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Showing posts from May, 2026

πŸ’™ Keeping It Real – Another Great Blood Sugar Day

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πŸ’™ Keeping It Real – Another Great Blood Sugar Day! πŸ’™ I am so excited to say that today has been another great day of blood sugar readings! Praise God! πŸ™ As many of you know, I have been working hard to make healthier choices and create a lifestyle change that I can live with long-term. This is not about a diet for me—it is about building a healthier way of life one day at a time. Now, I want to be clear that I am not a doctor. What I am doing is working for me and my body. I can share my experiences and what I have learned from living with Type 1 Diabetes for many years, but everyone is different. If you have Type 1 Diabetes or any other health condition, it is important to work closely with your endocrinologist and healthcare team. They know your medical history, and together you can figure out what works best for you. One thing I have learned is that nobody knows your body quite like you do. You know when something feels off, when something is helping, and when something needs to ...

πŸ’™ Keeping It Real – Living With Chronic Illness and Faith πŸ’™

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 πŸ’™ Keeping It Real – Living With Chronic Illness and Faith πŸ’™ Today has been a great day with my blood sugars. Yesterday was not quite as good, but after some troubleshooting, I realized one of my pump settings needed to be adjusted. Once I got that corrected, my blood sugars started coming down, and praise God they have stayed in a great range today. πŸ™ And that is even with working hard in my classroom yesterday and today, cleaning, organizing, and getting everything ready for summer camp to start on Monday. These teacher workdays have definitely kept me busy! One thing I want people to understand is that living and working with a chronic illness is possible. It just takes a little more planning, a little more effort, and a lot more patience. Many times people only see us showing up for work, taking care of our families, or going about our day. What they don't see are the blood sugar checks, insulin adjustments, doctor appointments, medications, fatigue, and all the behind-the-s...

Out with the old in with the new

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 πŸŒΈ Good Morning Everyone 🌸 Today and tomorrow are teacher workdays for us, which means it’s time to tear down the classroom, clean things out, get rid of what is no longer needed, and prepare everything for summer camp that starts Monday. As I was thinking about all of this, I started looking at it in a Biblical way. πŸ™ In life, God often calls us to clean out the old to make room for the new things He wants to do in our lives. And honestly, sometimes that can be hard. I know for me there are things I have collected all year long that are difficult to throw away because they hold memories, emotions, or comfort. But eventually there comes a time when we have to step back and ask ourselves: Is this helping me move forward, or is it keeping me stuck? Sometimes God asks us to let go of: Old hurts Old habits Old mindsets Old fears Old relationships And even old seasons of life Not because He is being cruel, but because He knows we cannot fully step into the new while still holding tig...

Beauty, Confidence, and Faith

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 πŸŒΈ Beauty, Confidence, and Faith 🌸 My Mary Kay Journey One thing I have learned through life is this—when you look better, you often feel better too. πŸ’• That does not mean we are trying to be perfect or look like the world says we should. It simply means taking care of ourselves and learning to feel confident in the skin God gave us. Today I wanted to share one of my favorite looks using some of my Mary Kay products that I have truly been enjoying lately. 😊 For this look I used: ✨ TimeWise 3D Luminous Foundation ✨ Loose Powder ✨ Blue Eyeliner ✨ Lipstick ✨ Setting Spray to finish the look I absolutely love how lightweight and natural these products feel while still helping my skin have a soft glow and polished look. And honestly, during seasons of grief, depression, health struggles, and stress, doing something simple like fixing my hair, putting on makeup, or taking care of my skin can really help lift my spirit and confidence. As many of you know, I have been walking through a ...

Faith, Confidence, and Beautiful Nails My Journey With Kleo Kolor Nails

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 πŸ’… Faith, Confidence, and Beautiful Nails My Journey With Kleo Kolor Nails One thing I have been learning through this season of my life is how important it is to still take care of yourself, even during hard times. Between grief, depression, Type 1 Diabetes, hypothyroidism, everyday stress, and just life in general, it can become very easy to stop doing the little things that make you feel good about yourself. But I have realized something: There is nothing wrong with wanting to look your best and feel good about yourself. πŸ’™ That does not mean vanity. That does not mean pride. It means learning to love yourself the way God wants us to. For me, one of those simple things has been doing my nails and becoming part of the Kleo Kolor family. πŸ’…✨ Honestly, I have been having so much fun trying different styles and colors. Some weeks I want simple and classy, some weeks I want sparkle, bright colors, or a fresh French tip look. And what I love most is how easy they are to use while sti...

