Summer Sojourns & Personal Triumphs: Catching Up After Months Away
Hello, wonderful readers!
It feels like an eternity since we last connected – my last post dates all the way back to Easter! Time truly flies when you’re immersed in life’s beautiful chaos. After a brief hiatus, I’m thrilled to be back and eager to share a comprehensive update on what I’ve been experiencing over the past few months. From exciting home renovations to unforgettable concert nights, cherished family celebrations, and a significant personal wellness journey, it’s been a period of profound growth, joy, and transformation. I’ve missed sharing my adventures with you all and can’t wait to dive into the details.
Home & Garden Transformations: Our Patio Paradise Unfolds
Spring has always been my favorite time to revitalize our outdoor spaces. There’s an unparalleled joy in planting vibrant flowers and watching new life emerge from the ground. This year, our spring ambitions took a larger, more exciting turn. We embarked on a significant patio renovation project, moving beyond simple landscaping to create a true backyard oasis. Our existing concrete patio was showing its age and needed replacement, which naturally led us to consider an expansion. Why just replace when you can enhance?
Our vision included adding more expansive room for entertaining, incorporating a cozy fire pit for those cool evenings, and building a practical yet stylish seat wall. This comprehensive upgrade wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about creating a functional, inviting space where family and friends could gather comfortably for years to come. The process, while involving its fair share of planning and construction, was incredibly rewarding. Watching our backyard transform day by day into the outdoor sanctuary we envisioned brought immense satisfaction. We even designed larger, more elegant wrap-around steps connecting the patio directly to the back of our house, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living.
To extend the usability of our new space well into the cooler months, we invested in a fantastic gas heater. Now, even as the temperatures dip, we can still enjoy our patio, whether it’s for an evening meal or a relaxed chat under the stars. Every detail was considered to ensure maximum comfort and enjoyment.
A true highlight of our outdoor area, and a piece very dear to my heart, is my porch swing. This isn’t just any swing; it was lovingly crafted by my husband during his shop class in high school. A couple of years ago, for Mother’s Day, he had it beautifully refurbished and a custom frame built for it. It’s a testament to his thoughtfulness and craftsmanship, and it remains one of my favorite spots to relax and unwind. What a wonderful gesture, don’t you agree?
A Season of Song & Celebration: Unforgettable Concert Experiences
If you know me, you know I absolutely adore live music and the electrifying atmosphere of a concert. After a long stretch without attending any shows, I suddenly found myself blessed with three incredible concert experiences in a span of just three weeks! It was a music lover’s dream come true, making up for lost time with a bang. Each concert offered a unique vibe and unforgettable memories.
First up was the incredible Miranda Lambert. My girls and I had a fantastic time singing along to her hits, enjoying the powerful vocals and energetic stage presence. It was a perfect night out with my daughters, creating cherished memories together.
Following that, I rocked out with my dear friend, Gigi, at the Daughtry concert. His raw talent and powerful ballads always make for an amazing show. We sang our hearts out and soaked in every moment of the performance, a true testament to the enduring power of rock music and friendship.
The grand finale of my concert marathon was an absolutely incredible experience at the Nickelback show. As many of you know from my previous posts, my best friend (and sister!), Teresa, has a husband named Kris who is the guitar tech for Ryan Peake of Nickelback. Whenever the band comes to Omaha, Teresa flies in from California to visit her mom, me, and of course, her hubby! This year, Kris truly outdid himself, treating us to an unforgettable rockstar VIP experience. We had incredible access backstage, giving us a unique glimpse into the world behind the show. It was a night of pure exhilaration and a testament to the strong bonds of family and friendship.
Watching my two oldest kids, Spencer and Kenzie, experience the thrill of being backstage and then meeting Ryan Peake after the show was truly priceless. As a lifelong rocker myself, seeing their excitement and watching them throw up their “heavy metal horns” filled my heart with joy. These are the moments that truly make life special – sharing passions and creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences with loved ones.
And of course, every visit with my sister, Teresa, is a celebration in itself. Our bond is unbreakable, and these moments together are always filled with laughter, love, and endless memories.
Milestones & Merriment: Graduations, Mother’s Day, and an Engagement Party
The past few months have been brimming with heartwarming family milestones and joyful celebrations. The first weekend in May brought immense pride as our God-Daughter, Leah, and her fiancé, Austin, both graduated from college. Watching them achieve this significant academic accomplishment filled us with immeasurable joy and pride. They’ve worked incredibly hard, and their future is incredibly bright. We are truly SO PROUD of them both and excited for their next chapter!
