Scripture with a counseling concept.  My group chose #3, but every one of these hold genuine interest for me!

1.  Holistic Approach to Counseling & The Concept of Shalom (Peace)
   
2.  Empathy in Counseling & The Parable of the Good Samaritan
   
3.  Personal Growth and Transformation & The Renewal of the Mind
   
4.  Forgiveness in Counseling & The Teaching of Jesus on Forgiveness
   
5.  Identity Formation in Counseling & The Concept of the Imago Dei (Image of God)
   
6.  Mindfulness & The Practice of Contemplative Prayer
   
7.  Resilience Building & The Strength Found in Faith
   
8.  Interpersonal Relationships & The Biblical Principle of Love
   
9.  Acceptance and Commitment Therapy & Surrender to God's Will
   
10.  Existential Counseling & The Search for Meaning in Ecclesiastes

Since we're nearing the finish line, another assignment due in August is a 7-minute creative video where we personally narrate a recap of our CCU experience thus far.  Yes, please!!  When I think about how different the topics and assignments would be at other universities, I feel increasingly grateful that God led me to Colorado Christian.  When I hear John Eldredge explain the story of how Wild at Heart began... or hear Debra talk about how God directed her steps from place to place in her counseling career... I feel inspired and excited about the road ahead of me.  For right now, it's a gift to have homework I enjoy... and classmates I connect with... and professors I respect and admire!  I’m still in the messy construction process, but things are beginning to take shape. Working on surrendering my stubborn will to God, not comparing my path with others, and trusting Him more deeply… ie personal growth and transformation and the renewal of the mind (Romans 12:2)!

I'm gearing up for Residency 3 next month, where we will present on our topic above & lead the first-year students in their role-plays!! ❤  This time last year, I had not started working with Restore or even heard of Oak Haven or Calm Waters.  I was reminded this week what a profound gift it is to work with clients who are processing their pain and intentionally stepping toward healing, to observe wonderful therapists and interns, to learn from caring supervisors, to practice deep breathing and grounding regularly, to play fun board games and laugh with cute kid clients, to pray with Christian clients, and to help people who are stressed/hurting feel seen and loved and less alone!  

God's kindness is rich and abundant and trustworthy... He is pulling me out of the ignorant scarcity mindset one way after another.  In the blooming areas where His goodness is so obvious to me AND in the underground-seed areas where I cannot see much evidence yet, God is faithful.  He is actively at work.  He still loves me.  He is enough.  He will provide.  He opens doors no one can shut.  He knows my needs.  He cares about my heart.  He has good things for me.  His timing is best.  My hope is firm and secure.  My faith stands on a firm foundation.  My cup runs over.  I shall not want. There is no scarcity or lack in His Kingdom. And His Kingdom is right here among us!

This relatively-brief season of busy Internship hours and finishing up schoolwork probably doesn't look like anything major to most people, but my soul knows better.  I feel repeatedly in awe of all God has done and all He is doing, reliant on His daily grace, aware of His power and my own inadequacies, growing in humility and hope for the future.  Surely God's goodness and mercy are following me, and He is directing my steps and calling me forward.

"You go before me and follow me. You place Your hand of blessing on my head."  ~Psalm 139:5

He is with us and He is for us.

Praying you feel confident in that truth today! ❤

Thankful Thursday #194!

"Praise the Lord, O my soul,

And forget none of His acts of kindness."

~Psalm 103:2

Today, I thank God for...

1.  His timing & what I'm learning about mindfulness and the mind-body connection.

2.  All the emotions on the spectrum... I'm thankful there's a proper time for every emotion (and for every food!), and that they all have a place and serve a purpose in our lives!! (Ecc. 3:1)

3.  Cute and cuddly babies! ❤

4.  My latest audiobook (just finished it) on healing from narcissistic people.  Really great perspective!

5.  The fun group text with the CCU-7 crew planning for next month's CO trip! ❤

6.  Memories and pictures... this Go-Pro cuteness was five years ago this month! ❤

7.  I did Mel's "look for hearts" thing one day on my lunch walk, finding a couple leaves that could *kind of* pass for a heart-shape... to each their own, but I thought to myself, 'This feels like I'm cheating - I'd much rather see a real, concrete heart to count it as encouragement from God!'  On my next walk, I found over 15 new hearts spread all over the path I've been walking lately - obviously put there by other people, AND obviously timed by God as a fun, playful reminder for me that He is present and He cares enough to bring the real thing in abundance! ❤

He delights in the details... and so do I. =)
Thanks for reading, and Happy Thursday!
❤

Winds of Change

 My current screensaver:

Instagram's suggested posts have been on point lately.