There comes a time in life when God places it on your heart that it is time for a fresh start

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There comes a time in life when God places it on your heart that it is time for a fresh start. ❤️ For me, this season is about believing again, rebuilding, and trusting God to open new doors that no man can shut. I am stepping out in faith as I work toward purchasing a new home and creating a peaceful space filled with love, comfort, healing, and new memories. This journey is not just about a house or furniture… it is about starting fresh, letting go of the old, and walking into the new blessings God has prepared for me. I have started a GoFundMe to help with purchasing a home and the furniture needed to begin this new chapter. Every prayer, share, and donation truly means so much to me more than words can say. I believe God is making a way, even when we cannot yet see the full picture. Thank you to everyone who continues to encourage me, pray for me, and walk beside me on this journey of faith. πŸ™❤️ If you would like to support or share: https://gofund.me/6977212ac New beginnings can ...

Happy Saturday Everyone

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 πŸŒΈ Happy Saturday Everyone 🌸 Saturday is housework day over here πŸ˜„ I’m still working on staying on track with healthy eating and exercising, but I am also learning not to push myself too hard. With Type 1 Diabetes, hypothyroidism, and everything else my body deals with, I am learning the importance of balance, rest, and listening to what my body needs. Sometimes taking care of yourself means slowing down a little and giving yourself grace. πŸ’™ So today has been a mix of housework, trying to stay active, drinking my water, and keeping my mind and heart focused on the Lord. And honestly, one of my favorite things lately has been simply basking in the presence of God. πŸ™ Listening. Praying. Studying His Word. And paying attention to what the Lord has been putting on my heart. God has been speaking to me in so many ways during this season, and I am beyond thankful for it. I truly believe He is opening new doors in my life—doors I have prayed about for a long time. Some of those doors...

Well, let’s talk about losing weight, getting back into shape, and trying to eat healthier along the way.

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 πŸŒΈ Happy Friday Everyone 🌸 Well, let’s talk about losing weight, getting back into shape, and trying to eat healthier along the way. I know firsthand this journey is not easy. I have struggled with my weight for a long time, and during grief and depression, let’s just say taking care of myself physically became very hard. When you are emotionally exhausted and mentally drained, healthy eating and exercise can quickly get pushed to the side. Some days you are just trying to survive the day. But lately God has really been working on my heart about taking care of myself again—not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually too. πŸ™ I have also been blessed to have some wonderful women God placed in my life who have been encouraging me, praying for me, and helping remind me that this journey does not have to be walked alone. And honestly, encouragement matters. Sometimes just having someone say: “You can do this.” “I’m proud of you.” “Keep going.” can make all the diff...

Keeping It Real Grief, Parenting, and Holding On to Faith

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 πŸŽ₯ Keeping It Real Grief, Parenting, and Holding On to Faith πŸ’™ Hello everyone, I am sorry I haven’t posted in a couple of days. Things got extremely busy with school and everyday life, but I am here today and I have truly missed talking with you all. I pray you have had a blessed few days. πŸ™ Today I want to talk about grief. I know what it is like to lose parents and loved ones. The shock of losing someone when you are not expecting it is hard, and then you have to learn how to go through holidays, birthdays, and special occasions without them. It takes time, but somehow you learn to take it day by day with God’s help. But losing a child… that is a whole different kind of grief. As a mother, that child was a part of you from the very beginning. You carried them for nine months, watched them grow, laughed with them, cried with them, and walked with them through life’s good times and hard times. And when they are gone, a part of your heart goes with them. Today’s world is very dif...

