Happy Spring!

Today is the official first day of Spring, so huzzah for that!! ❤

This week is Spring Break week for most schools, so I'm hoping it's been a fun one for my sister's fam and all my friends who have kids!  The Foster fam came down to the new Okana indoor waterpark and resort for Spring Break (they're loving it and said it's better than Great Wolf Lodge), and the Wilsons made a day trip to OKC yesterday, so it was fun to see my fav Tulsa friends in my hometown.  Here's our group pic after dinner... I adore them all!!!

I covered a murder prelim in Purcell on Tuesday - the court reporter shortage is real, so we're all covering wherever we can.  This afternoon, I'll be at the Couch Center, then tomorrow I'm covering the office and catching up on transcripts.  Anyway, that prelim ended by noon, so I had Tuesday afternoon off and did speed and hills intervals at Planet Fitness, followed by a lovely neighborhood walk!

In a fantastic surprise, I learned that Judge was taking Wednesday through Friday off, so I took off yesterday to join the Wilsons at the Science Museum in OKC... formerly the Omniplex.  I hadn't been there in years, and it has loads of new stuff, as well as a few familiar things!  This = the Wilson fam getting blown away in a simulated tornado! #oklahoma

Parker E on the carousel - she was in a fun mood ready to explore all the things!

Tate and Karli learning about... some sort of spacecraft!?

I chatted with Mom whilst the Wilsons grabbed the last two seats available for the Planetarium show!  Then we explored the sand spinner, the spirograph art pendulum, the toy photography exhibit, the shadow wall, and several other exhibits and kids play areas!

Spirograph pendulum art by Parker and her Dad. ❤  Her first color choices were purple and brown, which made me laugh!

Mirror maze selfie! =)

So much randomness, but most of it is fun for adults and kids!

They had a Segway park where you could try it out on various surfaces... Tate surprised us by going first and having fun with it!

Next up was Chettles, who had done it once before on their last trip to this museum!

And round 3 was me - yay, trying new things!!  It was fun and made me wonder if I could do the hoverboards... but I'm pretty sure the lack of handles would throw me right off balance!

Random cloud ring fun... I feel like all these play-based exhibits have posters trying to teach you things, and I'm guessing about 2% of the museum visitors actually read them and learn a lot. lol

Wilson fam + "Auntie Lindsey" random group pic at the giant table and chairs!! lol

We were at the Science Museum from 11-ish to 5, then met the Fosters for dinner downtown.  We were planning on Old Spaghetti Factory and Chet was psyched about their spumoni dessert... but alas, I forgot to factor in that we were a party of 9 on Spring Break week on a Thunder game night!  We opted out of the 2.5-hour wait for OSF and the hour+ wait at a few other restaurants, and we ended up at Dave's Hot Chicken near Harkins Theater... another new thing for me, and it was pretty good!

I told the Fosters about being accepted into the doctoral program, and Kristin cracked me up saying, "Congrats, that's awesome... and here we all are at Dave's Hot Chicken to celebrate!" lol  I said, "It's just what I always dreamed!"  But for reals, I'm happy to be with this group any day, any place!

Happy first day of Spring, friends!
May this be a season of fresh hope and vibrant growth for all of us!!

❤ ❤ ❤

Wandering Wednesday

This post holds some rambling thoughts - just go with it. lol

What a gift this week has been.  Having a holiday fall on my birthday, then two unexpected days off thanks to the icy roads and below-freezing temps.  I actually got ready for work both days... started the drive yesterday morning and my car spun a bit in my neighborhood, then I texted Judge that I was taking the day off since nothing needed a record.  They ended up closing the courthouse at 11am.  Today, they opened at noon for reasons unknown, but our afternoon hearing was continued, so Judge told me not to worry about coming in.  Gift!!  I'm very grateful for a little extra downtime and rest, along with the brownies I baked yesterday, because snow days just call for baking! lol

Currently blogging and watching About Time -- so many poignant lines that make you think about what matters most in life -- a total treasure ever since I sobbed my way through the ending in theaters in November 2013. ❤

Anyway, here's a few pics from my birthday dinner with the fam on Monday -- we went to Ted's and had bundtinis for dessert to celebrate our February birthdays (me, Jace Michael, and Rach)!

Rachael made me this heartfelt card - makes me laugh that this is a real verse! lol

The fam. ❤

Jaceman making me laugh with the eyebrow action! lol

Miss K finally updated her FB profile pic to this one from a volleyball tournament.  Still not a face-forward smiling pic, but better than the shadowy one she had before. lol

Making some major progress in my own therapy lately -- really taking the time to do the homework matters.  And yes to being gentle with ourselves.