I feel like my energy and clarity have been hypersensitive and off-kilter lately, (and I have extra grace for that as I've been doing my best to adjust to massive changes internally and externally + navigating other people's reactions).  But I am stepping back today and turning down the internal-anxiety loudspeaker that really ramped up post-surgery.  Calm and confident - choosing joy and faith.  I am intentionally shifting my energy and attention to enjoying the process of change + trusting God's protective strength, trusting the work He has already done in me (remembering how far I've come), and trusting others (the supportive people who have earned that).  God is with me and for me, and I'm genuinely excited to make the most of the second half of this year!!

Phase 2 of Launch begins today.  That break came at the perfect time for my physical recovery, and this new phase focused on Mindfulness is pretty perfectly timed, as well.  This week = teaching videos, then next week begins another 30-day Project Sprint on Monday, July 1st.  I will do our group Mindfulness activities as well as establishing a new workout routine through the month of July - so excited about getting back into the Peloton momentum!  Since this is a Leap Year, July 1st marks the exact halfway point of the 2024 calendar (183 days before and 183 days after).  As someone who enjoys those details, I really love knowing that!  School will be on break the week of July 4th, then classes will ramp up for six intense final weeks of summer Internship, Residency III, and Research! ❤  So I'm preparing myself for what lies ahead this week and already feeling grateful for the shift in focus and energy.

Yesterday was a down-and-back Tulsa trip where I stopped by to see Chet's Open House event and grabbed a photo with our favorite car salesman, Aaron Little (Lexus of Tulsa)!  It's freaking hot outside, so Chet's new personal fans came in handy. =)  I met the Wilsons and Fultons for dinner at Red Rock at 5:30.  It's good for my soul to spend time with them, and we had a good talk about boundaries, stressors, personal growth, and chosen family. ❤

Afterward, I had a fun photo calendar, wood panel, and other small gifts for Sarah's new at-home study space... along with a summery thank-you gift for the Wilson fam.  My card read something like, "Thanks for changing the course of my life! Here are some fun beach towels in return. lol" ❤

Earlier that morning, I completed my 350th Peloton walk and got a live shout-out from Rebecca Kennedy during Cowboy, Take Me Away -- FUN!!

Lindsay and Wavy enjoying a Sunday afternoon by their amazing new pool!  It makes me happy to see them so happy, and I need to catch up with Lindsay in person soon!

Okay, friends.  Happy Monday!  And now I'm appropriately shifting my focus back to actual work... boooo. lol  I was *fully caught up* as of 9:00 am on Thursday morning last week, and I now have five transcript orders.  What on earth!?  I also will be leading the virtual grief group on my own for the first time tonight... and need to prepare for a virtual session with a client after that!  Plenty to do, less time to ruminate  or revert to old thought patterns - all good things to be grateful for!

"The winds of change are blowing wild and free."

We're choosing joy and faith - God is doing a new thing! ❤

Be patient and have grace when becoming someone you haven't been before. ❤

And in case no one else tells you today,

I love you and believe in you, and Jesus does too! ❤

Peace be the Journey

Happy Anniversary to Chet Lee and Karli Marie today! ❤  'Twas a lovely wedding ceremony on this day 11 years ago… and it's such a wonderful life they've built as they've grown together since then!!  Could not love the Wilson fam more... happy I get to see them and the Fultons tomorrow!

Fun throwback: Me wearing gloves to avoid splinters while making their wedding signs! =)

One of my recent Launch lessons was on the Arrival Fallacy - that we tend to believe we will be happy when we reach a certain goal, yet we actually feel a lot of purpose, passion, grit, and joy in the pursuit of our goals.  It was a well-timed reminder for me as I am nearing the finish line with school.   To savor the joys along the way (much like I’m learning to do with my smaller-portion meals).  It's fantastic to reach our goals, but we never fully arrive... to stay healthy and vibrant in life, we keep setting more meaningful goals and moving forward with intention!  So don't rush yourself, and remember that there's great value in enjoying the journey as you move toward your goals and dreams!!!

Mom and I went to see JoBug and Asher Kenneth this morning... then Dad and Charlene joined us for dinner tonight... yay for seeing my two favorite aunts and spending most of the day with Mom... and yay for seeing JB hamming it up with her first grandson - such an adorable, happy baby!

