10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday! It's finally June! May really flew by. I can't believe it's been a week since June's arrival! So far, we are enjoying our summer break. It may not be officially summer, but it definitely feels like it. This week was a bit of a slow week, but I absolutely loved it. I'm really looking forward to slower days in June and all the adventures we plan to go on. 

1. I recently learned about The Strangers Project and think it's such a cool project. The Strangers Project was founded by Brandon Doman. Brandon collects handwritten stories by strangers. None of the stories is submitted online or via mail; they are written in person and are anonymous. Although the Strangers Project is based in New York City, I would love for there to be a pop-up in my city soon. Check out the Strangers Project Instagram page here.

2. Unfortunately, our local Barnes & Noble is closing. This particular bookstore's architecture and design are gorgeous, so it's a bit sad that they are going to tear it down to make way for a gas station. John and I stopped by since they are currently having amazing deals. We found some great Father's Day gifts and birthday gifts for my father-in-law. We also bought a few books for the boys, a really cool planetarium projector for Raphael, and I stocked up on greeting cards for upcoming holidays and birthdays.

3. I recently learned I won a copy of What If We Get It Right?: Visions of Climate Futures by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson from a Goodreads Giveaway. I'm so excited to get my copy. 

4. On Repeat: Petit Génie (Italian Remix) by Jungeli feat. Imen Es, Lossa, Rhove, and Germo67

5. I received Katie Licht's latest analog newsletter, and it was so incredibly relatable.

6. On the wishlist: Rowan Semi-Precious Custom Layered Bracelet by BaubleBar

7. On the Summer Bucket List: Visit the High Museum of Art to see Amy Sherald's exhibition, American Sublime and Los Porfiados (The Stubborns) by the Chilean creative studio, gt2P.

8. Currently Reading: Love Poems by Rupi Kaur

9. Inspired by: Yin Goh's journal flip through and Elyssa's drawings of people

10. I've been participating in my local library's summer book challenge, and learning so much about the many resources my library offers. It seems like almost every day since the challenge started, I have learned something new. I'm blown away by all the things available. I'm especially excited about the different library databases offered. From education to career to genealogy and so much more, there is such a wealth of information to be learned from the resources offered.

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

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June 2026 Goals

Happy Thursday! Can you believe it's already June? We're halfway through 2026, which is wild. Honestly, I'm glad May is over. May was an absolute whirlwind of a month. It was a fun month, but there were some really stressful days mixed in, along with some tears. Some happy tears, some sad tears. Such is life. 

In May, we celebrated Michael's birthday. We also celebrated Mother's Day and started celebrating a bit earlier. We went to Mami's the day before Mother's Day and spent time with her. Then John and the boys spoiled me on Mother's Day. The boys also had their award ceremonies, and we are so proud of all they have accomplished this school year. 

I also had a big decision to make related to my career, and I feel so much better now. I have a few plans set in place, and whichever option I choose, I feel so much more at ease. A not-so-great moment was having to deal with car maintenance. We had to get both our SUV and car serviced in May, and the amount we had to pay was unexpected, but we got it done. I'm glad it was taken care of, and we won't have to worry about it in the long run. We are also getting a few home things taken care of, which was and is still a bit annoying, but we're hopeful it'll all get finished in a few weeks.

This month, I'm hoping for a slower month. With the boys and me on summer break, I'm looking forward to not having to stick to a routine. I'm looking forward to going on adventures with my family. I'm looking forward to eating all the summer fruit and treats. I'm looking forward to working on a few creative projects. 

This month (actually, this summer), I plan to take it easy on my monthly goals. Although I should have plenty of time to work on goals, I just want to have a more carefree summer. I was a bit disappointed that I didn't get most of my goals done in May, but I need to remember that May is an extremely busy month for me. Of course, since I mentioned goals and it's a new month, let's have a quick recap of last month's goals. Then let's check out my goals for June.

Recap of May Goals

• Read 1 book I borrowed from the library: I read The Greatest Sentence Ever Written by Walter Isaacson. Raphael and I have been on Mo Willems kick. We read It's My Bird-Day!, The Pigeon Has to Go to School, and Will the Pigeon Graduate? by Mo Willems. We also read Kwesi and Nana Ruby Learn to Swim by Kobina Commeh.

• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley: I read Notes on Love: Poems and Photography by F.S. Yousaf, Words to Love a Planet by Ella Frances Sanders, This Is Terrible, This Is Wonderful by Rani Ban, and The Best Dog in the World: Essays edited by Alice Hoffman.

• Make 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout: So this did not happen. I was way too busy in May. This time, I can really say that there just simply wasn't enough time to work on many of my creative projects. 

• Work in my sketchbook/journal: This also did not happen. Again, see the explanation above.

• Try 1 Introverted Drawing Club prompt: Ugh. This also did not happen, and I'm a bit disappointed I didn't work on any prompts. This was probably the main creative project I was hoping to work on, but I didn't get to it.

