Something Better, My Darling, Parkersburg, IA (2025)

07/11/2025

Thinking Thursday Thoughts

1. Hydrogen water bottle in the house!! It is this month’s health purchase. Hydrogen water is suppose to help with pretty much everything. I mean that.

2. I love sparklers. And my son and husband love setting off fireworks making me nervous. The family was lined up to watch this year! It was fun to watch and everyone was safe!

3. This scripture reminds me of a flight I took in college. I was sitting to a boy about my age. We started talking and he said he didn’t believe in Jesus. Nothing I said seemed to help. I wish I would have thought to talk about air, electricity, radio waves, anything else you can’t see yet believe in. This verse remind me of that. You don’t need to see to believe. It’s called faith.

4. Old pictures are the best!!!! This is one of all of my cousins and my kiddos at the time. I say at the time because there are soooo many more now! Makes my heart happy seeing these little faces.

5. My kids are at the age where I can sit in the sun chair all day at Lost Island waterpark and let them@run around with friends and have fun! I’ve dreamed of this day. lol!! Don’t get me wrong, I love slides and rides too, but there is something to be said for a relaxing day in the sun!

❤️

06/27/2025

Thinking Thursday Thoughts

1. My daughter wanted to go for a drive tonight so she drove us to my parent’s farm. While we were there we noticed that there were so many lightening bugs!! It was like watching a show! Then I was reminded of catching them growing up, putting them in glass jars with holes poked in the lids in an attempt to capture their light. But light isn’t meant to be captured. They wouldn’t survive for long, just like hiding our light hurts us. And then as we were leaving we saw the sun set. A beautiful display of God’s work. Oh how I love being at the farm.

2. This week I had the opportunity to be in Canada for work. We mixed in some fun and went to Niagara Falls. What an amazing sight!! 34 billion gallons rush over the falls each minute. And it never runs dry. Another breathtaking display of God’s handiwork.

3. Pepper is working on getting in shape, so on long walks, we bring the wagon. His little legs just. Ant keep up with the big dog! lol

4. This quote isn’t helping with the mom guilt, but it does remind me to make each moment count and to be very intentional with my time with my children. I have an amazing mother, and only hope my kids feel, or will feel the same one day. After I am done ruing their lives of course. Ha!

5. This is in a new book I am reading about leadership. I heard this part on the podcast which promoted me to buy the book. I’ve mentioned it before, but wanted to put it in here again because it is just so impactful. Your commitments. They are what matter! If you can’t keep them, you might as well throw your goals away.

06/20/2025

Thinking Thursday Thoughts

1. This is not new information, but for some reason it can be hard. New habits. Consistent habits. They make a difference. They make change. In January I started being very intentional about walking every morning and fasting based on my fav book “Fast Like a Girl.” I have lost 22 pounds and several inches. It has taken 6 months on consistent effort. Small habits each day with big results.

2-5. Yep, only two pics this week. But rolling a lot into this one. Summertime. I love it and I dread it. The weather is so good! Kids out of school and mom guilt eating me alive…not good. I feel the time with them slipping away. Each summer that passes. Each “mom, can you come?” I know working moms have faced this for generations, but it does not get easier. And summertime seems to highlight the time speeding by. I do not have answers for this. I only know that I’m providing for my family, being a role model of a professional working mom, and praying it makes a good impact on my children.

This picture is a good one though! My kiddos are on vacay with their grandparents on their dad’s side and their cousins. I’m so thankful they have experiences like this! Time with family, it so great for them. And apparently I am a little meh today. Because this is hard too. My daughter has wanted to go to Hawaii since she could say the word. I have wanted to take her, but this week, she went with her grandparents. I am so, so happy she got to go. I’m being selfish and sad for me that I didn’t get to see her face when she got there, when set foot on the beach. It feels like a moment missed. But for me.

I debated about sharing this, but it’s me. It’s real. And you know what, it’s okay. It is hard to miss time with your kids, or loved ones. It is hard when you miss the firsts with your kids. I just know I have to make my time with them count! Enjoy the moments I do have with them!

06/12/2025

Thinking Thursday Thoughts

1. I have missed a few Thursdays. It has been a busy few weeks. Our company had their annual conference and I am on the planning committee. It is an amazing team. Luau theme this year to end our event and a drone show. I am exhausted. Week of staying up late to get everything done followed by the actual event. I’m hoping to sleep most of the weekend.

2. And the week before was college girls’ weekend take two. Our first weekend we were together for the grand opening of Teri’s apothecary. So this time we did all of the relaxing things and just spent time shopping and having fun.

3. Cold plunge and sauna. It was such a great experience. I know the cold plunge is very good for you, but it is hard! The hot sauna to jump into helped! This girls’ trip was definitely our healthiest trip. Walks, hikes, water walking, and cold plunging! Our age must be helping us!