I was debating what to title this post and then heard Derice from Cool Runnings saying, "Cool Runnings means: Peace be the Journey" and all his teammates toasting that idea.  My mind holds such a plethora of movie/TV quotes. lol  Anyway, there are days when it's overwhelming and scary, but I'm so grateful to be living with heart and purpose!  Gracious, I spent so many years longing for this, and it really is a gift that I value and don't want to rush through or fail to notice!!  I hope you are focusing on a goal that feels meaningful to you in this season, and I hope you know God is with you and for you as you move forward in faith, directing your steps and renewing your joy and hope all along the way!

Happy Saturday.

Peace be the journey! =)

❤

The Sense of Self

(Spoiler Alert.)  This will be my last post on this topic, but I felt the need to process it more deeply.

At the beginning of Inside Out 2, Joy is busy sending any embarrassing moments, selfish decisions, or potentially bad memories to the back of Riley's mind, where they are walled off and eventually forgotten.  She carefully selects the very best memories to form Riley's belief system, planting them as seeds that come together to form a glowing flower representing Riley's sense of self...

With the sense of self cultivated by Joy, who ignores every selfish act and awkward or painful memory, Riley's repeated core belief becomes, "I'm a good person."

Enter Anxiety, arriving right on time at the onset of puberty.  Anxiety has her own plan to control things, beginning by throwing Riley's old sense of self to the very back of her mind so that Anxiety can create a new one.  (The illustration of out-of-control anxiety destroying our sense of self and messing up present relational connections in the hopes of building better ones was powerful.)

After Anxiety banishes the undervalued original emotions to the vault, a diminished Joy remarks, "Maybe this is what happens when you grow up - you feel less joy."   While that is certainly a possible choice, I am determined not to let it be my story!  Anxiety convinces Riley to work extra hard to earn her place within a new group of friends and a new soccer team, hustling for a sense of worthiness, stressing out, changing her appearance and musical tastes to fit in, etc.  All of these new belief-seeds form a more fragmented, unhealthy flower representing Riley's new sense of self...

With beliefs conditioned by Anxiety that push out joy and ignore existing positive connections, Riley's repeating core belief becomes, "I'm not good enough."

On a day where her performance feels really critical, Anxiety takes full control of the command center in her brain, landing Riley in a painful anxiety attack.  Anxiety works harder and harder but doesn't know how to stop the storm she's created, and Embarrassment and Sadness can't do much to stop it either.  (Side note: I love how they paired up Fear & Anxiety and Embarrassment & Sadness.)

Intentionally knocking down the massive wall she built up to keep negative memories at a distance, Joy rides in on an "avalanche" of all the memories Riley had been suppressing (along with Anger, Disgust, and Fear).  The poignancy of that whole metaphor is thick -- the visual of what happens when we really own all of our choices, emotions, and memories (the good, the bad, and the ugly) and allow EVERY part of our story to have its rightful place in our internal narrative is so powerful to me.  I feel like I have lived that out over the past few years, and it has reformed and strengthened my sense of self!!  (Also, the idea that all the things we've suppressed and hidden from would spring back up in a messy way during a panic attack is also spot on.  Well done, Pixar.)

As Riley is panicking and Anxiety is in a swirling chaotic storm that no one can stop, Joy bravely enters in and convinces Anxiety to let go of control.  "YOU don't get to decide what's best for Riley—you have to let her go!"  Anxiety, regretful and admitting that she only wanted to protect Riley, agrees.  And Joy slowly realizes that by suppressing all of the 'bad' memories, she was doing the very same thing.

At that point, the emotions work together to remove Riley's anxiety-ridden sense of self.  Then they also remove the original sense of self that was based on hollow joy and self-esteem.  Riley's belief that she was a good person was missing any nuance and wisdom, as she was suppressing hard emotions and painful memories and simply ignoring all evidence to the contrary.  Her sense of joy, resilience, and identity became much richer and deeper when they allowed those hard memories to have their rightful place in her mind and heart!

With years and layers of memory seeds floating around, a more vibrant, colorful, and beautifully complex sense of self emerges for Riley - one marked by several thoughtful core beliefs, deeper self-awareness, and better relationships on all sides. The climactic scene with Riley finally catching her breath and slowing down the panic attack while all of her emotions group hug this delicate, emerging sense of self in the effort to love and protect ALL OF HER is so powerful.  I definitely did not hold it together during that scene! lol

Those metaphors and visuals are incredibly helpful to me.

