I don’t remember many of my birthdays growing up, but my 16th birthday was one I will never forget. I woke up to the keys to a new (to me) car. Both of my older sisters had already had their turn at the wheel of this car, but my dad had it painted, and, as a mechanic himself, he made sure everything under the hood was in good working order. He even had a cassette tape player installed. I loved my baby blue Plymouth Duster. I was very excited and truly grateful!

Turning 60 last year was a hard one for me. All the other decades have been easy and just another day. Not 60. However, I did get to do something I didn’t realize I had missed so much. We took our children (without grandchildren) to one of my favorite restaurants and had amazing adult conversation and laughter. It was so fun!

My adult birthdays tend to run together, but I know that the most important thing to me has stayed the same for all of them. It is a time to gather with my family and friends, share laughter, and create lasting memories. My kids and grandkids are my favorite people to be around. Let me share just a few things I love about my birthday.

• I almost always take a vacation day on my birthday, which means I can sleep a little later, have an extra cup of coffee, and hang out around the house.

• I read most of the day.

• Yummy food for dinner with our kids and grandkids is always a part of the celebration. Maybe this year we will celebrate at our daughter's and son-in-law’s and let the kids be wild in their pool.

• I’ve been on a sugar fast, but I might make an exception for a cupcake and ice cream.

• I hope to laugh a lot. And, who knows, I might cry tears of joy too.

As I blow out the candles on my birthday cupcake, I will be filled with an overwhelming sense of thankfulness—for the love of family and friends, for the opportunities that have come my way, and for the simple joys that enrich my life each day. It’s a time to express appreciation for all the blessings, big and small, that surround me.

So here’s to May—it’s my month! As I begin another trip around the sun, I do so with an open heart and a spirit filled with gratitude. I truly want to make the most of each day, embracing the journey and cherishing the memories along the way. Happy birthday to me, and may this May be filled with love, laughter, and endless blessings!

In the realm of holistic wellness, there is a somewhat hidden gem of natural remedies: essential oils. These aromatic extracts from plants carry a potent blend of fragrance and therapeutic benefits. As we explore the fascinating world of essential oils, I’ll share my personal experience with oils as a divine gift and how they led me to improved physical and mental wellness.

Essential oils are a testament to the wonders of God’s creation. I truly believe these oils are gifts from the One who carefully crafted our world. Each plant, flower, and tree contains these oils, which is a testament to the gift of the Creator. Recognizing essential oils as a divine gift encourages us to appreciate and utilize them with gratitude.

Aromatherapy, the practice of using essential oils to promote well-being, can be traced back to biblical times. Frankincense, myrrh, and cedar wood are just a few examples of essential oils mentioned in the Bible. The scriptures also highlight their use in anointing and healing rituals. The presence of essential oils in the Bible underscores their divine connection and therapeutic properties.

Essential oils have the ability to soothe anxiety, help manage stress, improve sleep, boost mood, and provide relief from various ailments. Through the simple act of inhaling their fragrances or applying them topically, we can experience profound healing. I have also experienced that a high-quality essential oil, such as Young Living Essential Oils, can be taken internally, with sometimes even greater results.

Incorporating essential oils into your daily routine can yield transformative benefits. Some of my favorites include lavender and cedar wood for the best sleep ever, peppermint on my tummy when it feels a little yucky, and thieves in my diffuser all fall/winter to keep the germs away. These are just a few natural remedies that offer solutions for common challenges. Whether it’s using tea tree oil for skin blemishes or diffusing eucalyptus to ease congestion, essential oils provide versatile and holistic solutions.

Sometimes we find ourselves experiencing new and extreme challenges. In 2019, I broke my ankle so severely that it required three surgeries. After the surgeries, I woke up to extreme pain and anxiety. I have never had anxiety issues prior to this experience. If you have ever had a panic attack, you understand. It’s scary and very hard to breathe. It truly feels like you are taking your last breaths.

The doctors thought the anxiety might have been due to the anesthesia from all the surgeries. After a few months, it was not better, but worse. I feared e v e r y t h i n g! Thankfully, I had about six years of essential oil use under my belt. I knew a thing or two about them. I turned to them quickly, but not with much relief, or at least not enough to handle day-to-day living as before. I did not give up. I kept trying different oils for a few days. Finally, I pulled out that more expensive oil, Frankincense. I had never heard of anyone using frankincense for stress or anxiety, but I read a research article about it, and it said it was very calming. The results were almost unbelievable. After months of living with extreme anxiety, I felt calmness and relief almost immediately. My body relaxed, and I finally took that really deep breath.

