This week I baked a from-scratch Texas Sheet Cake (yes, the real deal!) for my women’s Bible study group to celebrate all the lovely ladies with April birthdays.
It was rich, chocolatey, and totally worth the mess in my kitchen.
There’s just something special about gathering around something homemade to celebrate friendship and another year of life.
This is the pan I use for almost every larger gathering I attend. I grabbed it a couple years ago at Walmart and it has been THE BEST!!
It’s 18×13 and comes with a lid — perfect for baking, but I also use it to carry just about anything. It’s one of those super practical things I didn’t know I’d love so much until I had it!
Even though the temps are still acting like it’s February, we’ve been pushing forward with our outdoor spring projects.
One of the big things we tackled was repairing a flower bed that got completely wrecked when we had a tree taken down over the winter.
It needed loads of fresh dirt, but it’s finally starting to look like it belongs in a garden again instead of a construction zone.
And while we were out there in the backyard, we caught another one of those sunsets that just stops you in your tracks—definitely the first of many to come this season.
Inside the house, Rich picked up work on our “forgotten” bathroom.
It’s the spare one attached to our bedroom—the one that’s been more of a storage closet than an actual bathroom for… well, let’s just say a very long time.
We usually forget it’s even there unless we open the door!
But little by little, we’ve been bringing it back to life.
This week, Rich did some plumbing work to make the new sink fit. It’s not glamorous progress, but it’s progress all the same!
Life feels full right now, in the best kind of way—messy kitchens, muddy flower beds, and all.
Weekly Wins
This week’s little win? Finding the new Popz drinks at Aldi — they’re basically a Poppi dupe and let me tell you, they are SO good.
But the real magic happened when I tossed one into our slushie machine just to see what would happen.
Y’all. It turned into the most delicious frozen treat ever.
Light, refreshing, and just 25 calories with 7 grams of carbs.
The cherry lime and strawberry lemon flavors are my top picks — totally giving summer vibes even if the weather says otherwise.
Highly recommend giving this a try if you’re looking for a fun, guilt-free treat!
Favorite Find
I found an old photo this week that completely stopped me in my tracks — it’s a picture of Rich and me with our daughter at a local parade.
We were just 18 years old.
Just kids ourselves, really.
And yet there we were, trying to figure out life, clinging to each other and dreaming about the future.
Seeing our younger faces brought back a wave of memories.
Life felt so simple then in some ways, and yet when I look closer, I can see the weight we were already carrying.
The photo captures not just the sweetness of young love, but also the hardness of the lives we came from.
You can see it in our eyes — the grit, the survival, the hoping for something more.
And oh, how different our lives look today.
Not because we had it all figured out.
But because the Lord stepped in.
He gently met us in the middle of our mess and began to do what only He can do—make all things new.
I’m just so grateful for His faithfulness, for the way He’s written a story we never could have imagined at 18.
That picture is a sweet reminder of where we’ve been… and just how far we’ve come.
What I’m Watching/Reading/Listening to:
We rented a movie on Amazon Prime this week called Flight Risk starring Mark Wahlberg — or as I still like to call him, Marky Mark.
It was actually pretty good!
A pilot transports an Air Marshal accompanying a fugitive to trial. As they cross the Alaskan wilderness, tensions soar and trust is tested, as not everyone on board is who they seem.
Definitely not one for the kids though — fair warning, there’s some strong language and intense moments.
But the storyline kept us interested, and it was wild seeing Marky play such a dark and twisted character.
Totally different than what we’re used to from him!
If you’re into thrillers and don’t mind a little grit, it might be worth adding to your weekend watch list.
And before I go, I just have to share this photo of the cheeriest little daffodils you’ve ever seen!
I couldn’t resist bringing them home during a quick trip to Home Depot, and I’m so glad I did.
For just $2.49 they brighten up the room and bring a little sunshine to my day every time I see them.
Thanks for catching up with me this week.
I love being able to share these little pieces of life — from chocolate sheet cake and slushie experiments to old memories, home projects, and movie nights.
It’s a mix of simple joys and slow progress, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Wherever you’re at this week, I hope you’re able to pause and see the beauty in your own story too — even the messy, in-progress parts.
Until next time,
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