Keeping It Real Healing From Rejection With God’s Help

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 πŸŽ₯ Keeping It Real Healing From Rejection With God’s Help πŸ’™ Let’s talk about another topic today that so many of us deal with—rejection. I recently started reading a book by Joyce Meyer and Ginger Stache called Healing the Wounds of Rejection, and honestly, it has opened my eyes in so many ways. As I have been reading and studying, I am starting to see how rejection has affected parts of my life from childhood even into adulthood. And I think a lot of us carry wounds from rejection without even realizing how deeply it has shaped the way we think, feel, and respond to life. Rejection can come in many forms. It can come from family. Friends. Relationships. School. Work. Church hurt. Feeling left out. Feeling unseen. Feeling unloved or unwanted. And sometimes people may not even realize the damage their words or actions caused. But God sees it all. One thing this book has really helped me understand is that rejection does not just disappear on its own—we have to bring it to God and ...

Diabetic Fatigue, Hypothyroidism, and Learning to Push Through With Faith

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 Diabetic Fatigue, Hypothyroidism, and Learning to Push Through With Faith There are some days when your body is simply tired. Not the kind of tired that a nap fixes, but the kind of exhaustion that reaches deep into your body and mind. The kind where even small everyday tasks can feel overwhelming. That is the reality for many people living with Type 1 Diabetes and Hypothyroidism together. I wanted to talk honestly about this because I know there are many people silently struggling with these same issues and wondering if anyone else understands. Living With Diabetic Fatigue Type 1 Diabetes affects so much more than blood sugar numbers. People often see the outside of us smiling, going to work, taking care of family, or posting online, but they do not see the constant work happening behind the scenes. Checking blood sugars. Watching for highs and lows. Counting carbs. Taking insulin. Staying hydrated. Trying to exercise. Trying to sleep. Trying to keep everything balanced. And even...

Keeping It Real Living With Hypothyroidism & Invisible Illness

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 πŸŽ₯ Keeping It Real Living With Hypothyroidism & Invisible Illness πŸ’™ I’ve talked a lot about living with Type 1 Diabetes, but today I want to talk about another health issue that affects so many people—Hypothyroidism. And honestly, I think a lot more people struggle with it than we realize. Hypothyroidism happens when the thyroid does not produce enough hormones for the body. The thyroid may be small, but it affects so much—energy, metabolism, mood, weight, sleep, body temperature, memory, skin, hair, and even heart health. When the thyroid is not working correctly, it can make everyday life hard. And the difficult part is… Most people cannot SEE it. They may see someone smiling and going about their day, but they do not see the exhaustion, brain fog, body aches, weight struggles, emotional ups and downs, or how hard it can be just to get through the day sometimes. It can make you feel worn down physically and mentally. And for people like me who already live with Type 1 Diabe...

Keeping It Real Why Is It So Hard to Ask for Help

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 πŸŽ₯ Keeping It Real Why Is It So Hard to Ask for Help? πŸ’™ Why is it so hard for so many of us to ask for help when we truly need it? For a lot of us—especially those raised in the South—it’s something passed down through generations. We were taught to “handle it ourselves,” “push through,” and “not bother anyone.” And while being strong and independent can be good, sometimes those old ways of thinking can also create fear, shame, trauma, and emotional walls that God never intended for us to carry. The truth is—it is okay to ask for help. πŸ™ I’m not judging anyone on this because I have struggled with it too. For a long time, I felt like if I asked for help, people would look down on me, think less of me, or judge me. But God has really been showing me something important: We were never meant to carry everything alone. The Bible tells us to ask, seek, and knock. It also tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Well, if we would help someone else we love, why are we so hard on ou...

Keeping It Real The Reality of Insulin & Diabetes Supplies

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 πŸŽ₯ Keeping It Real The Reality of Insulin & Diabetes Supplies πŸ’™ One thing many people don’t realize about living with Type 1 Diabetes is this— Insulin and diabetic supplies are not optional. They are life-saving necessities. Without insulin, a person with Type 1 Diabetes cannot survive. And it’s not just insulin. There are glucose meters, test strips, insulin pumps, CGMs like Dexcoms, sensors, needles, emergency low blood sugar snacks, doctor visits, lab work, and so many other supplies that are needed daily. Living with Type 1 Diabetes means constantly planning ahead. Before leaving the house, you have to make sure you have everything you need because emergencies can happen quickly. And honestly, this disease can become very expensive—especially for people without insurance. Even with insurance, supplies can still cost a lot out of pocket. There are families struggling every month trying to decide how to afford insulin and supplies while also paying bills and buying grocerie...