You may be wondering why I did not try medication for my anxiety. I was almost to that point. At first, I heard that it would go away, so I just dealt with it. Then, when it didn’t, I settled into my new normal: trying essential oils. I’m not against medication. I took a LOT of it after my ankle accident and surgeries. I also have moderate to severe asthma, and I use an inhaler almost daily. I was very thankful for all those medications after surgery, and I sure am thankful for how the inhaler opens up my lungs. However, it is usually not my first choice or the first thing I try. The previous five to six years have taught me that we are a country that is over-medicated. We have quit using God’s gifts of natural options, like essential oils, and go straight to the quick fix of over-the-counter meds and other prescription drugs. I had learned how powerful essential oils and many supplements were, with no side effects. Therefore, going straight to an antidepressant was not my first option. But it was just around the corner until I tried Frankincense. (No judgment towards you if you are taking medications! We all have to choose the journey best for us.)

Frankincense was not a quick fix. It took a while. I used it many times throughout the day, like 5-10 times. But what kept me going was the immediate relief I got after applying the oil, at least for a while. I had three bottles around at all times. One was in my purse, one in my bathroom, and one in my school bag. I put a roller top on my bottle of Frank and rolled it on my neck, wrists, and around my ears. I also put a drop under my tongue a few times a day. I gradually found that I needed it less and less. This was my daily routine for over a year, but I had zero side effects. Also, I wanted to be able to know how my body was healing and dealing with anxiety. Some medications numb your feelings, and you cannot really know if you are healing or not.

Today, I use Frankincense daily on my face for wrinkles, not anxiety. I actually ran out last month and went a few weeks without a Frank roller bottle. This was the first time in over two years that I had not had a bottle of frankincense at my fingertips at all times. I still struggle with anxiety at times, but wow, what a difference time, prayer, and a bottle of Frankincense did for me.

I truly believe essential oils stand as a testament to God’s wisdom and generosity. They are a source of healing that is not tapped into enough. As we embrace essential oils as divine gifts, we have the privilege of harnessing their power to enrich our lives and those we touch. This, my friends, is why I love Young Living Essential Oils and how they have changed my life.

My favorite people call me Nanny. I just don’t think I can express in words the love I have for my grandchildren as a grandmother, but I will give it a shot. Just know that what you are reading should be multiplied by at least a thousand to truly understand the depth of my relationships with my grandchildren as their Nanny.

My favorite people call me Nanny.

I chose to be called Nanny because it was close to Nancy. I was hoping “Nanny” would be my grandchildren’s first word. Haha! But seriously, when they say na-na-na for the first time, oh my! My heart feels like it is about to explode. Nanny is my favorite name, and my favorite people call me Nanny! YES! I also love my children so much, but you know it’s different if you are a grandparent. Not more or less, just different in a great way. You are getting a second chance at parenting, yet not parenting. You have a more supportive role. It is the absolute best season of life!

In 2014, my son Kevin came home and told me he was going to ask a girl out who had a little boy. I was THRILLED! Seriously, I was. I knew that if that date one day led to marriage, I would be able to love a little boy like my mother-in-law loved my little girl many years earlier. God was using my mother-in-law’s love for Brittne, my daughter, to teach me. All those years ago, God was preparing me, and I had no idea!

Kevin’s date with Liz began a journey that led to marriage, and not only did Liz join our family, but Bodhi was the added bonus. Kevin and Liz were married on October 31, 2014, and on that day, I became a Nanny! The following months were such sweet times as our love for Bodhi continued to grow each day. We were also learning how to grieve that we were not a part of his first year of life. It was a yes/and situation. Yes, we were so grateful, so full of love for him, and we grieved the days we did not know him. Bodhi was our first grandchild. He got our undivided attention and truly taught us how to be grandparents. He was the BEST teacher, and he is still just the absolute best! Gosh, I love him! He is the perfect first grandchild. He leads all the others so well. I love sitting and talking with him. I love his gentleness and kindness. My favorite people call me Nanny, and he is one of my favorite people.

On July 14, 2015, Arizona was born. One of the sweetest gifts I had ever been given was the invitation to be in the delivery room. As soon as my eyes saw my first granddaughter, I felt my heart grow. I didn’t even know I could love that deeply and unconditionally! Arizona is my sidekick. She loves time with Nanny (and Pops), and I love spending time with her. She is really sweet and a peacemaker. She loves deeply, and my love for her is just as deep! We just get each other. It’s hard to explain, but out of all my grands, so far, she is probably the most like me. We enjoy being together. My favorite people call me Nanny, and she is one of my favorite people.

