May 2026

May 2026

Hey there!! Another month down and it’s officially summer. Yay! Buckle up for this brain dump because we are going to be bouncing all over the place.

First, one feature I always want to have on my vehicle is self parallel parking. It’s amazing. Yes I use it all the time and I am completely spoiled by it.

I recently got this float on Amazon. It is perfect for the lake. Highly recommend! Another Amazon purchase this month was this air pump. It is a game changer too! If you buy both, use the air pump to blow up a majority of the float and then finish it with the air pump it comes with.

Speaking of Amazon Prime… have you watched Off Campus?! SO good!!!

Is anyone else watching Dutton Ranch and Marshalls?! If you haven’t seen the latest episodes, I do not want to ruin it BUT is anyone else sensing a potential crossover?! If I was the writer, I would. Eee!

Also, new territory for me this month is loosening my tight grip on life. I didn’t realize how exhausting it has been and how many decisions I have made that considered everyone else but me. I had this misconception thinking of myself first was selfish. I am learning it is not at all. Two things can exist at the same time. Loosening my grip on life and people has been incredibly freeing.

Let’s be totally transparent… even though I feel more myself than ever before and I have this peace in my soul that I cannot describe other than it’s God, it has been a daily challenge for me to just be where my feet are. It is really really hard some days and I have to remind myself 100 times. It is definitely not my norm or how I have lived my life in the past. It’s uncomfortable because it is new. I am making it my new norm and it is just a muscle I need to exercise daily.

My focus is to live in a way where my faith is so strong I don’t worry about my next step. I just take it one step at a time. I know everything is going to happen exactly as it is supposed to all in divine timing for everyone’s highest good. I just need to live in the moment.

Friends, I know growing a faith like that doesn’t grow in the easy times. It grows in those uncomfortable seasons. I am currently living in a faith growing season and learning to embrace and enjoy it. I am buckled in, experiencing every bump, twist and turn… some parts are filled with fear and others are full of laughter… now tell me why my brain immediately finishes that sentence with… but did you die?!? Lol!

Okay let’s change the subject… This month I made brown butter white chocolate snickerdoodle cookies. Bless… so freaking good. Brown butter is a game changer in your baked goods. Just sayin!

Forrest Frank is on repeat around my house. Have you heard his new song “Okay!”? The 2 minute-ish mark is my favorite part. When I feel a little funky I fast forward to that point and have myself a little dance party. Check it out! What is also on repeat is the lake playlist I made. It is over 64+ hours of music from every genre. If you don’t like a song, just wait a few minutes. I can send you a link if you want to check it out!

A few other fun things from this month…

Ya girl got some color!! Why do I feel so much better tan? We finally took the boat out. There is just something about lake water, being on the boat with our people, good music and the smell of sunscreen that just revitalizes my soul!!

My niece had her first dance recital. Let me just say – cutie pie!! She did so good!!

My mama and I made pottery! My mama made two bowls. I made a cup and then tried to make a bowl. It turned into a vase or a stemless martini glass…beauty is in the eye of the beholder. lol If you are in the Houston area and want to make pottery, try The Clay Bar Co. in The Woodlands.

If you are in The Woodlands and are hungry for authentic Mexican food, check out Mexican Mom off Sawdust. The verde enchiladas were delicious! I love a hole-in-the-wall. They have the best food. You cannot change my mind.

Friends, it has been fun… it is time for a new month and I am looking forward to what June will bring. In the meantime, here are some reminders to close out May:

Everything works out EXACTLY as it is supposed to.
If it is meant for you, it will be.
People judge no matter what you do so ask yourself what do you want to do?
God’s timing is perfect… every. single. time.
You can stress and force things, but they will NOT happen until you are ready to receive them.
You literally do not have to figure it out. Stand firm in your faith and let God does what he does best. When you go to work, so does God. He will open doors you never knew could open.
Just enjoy each moment and be where your feet are. Life is so much better that way!
Most importantly, be YOU!!! The world needs YOU just the way you are!!

Have an amazing June!!