Keeping It Real Type 1 Diabetes Awareness

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 πŸŽ₯ Keeping It Real Type 1 Diabetes Awareness πŸ’™ There is something very important I want to help bring awareness to today about Type 1 Diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes can happen at ANY age. It is often diagnosed in children and young adults, but adults can develop it too. And one of the biggest misunderstandings about Type 1 Diabetes is this: ❌ It is NOT caused by eating too much sugar. ❌ It is NOT caused by lack of exercise. ❌ And it can NOT be caught from another person. Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease. This means the body mistakenly attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. People living with Type 1 Diabetes have to take insulin every single day to stay alive. It is a constant balancing act of checking blood sugars, counting carbs, taking insulin, staying hydrated, exercising, and paying attention to how your body feels. And even when you do everything “right,” blood sugars can still go high or low unexpectedly. It’s a daily battle many people do not see. I’ve liv...

Keeping It Real Making It Through Mother’s Day After Loss

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 πŸŽ₯ Keeping It Real Making It Through Mother’s Day After Loss πŸ’™ Mother’s Day can be beautiful… but it can also be incredibly hard when you’ve lost a child. This Mother’s Day has brought a lot of emotions for me. I miss my daughter deeply, and there are moments when the grief still feels very heavy. There’s an emptiness that comes with losing a child that never fully goes away. But by the grace of God, I’m making it through one moment at a time. πŸ™ And while my heart misses my daughter here on earth, I’m also thankful for the blessings God has still given me. I still have my handsome son, and I have three beautiful grandchildren that I love with all my heart. πŸ’• They bring joy, smiles, and reminders that even after loss, life still holds precious moments. Grief and gratitude can exist together. You can miss someone deeply while still being thankful for the people who are still here. That’s something God has been teaching me. Mother’s Day may look different now, but I trust that God...

Keeping It Real Trying to Organize a Small Space While Keeping My Health and Mind in the Right Place

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 πŸŽ₯ Keeping It Real Trying to Organize a Small Space While Keeping My Health and Mind in the Right Place πŸ’™ Living in a very small space can be challenging at times, especially when you’re also dealing with health issues, grief, stress, and everyday life. Lately I’ve been trying to organize my little cottage better and make it feel more peaceful and manageable. And honestly, sometimes that can feel overwhelming too. When you live with Type 1 Diabetes and other health struggles, clutter and stress can affect more than just your home—it can affect your mind, your emotions, and even your blood sugars. So I’m learning to take things one small step at a time. Not trying to do everything in one day. Not putting pressure on myself to make everything perfect. Just slowly creating a space that feels calmer, healthier, and more peaceful. I’m also learning that taking care of your mental health matters just as much as taking care of your physical health. Some days that means organizing. Some ...

Keeping It Real How Jesus Has Helped Me Through It All

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 πŸŽ₯ Keeping It Real How Jesus Has Helped Me Through It All πŸ’™ I just want to take a moment and thank the Lord for how He has helped me through so much. Life has not always been easy. Between grief, health struggles, depression, and everyday battles, there have been moments where I truly did not know how I was going to keep going. But Jesus has stayed faithful through it all. πŸ™ Even recently, I went through a 24-hour stomach bug last week, and with Type 1 Diabetes that can become scary very quickly. When you can’t keep food down and your body is already trying to balance blood sugars, things can go downhill fast. But thank God, my blood sugars stayed in a good range through it all, and my diabetes has actually been doing really well lately. And that may sound small to some people, but when you live with Type 1 Diabetes, stable blood sugars can feel like a huge blessing. It reminds me again that God cares about every detail of our lives—even the things people may not think about. I’...