I kinda feel this one right now. lol

Tate Haywood after losing two teeth last week... he apparently lost the remaining top front tooth today! =)

Three of my favorite men in the world.  And baby Henry, who I'm confident will grow to be a great man in his time! ❤

Melanie's new book released yesterday.  I'm about 75% of the way through the audiobook already, and it's been excellent -- it's her story of growing up with an abusive, narcissistic mother and eventually finding healing and setting difficult boundaries as an adult, then raising a wonderful, strong daughter -- I love her and her whole family more than you would think I could having never met them in person!  Yay, Caroline and Melanie and Perry!!

Well, this is 41.  It's off to a slightly painful and slow beginning, but I am getting back up, and I'm believing it will be a beautiful year ahead!  Do I have loads of unresolved questions about what the future holds?  Yes, but that is not unique to me.  And what I do know is that God is good and He sees me and cares about me, AND although life has knocked me down sometimes, I'm resilient, I am not alone, I am loved, God is never giving up on me, and I am not giving up on myself or on God and His good plan for me.  I will keep adapting and learning and growing and moving forward.  From my birthday to today, I have had a few important conversations with friends, I've accepted an invitation to interview for CCU's doctoral program on March 7th, I've interviewed for a therapist job and accepted a second interview for Friday, I've done several at-home workouts to stay on track with my training, I've given online dating another shot, and I've worked out a few mini-goals for the coming months....

Tomorrow will be 78 days away from my CCU graduation ceremony, and I will be starting "75 Soft" - with 3 days off thrown in there.  It obviously won't all be perfect, but I want to feel proud of this chart when I hit graduation day. For the sake of accountability, my five areas of focus will be: 

• Healthy eating and tracking (2 protein shakes + veggies daily and staying in my weekly points range - focusing on building consistent patterns)
• Drinking more water (6 bottles a day - doable, but it requires more intentionality and focus post-surgery)
• Continuing the marathon training workout schedule (which definitely ramps up here in the second half)
• Averaging 10 pages a day of a real live actual book (I have two that don't come in audiobook format that I would love to finish)
• Online dating - either messaging with someone (hopefully) or liking 2 new profiles daily, any online dating site -- (sticking with that for 75 days may feel like the biggest challenge here, but I'm doing my very best not to personalize things too early and perceive rejection that isn't there AND to lean into the worthy-of-love identity I want to build up rather than the unchosen/potentially unworthy identity I've become too familiar with)

In all of life, honestly, I want to focus on the new identity I desire to build rather than the old story I want to release... allowing God to bring more healing and trusting Him to do something brand new (2 Corinthians 5:17)!  I feel this deeply, and I'll probably write more on it later, but I want to get serious about abiding in Christ and becoming more whole and holy through God's love (Ephesians 1:4).  ❤

Okay, shifting gears, today's 3-mile Wednesday walk was not quite as fun as walking with Kristin at The Station!  I used my lovely walking pad along with an actual walker for handrails (with weights in front of it to keep it from moving). lol  I so feel like I'm going to fall if there's nothing to hold on to - this was a random makeshift fix idea from a Peloton FB group, but it worked, so that's a Wednesday win!

This post is full of randomness!!  Conclusion:  This 2-day work week feels like a lovely birth-week blessing! =)  I am getting back up and doing my best to press into the abundant life God designed for me.  I'm determined to show up and do the work that needs to be done, confident that God has good things in store!  I love and value you, and I believe God also has good things in store for you as you show up and do the work that needs to be done!! ❤

Know your worth.  Show up.  Do the work.
❤❤❤

February Fun!

Super Bowl Sunday did not disappoint!!  Mom and Dad hosted this year's party... lots of good food and fun conversations catching up with the Wallaces, Lemieuxs, Rick, and the Parrishes!  (I saw very little of the football game, commercials, or halftime show, but that's rarely what I show up for.)

Miss K made bracelets for the Chiefs and the Eagles... she thinks Jalen Hurts is "a hottie" so she cheered for the Eagles, and I'm a lukewarm-at-best fan of Travis Kelce for as long as T-Swift chooses him, so here's our pic being fierce rivals (who barely watched the game but had fun dressing in the team colors). lol

Rach is completing this masterpiece today, but Kyndal is going with a CFA-themed Valentine's box and handmade V-day cards for her volleyball girls - super cute! ❤

UPDATE:  She finished it - super cute!! ❤

I spent the first quarter enjoying some great snacks + talking with Rick about his upcoming medical procedure + looking through Jill's amazing pics from their 17-day cruise to Antarctica - they LOVED it!!  Then Rach and I talked with Bill and Debbie Wallace through the 2nd and 3rd quarter of the game - the Wallaces can always be counted on for entertaining travel stories, and it was nice to get an update on Clint and Ty and their children.  We got some group pics before the Lemieuxs left at halftime, then we spent the final quarter of the game helping Kyndal Faith brighten up her V-day cards - cathartic and fun!!  (Photos by Mamaw)

Kyndal took the group pic at the top of this post... it's all the adults + Triston (who will technically be an adult in less than 2 months).  He starts his new Starbucks barista job next week, and I'm excited for him!  Then I took this happy group pic of everyone there, obviously minus me. =)

There was chips & queso, little smokies, 3 kinds of cookies, mini cupcakes, fritos & bean dip, sausage balls, Domino's pizza, and I made my "famous" chocolate layer cake with buttercream icing (pictured below) for the first time in a while - yum!