In my writing through the years, I have worked hard to become more vulnerable and honest, challenging myself to be brave and allowing myself the freedom to be human and to admit the areas where I'm struggling and falling short... while also celebrating all the beautiful things God is doing!  This blog has really helped me to cultivate a more steadfast, beautifully nuanced sense of self based on my past experiences, present reality, and future hopes.

At my core, I know my worth and value are secure in Christ and not subject to change or decay.  The scene with the emotional group-hug forming a canopy to love and protect the growing sense of self through a season of transition resonates deeply with me.  I need Jesus to help me through what lies ahead and what I'm already experiencing.

Unsolicited body commentary can still trigger anger, pain, and immature reactions within me, particularly when people connect my changing appearance to my relational value.  NOOOOOOOO.  I always appreciate sincere encouragement from people who care about my heart, and I welcome questions and compliments and real discussions.  But I will likely receive more of the triggering, condescending, unwanted quick comments over the next six months than I have had to endure for the past 15 years, and that gives me a deep, aching sense of dread, to quote David Rose.  I have a plethora of sincere support, and I fully understand that most people mean well and misspeak out of ignorance rather than malice, yet the damage can be real and lingering depending on how I interpret it (came back to add that ending - grateful to remember I have a choice here).  So I'm praying about this ahead of time and already have therapy goals with my new counselor for working on my reactions and having a plan in place for a better response.  I got into a legit mental spiral about all of this last night, and when I found myself in the old pattern of Googling options to move to another state, I recognized it as an unhealthy escape-route and stopped myself.  I took some deep breaths, moved my focus elsewhere, went to bed, and reminded myself to take this journey one day and one poorly-phrased comment at a time.  God's mercy is new every morning, and I needed the fresh dose of it today!  (And every day.)  His grace will always be sufficient, so I can keep moving forward with faith.  Yay, God!

Happy Friday, friends and fam!!

❤

P.S.  HERE is a 2015 post with what I learned from the first Inside Out movie... it was pivotal for me in overcoming depression by understanding the importance of being honest when I was in pain and not feigning happiness just to please others.  So thanks, Pixar!

Thankful Thursday 193!

"You light a lamp for me.

The LORD my God lights up my darkness."

~Psalm 18:28

Today, I'm thanking God for...

1.  This photo... and getting to celebrate Dad last Sunday!  T-man was working and J&K were with Josh, so it was the original Muecke-fam-four for church and then lunch at the Big Biscuit (where I had a delicious glass of water). lol  Then Dad and I went to see Bad Boys for Life at MWC Warren... turned out to be my favorite movie in that particular franchise!  It was a fun Sunday, and I'm very grateful for Dad's love, stability, and generosity!! ❤

2.  Seeing my former Compassion child thriving and doing well in adult life (we're friends on Facebook now, which is pretty cool).

3.  My confident hope and expectancy in God's goodness and precise timing!  On Tuesday, I received news of the 3rd rejected embryo adoption match.  I was surprised, but not devastated - more curious what God is up to.  I am also very thankful that Chet helped me process that news and pointed me right back to God's good timing and faithfulness - our conversation confirmed my decision to pause the adoption search without closing the door - and I'm grateful to have friends who are attentive enough to see God's hand in my life and connections that strengthen my faith!!

4.  Also grateful for the growing energy I feel around the new things God is doing... and for the extra dose of encouragement, support, prayer, and affirmation I received when I shared some of my story on Facebook.  Vulnerability invites vulnerability, and "life opens up when you do!"  ...Not at all sure what Albert was referring to in the quote below, but I love the idea of alignment - my energy, hope, and authority being aligned with God's energy, goodness, and power!

5.  A good follow-up call with Blossom, and finally getting to try some soft foods and add vitamins back in... I am taking it absurdly slow and have not felt any pain so far... and NO, this won't be a regular part of my diet moving forward, but it was the main food I thought about while liquid dieting, so I went for it.  And this 480-calorie small white cheddar mac n' cheese will take me about 5 meals to complete, so that seems promising. lol  Truly grateful to be moving right on past the liquid diet stage and progressing in healing all around!

6.  This movie... saw it for the second time this weekend, and the message and visuals resonate really deeply for me!  This = Joy helping Anxiety calm down with some Anxi-Tea. =)

7.  A family fun day including a movie with Rach and the kids (we were both off work for Juneteenth yesterday)!

And now a pic with T-man, who arrived a little late.