June Goals

• Read 2 books I borrowed from the library

• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley

• Make 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout

• Try 1 new-to-me recipe

What are your goals for June? How did you do in May?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

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May 2026 // A List

1. Maycember! Maycember! What an absolutely hectic month it was! This month was chock-full of events. Award ceremonies. Car and SUV services. Orientations. Mother's Day. Michael's birthday. It was a month.

2. This year marked Michael's 16th birthday. 16 years old! How did my oldest son get so big! He's old enough to learn to drive (cue the panic and hyperventilating). We did our usual birthday traditions and had so much fun celebrating his day. 

3. We started celebrating Mother's Day early by visiting Mami that Saturday. The next day, John and the boys spoiled me with gifts. John took me out on a date where we spent the afternoon at the Marietta Square and went to a few shops. We finally got to go to this adorable little coffee shop called Tuesday, where I tried their latte and their special Mother's Day syrup. We also got a couple of BonBon candies, which were delicious. 

4. May was another big month in making plans regarding the next steps for my career. There were hours spent on research and making various plans. Things are coming together. I'm both scared and excited, with a heavy dose of feeling hopeful.

5. The boys all received awards at their schools. I was and still am incredibly proud of them. Their award ceremonies were wonderful. It was lovely seeing them be recognized for their accomplishments.

6. I absolutely love graduation season. The looks on the parents' faces. The look on the graduates' faces. The awards. How everyone cheers everyone on. The energy. The hope for the future. With everything going on in the world, I love that everyone comes together during graduations.

7. May was also full of surprises. I saw a coyote in our neighborhood. A coyote! I didn't even know we had coyotes in our part of the state. It was so bizarre. 

8. Another highlight was the start of farmer's market season. I even got a free Smyrna market bag, which I plan to use every time I go to the market.

9. My little sister came to visit, and I got to see my nephew and niece. Oh, how they've grown so much. The kids had so much fun spending time together. 

10. I finally bought a new printer, only for it to not work. The hunt for a new printer continues. Maybe I'll find one in June?

11. Also, a gentle reminder to please remember to check out your local library and check out the resources they offer. While John and I were running errands, I remembered I needed to print a document...and of course, my printer is not working. So we quickly stopped by the library, printed the things I needed, and also picked up a book I had on hold. 

12. May was another month full of lessons, and I'm so grateful for them. 

13. Now that we're on summer break, I'm really hoping for some much-needed rest and calmer days. It'll be great to not have to be on a routine. 

14. So long, May. As always, you were an absolute whirlwind of a month. Hello June. Here's to "lazy" days ahead. May you be a month of rest and relaxation with a mix of fun-filled days.

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10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Saturday! This is the first weekend since the start of summer break. My little sister is coming down to visit and is bringing my nephew and niece with her. We're planning to meet up at Mami's house to spend time together. 

1. We're officially on summer break, and I'm so excited. I really needed this break, and I'm looking forward to all the adventures we'll go on. I'm hoping to catch up on a few shows and read a few good books.

2. I received some happy mail from Haley Weaver. I always enjoy the letters and surprises in each seasonal mailer. I plan to use some of the things in my journal and may even add something to my scrapbook.

3. New favorite: Chobani Cookies & Cream Creamer. This is such a delicious creamer. I've been using it in my morning coffee every day. I think this may be Chobani's best coffee creamer to date.

4. Why Do Children Always Collect Things?

5. On repeat: Dai Dai by Shakira and Burna Boy

6. Summer Reading challenges. I plan to join my local library's summer reading program and can't wait to begin. The New York Times also announced its Summer Reading Bucket List. I plan to try to join in as well.

7. A must-read: A Stirring Story by Melanie Dale

8. I've started slowly decluttering, and it's been so nice seeing more newly-opened space. I love the feeling of being more intentional about what I bring into my home. 

9. I'm also hoping to stick to a no-spend/low-spend summer, so I've been looking up different lists of ideas to help assist with this goal.

10. Summer is off to a good start. I'm still waking up really early in the morning, but it's actually been really nice. I've been enjoying my coffee while the boys are still asleep and catching up on some reading and chores. 

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

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If You and I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd meet at a new-to-us local coffee shop to celebrate the end of the school year and work. New seasonal drinks and treats are now being served everywhere, so I'd probably order something from the seasonal menu. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that we did our usual last-day-of-school celebration by getting takeout. I also bought some really delicious sundae cupcakes that remind me of summer. I'm so excited for summer and can't wait to see what we end up doing during the break. The boys are so excited, especially since they won't have to get up so early. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm so proud of how far my sons have come this school year. They have all grown so much and have been doing so well. I still can't believe that I will now have two kids in high school. Time is going by so fast. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that this time of year always makes me emotional. I love all things graduation season. The excitement of completing college. The realization of the hard work and sacrifice it took to get to the end. The sheer pride and joy in the eyes of the graduate's family and friends. The absolute joy of the graduate. Whether the graduate completed kindergarten (or elementary school), middle school, high school, or college, I am always so excited to see everyone celebrating.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that one of the things I plan to do this summer is to continue decluttering a room everyday(ish). I know some rooms may take more than a couple of days, so I'm going to dedicate time to a specific room or area until it's done. My hope is to either donate a lot of things or possibly even sell some stuff. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I still have some big decisions to make. I've been going through waves of excitement and slight panic. I'm still not ready to share all the details, but currently I'm feeling both excited and nervous. The other day, I saw a meme/post that said, "How traumatized are you?" and the response was, "When good things happen to me, I get nervous." This was so relatable.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm so glad we were able to catch up. As always, these coffee chats are always a highlight of my month. I hope you enjoy the rest of your month, and if you have started your summer break, I hope it's off to a great start. Here's to all things summer. See you next month!

