Spring break brought rainstorms, Vikings‑in‑training, a domestic war zone of spring cleaning, and the chaotic countdown to my Barnes & Noble signing. Between last‑minute flyers, triple‑checking inventory, and loading my Jeep like it was prepping for battle, it was a lot — but the milestone and the magic made every bit of chaos worth it.

The past year felt like rough seas for so many of us, from what I’ve seen and heard. I hope this post finds y’all steady, hopeful, and ready for whatever twists this new year decides to throw your way. The past few months were quieter than I intended — at least on the outside. If you follow my blog or social media, you probably noticed I slipped out of the loop for a bit, tried to jump back in, and then got swept away once again. Life has a way of rearranging our plans withou