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Hey there! Life has been quite full since the new year, I’m sure you can relate. And while I enjoy staying busy, I certainly appreciate the occasional breaks too. Between Girl Scout cookie season, birthdays, family celebrations, a mother-daughter weekend, and a little self-care, February was one of those months that reminded me how full life can be. Let’s dive in.
Girl Scouts and Cookie Season
My younger daughter has been in Girl Scouts for two years now, and she absolutely loves it—the friendships, the learning, and of course…cookie season.
This year, our house became cookie storage central for the troop. Picking them up was an adventure—our car was packed to the brim, and when we unloaded them at home, the girls organized all the boxes by color. Because why sort by name when you can make a rainbow?
Then came the real challenge—selling. She went door to door, bravely putting herself out there while I tagged along for support. I’m not the biggest fan of selling, but I love the lessons she’s learning—confidence, persistence, and handling rejection with grace.
One of the sweetest moments? A neighbor gifted her a 1978 Girl Scout patch, a little piece of history that made her day.
She also did a few booth sales, which were much easier with friends by her side. And now? All the cookies are gone, and she’s already talking about next year.
Blood Donation Time, and Why I Donate
A month after my 17th birthday, I climbed an old hunter stand, book in hand, looking for a quiet escape. What I didn’t expect? The wood beneath my hands giving way—sending me free-falling 15 feet down.
The impact shattered my lower vertebrae, leading to a complicated back surgery with rods, screws, and—most importantly—blood transfusions that saved my life. That moment changed me, and I promised I’d pay it forward someday.
Years of moving meant I couldn’t donate, but when I finally could, my husband and I started what we now call our bloody dates. Every few months, instead of dinner and a movie, we roll up our sleeves and donate together. It’s simple, takes less than an hour, and helps save lives. If you’re eligible, book that appointment.
👉 Learn more about the blood donation process and why it’s so important to me
Family Celebration – Birthdays and Anniversary
February was packed with family celebrations—including my in-laws’ birthdays and our anniversary—so we combined everything into one big gathering at the lake house.
My mother-in-law kicked things off with her famous homemade pizza (a family favorite). My younger daughter handled dessert, baking her signature vanilla butterscotch cake with buttercream frosting and Heath toffee bits—a cake so good, my older daughter now requests it every year.
I really value these family moments. With my parents and sisters in Europe, having this side of the family close by means the world to me.
Need gift ideas for in-laws? Here’s a couple of simple ideas that were a hit:
🎁 Father-in-law: Ridge men’s wallet & Phone mount for auto
🎁 Mother-in-law: Eye massager & Puzzle board
More Than Just Another Valentine’s Day
For most, Valentine’s Day is all about chocolates, flowers, and candlelit dinners. For me, it’s extra special—it’s my mom’s birthday and my wedding anniversary. Yep, my husband and I got married on Valentine’s Day. Corny? Maybe. Convenient? Absolutely—no excuses for forgetting!
This year, we celebrated 21 years. After our lake house weekend with family, we wanted a little time to ourselves.
Our fancy seafood dinner plans took an unexpected twist. Instead, we started with wine and appetizers at one place and then wandered into an Italian restaurant across the street for dinner. Two new restaurants in one night? Not planned, but I’ll take it.
👉 Read about my Valentine’s Day story and get 60 years of anniversary gift themes here
Girls’ Weekend – Mother-Daughter Edition
Last month, I told you about my new tradition—girls’ weekends with my daughters, inspired by the ones I used to have with friends in Europe. January was my oldest’s turn. February? All about my younger daughter.
She knew the drill—it was all about her. She picked the food lineup: Chipotle, Starbucks, potatoes with bacon and eggs, gluten-free spaghetti (she has a gluten sensitivity, you can find our favorite gluten-free brand here), and gluten-free banana and pumpkin bread (Simple Mills makes an amazing one, and she basically ate the whole thing). Luckily, she loves salads and fruit too, so my stomach thanked her for the balance.
For movies, we went full-on Disney: Monsters, Inc., Lion King, Frozen I & II, plus a non-cartoon Cinderella (which was surprisingly good).
We also worked on a puzzle, played Uno, and I painted her nails. But the highlight? Cross-stitch.
👉 Here’s one of the cross stitch kits we used…so much fun!
She found an old beginner kit from Christmas and decided to give it a try. I used to cross-stitch all the time as a teen, so I showed her the basics. She caught on fast. By the end of the weekend, she had finished one project and was already picking out supplies for the next.
Another successful 1-on-1 bonding weekend in the books. While we had our fun, my husband and older daughter had theirs too. Can’t wait for the next one!
Microneedling – What is That?!
Once you hit 40, it feels good to do something for yourself and retain your youthful appearance. I’m not ready for chemical peels, so microneedling is my current go-to.
What is it? Exactly what it sounds like—tiny needles creating micro-punctures in your skin to boost collagen and elastin. The result? Improved texture, tone, and reduced wrinkles or scars.
It had been a year since my last session, so I scheduled one on a Friday (hello, weekend recovery). First, numbing cream sits for 20-30 minutes. Then, a microneedling pen goes over your face. Pain? Minimal. The forehead is the most sensitive, the nose is ridiculously ticklish, and the rest? Feels like a vibrating face massage.
Afterward? Red, tight, and sunburn-like, but not painful. Each day, the redness fades until the skin starts to peel a little. The photo above show’s my recovery, which is pretty quick. This was my fourth time doing this, beginning back in 2023, and I’ve definitely noticed smoother texture and reduced sun damage. The more you go, the better the results!
And trust me—I don’t love needles either, but you don’t even see them. So that helps!
Until next time…
Some months feel like they pass without much to say. But this one? It was full of the good stuff—the kind of moments that stick. A little giving, a little celebrating, and a lot of time with the people who matter most. And honestly, that’s all I ever really want more of.
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