Our Daddy Quail; A Picture of Our Heavenly Father

There’s a special kind of majesty in the way a daddy quail watches over his family.

This morning, I saw him standing tall and noble on the high wall, his eyes scanning every direction. From above, he guards the ones he loves. Below, the mommy quail gently leads the babies across the grass, showing them where to peck, where to hide, and when to stay close. She nurtures, she guides, she protects.

It’s such a moving image—this quiet, instinctual teamwork. And in it, I saw our Father. Our God. Our Daddy.

Like the quail, He stands watch. He sees all. He protects fiercely. And at the same time, He’s with us on the ground, in the mess, guiding us, feeding our souls, sheltering us from danger we can’t even see. He is both above and beside. Our defender and our nurturer.

And the little baby quail….oh how she longs to be near her daddy. You can almost hear her tiny feet scrambling up toward him, needing the comfort of his presence. Wanting to know it’s going to be okay.

That’s me. That’s us.

We’re the ones who keep looking up because up there is where we know we are safe. Up there is where love watches over us.

And down here, He’s walking beside us too.

What a beautiful God we serve. A protector. A nurturer. A constant presence.

A Beautiful Morning: Tatum’s Soccer Journey Begins

She’s starting a new chapter: summer soccer camp at Rancho Solano Prep, a step toward her new team this fall.

This wasn’t something we pushed… she asked for it. She wanted to try something new!

She’s growing up quickly now. Puberty has arrived with its ups and downs … It’s raw and real, and as her mom, I’m feeling all of it. Some days it feels like we’re both learning new moves on the field of life.

But in all the changes, we always go back to what grounds us:

Our faith in Jesus.

When the emotions run high, when the body feels unfamiliar, when the fear of the new creeps in …we anchor ourselves in Him. He reminds us that this season has purpose. That growth isn’t meant to be tidy. That light always follows the shadows.

And we also remember what is important…! (our family; our little feathered and furry friends)

The sun shone bright this morning, casting long beams across the pavement, and it felt like God was reminding us, once again, that His presence goes before us. The same way it did yesterday. The same way it will tomorrow.

Here comes the sun…..FLOWER! On her wall…and more July 4th joy

I’ve been working on this piece for a few weeks. Why?? Because I ADORE sunflowers. They brighten any room and remind me of my dad. So…alas. It was time to attempt the drawing.

I finished it in about two weeks. It was so fun to work on.

It went right up on her wall. I LOVE adding to her collection.

Well, as I finished my drawing, Tatum and Dad were returning from a bike ride.

Ugh..did you get that? A BIKE RIDE!! It’s 150 degrees outside! Or so. Tatum was sapped and completely wiped. So our fourth was very quiet.

Cooper, Tot and I enjoyed Netflix in the afternoon.

Well, Cooper enjoyed NOTflix and more like He’sOUTFlix!

Then when the fireworks began, he was all cuddled up in my personal space.

We were all ready for July 5th by then. Still, we love America! (and may the sun keep shining (just not directly on us).

The Door Was Never Locked; by Tatum Hay

It happened on a boring Tuesday. The kind where it’s too hot to go outside, and nothing good is on TV. So, naturally, Max did what he always does—he snuck into Ellie’s room.

Again.

I know, I know. She’s thirteen, I’m ten. “Boundaries,” she always says, like she’s some kind of grown-up. But it’s not my fault her room is the only one with working A/C and the best stash of candy on Earth. And okay, maybe I was sort of curious what she was hiding in that drawer she always slams shut when I come in.

So I waited until I heard the front door slam—she’d gone to the store with Mom. Boom. Perfect timing.

I crept in like a ninja (well, a ninja wearing SpongeBob socks) and headed straight for The Drawer. I opened it sloooowly, expecting the usual: lip gloss, old notes, maybe that dumb journal she writes in when she’s being dramatic.

But instead, there was a box. A metal one, weirdly heavy, glowing just a little blue around the edges like someone had stuck a flashlight inside.

I opened it.

Inside was a rock. Not like a boring rock from the backyard—but one that hummed in my hands. It was warm and buzzing, like it was alive. And under it was a piece of paper. Folded up a hundred times. When I opened it, my heart stopped.