4. We’ve been friends since 1999. Eight marriages. Four divorces. Ten kids. Four heavenly babies. We have been through a lot. I so not know where I’d be without these women. And I always have laugh when I see our pictures in Teri’s bathroom.

5. Nice gas stations are my favorite! Bucky’s in Lawler is one of the best, but The Market on hwy 20 just east of Fort Dodge is amazing. Two levels. Clothes. Coffee shop. And such good healthy snacks. Pickles wrapped in ham, hard boiled eggs with bacon. New favorite!

05/23/2025

Thinking Thursday Thoughts

1. I have an issue with puzzles. It is really hard for me to walk away from them, but this is a hard one! 1,000 pieces. Another way we are spending time during no electronic time.

2. Pepper loves the fireplace in the living room. We had the pilot light off for a while because it was warm, but we turned it back on with the chilly weather. He was one happy dog! Just lying on his back enjoying the heat. It’s sort of amazing he doesn’t catch on fire.

3. I wear a Whoop which is a fitness and health tracker. I do really love it! Except for the fact that it tells me what time I should go to bed to get the right amount of sleep. It’s been a long week, so tonight I was suppose to go to bed at 5:53 to decrease my sleep deficit. It is currently 7:10 and I’m at soccer.

4. This was a sponsored post in my feed. I cannot tell you all of the emotions it makes me feel, but the strongest is sad. I’m sad for her. I’m sad for all of the young girls who may see this and think it’s okay. I’m sad that this makes it to the masses and is even considered a headline. I’m sad that people think it is funny. Im@sad that her fiancé was proud. I pray she finds Jesus and realizes that her worth and value come from Him alone and nothing and no one else.

5. On a much, much, MUCH better note, this podcast was so good! I listened to it twice!!! Both of these men are motivating, faithful, driven men. Some of my favorite nuggets. 1) you have to have commitments to reach your goals. Goals alone do nothing. Your daily commitments help you reach your goals. 2) Higher levels, bigger devils. 3) Pray. And then listen.
🔑

05/16/2025

Thinking Thursday Thoughts

1. My lights are looking a little sad!! I love my lights, but these bulbs are not easy to replace because to be honest they were cheap and they keep blowing out. So to fix this, I have to cut down many zip ties (I love zip ties!) and then put up new strands. It’s happening this weekend!!

2. Find comfort in the chaos. As I looked at this my first thought was ‘how?’ My next immediate thought was ‘only with Jesus.’ These is no doubt chaos can be part of our daily lives, and finding comfort in that can be hard. Looking for the good, seeing the silver linings, and knowing that God’s plan is perfect, better than ours, and the hardest part for me…always in HIS perfect timing.

3. It’s that time of year!!! I can sit on my front porch and work!!! Wahooo! My front porch is my happy place.

4. This was the verse of the day today. I copied this down for my kids to remind them@to be kind to each other and then paused and realized we all need this reminder.

5. Andes Mints. They will forever be my favorite and a reminder of my childhood. I say it often, but I had an amazing childhood and I am beyond grateful for that. So I love all of the reminders of growing up and Andes Mints are no exception!

05/08/2025

Thinking Thursday Thoughts

1. Talking about marketing! This week I was just outside of Boston, one of my favorite cities, speaking at a home medical equipment state association show. Two sessions, always fun!

2. I use to always pack workout clothes when I traveled and never used them. Now, I always use them!! And this gym was amazing. It even had a racquet ball court.

3. I have been trying hard to be better at packing when I travel and only bring carry-ons. I fit everything this time, but….I did have to kneel on it to close, which apparently broke my mirror. Whoopsie daisy!

4. Lilacs. I have probably posted about them before because I love them!! My parents have them at the farm and growing up when my grandma watched us we always rode past them on our bikes. The smell brings back such good memories for me if growing up. I realize I am very fortunate to have a lovely childhood, and I am extremely grateful for all of the memories.

5. This made me giggle. Translations can be hard, and then the meaning could be lost. This was a simple reminder to always be as clear as possible in communication. You never want anyone filling in the blanks for you.

05/02/2025

Thinking Thursday Thoughts (delayed)

1. The reason I am delayed in posting. My vehicle has been the lone wolf when leaving work this week. We are about a month out from our largest conference and the business is here!!

2. TJ Max is my new Target. this week I found the best deals and the cutes summer work outfit! And then some items I maybe didn’t need. lol.

3. I had passed up this butterfly twice in a store. On two different days. This week it was 40% off! And now it is mine! Thank you Jesus for May Sales!