Keeping It Real What Helped Me Start Healing

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 πŸŽ₯ Keeping It Real What Helped Me Start Healing πŸ’™ Healing after deep loss does not happen overnight. And if I’m being honest… there are still hard days. There are still moments when grief hits unexpectedly. There are still tears. There are still questions. But little by little, God has helped me begin healing. One of the first things that helped me was realizing I didn’t have to pretend I was okay. I had to be honest—with myself, with God, and with trusted people around me. I learned that healing starts when we stop hiding the pain. Another thing that helped me was staying close to the Lord. πŸ™ There were days all I could do was pray a simple prayer. Days I would sit quietly with worship music playing. Days I would read one Bible verse over and over just to make it through. And God met me there. Not always with instant answers… But with peace. With comfort. With strength for that day. I also learned the importance of talking to people who truly cared. People who listened. People...

Keeping It Real – Surviving the Loss of a Loved One to Suicide

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 πŸŽ₯ Keeping It Real – Surviving the Loss of a Loved One to Suicide πŸ’” This is a hard topic… but it’s an important one. Losing someone to suicide is a different kind of grief. It comes with deep pain, questions, and emotions that can feel overwhelming. And I want to say this first— If you have experienced this kind of loss… you are not alone. This kind of grief is real. And it matters. Something that is especially heartbreaking is how young many lives are affected. Suicide impacts people of all ages, but it has become one of the leading causes of death for young people—including teenagers and young adults up to age 20. That’s hard to even take in. So many families are hurting. So many parents are grieving. So many lives are forever changed. We may not always understand the “why”… But we can still choose to walk through the “what now” with compassion and support. πŸ’™ If you are grieving this kind of loss: Give yourself grace. There is no timeline for healing. You may feel sadness, an...

Keeping It Real – New Series Surviving the Loss of a Loved One to Suicide

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 πŸŽ₯ Keeping It Real – New Series Surviving the Loss of a Loved One to Suicide This is a hard topic… but it’s an important one. πŸ’” Losing someone to suicide is a different kind of grief. It comes with deep pain, questions, and emotions that can be overwhelming. And I want to say this first— If you have experienced this kind of loss… you are not alone. This kind of grief is real. And it matters. Something that is heartbreaking is how young many lives are affected. Statistics show that suicide impacts people of all ages—but it has become one of the leading causes of death for young people, including teenagers and young adults up to age 20. That’s hard to even process. So many families are hurting. So many parents are grieving. So many lives are forever changed. We don’t always understand the “why”… But we do know this— God is close to the brokenhearted. πŸ™ If you are walking through this kind of loss, give yourself grace. You may feel sadness, anger, confusion, even guilt. Those feeli...

Day 20 of Keeping It Real How I Keep My Faith Strong on Hard Days

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 πŸŽ₯ Day 20 of Keeping It Real How I Keep My Faith Strong on Hard Days Hard days come. Days when my body feels tired. Days when my blood sugars don’t cooperate. Days when grief feels heavier than usual. And I’ve had to learn how to hold on to my faith in those moments. First—I stay in God’s Word. πŸ“– Even if it’s just one verse, it grounds me and reminds me of His truth. Second—I pray, even when it’s simple. Sometimes all I can say is, “Lord, help me today.” And that’s enough. Third—I listen to worship music. 🎢 It shifts my focus off my situation and back onto God. Fourth—I remind myself of what God has already brought me through. If He did it before, He can do it again. Fifth—I give myself grace. Not every day will feel strong, but that doesn’t mean my faith is gone. Faith isn’t about always feeling strong—it’s about choosing to trust God even when you feel weak. And on the hardest days, I lean on this truth: God is still with me. God is still working. God is still faithful. πŸ’™ “Be...

Day 19 of Keeping It Real What God Is Teaching Me in This Season

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 πŸŽ₯ Day 19 of Keeping It Real What God Is Teaching Me in This Season This season of my life hasn’t been easy… but it has been full of lessons. Through grief, health struggles, and just everyday life, God has been teaching me so much. He’s teaching me to slow down. To listen more. To trust Him—even when I don’t understand. He’s teaching me that I don’t have to have everything figured out. That it’s okay to take things one day at a time. With Type 1 Diabetes, some days are steady… and some days are not. With life, it’s the same way. But God is still faithful in both. He’s also teaching me patience. Waiting is hard, but I’m learning that His timing is better than mine. He’s teaching me to take care of myself—spiritually, physically, and emotionally. To spend time in His Word. To rest when I need to. To do small things that help me feel encouraged. He’s reminding me that I am not alone. Even on the hard days… Even when I feel tired… Even when things don’t make sense… He is right there ...

