What's Blooming In June

A slow and honest look at what’s growing in my home, heart, and life this month.

I think today is the perfect day to check in with you all for an update on what’s blooming in June. I always seem to randomly glance at the calendar and realize we’re halfway through the month or nearly at the end, and I’m wondering how we got here so fast.

Life really did grab me by the hand and take off running. And I mean running, feet off the ground.

This month started out being exactly what I needed. I came into June wanting to pause, listen, and take it all in. I wanted to be more intentional, to not get distracted by every little thing that doesn't align with what God is calling me to do.

So if you’re up for a long post, go ahead and grab your coffee or tea and come sit with me for a bit. Let’s catch up.

Heart Check

There’s been a kind of stillness settling in me lately. Not the kind that comes with everything being peaceful and perfect, but the kind that says, “Be still anyway.” Like a holy stillness. A quiet reminder that even in the middle of real life, the mess, being busy, stretching parts of me that I don’t want to stretch, God is still holding me.

I've been checking in with my heart more often. Not just brushing past the emotions or shoving things down to deal with later. I’ve been asking myself, where am I really? What’s actually weighing me down? What am I holding that no one else sees?

It’s not just everything going on in the world that feels heavy, though that’s part of it. For me, it’s the reminder that life can change in an instant. And I don’t want to keep wasting time distracted or caught up in things that have nothing to do with what God is actually calling me to do.

Lately, my heart has been pulled back to where it all starts. My home. My marriage. My children.

I’ve been trying to be more present. Not in a perfectionist kind of way, but in a real way. I’ve been paying closer attention. Watching how my kids respond. Listening for what they don’t say. Noticing their energy, their mood, the moments when they pull away or need something extra. And asking myself, are they really okay? Not just dressed and fed and doing school. But emotionally. Mentally. Spiritually. Are they carrying anything I’ve missed? I am taking the time to ask the hard questions and listen to their response. Sometimes I am left with not really knowing what to say, but that’s when I invite the Holy Spirit in to help lead and guide me.

And with my husband, I’ve been reminded again that connection doesn’t just happen. You have to fight for it. You have to choose it. In the middle of work and parenting and exhaustion, I’m learning to be more aware of the ways we drift and to be more prayerful and intentional about how we draw near again.

This season is showing me how deeply emotional, spiritual, and mental needs run through our home and how easy it is to miss them when we’re moving too fast.

So this month, I’ve been slowing down to ask the harder questions. Not just what do I need to do today? But who needs me to show up differently today? How can I meet them in a way that reflects God’s love and patience?

And it starts with me letting God meet me first.

On My Shelf

This month, I’m keeping it simple and staying in the Word. I’ve put all other books to the side for now. I restarted reading a Proverb a day, just following the date and letting each chapter speak to where I am. I’ve also been reading Psalm 91 daily, and that’s been my reminder of God’s covering and constant presence.

I’m also reading through the Old Testament in a year, and we’re currently in Job chapters 11 and 12. Let me tell you, it’s been heavy. But it’s also been humbling. Every time I open up the Word lately, I feel like God is showing me just how much I’ve misunderstood suffering.

For a long time, I really believed that because I had faith, because I was trying to live right, I would somehow be protected from the deep stuff. Like if I prayed enough or did all the “right” things, I could skip over the hard parts. But reading Job is breaking that lie down.

Job didn’t suffer because he was disobedient. He suffered while being faithful. And that part stopped me. Because even now, when I go through something, I catch myself thinking, but how I don’t deserve this. And yet, here’s Job, stripped of everything, still turning his face toward God. Still trusting. Still not fully understanding, but holding on anyway.

These chapters are showing me how far off I’ve been in my thinking. I thought faith would exempt me from pain. But what I’m learning is that faith is what holds me steady in the pain. That sometimes God allows suffering, not to harm me, but to refine me. To stretch my understanding. To keep me close.

And if I’m honest, some of what I’m going through right now feels unfair. But these scriptures are teaching me to stop asking why and start asking how. How can I walk through this with God. How can I stay faithful even when I don’t feel strong. How can I keep showing up even when I don’t understand the full picture yet.