We had two grandchildren and spent the next couple of years enjoying them to the fullest. We started a Friday night sleepover tradition. At first, it was just Bodhi, and when Arizona started sleeping through the night (at six weeks old), she joined him. We could hardly wait until Friday nights.

Have you ever had a child experience a miscarriage?

It’s heart-wrenching! Brittne was pregnant with her first child. She and Josh were so excited, as were we. This little baby was never held here on earth, but my heart grew again, and it ached in a way it never had before.

We were still grieving the miscarriage when Kevin and Liz were expecting number three. They told us by giving us t-shirts that said Nanny X3 and Pops X3. It was the best surprise! At that time, they lived in South Carolina, and being “on call” for a baby's delivery was so fun and stressful. We made it just in time for Liz to struggle with this delivery and had to have a C-section. Desi was born on October 11, 2018, healthy and really content to be the youngest with all the attention from her siblings. Desi is full of joy. She is almost always happy and smiling! She just enjoys life. She asks often (daily) if it’s her turn to spend the night with us. Once we had three grands old enough to spend the night, we started a rotation. Desi brings out the joy in me that is sometimes blocked by all the hard things in life. I love her so much! I’m thankful for her smile! She brightens the room and my heart! My favorite people call me Nanny, and she is one of my favorite people.

At the end of the pregnancy with Desi, Brittne, and Josh were pregnant again, and doctors said it was a miracle. We prayed over this pregnancy and tried to rest in God’s goodness. But that previous miscarriage just kept coming back to my mind, which kept me on my knees offering up many, many prayers! Josh and Brittne kindly invited me to witness the delivery. At the time, they lived in Knoxville. My bags were packed and ready for the call. When the phone rang, I quickly got dressed and took off to the hospital. I arrived in p l e n t y of time. After over twenty-four hours of hard labor, a C-section was ordered. Since it was not planned, I was not allowed to go back with them. I sat in what was supposed to be her delivery room and prayed and cried. A short time later, on August 16, 2019, Cooper was born. To hold him in my arms was magical. Many trips were made up to Knoxville to see that little bundle of joy. He is so special to me. Cooper is very smart, loved monster trucks as a toddler, and now loves to play Minecraft with his cousin, Bodhi. He enjoys life and makes ours so much better! He is our snuggle buddy. Cooper reminds me a lot of Brittne. They have similar personalities. Oh, how I love this little boy. He is our miracle baby, and we continue to thank God for such an amazing gift. My favorite people call me Nanny, and he is one of my favorite people.

Cooper was born a week after my dad died.

Life and death were both experienced within 7 days of each other. Each year around Cooper’s birthday, I think about the grief of what God has taken and rejoice over what He has given.

Sadly, Brittne and Josh had to endure two more miscarriages. There are no words to describe the heartache and loss you feel. You just have to let the tears flow, and they often did. Actually, they still do sometimes.

We have consistently prayed for all our grandchildren- those already here and those to come. But when we were told that Brittne was pregnant again, I began praying and fasting. We learned to hold the pregnancy loosely and in full dependency on God’s sovereignty, even when it didn’t make sense. On May 23, 2023, Collins was born. Oh, how beautiful she is! Brittne had another c-section, and I was able to see my sweet Collins as she was delivered. It was beautiful. (On January 16, 1989, I had a C-section and delivered Brittne.) Seeing Brittne give birth by C-section to Collins was very surreal. Collins has the sweetest smile, and her beautiful blue eyes shine so brightly. How much time do you have for me to share how special Collins is? She is a miracle and such a gift to our family. I love that little girl as much as I can love! It’s hard to explain, but she seems to complete me, her family, and our family. We all kind of fight over her attention. Spoiled? Maybe- not yet- but most likely! More like, absolutely! My favorite people call me Nanny, and she is one of my favorite people.

I am so blessed.

My heart is so full of love and joy for my grands!

I am blessed beyond measure!

Many years of planning our daily meals have taught me that planning for a whole month is easier than planning for a week. The first month is the most time-consuming, but after that, meal planning is simple.

Some weeks are just too busy to find time for meal planning, but we can all find less than an hour, one day a month, to follow these easy steps.

Take these easy steps to see how simple meal planning is.

1. Decide how you will display your monthly meal planning calendar. Mine is on a Skylight Calendar.

2. Mark off nights you know you will not eat at home, such as planning a date night at your favorite restaurant, going out with friends, or bringing dinner in with your grandchild (see the cutest photo of my grandson enjoying a Five Guys’ burger and fries.

3. Start writing down your meals for each night’s dinner. We have homemade pizza most Friday nights, so that goes on each Friday. We have breakfast one night a week. We have a few meals every other week.