Day 18 of Keeping It Real When You Feel Like Giving Up

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  πŸŽ₯ Day 18 of Keeping It Real When You Feel Like Giving Up Can I be honest? There are days when I feel like giving up. Days when my body is tired. Days when my blood sugars won’t cooperate. Days when grief feels heavy. Days when life just feels like… too much. And in those moments, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. It’s easy to wonder, “How am I going to keep going?” But here’s what I’ve learned… You don’t have to have the strength for the whole journey—just enough for the next step. God doesn’t ask us to do it all at once. He meets us right where we are. On the days I feel like giving up, I lean into Him even more. Sometimes it’s a simple prayer. Sometimes it’s just saying, “Lord, help me.” And He does. He gives strength when I feel weak. He gives peace when my mind is overwhelmed. He reminds me that I’m not walking this alone. Even when I feel like I can’t go on… He carries me through. So if you’re in that place today—feeling tired, discouraged, or ready to g...

Day 17 of Keeping It Real What I’ve Learned About Waiting on God

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 πŸŽ₯ Day 17 of Keeping It Real What I’ve Learned About Waiting on God Waiting is not easy. If I’m being honest, it can be one of the hardest things we are called to do. Waiting for healing… Waiting for answers… Waiting for doors to open… Waiting for things to make sense… I’ve spent a lot of time in seasons of waiting. Waiting through grief. Waiting through health struggles. Waiting for direction in life. And what I’ve learned is this… Waiting is not wasted time. God is working, even when we don’t see it. Sometimes He is preparing the situation. Sometimes He is preparing us. I’ve learned that waiting stretches your faith. It teaches you to trust God when you don’t have control. It teaches you to lean on Him instead of your own understanding. And that’s not always easy. There are days I want answers now. There are days I get tired of waiting. But every time I choose to trust Him, I grow stronger. I’ve also learned that while we wait, we still move forward. We take small steps. We do w...

Day 16 of keeping it real What People Don’t Understand About Living with an Invisible Illness

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 πŸŽ₯ Day 16 of Keeping It Real What People Don’t Understand About Living with an Invisible Illness Can I be real for a minute? Living with an invisible illness means people often don’t see what you’re going through. They see you smiling… They see you showing up… But they don’t see the exhaustion, the pain, or the constant battle going on inside. With something like Type 1 Diabetes, it’s not just physical—it’s mental and emotional too. It’s the constant checking, adjusting, planning, and worrying. It’s the highs, the lows, and everything in between. It’s doing everything right… and still having days where nothing makes sense. And sometimes, people don’t understand because they can’t see it. But just because it’s invisible… doesn’t mean it’s not real. Some days you feel strong. Some days your body says otherwise. But here’s what I’ve learned through it all… God sees what others don’t. πŸ™ He sees the strength it takes just to get through the day. He sees the moments when you push throu...

Day 15 of Keeping It Real

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 Yesterday I was down with what I’m pretty sure was a 24-hour stomach bug 🀒… throwing up, diarrhea, the whole thing. I hate I missed being on here, but I’m thankful to say—by the grace of God—my blood sugars stayed under control πŸ™ŒπŸ½ Looking at these pictures really had me in my feelings… from the way I used to check my sugar to how I do it now. From finger sticks and bulky meters to the —wow, technology has truly come a long way! It may seem like just “devices” to some, but to me it’s a reminder: God has carried me through every season—every high, every low, every learning curve πŸ’™ Even on the sick days… Even when my body feels off… He is still faithful. “And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee…” – 2 Corinthians 12:9 ✨ Grateful for growth. Grateful for health. Grateful for His covering over it all. #Type1Diabetes #FaithOverFear #GratefulHeart #DiabetesJourney #GodIsFaithful