Recorded in Real Life: JanuARY 21, 2026

*THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE POSTED EARLY LAST WEEK… BETTER LATE THAN NEVER*

Good morning! I woke up this morning and thought… I think I’ll do a Recorded in Real Life today.

First things first: shout out to my amazing mother-in-law, Diana, because today is her birthday — her 70th birthday!
She is so fabulous and truly the best mother-in-law a girl could ever have. I’m so thankful for her and how she loves all her people… and I feel so blessed that I get to be one of those people.
Happy birthday, DD!

The Morning Chaos (But the Cozy Kind)

Today I forgot to set an alarm… but Martin’s alarm went off about three times, so I was good there.

I woke up and discovered Madley had snuck into our bed and was snoozing right next to me. And honestly? I think her body heat is what woke me up. I swear one of her toes was touching me and it felt like that one tiny spot was radiating heat so intensely it almost made my whole body sweat. That girl… it’s insane.

Once I got up, I immediately started breakfast: chocolate chip muffins and blueberry muffins.
That is basically the only breakfast I can make where every kid is content and satisfied. It’s a guaranteed win, so I try not to overdo it. I usually make muffins once a week because I’m afraid if I do it too often, someone will suddenly turn on me and decide they don’t like them anymore. Moms get it.

Martin and I also had a slice of homemade banana bread, toasted with peanut butter… and it was so good.

Bennett’s Big Morning + Teenagers Being Amazing

Bennett had to get ready early because today was his first morning where his friend Fletcher picked him up before school. They were going to a Bible study at school, and I just think that’s so exciting. I can’t wait to hear how it went.

Apparently it’s student-led too, and Fletcher’s twin sister was leading today… which is honestly so impressive. I was not leading Bible study in seventh grade.

Say what you want about teenagers, but there are some really incredible teens out there being an absolute light for Christ, and it’s just so inspiring.

Bible Time + Palm Sunday

After everyone got out the door, I sat down for my Bible study. Today was my first day covering Palm Sunday, and I’m not gonna lie… I’m not sure my heart is quite ready for the days to come.

Reading about the crucifixion is always hard. It’s painful. But it’s also the piece that puts everything together — the puzzle piece that makes God’s plan so clear and so perfect.

Still… it’s difficult because sometimes I see too much of myself in the people who rejected Jesus.

Jesus came to save the lost, and I have to check myself so often because I can start to feel like I’m not one of the lost. Like I’ve got it together. Like I’m “doing life right.”

And that’s what the Pharisees thought too.

They were Jewish. They thought they had the rules down. They even put rules around the rules so they wouldn’t break any rules… and they missed the whole point.

Jesus is about relationship.

He wants you to stop focusing on rules and just focus on Him. Love Him. Love people.

So I’m taking these next few days of reading one day at a time… because I know they’re going to be powerful.

School Drop-Offs + Rose Buns + A Chilly Walk

After my Bible time, I got Baker and Madley ready for school. Madley wanted a rose bun, which was actually really easy and she looked adorable.

Shocking… a cute hairstyle looked cute.

I got them to school, headed back home, and knocked out the usual morning reset:
cleaned the kitchen, made the beds, emptied the dishwasher… and then I had my second small breakfast (because… obviously).

Then Ruby and I headed out for a walk.

I had work at 11, so I had about two hours in the morning to do a little bit of chores, a little blogging, and get outside.

It was chilly, but the sun was out and the wind wasn’t too bad, so I told myself I needed to get outside because the next four or five days are about to be beyond cold. Like… offensive cold.

So I soaked up the fresh air, got the sun on my skin, and enjoyed the birds singing while I still could.

Work Day + Zoom Prep + Hungry Mom Moment

After my walk I headed home, worked on a few upcoming blog posts, and got myself ready for the day — hair, makeup, the whole thing.

I packed some snacks for the afternoon at school, then I headed in for an elementary team meeting. It was good and productive.

Next week I start doing all my virtual lessons, so I spent the afternoon prepping for the different Zoom lessons I’ll be teaching. It actually felt really good to get everything organized and ready.

I worked until 3:00 and then went home and I was starving.
I definitely did not pack enough food for the afternoon. So I went straight home and ate a late lunch.

Carpool + Homework + Tostada Night

Then it was time to go pick up the kids for my carpool day. I took all the kiddos home, had some quick chitchat time with my bestie Kellie, and then I came home and watched Madley do her homework.

She didn’t even need my help, but I still love seeing her work. She’s doing math with addition and she did really well — I was impressed.

Then I started making dinner… tostadas.

Most of the crew was going to do nachos with taco meat and beans, but I wanted a tostada because that sounded really good to me.

Thankfully, I didn’t have to stop cooking to go pick up Bennett, because Martin left work to grab Bennett and Fletcher from basketball practice.

The Weather Update (AKA… Not Good)

Okay so earlier today I talked about how it’s going to be so cold… but the forecast changed throughout the day and got worse.

Now we’re looking at up to a foot of snow… maybe more.

So I quickly ordered groceries for the next four days because I do not want to go out and about if it’s that bad. If I had to guess, we probably won’t have school Friday the way they’re talking now.

And there’s no way Madley and Baker will have their basketball games Saturday.

I’m looking forward to a slower weekend… but it’s going to be so cold I don’t even think you can get out. The snow will be pretty, but the temps? No thank you.

Practice + Grocery Delivery Win

Madley and I headed up to the YMCA for her practice while the boys stayed home.

I scheduled grocery delivery while we were at practice so the boys could bring everything in and put it away for me. Which is honestly amazing, because I really don’t like putting up groceries… especially in the cold.

Wrapping Up the Day

Hey y’all — I’m laying in bed wrapping up the day.

Madley and I had a great practice. We came home, finally ate dinner, and the boys actually left food for us… which was a miracle.

Then the kids went to bed watching High School Musical 3 together, I took a shower, and now I’m about to turn on Seinfeld and snuggle up with my hubby.

I hope y’all had a great day. Thanks for joining me on this January Wednesday.