It said:

“Do NOT tell Mom. This is from the meteor. The rock gave me dreams that came true. I’m not crazy. Max can NEVER find this.”

—Ellie.

What. The. Heck.

I stared at the rock. Then the letter. Then back at the rock. This wasn’t just “older sister being dramatic.” This was weird and maybe kind of magic. My brain was spinning. Did she really touch a meteor? Are her dreams really coming true? Is she like… psychic now or something?

For the first time ever, I didn’t want to mess with her stuff. I put everything back—exactly how I found it—and backed out of the room like it was on fire.

But all night, I couldn’t sleep. What if it was dangerous? What if Ellie was in trouble? What if she already knew I had found it—because she dreamed I would?

The next morning, I sat at the kitchen table poking at my cereal when Ellie walked in. She looked straight at me and said, “You went in my room yesterday.”

My spoon dropped. “What?! No I didn’t!”

She narrowed her eyes. “Yes you did. I had a dream about it. You touched the box.”

I swallowed hard. “Is it… real?”

She sighed and sat across from me. “Yeah. And it’s doing something to me. I don’t know what yet.”

“Are you gonna tell Mom?”

“I can’t. Not yet. She’ll freak.”

Silence.

Then I said, “I won’t tell. But I wanna help.”

She blinked, surprised. Then, slowly, she nodded. “Okay. But no more snooping.”

I smirked. “Deal. But only if I get some candy from your stash.”

Ellie rolled her eyes, but she smiled too.

I think we both knew… nothing was ever going to be normal again.

Rio Turns 2! A Birthday Bash for the Birds

Today we celebrated Rio’s 2nd birthday! He’s our vibrant little parakeet who’s filled our home with joy and chirps. His brother Ollie was right there to enjoy the festivities….These two bring so much life into our days!

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Tatum and I made the most of the celebration. We kicked things off with a trip to Kohl’s (because every party queen deserves a wardrobe refresh)

and then came home for a classic game of Life.

Tatum’s toes were ready for some comfy downtime after LOTS OF walking.

The sweetest part of the day? Tatum crafted a homemade bird cake just for Rio, using applesauce, banana, shredded carrot, and bird seed. It was tiny, adorable, and topped with festive candles….just right for our birthday boy.

So much love, so many smiles. These are the simple days I treasure the most.

Filming, Dancing, and Chocolate-Dipped Fun: A Summer Day to Remember

Ah…. summers: especially the kind filled with laughter, creativity, and a little chocolate. Today, Tatum and Toby made the most of their time together, from behind-the-scenes filming in the backyard to goofy dance moves and sweet treats in the kitchen.

Inside, the kitchen turned into a makeshift set and snack zone. Pretzels dipped in melted chocolate…Coconut milk, flour jars, and a mess surrounded them as they created something simple and delicious…

Watching them, you can’t help but feel a little more joy in the everyday.

The Resting Season (not the “Testing” season)

This week, I’m choosing to rest. (no, it’s not a test. It’s the truth) No gym. No steps to hit. Just stillness, red light warmth, deep sleep, and plenty of nourishment—carbs, calories, care. It’s not easy for me. Stillness feels like weakness sometimes, like I’m falling behind. But truthfully, this might be the bravest part of the healing journey.

I think about the baby quails outside our window—tiny, quick, vulnerable. They wander but never too far. Their father stands guard, ever-present, ever-watchful. That’s how I feel this week… like one of those tiny ones, tucked beneath the quiet of the day, watched over.

My Jesus is that Father Quail. Steady. Protective. So gentle in His presence. He sees the weariness in my legs, the ache in my bones, the effort behind each breath. And still, He says, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

There is beauty in this quiet season. And though it’s hard—emotionally, physically—I know it’s necessary. Every deep breath, every nap, every meal that feels like too much… it’s all part of rebuilding. Of growing strong in the hidden places.

That red light penetrates deeply on my weary muscles and bones. Much needed.

So today, I will rest. Not because I’ve given up, but because I am growing. Just like those baby quails—fragile but fierce, protected, and loved.