Mother’s Day was another truly beautiful occasion. My wonderful kids pampered me all day, making me feel incredibly special and loved. The afternoon culminated in a delightful family gathering with my husband’s entire family. The guys took charge of the grill, serving up delicious chicken and ensuring everyone was well-fed and happy. These simple moments of togetherness, good food, and laughter are what truly make Mother’s Day meaningful. Adding to the charm, my twins created a fantastic, large-scale artistic rendition of me, which we affectionately refer to as “BIG MAMA!” It’s a hilarious and heartwarming piece that captures their artistic spirit and love.
The very next weekend, we had the pleasure of hosting an engagement party and couple’s shower for Austin and Leah. We embraced a fun summer beachy theme, perfectly fitting for the season and their vibrant personalities. The party had a unique twist – it was a “Stock Their Bar” theme, where guests brought items to help the happy couple build their home bar. It was a lively and joyous occasion, filled with laughter, good company, and plenty of celebratory toasts. Everyone had a fantastic time, though I did learn one crucial thing: I am definitely no longer a 20-something! 😉 It’s wonderful to see them embarking on this exciting new chapter together.
My Journey to Wellness: Embracing a Healthier Lifestyle
Last, but certainly not least, I want to share a deeply personal journey I embarked upon exactly eight weeks ago today. As many of you know, I absolutely love to cook and bake, and for the past year, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed sharing countless delicious recipes with you. However, I slowly realized that my passion for creating yummy food was not always matched by self-control when it came to eating it all!
Slowly but surely, my pants started getting tighter and tighter. I found myself in a perpetual cycle of saying, “I’ll do something about it next week.” But “next week” would come and go, often accompanied by more delicious baking. Eventually, I realized it was past time for concrete action. The motivation was amplified by Leah’s upcoming wedding; I knew I wanted to feel my best. So, I talked with my niece, Leah, and my sister-in-law, Sue, and we decided it was time to collectively commit to a weight loss journey, with about five months to make significant progress. “Chop chop, ladies!” we declared.
I decided to attend a meeting at a local program called F.A.S.T. (Family’s Achieving Success Together). I had seen incredible success stories firsthand: one friend lost 90 pounds, and another is halfway to her goal of 50 pounds. Their transformations were truly inspiring. When we went to our first meeting eight weeks ago, Brian’s cousin, Amy, was also there, strengthening our little support team. Together, our F.A.S.T. team has collectively lost an impressive 85 pounds so far! It’s incredible what you can achieve with shared goals and mutual encouragement.
What truly appealed to me about F.A.S.T. was its flexible approach. I can eat anything I want, as long as I diligently track it. The other crucial component is consistent exercise. This journey required a shift in mindset and routine, which is why I temporarily paused blogging. It wasn’t because I didn’t miss you all; it was because I was deeply immersed in the learning process, committed to succeeding in this personal transformation. I always admired bloggers who were disciplined with their exercise routines, and now I’m proud to report that I have just completed my 56th consecutive day of exercise. Would you believe I’ve logged an astonishing 221.83 miles on my tennis shoes?! Thank goodness my wonderful husband got me some “new kicks” for my birthday; the others were certainly showing their wear!
Personally, I have lost 27.4 pounds and am now halfway to my goal. This journey has given me a renewed sense of control over my life and my eating habits. While I still have a ways to go, I feel empowered and more confident than ever. I am thrilled to announce that I plan on resuming regular blogging, and I’ll be excited to share more yummy (and now, healthier!) things with you all. I want to extend my sincere thanks for sticking with me through this incredible journey – your support means the world.
Birthday Bliss: A Weekend of Joy and Reflection
To cap off this whirlwind of activity, I recently celebrated my birthday this past weekend, and I savored every single minute of it! The celebrations began with a lovely lunch with my mom, as our birthdays are just two days apart – hers on the 7th and mine on the 9th of June. It’s always a special tradition we cherish.
On my birthday-eve, I enjoyed a delightful wine tasting with two of my dear friends, Lori and Toni. It was a wonderful evening of good conversation, delicious sips, and cherished camaraderie. The morning of my birthday brought a breathtaking surprise from my sweet hubby: two dozen gorgeous red roses! Their vibrant color and fragrant scent brightened my entire day. But his thoughtfulness didn’t stop there – he then joined me for a refreshing 4.5-mile walk, making my fitness journey a shared experience. That’s true love! <3
The day continued with special family time, capturing precious moments with my kids and our beloved furry companions. A delectable strawberry shortcake served as the perfect birthday dessert – a true taste of summer sweetness! The celebrations concluded with a wonderful dinner date with Brian, marking a truly memorable birthday filled with love, laughter, and appreciation.
Thank you for taking the time to catch up on all my adventures. There’s so much more to come, including two exciting party recaps and at least five new recipe blogs that I can’t wait to share with you all. Stay tuned!
Hugs and Good Health to ALL of YOU!!
Michaela