Week In The Life™ 2026 | Friday

We have made it to the weekend!

Thanks so much for coming along with me on this adventure whether you are doing your own documenting or thinking about doing it in the future. I'm so grateful for the support to tell my own story of what is real for me right now. It's not easy to write about and I know it's not always easy to read either. The world is so full of heavy things.

And then there is the light. I absolutely believe it is all around me even as I sit crying in my car. I'm really looking forward to bringing my photos and words together in my album where I can tell a fuller story of week with additional context and a tiny bit of perspective.

Here's a look at my Friday:

Gratitude for all the years this table has been around. From tiny kids through teens and young adults, through "talking prison" parent/child conversations, birthday dinners, late night snack fests (many that didn't include me because I was already asleep), piles of laundry, homework, and so much more.

Gratitude for the color and scent of petals - and there are so many petals around the house - as the bundles I bring inside begin to reach their end.

Gratitude for him and his compassion and the ways we have learned to work together, especially when we reach our own individual limits.

Gratitude that I got a new laptop a month or so ago that has given me a little more flexibility and freedom to try to get work done when I can. Gratitude for a community that is showing me so much grace as I establish new routines.

Gratitude for this sweet friendship that has developed between Frida and Betty.

Gratitude for the stawberries that are on their way!

Gratitude to my past self for planting all these darn roses. I love that I can pick a big bunch and take them over to Mom + Dad.

Gratitude for friends who show up like family. Gratitude for acceptance. Gratitude for kindness. Gratitude for people who treat others with dignity and respect no matter what.

Gratitude for the sunshine and time sitting on the porch putting together yesterday's post after helping Mom + Dad get ready for their guest.

Gratitude for a much-needed Friday afternoon nap and chill time. It's hard for me to let the list go but man I had to rest and reset myself.

Gratitude for all our animals. Their love and comfort is priceless.

Gratitude for when she says "Want to watch a movie with me tonight?"

Gratitude for the in-between moments. The pit-stops during the day to chat about wall oven research and small fridges and kid schedules.

We went for years and years with pretty consistent shared kid schedules and we are now in a different season where it is much more about providing a place for anyone to land when they need it.

Rooting ourselves in what's important and trying to come back to that over and over again.

Gratitude for a movie and take out with Anna. Gratitude for some time for Animal Crossing in my big cozy bed after the movie. Gratitude for an evening reset.