Another week down, another weekly wrap-up.

An Unfortunate Sip

On Monday, I had the pleasure of drinking a wasp.

We have an abnormal number of wasps in our house. We probably kill two or three a week—sometimes even two or three in a single day. I’m not entirely sure where they’re coming from, but when they make it inside, they’re usually slow and clearly on their way out. Sometimes we even find them already dead.

Regardless, on Monday I filled my water cup, took a big gulp, and immediately knew something was very wrong. That was not the correct consistency for water.

I spit it out, survived the ordeal, and then spent the rest of the evening suspicious of every straw in the house. Thankfully, I’m not allergic, and there was no further drama for this mama.

Early Morning Runs

My foot is finally feeling about 99% better!

Before the fractures, a friend and I used to meet twice a week for early morning runs before she headed to work. You don’t want to know the time (yes you do): 4:30 a.m. Because we are, in fact, a little unhinged.

When my foot broke, the early morning runs had to change. Recovery meant shorter miles, slower pacing, and listening more carefully to what my body could handle. But this week, the early morning runs officially resumed—and it feels SO good to be back.

Game Designers in da House

Do your people make their own games? Because my people love to make games.

Cole has created his own role-playing game, Along the Leyline, which is very much his passion project. But the kids are right there with him. Levi has been making games for years—mostly card games with rules that are elaborate, confusing, and ever-changing.

Recently, Evan has joined the fun. This week, he debuted his own version of Hurry Up Chicken Butt. The creativity in this house never ceases to amaze me.

As for me, my contribution to the game-making this week was the puzzle featured above. I’ve discovered that my perfect puzzle is one big picture made up of lots of little pictures—and this map fit the bill perfectly. It was a quiet, satisfying way to spend my Saturday morning, piece by piece.

Back to School

This week marked the return to school—which means the return of rhythms and routines. Yay!

I want to pause here to say how deeply thankful I am for teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, and school staff of every kind. Thank you for caring for my kids eight hours a day. Thank you for hearing the same questions, stories, and sounds on repeat. Thank you for teaching them how to read, write, follow rules, and grow into thoughtful, contributing humans.

Every extended break reminds me: you are the real heroes. Thank you.

Bomb Threat

One of the heavier moments this week was our school district being named as a target in an online bomb threat.

We live down the street from the high school mentioned, and the sense of unease was very real. Were we safe? Would our kids be safe if we kept them home? Would they be safe if we sent them to school? And how much do you even say to your kids in moments like this?

After law enforcement determined the threat was not credible—but still increased police presence across schools—we decided to trust that the district was doing everything possible to keep students safe and sent our kids to school.

It breaks my heart that this is the world we’re living in. The fear, the anger, the willingness to threaten the most vulnerable among us—our children.

I don’t have solutions. But I do want to say thank you. To the officers. To the teachers—who, let’s be honest, should never have this included in their job description. And to the school district leaders working tirelessly to protect and care for our community. We are grateful.

Office Olympics

This week I also had the joy of planning and hosting our annual work party.

There is truly nothing better than watching grown adults fully commit to party games. Cookies balanced on faces. Balloons bopped on heads. Cups flipping. Chopsticks flying. Laughter everywhere.

It was loud, ridiculous, and so fun — the kind of time that reminds me how good it is to play together.

re

Each year at the beginning of the year, our church hosts a weekend called re.

Two small letters that, when placed at the beginning of a word, completely change its meaning: restore. reclaim. redeem. renew.

On Friday and Saturday, we participated in self-guided experiences—space to journal, reflect, and meet with God—followed by evening gatherings for worship. Tomorrow wraps up the third and final day, and I plan to share more about how God met me in this space soon.