4. Once all the Meal Planning is done, clip the recipes together, starting with day one and ending at the end of the month. If you have a Skylight, you can save all your recipes. It makes it so much easier.

5. Pick one day a month and buy the bulk of your groceries that will not spoil before you need them (canned goods, pasta sauce, uncooked pasta noodles, etc.). Then you will just need a few minutes each week for fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, and other items.

6. Enjoy your meals around the table with your family and friends.

I enjoy leftovers, so some of my days say leftovers.

Pick a weeknight or Saturday and give yourself a couple of hours to start this. Then you will plan for an hour or less and quickly see that meal planning is simple.

Self-confidence is more than just feeling good about oneself. It’s a belief in our abilities and judgment. It’s the driving force behind our actions and the cornerstone of personal development. When we have self-confidence, we are more likely to take risks, overcome obstacles, and achieve success. You know what this looks like. You know people with self-confidence. They stand out in a crowd.

Self-confidence has empowered me in various aspects of my life. It helped me excel in my career. I have taken on challenges, spoken up in meetings, and pursued leadership roles. Self-confidence has positively impacted my relationships, enabled me to communicate effectively, set boundaries, and form deeper connections with others. My self-confidence has also fueled personal growth. It has encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone, embrace new experiences, and continuously learn. It pushes me to try new things.

Self-confidence is like a superpower!

Self-confidence is like a cycle. Self-confidence helps us achieve our goals. When we achieve our goals, our self-confidence grows stronger. And the cycle continues. I have been there and still am in some areas of my life. It’s a fun place to be.

Unfortunately, self-confidence is not a constant; it can fluctuate over time. When we lose our self-confidence, several negative consequences can manifest. Without self-confidence, I became more susceptible to fear and anxiety. I doubt my abilities, second-guess my decisions, and worry about my future. My lack of self-confidence often leads to procrastination. I find myself taking less action on important tasks, convincing myself that I’m not capable. This can hinder progress and lead to missed opportunities. I have also experienced imposter syndrome, characterized by the feeling of being a fraud despite evidence of competence. I too often discount my accomplishments, attributing them to luck or external factors. Losing self-confidence can also lead to social isolation. I often will withdraw from social gatherings, avoiding situations that challenge my self-worth. This isolation can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy. In the absence of self-confidence, personal and professional growth can stall. We may settle for mediocrity, missing out on the potential for excellence. Lastly, self-criticism becomes a constant companion when self-confidence wanes. Negative self-talk can erode self-esteem and reinforce feelings of unworthiness.

The lack of self-confidence is like a cycle. A lack of self-confidence can keep us from achieving our goals. When we miss our goals, our self-confidence weakens. And the cycle continues. I have been here, and I still am, in a few areas of my life. It’s not fun!

Many years ago, in my early years as a school administrator, someone told me that I would never be a good leader unless I changed to be more like them. It crushed me, because our personalities were like night and day. I didn’t want to be like them. I wanted to be me. How could I improve while still being me? These words from over thirty years ago still come to my mind sometimes today. And, of course, I have had more hurtful words said to me since then. Words can harm people. You already knew that. Someone’s words have harmed you. Maybe they were my words to you. I sure hope not! But we have all said things to people that were hurtful. Did they steal your confidence? They did mine. I gradually regained my confidence, but it was a long, hard road. I bet you have been on that hard journey too.

I have also experienced a significant amount of stress that overshadowed every other area of my life. It is almost impossible to live in confidence when stress is overpowering. I second-guessed way too many decisions out of fear that I wasn't capable of making good ones. Leaders have to accept that every decision will make someone, and sometimes many, unhappy and/or mad. This eventually crept in and stole my confidence. I ate unhealthily and gained weight, which took away even more confidence. The unkind email or the words spoken behind my back that eventually reached me just kept pushing my confidence out of reach. The confidence thief, better known as stress, was/is by far the hardest to overcome for me. Either I had to learn to accept it or remove myself from it. I have chosen both over the past several years. Some of those decisions were the right ones, and some probably were not.

The good news is that self-confidence is not a fixed trait. It can be rebuilt and strengthened. Here is what I realized and began to change in my life. I hope it helps you, too, if you are struggling with self-confidence.

• Self-Awareness: Start by identifying the underlying causes of your loss of self-confidence. Is it a past failure, criticism from others, or a specific event? Understanding the root of the issue is the first step towards addressing it.

• Set Realistic Goals: Set achievable, incremental goals to rebuild your confidence. Each small success will boost your self-esteem and motivation.

• Positive Affirmations: Replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations. Remind yourself of your strengths, achievements, and capabilities daily. Be realistic here. Don’t just say words for the sake of saying them. I prefer to use scripture for affirmation.