Breaking up the different events with a meme... gracious, this one feels true for me right now.  I'm still a fan of winter, just not on days when I need to do longer runs and strongly prefer being outside to the treadmill!

This past weekend's "long run" was only 6 miles, which actually felt refreshing and energizing.  I did that yesterday afternoon before the Super Bowl party.  I know these temporary tattoos are cheesy, but every once in a while, I'm in the mood for them and they make me really happy!  The left pic = my reflection in the window at the Station, feeling strong and proud of myself at the end of my six mile jog!  This coming weekend, the schedule is 14, which would be my longest run in life to date, so that feels a bit more intimidating - wish me luck!

One more fun meme to transition into the next event!

Saturday morning was Tate Haywood's 7th Birthday Party!!

That astronaut balloon is the very cutest, and Karli went all out with this layer cake with sparkly outer-space frosting and surprise planets (colored vanilla cake balls) hidden inside - epic!!

A spaceship tent, present time, delightful brunch foods, cake time, and Parker and Kate building together!

7 for Tate Haywood, or L for "Auntie Lindsey!" lol

Tate wanted a fun birthday toast, so all the kids got some sparkling cider (and approximately 0% of them understood the concept of waiting for the toast moment to drink it. lol  Poor Chettles.)  Kate and Parker are the cutest little friends!  Parker's face in the top pic was her deciding to be funny and hide from my camera, but I got the pic just in time. lol

The party was great - I got to re-meet Chet's dad and got to catch up with Melissa (also back from a recent cruise where she was sick for over half of it), Teresa, Kristin Foster, Evan, Sarah, Chet, Karli, and more.  I got to give Melissa the lovely Christmas wreath Mom made for her - she loved it!!  And who doesn't adore brunch foods!?  (Looking at you with a tinge of judgment, Chet Lee.)

Chettles, talking about his open house:  "Yeah, it's just down the street and to the right.  You can't miss my sign in the yard!!"

Me, knowing I absolutely missed it on my way there:  Maaaaybe don't underestimate me. ;-)

Sarah and I stopped by the open house -- an updated 1800-sq ft home within my cash price range in the Country Crossing neighborhood a quick walk from the Wilson home... dream scenario for me if I were certain I was moving, but alas, God is still keeping my next step a fun mystery surprise from me and everyone else! lol

In other news, I watch a stupid amount of TV but rarely write about it here.  My main show thus far in 2025 has been The Equalizer, a gem with Queen Latifah, the girl from 21, Eddie from Friends, Awnt Vi (who can be a little much), and Delilah (love her) - as of tonight, I will be fully caught up, but Season 5 continues on 2-16, so that's exciting!  I'm always a sucker for crime-solving action + drama + the family dinner dynamic, and I enjoy that this is an unconventional family unit of a strong single mom and her sister and daughter!! ❤

Also watching season 2 of Severance (wow!), High Potential (pretty fun)... and recently finished The Diplomat (really good), the final season of Blue Bloods (farewell, Reagan fam!!), and season 2 of Shrinking (very well written).

Friendly reminder, and it feels notably true for me lately.  Our mind, body, soul, and spirit really do work together, for better or worse!

Happy Birthday Eve to Rachael LaJo!!  After over 4 years as a Tinker AFB employee (the last 1.5 working from home 4 days a week), she recently submitted her deferred resignation, deciding to take the Federal government up on their crazy generous and unprecedented offer to gift her full pay and benefits for the next 7.5 months whilst she finds another job and gets double pay for a little while!  (Oh, how I wish the State of Oklahoma could make me the very same offer in this season, but alas, the State has no money and there is a shortage rather than a surplus of court reporters. lol)

Anyway, looking forward to celebrating with the fam tomorrow, and to dinner with Kristin tonight!!  That's all for now.  Thanks for stopping by, and I hope your week is off to a fabulous start!

❤ ❤ ❤

SNL Top 10

Inspired by a podcast I listened to on my way home tonight with Melanie and Sophie talking about their all-time favorite SNL moments since it's the 50th anniversary year, here are 10 of my favorites... at least the ones that come to mind right now! =)

10.  Seasons Greetings -- not really even an official SNL skit, but I loved these four guys and had this dumb song on a burned CD back in the day. lol Yay Christmas!!