Until next time,

Amanda

April 2026

April 2026

Hi friends! April showers HAVE to bring May flowers.

Here’s the brain dump for the month…

What a freaking month – whew. We made it mama! Bless.

It all started with some shattering news. Easter weekend. I am processing everything and moving through it with complete grace for myself and others, steady and firm in my faith, and staying true to my character and the person I am. I just sit in the feelings as they come and just take it one day at time. Some days are really intense and uncomfortable and others are better. I know the only way through it is to just feel it all… every single emotion. Yay.

People that just sit in the ditch with you are the best. There is SO much love in just sitting with someone as they go through life. Not fixing, no repairing…. just sitting.

Speaking of people sitting in ditch with you… my best friend, Ragan, booked a flight when she heard the news. It is a moment I will forever be grateful for. It made me feel so loved. I still cannot talk about it (or type about it in this case) without getting emotional. I pray and hope everyone can experience a friendship like this one day. Quality time with your best friend can fix just about anything.

Ragan and I painted a canvas when she was here. It was my first time painting over plaster. It turned out so good! I need to do another one – just trying to figure out what colors I want to do.

Music and crafts = therapy.

Duke does not like Harry Potter – lol! He loves Marshals though. Yes, he watches TV like a human.

Speaking of dogs… thank you Jesus for my two fur babes. They brought me so much comfort this month when my heart was hurting and the tears were flowing. They also brought me a lot of laughter too. Who rescued who again?

Between my family, friends, dogs, and the people that have just loved on me this month – thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything. There are not enough words to describe my gratitude and what it has meant to me.

Goodness… so many tears writing this blog post… happy and sad tears. We can all agree the emotions are high around here and that is okay. I am learning about the strength in vulnerability.

Speaking of strengths…. I am a sensitive, gentle, caring, and a very kind person. For a long time I thought those were some of my weaknesses. Not anymore. They are my greatest strengths. It is who I am. I swear it is woven into my DNA. I love BIG and I deeply care for the people in my life. I wouldn’t change that for anything… not even to protect my heart from the heartbreaks and let downs. It sounds simple, but YOU get to decide how you show up and treat people.

Your character is revealed during life’s most trying moments. Your character is also built during life’s most trying moments. How you move forward when life knocks you on your ass says EVERYTHING about who you are at your core.

The truth sets EVERYONE free…. if you let it.

The Holy Spirit has quite the sense of humor and can be very funny at times. That is all I am going to say about that.

April was filled with a lot of prayers, so much grace, forgiveness and more prayers. May will be too.

May will also be filled with bum energy drinks… they have me in a chokehold. Isn’t that what the young kids say these days?? I also hope May is filled with days in the sun with my people. Ya girl needs a tan!

A big thing that happened in April was My nephew turned EIGHT!! Gosh, I love him so much and am so proud of him. He is hilarious, witty, and so sweet. What a privilege and joy it is to watch him grow up. Thank you Jesus for B.

Mama got some new wheels… does anyone else feel like a real life adult when you buy a set of tires?

A plant update: I got new flowers and a few other plants from a local nursey. They are all so beautiful! Putting it out there now – one day I will have a cottage garden filled with flowers.

Random – I have been seeing SO MANY LADYBUGS!! On my car, house, windows, and even landing on me… everywhere! Spiritually they can represent protection, good luck, divine grace and positive transformation. Oh, cardinals too. I swear it’s my grandmas showing me they are with me and that is just so comforting with everything I have been going through this month.

I never take anything for granted. I have a heart of gratitude. Months like this just take my gratitude to another level. I am absolutely grateful for it all – the good, bad and ugly of life.

I know God’s hand is completely in my situation. He is not only working on my heart, other people’s too. Hearts break so light can come in and shine on the parts that need healing/repair. My faith is being tested in BIG ways. Funny thing is I asked God to strengthen my faith in my relationships and future about six months ago. Ask and you shall receive… L O freaking L.

Anyway, love your people and cherish the time with them. You never know when it will be the last.

Make choices you can be proud of and be BRAVE! You’ve got this – I promise.

Until next time,

Amanda