• Seek Support: Share your struggles with a trusted friend, family member, or therapist/coach. Sometimes, talking to someone can provide a valuable perspective and emotional support.

• Practice Self-Care: Prioritize self-care activities such as exercise, prayer, and proper sleep. A healthy body and mind are essential for regaining self-confidence. It’s amazing what a long walk can do for your self-confidence.

• Continuous Learning: Invest in learning and acquiring new skills. Gaining knowledge and expertise can boost your self-assurance.

Self-confidence is an asset that can shape the course of our lives. When we lose it, we face a multitude of challenges that can hinder our personal and professional growth. However, with awareness, determination, and support, we can rebuild our self-confidence and reclaim our personal superpower. Remember that self-confidence is not about being perfect; it’s about believing in yourself and your ability to navigate life’s ups and downs with resilience and grace. For me, it’s remembering who God made me to be. It’s remembering to have confidence in how He made me. When I fall down, I get back up. When I fail, I fail forward. I strive to stand on top of my failures, not under them. These are confidence builders. These things help be believe that self-confidence is like a superpower.

Mostly, what God does is love us. I’m just now beginning to believe this. Do you believe it?

God keeps giving me sweet reminders of this truth. There was a time when it seemed that everywhere I turned (FB, IG, TV, YouTube, Podcast), I was hearing about a book that Savannah Guthrie from The Today Show had written. At first, I scrolled on to the next interesting thing, but one night I saw a short video clip of Savannah sitting with her co-workers, talking about their faith and her book. I stopped scrolling and found myself very interested. I jumped on Amazon and bought the book.

Guthrie’s book (Let’s just call her Savannah. Okay? Great!) is a super easy read, with deep biblical truths embedded. It’s a lot about her life growing up and how God used the hard times to grow her spiritually. She invites readers into her personal journey of grappling with faith and doubt, and with the profound realization of God’s unwavering love. As I turned the pages of her book, I found my own perspectives shifting, my heart opening to new understandings, and my relationship with God deepening in unexpected ways. I began to wonder, question, and hope.

In Savannah’s book, Mostly What God Does: Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere, you quickly find out that she is telling the reader that mostly what God does is love us. I did not believe this at the time. I knew God loved me, but MOSTLY what God does is love me? He tests us. He disciplines us. He does not answer many of our prayers the way we want them answered. He is all powerful, but allows little children to die. He takes those we love. He is in charge of the weather, and well… tornados don’t really seem like love to me. Have you ever been through a divorce after you begged God for reconciliation in your marriage? The Bible says God hates divorce. Me too! So, why not reconcile my marriage? That didn’t feel like love.

I don’t pretend to have all the answers, actually, I have very few, but what I’m beginning to learn is that even in those really hard times, when I look back, I can see His love, not just His plan over my life, but His love for me. I don’t think I tend to focus on His love during those times. I just want the struggle to be over. Love does not equal easy. Somewhere along the journey called life, I quit seeing God’s love all around me. I saw His judgement just as much as I saw His love. I did not see them intertwined. How did I miss this?

Have you ever heard that our earthly father was meant to show a glimpse of our heavenly Father? Of course our dads here on earth are not perfect, but they are our first fathers. I grew up with an incredible dad. I always had what I needed. He was the best provider. He had very high expectations of me. He had a work ethnic like no other and taught his three girls how to be the same. He did not show much affection, nor did he tell us very often that he loved us on his own initiative. When I hugged him, he hugged back. When I said, “I love you,” he said it back. However, I never questioned my dad’s love for me.

I’m sure this affected how I saw my heavenly Father for many years. I knew my dad loved me, but I think I saw hard worker, provider, and disciplinarian first. That is how I saw God for most of my life. Savannah’s book brought me back to a deep truth that I needed to remember. I am learning to dwell on God’s love for me. Mostly (always) what God does is love me. Amidst the uncertainties, what remains unwavering is the assurance that, at the core of it all, God loves us endlessly. That’s the truth!

I’ll leave you with a prayer and two questions to think about. They were emailed to me from Yarrow (a bible study brand of Precept Ministries). Again, such a sweet gift from God, reminding me that, mostly (always), what God does is love me.

Lord Jesus,

Your love is beyond anything this world has ever seen. Give me understanding so I can better grasp how high, deep, broad, and long Your love is for me. And from that understanding equip me to pour out Your love to the people around me.

Amen.

What if the Holy Spirit empowered you to truly know- in the depths of your heart- Christ’s great love for you? Then, what if He equipped you to share that love with the people around you? You’d change your corner of the world.

Let’s believe that mostly (always) what God does is love us and see how that changes our corner of the world!