9.  Mister Robinson's Neighborhood -- an update on Eddie Murphy's most popular politically-incorrect sketch from the 1980s. lol

8.  George Washington -- yay for Nate's clean comedy going over well at the SNL level!  This was great!!

7.  Sean Spicer Press Briefing -- Melissa McCarthy is a gem! lol

6.  The Barry Gibb Talk Show -- Jimmy & Justin making each other laugh is the best!  Rach and I quoted this one a lot back in the day. #crazycoolmedallions 
(Side note: I also loved JT's Omeletteville skit, but couldn't find a video.)

5.  Livin' in a Van Down by the River -- Dad mentioned this the other night at family dinner. lol David Spade breaking character with Chris Farley going all out = hilarious!

4.  Jeffrey's -- Jimmy (who regularly breaks and laughs because he finds all the world delightfully funny, and I relate to that) & the hilarious Sean Hayes fully losing it as Will Ferrell rides in then answers his tiny little phone. lol

3.  Debbie Downer at Disney World -- A quotable classic!  Clearly, I love it when the actors break character, and this one just gets funnier as it goes on - Horatio Sanz crying from laughing then wiping his tears with the Mickey waffle is top tier comedy! lol

2.  More Cowbell -- Between Christopher Walken's delivery and Will Ferrell being so extra, the others didn't have a chance of staying in character! lol

1.  Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton -- The all-time best SNL cold open for me!  Everything about it is funny and quotable, and I love Tina and Amy's friendship and how much they enjoyed this (according to both of their audiobooks)!  Tina's fun gun pose and Amy's eyes just before she says "I CANNOT" are probably my favorite parts. lol

Mmkay, that's all for today.  Happy Saturday, and hope you enjoy your Super Bowl Sunday ahead!  Best of luck to the Chiefs on winning a historic 3-in-a-row (something I didn't know was a possibility till Mom explained it last week)!  Hopefully third time's a charm!  

My real hope is that T-Swift will pop downstairs for a surprise short performance... just one song is all I'm asking for - she's RIGHT THERE!!!  Karli said not to hold my breath on that. lol

❤ ❤ ❤

Defying Gravity

Saturday was a movie morning then shopping at Quail Springs Mall with Rach and J&K... before jogging at Lake Hefner then meeting Kristin at Hideaway! =)  I'm kinda tired, but I honestly love how full the December schedule feels!!

❤

J&K with the Grinch - we went to Flix Brewhouse which was a fun atmosphere - we all had brunch during the movie - Rach and Jace saw Sonic 3, which Jace kindly offered to go see again with me! lol

"Unlimited - my future is unlimited!"  ❤  

Seeing this with Kyndal was fun - she loved it, and I really loved the way they did Defying Gravity in the end - I need to go back just to watch that part one more time. lol

They had "Crazy Hair Day" at club volleyball practice, and Kyndal FaceTimed to show me hers! #crazycute ;-)

Meme that made me laugh!  I 've felt very snacky lately, which is in no way unusual for the holiday season, but I'd like to quiet that down!

A windy walk before making my Marathon Monday video!

I had to get fingerprints done for OSBI and FBI background checks... with my fingertips cracking from psoriasis, it was a hot mess nightmare.  But after lots of lotion and cornhusker oil and 5 post office employees trying their very best and never succeeding... after three trips to the Moore Police Station, three trips to different Norman post offices, one trip to the post office in OKC, and one unnecessary trip to the OKC jail (bc Google was misinformed and they no longer do fingerprints there)... I finally got mine completed and sent off to the FBI and OSBI, so hopefully I'll be approved to take the Oklahoma jurisprudence exam soon, which is the actual final step before being board approved as an LPC-Candidate!  GRACIOUS, what a delightful process!!! lol  I was as angry and flustered as I've been in years when I called mom after my 4th unfruitful trip on Friday afternoon.  Very thankful that is done now.  I may cry if I get a notice that the FBI is rejecting them as poor quality.

Speaking of feeling snacky, the attorneys have been happy to provide us lots of Christmas treats lately! 

My presents for Doris and Judge (personalized charcuterie boards) wrapped beautifully by Mom!

How ridiculous were these movies!? lol  I vaguely remember bits and pieces of them, but mostly when I look at him, I see Uncle Jed from The Beverly Hillbillies! =)

Go me!!  I'm happy/proud/grateful/surprised by how long I'm able to jog right now - trying to push myself without pushing too hard or injuring myself!

Mom and Dad had dinner with the Lemieux fam, the Wallaces, and Rick at Bob's Chophouse this week - love that they got a group pic!! 

❤ ❤ ❤