A Year Of Life, Love, and Resilience: Returning To My Vision

Hello Beautiful Souls! 🌸

A year ago, this blog was a dream coming to life. I planned, I prepared, and I wrote with passion, envisioning a space where stories would flow and connections would blossom. But as life often does, it threw me a curveball, and suddenly, my days were consumed by “what’s next?” instead of “what’s now?”

The Beautiful Chaos of Life

In February, we officially adopted our son—a moment of pure joy and love. It was a season brimming with adoption parties, dedication ceremonies, and heartfelt trips. I foolishly thought that after the whirlwind, life would settle.

Instead, it became a rollercoaster. March arrived, and with it came trips to the zoo, a magical Disney Cruise, and even a sunny escape to Florida. But in the middle of these joyful moments, life shifted dramatically.

A Family Battle

In April, my dad noticed a suspicious spot on his neck. By the time tests were done and results came back, our world had changed: stage IV Squamous Cell Carcinoma. From that moment, my role expanded beyond homemaker and mother. I became my dad’s appointment scheduler, chauffeur, and advocate, juggling countless trips to doctors, specialists, and treatment centers.

By September, he began the grueling journey of chemotherapy and radiation—six chemo treatments and 37 rounds of radiation. Just as we saw the finish line, October brought a devastating stroke. One moment, we were navigating radiation appointments, and the next, I was rushing him to the ER and witnessing the incredible speed of a medical team in action.

Through sheer determination and grace, my dad recovered quickly from the stroke and completed his treatments. But the results were not what we hoped. Cancer remained and had spread to his lungs.

Today’s Fight

As I write this, my dad continues to battle courageously. He’s undergoing a second round of immunotherapy, which, thankfully, shows promise. Yet, life remains uncertain. Currently, he’s hospitalized for pneumonia and blood clots, and while the road has been hard, he continues to be resilient.

Returning to My Vision

Through it all, I’ve learned that life’s seasons don’t wait for perfect timing. Homemaking, writing, podcasting—none of it looks the way I thought it would. And yet, here I am, ready to return to the vision I had a year ago, with a heart full of gratitude for all I’ve learned along the way.

I may not always have time to share perfectly curated homemaking tips, but I can share life—real, raw, and unvarnished. With that in mind, I’m excited to breathe new life into this blog. Mondays will bring new posts, alongside the resurrection of Unvarnished Mamas, the podcast I share with my dear friend Diana. I’ve also been brainstorming for my YouTube channel, and I’m thrilled about the possibilities.

Moving Forward

This blog is no longer just about homemaking or parenting—it’s about navigating life’s beautiful, chaotic, and challenging moments. Thank you for being here, for reading, and for walking this journey with me.

Here’s to what’s next,

Mana 🌸✨