Bringing Me Joy

Oh, where do I begin?

This month, our second son turned sixteen. I’ve had him behind the wheel a little more, and it’s been something to watch. He’s growing into himself, and I see the beginnings of a young man who is determined, thoughtful, and full of big dreams. I’m standing in the gap for him through prayer. Teaching him where his true strength comes from. That his real wealth isn’t found in this world, but in his relationship with God. I don’t want him to just chase success. I want him to understand what it means to walk in purpose.

I’ve also been getting back to my baby girl. She is living and full of life. Lately, I’ve been reminded that it’s not just my role, but my calling to mother her. I had to make some changes because, if I’m honest, starting my Etsy shop took up more of me than I expected. I started noticing shifts in her, and I knew I had to shift something in me too. We’ve been spending more time together again, and it’s been healing. She’s loud and carefree and full of joy. I didn’t know how much I needed that energy in my life until I slowed down long enough to really receive it.

Our oldest son, the one who always jokes that I gave him the best of my years, took me out on a lunch date this month. We sat, we ate, and we had one of the best conversations we’ve had in a while. He opened up about what he’s facing at work, how he’s trying to handle difficult people, and what it looks like to really step into adulthood. He’s thinking about learning a trade and putting some things in order for himself. Watching him grow is a joy that’s hard to put into words. He’s figuring it out, and I’m proud of him for staying in the process.

My husband and I have also started being more intentional with our time. We’ve been going on little dates again, just the two of us. And this month, he took three days off work just so I could rest. I didn’t realize how much I needed that. I slept in, caught up on some work, and we had real conversations that reminded me why we’re still choosing each other after all these years.

I’ve been baking more, getting back into batch cooking, and spending time researching ways to save, stockpile, and prep for emergencies. Not in fear, but in wisdom. I believe part of homemaking is being prepared. Not just for the day-to-day, but for what could come. Whether it’s a power outage, a storm, or something bigger, I want to be ready. I want my family to know that this home is covered and cared for. That mama has what we need.

Spending time together as a family has done something good for my nervous system. I didn’t even realize how on edge I had been until I started laughing more. Really laughing. These little moments, the walks, the library runs, the quick beach visits, the grocery store ice cream trips, they’ve been medicine. They’ve reminded me that our best days don’t need to be planned out or cost a bunch of money.

Joy doesn’t always show up in the quiet moments. And it’s not always loud either. But it’s there. I’ve just had to slow down enough to notice it.

On My Mind

Brace yourself because this is all so random.

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about pace. How easy it is to get caught up in rushing toward the next thing. And I mean rushing through everything. Meals, prayers, conversations, even sleep. But I don’t want to live that way anymore. I don’t want to miss what’s happening right now. The kids are growing, time is moving, and the fruit from staying obedient is slow but real. God keeps showing up in the everyday stuff, and I’ve started to notice how often I’ve overlooked it.

The more I read God’s word, the more I realize I’m not as together as I thought I was. There are things in me that are just plain ugly. I see how much I need God to keep working on me. It’s humbling, but it’s also freeing. Because now I know I don’t have to fake like I’ve got it all figured out. I just need to stay open and keep letting Him shape me.

I’ve also been thinking about how I no longer desire surface level anything. I don’t want shallow conversations, forced friendships, or empty spaces where I have to pretend. I’m in my We Do Not Care era. If you’re not familiar with the WDNC club, let me break it down. It’s mainly for women in their 40s and 50s, somewhere between perimenopause and full-blown menopause, who are just out here letting go and letting God. Fully. Completely. Without apology.

Every day, I’ve been writing in my journal a growing list of things I no longer care about. Would you like a few? Because here they are:

I don’t care to be invited anywhere.
I’m not coming. Not now. Not later. Not even if there’s food. I’m home, and I’m happy.

I don’t care to know anybody’s business.
I don’t have the energy or the interest. I’m rooting for you, but from over here. Quietly.

I don’t care if the house is falling apart in the background.
If nobody is bleeding, don’t bring me into it. These kids can WWE it out in the living room. I’ve got my headphones in and a prayer on my lips.