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

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10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday! This past week was so busy, and I was so excited once it was Friday. We had a few celebrations and award ceremonies. An appointment. Some meetings. Field trips. All the things! So it was really nice to take some time to relax this weekend and not stick to a routine.

1. Michael and Gabriel had their school Honor award ceremonies this week. I am so proud of both of them. They have grown so much. I still can't believe that Gabriel will be going to high school, and soon Michael will graduate from high school. Time is flying by.

2. Inspired by: Tracey Holdyk's camp journal. Elyssa's drawings of cats and still life. Flowers...especially tulips. All things graduation season. Get Messy May prompts.

3. There are three new RYZE latte flavors available in stores! I bought their Matcha, Chai, and Ube Vanilla coffee lattes sticks and can't wait to try them. I'll probably try the Chai latte first. 

4. On repeat: Piece By Piece by Pharell Williams. I first heard this song while shopping at Old Navy, and it's been stuck in my head ever since.

5. I tried Trader Joe's Patio Potato Chips, and they are so good. I loved the different flavors that were in the bag. The Homestyle Ketchup chip caught me off guard. The Patio Potato chips reminded me of the Lays All Dressed potato chips. 

6. I preregistered for my local library's Summer Reading Program, and I can't wait to get started. I participated in last year's program, and it was fun. I even earned a free mug. 

7. On the wishlist: This shirt from Long Story Books

8. I am currently working on decluttering one room (or an area of a room) each day, and it's been nice getting rid of a lot of stuff. On Saturday, I went through a ton of papers and shredded them. It was so nice to have a clearer workspace. I also realized how much stuff I've been holding onto that I didn't even need. My paper shredder definitely got a workout, and I ended up having two big bags full of shredded paper.

9. I went to the Smyrna Market and got a free tote that I plan to use whenever I go to the farmer's market. It's a really nice size. While at the farmer's market, I bought some peaches, blueberries, sourdough bread, and my favorite lemonade tea. I plan to use the bread to make some BLTs for lunch. I'm going to use the blueberries to make a blueberry syrup. I may try to find a dessert recipe for the peaches, but I'll probably have a few packed with my lunch for the upcoming week.

10. We are just days away from the last day of school! I'm beyond excited! 

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

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10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday! This week has been a busy one with lots of celebrations and end-of-school-year events. I was pretty excited for the weekend so I could get some much-needed rest and relaxation. 

1. We celebrated Michael's birthday! I can't believe he's 16 years old! I've been thinking about the day he was born and how much he's grown. Yes...there were a few tears. 

2. Teacher Appreciation Week was really nice. I gave the boys' teachers a little gift. Their teachers gave us sweet Thank You cards that I'll be adding to my scrapbook. 

3. A new favorite: Milani Cosmetics Highly Rated Lash Extensions Volumizing Tubing Mascara. I received this from Influenster and was surprisingly pleased with it. I don't normally wear makeup, especially mascara. The other mascaras I have tried usually flake or clump, but with this Milani mascara, I didn't have those issues. It also stayed on all day and was so easy to take off. 

4. Kate Baer's poem, Childhood. Short, but beautiful. Such nostalgia. 

5. On Repeat: Kaleidoscope by Chappell Roan

6. John and I went to the cutest little coffee shop. I had been wanting to check out Tuesdays Coffee + Shop for the longest time, so I decided to go on Mother's Day for a treat. I tried their iced latte with their special Mother's Day strawberry syrup, and it was so good. We also bought some BonBon's Sour Blackberry Fish, BonBon's Sour Peach Fish, and BonBon's Chocolate Wafer bar while at the coffee shop. I haven't tried the candies yet, but I'm excited to try them this coming week.

7. Currently Reading: My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout. I'm planning to read the rest of the books during the summer. 

8. Inspired by: Julia Polinsky's (@juliagetscreative) take on the Messy May journal prompts. Love this one so much. 

9. We decided to celebrate Mother's Day early. On Saturday, Mami invited us over for brunch. We exchanged gifts and spent time together. It was a low-key, but perfect start to Mother's Day. John and I also went on a date. We went to a few shops and got some coffee and pastries. 

10. We are so close to the end of the school year, and I'm getting more excited every day. 

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

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