family
Easter at Nannie’s: Bittersweet Traditions and Banana Croquettes
We spent Easter lunch with my mom at Nannie’s house this year. It was… hard. There’s just something about walking into a home so full of memories, knowing one of the biggest hearts in the room is no longer there. Still, somehow, it ended up being a sweet day—one that made me cry, laugh, and […]
Operation: Light Lunch in Wesley Chapel (Spoiler: We Failed Gloriously)
Here’s the situation: I needed lunch. Something light. Something fresh. Something that wouldn’t make me regret all my life choices by 3 p.m. And since I still don’t know my way around Wesley Chapel without using GPS like it’s an oxygen mask, I turned to my loyal (and slightly nosy) sidekick: Google. I told Google […]
Bonnet Springs Park: Where Nature, Science, and Sleep-Deprived Parents Collide
Let me tell you about a magical land hidden right in Lakeland, Florida. A place so beautiful, so educational, so peaceful… unless you bring a child named Quincy. Welcome to Bonnet Springs Park—where the wetlands are wild, the children’s museum is chaos (in the best way), and your calves will scream for mercy by the end. So […]
Florida, Buc-ee’s, and the Hat-Wearing Vampire: A Road Trip Saga
Well, well, well… as promised, here I am, reporting live at checks clock 7:27 a.m. from the cozy (and suspiciously quiet) couch in Wesley Chapel, Florida. Yes, I’m actually here. Yes, on purpose. Sort of. Let’s just say, in the great democracy of our family, I was the one dissenting vote on this road trip… and I still ended […]
Twistee Treat: Where Your Diet Goes to Die, and You Love Every Second of It
Have you ever experienced the pure joy of a Twistee Treat? If not, brace yourself. These iconic ice cream shops reside in what can only be described as a 25-foot-tall fiberglass temple of dairy deliciousness shaped like an actual ice cream cone. Honestly, if ancient civilizations had worshipped ice cream, Twistee Treat would be their pyramid.Now, […]
Sunshine, Shenanigans, and a Dodge Ram That Hates Me
Oh, sweet sunshine and questionable decisions—we’re finally in Florida! Two whole weeks of fun, relaxation, and a little bit of chaos. Our grand arrival followed a 16-hour odyssey, with yours truly driving a solid 14 hours. I’m now considering a career as a long-haul trucker… or maybe a motivational speaker for exhausted parents. Speaking of […]
Spring Break: The Great Escape (Or So We Hope)
Alright, folks, enough of the sad posts—let’s shake things up a bit! It’s time for some excitement, some adventure, some… SPRING BREAK! What does that mean for us? Two glorious weeks in our new home, in our new community, basking in the Floridian lifestyle. (Or at least attempting to.) But first, the journey. Ah yes, […]
A Night of Memories, Friendship, and Baby Therapy
Tonight was one of those special evenings that reminded me of the beauty of lifelong friendships. My family and I met up with Ms. Teenie, Nannie’s best friend, at our favorite restaurant for dinner. Along with her was her son, Man—someone I spent so much time with as a child. Nannie and Ms. Teenie worked […]