I don’t care about group texts.
I’m not responding unless it’s urgent. And even then, I might wait until I feel like it. That goes for phone calls too.

I don’t care if I’ve worn the same outfit for three days.
I didn’t go anywhere. They smelled fine. I felt fine. It’s laundry efficiency.

The season I’m in is not for the weak. There’s a shifting happening. Hormones are doing what they want, my energy comes and goes, and my mind is busier than it used to be. But even with all of that, I’m learning to slow down, laugh more, and let go of the pressure to keep up.

What’s been on my mind this month might sound random, but writing it all down is helping me make peace with where I am. This is a new kind of freedom. And I’m walking in it.

From the Screen

I haven’t really been watching much this month. I’ve been spending more time reading, resting, and being present at home. Sometimes stepping away from the screen helps me hear God more clearly.

In The Works

This month feels like the quiet before a bloom. I’ve been in a season of doing more and saying less. Not because I’m hiding anything, but because sometimes it’s better to just build without the need for applause. God knows the plans, and I’m learning that’s enough.

But since we’re here, I’ll let you in on a few things I’ve been working on.

I’m easing my way back into vlogging. I got a new camera and I am so ready to get back to it. The break I took from YouTube and social media was needed. I don’t regret it one bit. But now, I feel like it’s time to return - just with a different kind of energy. I’m still vlogging, still sharing pieces of my day, but it’s going to be more focused on me and less on my family. More of the heart behind the scenes. I’ve also been showing up more on my other platforms. Not out of pressure, just flowing with it. Posting when I feel led, not because I feel like I have to.

Business-wise, I’m working on two books. One is a devotional and the other is a guide. I’m not rushing either one. I’m letting them take shape slowly because I want them to be meaningful, not just another project to check off a list.

I also picked up some volunteer hours and will be giving about five hours a week for as long as I’m needed. It’s been grounding for me. Sometimes serving quietly in the background brings more clarity than anything else. My hope with volunteering is to stay open to giving my time wherever it's needed, especially if it helps build someone else up. My kids are older now, so I’ve found that I have a little more space in my days. And I want to use that time well.

In the shop, I’m revamping and expanding. I’ve been adding new clipart collections, and I’m preparing to launch printable templates and a few other digital pieces that feel more aligned with where I’m going creatively. I’ve thought about printing out some of my designs and using them in my own planner, just to show you how they can be used in real life, because what I create is meant to be used, not just stored in a download folder.

If you’re new here, I run an Etsy shop called Heart and Home Digitals. It’s where I share original watercolor clipart that’s soft, soulful, and inspired by real-life homemaking, motherhood, and faith. I create with women like me in mind - the ones who love meaningful beauty but don’t always have time to design it from scratch.

You can use my clipart for planners and journals, yes - but that’s just the beginning. I’ve seen these illustrations come to life on mugs, tote bags, shirts, wall art, bookmarks, recipe cards, and even in Cricut projects. Whether you're making a gift for someone else or creating something special for your own home, there’s so much you can do with these designs.

So if you’re a creative at heart, or just someone who loves adding a personal touch to the everyday, my shop is a place where you can grab a little inspiration and make it your own. My hope is that each piece feels like a quiet kind of encouragement, something lovely, honest, and full of heart.

Behind the scenes, we’ve also been decluttering our garage and getting our yard ready for a fall garden. My husband and I sat down recently and said, it’s time to get serious about preparing. We’re stockpiling more, planning better, and setting up our home to be ready for whatever may come. I don’t say that to create fear. I say it from a place of peace and responsibility.

Right now, I’m walking more, moving my body, hitting small goals each day, and preparing for the upcoming school year. I’m also being more intentional about the relationships in my life, making space for the ones that are truly edifying and letting go of the ones that drain. I’m growing in my faith, learning more about who I am in this season, and trusting that it all matters - even when nobody sees it but God.

Thanks for being here. I don’t take it lightly. I hope something in this update made you pause, reflect, or even laugh a little. Keep tending to what matters, even if no one else sees it. God does.

“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9