As I settle into this new rhythm of daily writing and reflection, I thought Saturdays would be a good time to write about the things I want to remember from the week.

Hurry Up Chicken Butt

Evan got a new game for Christmas from Gigi and G-Pops called Hurry Up Chicken Butt, and it is hilarious. This game had us full-on belly laughing, moving around, and genuinely having fun together. Evan has played it every single day.

It’s a hot-potato-style game where you pass a clucking chicken around a circle. When it lands in your nest, you roll a die and have to complete the assigned activity before passing it on. If the chicken stops clucking while it’s in your nest, you lose the round. We spent the evening walking like crabs and dogs, shaking our booties, clapping behind our backs—and my personal favorite—touching the chicken butt.

Hiking Trails with Levi

Levi made it his goal this year to complete the Lake Cities Run Walk Group’s Game Card, which involves completing over forty routes and attending special events throughout the year. I completed it last year (and won cash money), so that’s definitely motivating him right now.

This week, we completed two trail walk-runs for a total of nine miles. I’m really looking forward to spending time with him on the routes and watching his confidence and skills grow. Who knows—maybe he’ll turn into a runner like his mom.

Nerf Gun Battles

Levi is also currently obsessed with nerf guns and has built quite the arsenal in his room. One of my favorite memories this week was when Uncle Michael came over and jumped into a full-blown nerf gun battle with us.

Evan and I teamed up against Michael and Levi, and it instantly transported me back to my childhood. I even got shot straight in the neck by my brother, and it was epic.

Beautiful Weather/Reading at the Park

One of the best parts about living in Texas is getting beautiful weather in January. On Friday, we watched my nieces and nephew while their mom worked and spent the morning at the park slacklining, playing, and—of course—shooting each other with Nerf guns.

I spent two peaceful hours reading my January fiction pick, A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy. The breeze was cool, the sun was warm, and the kids all got along the entire time. A perfect morning.

New Year’s Eve

This was the first year our kids stayed up for New Year’s Eve. Levi requested Coke floats, so we made homemade ice cream to go with them. Friends came over, we played games all night, and my favorite—of course—was Nertz.

Weird Gifts

This memory is strange, but I don’t want to forget it.

For context: I’ve been going to the chiropractor twice a month for nearly three years, and almost every visit she comments on my hair—how fast it grows, how jealous she is, all in good fun. Last week, I got a dramatic haircut and kept the ten-inch ponytail, braided it, and wrapped it up as a gift for her.

Easily the weirdest gift I’ve ever given—but she absolutely loved it. She thought it was hilarious and perfectly on-brand after all the hints she’s dropped over the years. My only request was that she not leave my hair at any crime scenes.

Black-Eyed Peas Cheers

This memory is simple but brought me so much joy. After our New Year’s Day hike, we went to lunch at Elm Fork with my mom, brother, and sister-in-law. Because it was January 1st, the restaurant served tiny cups of black-eyed peas with every meal.

When our food arrived, we clinked cups, cheered the new year, and took them like a shot. It was such a small, fun moment.

Six Flags

We squeezed in one final Six Flags visit on Wednesday, and Evan finally rode some rides. We were so proud of him for trying something new.

That’s it for Week 1 of 2026.

Thank You, Lord, for the gift of ordinary days filled with laughter, courage, and people I love. It’s already a good year.