Some weeks feel like they hold a little bit of everything — family news, birthday celebrations, helpful reminders, and simple things that make the season feel sweet. This was one of those weeks.
This weekend, we went to the big city. And by “big city,” I mean Tulsa.
That alone felt like an event.
But the reason for the trip made it feel even bigger.
A few weeks ago, we got some exciting news that our youngest son and his family want to move to the ranch. Which means that if all continues to go the way we hope, our granddaughter Julianna is going to be here too.
To say I’m excited is an understatement.
I’ve been trying not to get too far ahead of myself, because life has a way of reminding us that plans can shift. Jobs change. Timelines move. Good ideas sometimes take a little longer to become real. So I’ve been holding the news with excitement, but also with a little caution.
Still, right now it seems to be on track, and that has me smiling more than usual.
They’ll be coming up in a few weeks to have more conversations and start figuring out next steps, but this weekend the hubs and I made a trip to Tulsa to begin looking at possible housing options. A smart cottage. A barndominium. Maybe something simple and practical that can work for this season of life.
They’re young, and building a brand-new home right now is not really on the table. So for a while, they’ll be living with us while they settle in, look for jobs, and start building this next chapter.
And honestly, there is something sweet about that too.
It may not be the final picture yet, but sometimes the in-between seasons are where some of the best memories begin.
The Joy of What Might Be Coming
I think one of the reasons this has stayed on my heart so much is because it feels like such a gift to even imagine having them close.
When your children live far away, you learn how much of life happens in the gaps. The missed dinners. The birthdays from afar. The holidays you cannot all be together. The little everyday moments that do not feel little at all when you do not get them.
So the thought of having our son and his family here on the ranch is one that feels almost too good to say out loud.
I keep thinking about the ordinary things.
The kind of things no one really posts about because they do not seem exciting enough.
But they are the very things that matter.
Morning coffee and a baby on the porch.
Running into each other throughout the day.
Family dinners that do not require travel plans and packing.
A little girl growing up where we can actually watch it happen.
Those are the things that make a life feel full.
And maybe that is part of what this season is reminding me:
sometimes what we are really longing for is not bigger, louder, or more impressive.
Sometimes it is simply closer.
Warmer.
More rooted.
More together.
Birthday Celebrations and the Sweetness of Small Traditions
We also had birthdays to celebrate last week, which added another layer of sweetness to everything.
We got to celebrate Brooke Friday night with dinner, then strawberry shortcakes later that evening, because that is her favorite. There is something so comforting about those little family traditions that start to build around the people you love. A favorite dessert. A familiar meal. The simple ritual of gathering and saying, “We’re so glad you are here.”
Ally is still in Texas, so we could not celebrate with her in person, which always tugs at the heart a little. But the birthday wishes, virtual hugs, and lots of love were absolutely sent her way.
I think that is one of the tender parts of family life as the years go on.
Sometimes celebration looks like being around the same table.
Sometimes it looks like FaceTime and text messages and making the best of the miles in between.
Both still count.
Both still matter.
A Business Reminder I Needed to Hear
In the middle of all the family things, I also listened to a business podcast that gave me something to chew on.
And if you are a business owner, maker, or creative entrepreneur, I have a feeling you’ll understand exactly why it hit home.
The topic was pricing.
Now there is a word that can make even confident people start second-guessing themselves.
Is it too high?
Is it too low?
Will anyone pay that?
Am I overpricing this?
Am I undervaluing my work?
It is such a common spiral.
In the podcast, Jacqueline from The Product Boss shared a story about a candle she received as a gift. She loved it, used it like any other candle, and later realized it was a $350 candle from Neiman Marcus. She said she would never personally buy a candle for that much, but to the person who gave it, that was a perfectly reasonable gift.
That example really stuck with me.
Because it was such a simple reminder that pricing is not about what feels comfortable to everyone. It is about the customer you are trying to serve.
What feels outrageous to one person feels normal to another.
What one customer sees as indulgent, another sees as expected.
What one person would never buy for themselves, another would gladly give as a gift.
And I think that is where so many of us get stuck. We price from our own perspective instead of from the perspective of the customer we are actually trying to attract.
That is a hard but helpful reminder.
What I’m Loving This Week
On the lighter side of things, remember that cute top I shared a few weeks ago when I was stuck in bed with the flu?
Well, I went ahead and bought a cute pair of capris and sandals to go with it, and now it is officially my favorite spring outfit.
There is something so nice about finding a simple outfit that makes you feel put together without trying too hard. Easy, comfortable, and cute enough to make you feel like maybe you have your life together a little more than you actually do.
We’ll take the win.
It is funny how a few little things can shift your mood:
a good outfit,
a helpful podcast,
family news that gives you hope,
a patio finally set up for the season.
Those little things count.
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Here’s the spring outfit I ended up loving.
Porch Season Is Here
Speaking of little things, we also purchased a new patio table and chairs and got it all set up on the patio.
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And I have to say, there is just something wonderful about spring when we all start turning our attention back outside.
The porch gets fluffed.
The planters come out.
The table gets wiped down.
The chairs start calling your name.
And all of a sudden, you want to be outside as much as possible.
It feels like the house starts breathing again.
One simple porch refresh idea I liked this week came from Better Homes & Gardens: they shared easy spring planter combinations for outdoor spaces, including pairing hydrangeas with a simple neutral planter for color, or using fragrant herbs like lavender, rosemary, and sage in a textured container for a fresh, useful display. It is a good reminder that even one well-done planter can brighten a porch or patio without requiring a full makeover.
And Southern Living had one practical tip I thought was worth sharing too: some materials just do not love porch life, especially in humidity. They specifically called out things like natural-fiber rugs such as jute or sisal, fully upholstered furniture, and certain indoor materials that are not meant for outdoor exposure. Weather-friendly pieces really are worth it if you want your porch to last and still look nice.
That is probably the best porch advice in general:
start simple,
choose materials that can actually handle the outdoors,
and add one or two beautiful, useful things that make you want to sit down and stay awhile.
A Season of Building
Maybe that is the thread running through this whole week.
Building.
Building a family life that can hold both nearness and distance.
Building traditions around birthdays and favorite desserts.
Building a business that reflects the people you actually want to serve.
Building a home that feels welcoming.
Building a porch that invites you outside.
Building space for what matters in this season.
Not everything is finished.
Not everything is certain.
Not everything is figured out.
But there is still beauty in beginning.
There is beauty in looking ahead.
There is beauty in making room.
There is beauty in tending what is right in front of you while trusting God with the rest.
And maybe that is what I’m carrying into this week:
a little more gratitude,
a little more intention,
and a little more excitement for what might be just around the corner.
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