Hello precious readers…
It’s been a minute since we’ve chatted, but I want to assure you that I have absolutely been thinking about y’all—usually somewhere between reheating coffee for the third time and wondering if it’s normal for a household to go through this many tissues in a week.
To say things have been a little chaotic in the Cantrell home would be the understatement of the year. We’ve had two sick babies—one in the hospital battling RSV (cue mama heart barely hanging on) and the other holding down the fort at home with the flu like a tiny, miserable warrior. So if you’ve been wondering where I’ve been…just picture me juggling thermometers, medications, and emotional stability like a slightly unhinged circus performer. Grace has been present, but let’s just say chaos has been doing most of the talking.
Now let me pause right here and give credit where it is so deeply due—my sweet husband.
Y’all…this man has been an absolute rock. Between the two of us, we have been burning through leave time at work like it’s a competitive sport. He took the night shift at the hospital, I took the day shift, and somehow—by the grace of God and probably caffeine—we held it together. We’d meet up in the hospital like two exhausted ships passing in the night, sharing parent a meal, swapping updates, and reminding each other that we are, in fact, still functioning adults.
And can we talk about church family for a second? Because WOW. Our sweet church stepped in and delivered dinners to the kiddos at home, and let me tell you—that was a lifesaver. A true, actual, “we might have survived on crackers without you” kind of blessing. Never underestimate the power of a meal train from church. It is love in a casserole dish, grace in a foil pan, and sanity on a paper plate. We are so incredibly blessed by our church family—they showed up for us in the most tangible, meaningful way.
Meanwhile, the kids at home held down the fort like champs. A little bored? Absolutely. A little stir crazy? Without question. And of course, because life has impeccable comedic timing, all of this unfolded during spring break. You know…that relaxing, memory-making time we all look forward to. Insert laughter here.
And my husband? Oh, he didn’t just stop at being emotional support and night-shift champion. He is also the official Cantrell family medicine man. I’m talking full operation: medications for kids, medications for pets, keeping track of who needs what and when like a walking, talking pharmacy. Breathing treatments for two babies, all day long—and he does it without complaint.
Well…mostly without complaint.
But truly, we could not have gotten through this without him.
But—deep breath—we are coming out on the other side, and friends…we are BACK. And somehow, busier than ever. Because apparently, that’s how this story goes.
In the middle of all this, I made a big, bittersweet decision. I recently resigned from my position as director for a local nonprofit—a role I’ve held since 2017. That chapter of my life has been nothing short of incredible. It stretched me, grew me, humbled me, and gave me a front-row seat to some truly meaningful work. It wasn’t just a job—it was part of our family’s rhythm. So yes, I will miss it deeply.
But (because there’s always a “but” in these stories, isn’t there?)…I’ve stepped into a new position at a local college, and I can already tell it’s going to be something really special. It’s one of those opportunities that feels like both a leap and a landing at the same time. There are benefits (praise be), new challenges, and—just a tiny teaser—a near-future promotion that I am very excited about. Stay tuned…you know I’ll be sharing all the details.
And now for the news that has had our hearts doing backflips for months…
After what felt like forever waiting, praying, hoping, and maybe pacing a hole into the floor—we can finally say it: our sweet little 10-month-old is officially, permanently, forever part of this beautifully chaotic crew.
He’s ours.
Even typing that feels surreal. There will absolutely be a full post dedicated to him—his story, our journey, and all the dreams we’re already dreaming for his future. Because trust me, it deserves more than a paragraph squeezed between flu updates and life changes.
And because life apparently believes in going big or going home…(drumroll, please)…
We’ve also heard that our newest addition (yes, new as in here’s your update) mayhaps will also be becoming a permanent member of the family too, we cant say any more at this time on that.
I know. I KNOW.
If you could see me right now, I’m equal parts overjoyed, exhausted, and wondering if I should just go ahead and buy snacks in bulk for the next 18 years.
So much has happened in the past month or two that I honestly don’t even know where to start. It feels like I haven’t talked to y’all in forever, like we’re long-lost friends finally catching up over coffee that’s definitely gone cold.
So here’s what we’re going to do…
We’re not going to worry about whether we’re starting at the beginning, the middle, or somewhere in the middle of the middle. We’re just going to dive in together.
So grab a cuppa, prop those feet up, and settle in.
Because if there’s one thing I can promise you, it’s this:
This ride?
It’s going to be absolutely, beautifully, hilariously insane.
And I’m so glad you’re here for it.
Love you all…send snacks 🤍