And finally, I got to come watch Jace's karate class, which was a lot of fun!  He's loving his new mohawk hair (like Hawk from Cobra Kai)... wouldn't be my first choice for him, but I'm glad he's enjoying it for the summer!  It definitely makes a statement, as Chettles put it! lol

Happy Thursday, friends and fam!!
Wishing you love and gratitude
and confident hope in God's good timing!

❤ Lindsey Claire

Where God is Speaking Lately

1.  "The kingdom of God is not coming with something observable, nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For you see, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
~Jesus, Luke 17:20-21

Other translations say the kingdom of God is "within you" or "among you."  I was so struck by the verses above when I heard them this weekend - I feel like I had lost sight of this truth.  The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).  Connecting with the presence of Jesus brings those things within us and among us, and He is right HERE in our midst - what a gift!  Although our earthly experience will always be a partial preview of what is to come in Heaven, let's live out our Kingdom hope and calling to the fullest!! ❤

2.  "We had hoped that He would be the one to set Israel free! But it has already been three days since all this happened... Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted for them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures."  ~Luke 24:21, 27

Christine Caine used this Emmaus Road passage in her message this weekend.  "We had hoped that He would be the one..." -- their stark disillusionment and disappointment mirrors the areas where we once felt deep hope and now feel a vague sense of grief or loss (marriage and motherhood are high on that list for me, and God is beginning to change that).  I adore this story and have always loved verse 27 where Jesus personally walks them through the Scriptural teachings and interprets and explains prophecies about Himself -- wow, imagine!  Anyway, God spoke fresh hope to me through this Biblical reminder that He knows the bigger picture and how to connect the dots and details in His good plan for each of our lives!

3.  "Trouble is a promise, but misery is an option."  -Joyce

Not a verse, but I appreciated this simple reminder this morning.  Jesus promises that we will have trouble in this world, but we get to choose our response.

4.  The value of an integrated sense of self.

I saw Inside Out 2 this weekend with friends from Oak Haven.  It was exceptional.  I cried multiple times... about 10 minutes in, I realized I was in trouble (I think my emotions are still a little extra post-surgery, but the movie was really moving either way).  Pixar does a great job of giving us visuals and metaphors to reflect what is happening inside us... the way we try to bury certain memories and hide certain parts of ourselves, the way our beliefs form our sense of self, and what it looks like when we allow one emotion to control everything versus embracing every part of our story!  The ending was powerful and beautiful and a great reminder that our entire story matters... owning our awkward/embarrassing moments, our anxieties, secrets, joys, sadness, anger, nostalgia, disgust, fear, hope, etc. gives us a fuller, more integrated sense of self - knowing who we are, where we come from, what we bring to the table, what we need, and what we want to build in life.  Cultivating safe relationships and regular blog writing have helped more than anything with my sense of personal integration, and I'm so grateful! ❤

Yay, Michelle! ❤

Oak Haven Counselors: Madison, Julie, Amy, Michelle, and Lindsey ❤

Yesssss... keep going, keep growing, keep glowing!!

I see this on most of my lunch walks, and I love it!

He is with you and for you, friends and fam!!

Anxiety arriving with extra baggage... that and the "anxiety storm/panic attack" were incredibly well done!

Joy and Sadness exploring the belief system

I have my first counseling session (as a client) this afternoon, and I feel good about the counselor I've chosen, so I'm excited to begin that!  God is on the move, and I want to walk in step with Him.

I love you and believe in you, and I believe in your ability to hear from God!

❤

Father's Day Weekend

In my immeasurable thoughts, prayers, and intentional efforts toward motherhood/adoption as a single woman, my heart is never in *complete* alignment with that goal... the thing that gives me the most pause is understanding the value of a good dad in a child's life.

I am forever grateful to know that by experience. ❤

And I am deeply grateful for the six EXCEPTIONAL men of God pictured below.  I'm thankful to know them, for the extreme value they add to my life, for their honesty, wisdom, humor, kindness, and protective strength!  It's a joy to watch them being great dads to their fantastic kids... and although they'll take it for granted now, I believe their kids will eventually see how blessed they are!  ...I'm currently praying my future husband will be #7 and fit right in with this group! =)

A page from my first adoption profile book. ❤

The world needs more good men, more men who follow God and lead their families well!  I love that we get to celebrate and honor them this weekend!

Happy Friday to my blog readers, Happy "Flag Day," annnnd Happy Birthday to JMM, who I'm fully confident is also a great man and an excellent dad to his three daughters!

Okay, heading home now.  I love you and believe in you, and I hope you have a delightful weekend ahead!

❤