4. Oh Azu. He is our Cane Corso, weighing in at 130 pounds. In the morning he likes to exercise with me. He usually then licks my face which is why this pic is blurry. Not pictured, equally chunky Pepper. A dog’s devotion. It is truly amazing and we’d be lost without them.

5. These two pics came with many tears. By me. If you listened to my “Tired of Being Nice” podcast (https://somethingbettermydarling.com/2025/02/28/im-tired-of-being-nice/) you know I am not good at being a dad. Not great for when I was a single mom. Anyway, this weekend my son when on a screen diet. He was not happy. But, in the end, We both got quality time together. He learned a new song on the piano, learned how to use a nail gun and saw, and built a bird house. My heart is full. If you are debating about electronics and reducing screen time. Yes! Do it now!

04/25/2025

Thinking Thursday Thoughts

1. Four years ago I got into the habit of writing down my favorite passages of scripture on notecards. I have stacks of them. This week the same verse came to me twice in devotions. That is when I know I am suppose to listen. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” 1 John 5:14. ❤️

2. I want to love press ‘n seal or plastic wrap, but it is always a fight with these two! I get anxious just looking at the picture!

3. These darn jelly beans need to be done. I cannot stop eating them. They are the only kind of jelly beans I like, so at Easter when they are out, I might go overboard.

4. This thank you note is from a very kind lady I sat by on an airplane last year. Her and her friend were going to Hawaii. They both are amazing women with amazing stories! We just chatted the entire flight and I was sad to tell them goodbye. We exchanged info and I sent her my workbook and a few more items. This is the best thank note!!! And a wonderful reminder of why I love doing what I do. And, if you’re reading this my dear friend, I still believe you can start your company on YouTube!!

5. According to the calendar in my office wall, it’s still March. Not almost May. You’re welcome! 😂😂

❤️

04/18/2025

Thinking Thursday Thoughts

1. I made a super quick trip today to get my TSA pre-check. As I was walking back to my vehicle, I see this license plate. If you know me, or have been following my story, you know that butterflies and 114 are my two signs. I ask to specially see them at times, and other times they are just my reminders that I am in the right place. #114

2. I live beside a funeral home. It is actually very peaceful and I choose to celebrate the lives lived and that they get to see Jesus! Tonight, a man only one year older than me, a man I went to school with, was the person to celebrate. I smiled when I saw a tractor in the parking lot. A way to honor him.

3. This just makes me laugh. Maybe Baby is my fav and I am going to start using these!! lol

4. I love, love, love, seeing Christian books in airport stores. Especially when it is a full rack of them!

5. I’ve had this quote saved for a while. I didn’t write it. And tonight as I went to post this, it punched me in the gut. You see, today I was asked about someone and I did not give a very kind response. Or Christian response. I didn’t swear or anything, but, I was quick to point out flaws. Welp!!! I need to think about this. Maybe this person is not the icky person. Maybe I have some work to do.

04/11/2025

Thinking Thursday Thoughts

1. Seeing butterflies everywhere I go. Oh it makes me so happy! Just knowing I am right where I am suppose to be.

2. I thought flying was going to be the most dangerous part of going to Alabama this week, but it was trusting the hotel blow dryer. It worked, but for the first time I was thankful for my thin hair!

3. Cream deodorant! I may have posted about this before, but I’ll say it again. It’s amazing!!! And these sample sizes are perfect for traveling! My favorite is actually the grapefruit. You can get it at my favorite Apothecary! The Bonesetter Apothecary - link below!

https://www.thebonesetterapothecary.com/product/grapefruit-lemon-deodorant-cream/651

4. This is going to be TMI. But…if you have trouble with #2, this is your answer. It’s also very delicious, but helps me with my stomach.

5. You know you’re in the south when lunch has collard greens and sweet potatoes loaded with butter and brown sugar. Delicious!!!

04/04/2025

Thinking Thursday Thoughts

1. I love mugs and cups! My husband does not love this about me. But, I’m thankful I have the best co-workers who indulge me! A yellow sunshine cup and a big dill! Thank you 💕

2. Last weekend we went to a fundraiser for the Cedar Valley Volunteer Center. I bid and won an inflatable paddle board! I’m so excited! Bill…maybe not as much.

3. I have been thinking positive thoughts about money. And then $1.00 shows up in my yard. I mean, I won’t be retiring early, but I do believe it’s God way of saying, you’re good. I’ve got you.

4. This. I don’t trust people who don’t sing at the top@of their lungs in their car, or shower! There really is something therapeutic about it!

5. The first day of spring break I ended up with some sort of burn mark on my back. I think it was from where my swim suit was rubbing. However, as it healed, I started to see a butterfly. 🦋Maybe that’s what I want to see, but it looks like it to me! He’s always talking to us. ✝️

Something Better, My Darling

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