Month: October 2026

What a fun trip we had to see Ruby in Tennessee, her new home!

We ate at this cute and delicious restaurant (twice!).

We got to tour her workplace and meet some co-workers. Everyone was so kind and said nice things about Ruby!

Josh and I spent the afternoon in a few home and art stores in Franklin.

We met Ruby for dinner and went to the mall. It was super nice!

Then a drive down Broadway, of course.

We ate at Biscuit Love for breakfast Saturday. Then, we went to downtown Franklin for a Pumpkin Festival. So much to see!

We met her friends for dinner and Jeni’s ice cream. They were so very kind and funny! I can see why Ruby enjoys their company.

And then we went to church with Ruby on Sunday. It was AMAZING!!! She is so blessed to be able to attend there. The bible teaching was solid and challenging and encouraging. And there was such life and excitement in the whole place.

And then we took her friends to brunch since we were out of church by 9:15!

I am beyond proud of Ruby. She’s moved to a new city and state alone, began a new job, made friends, found a church home, and is learning so much along the way. It is hard to leave her so many miles away though!! Growing up is hard on moms, too, ya know?!

We love our Ruby.

We get asked often who Molly and Ruby get their singing voice from. And we don’t know. I mean, we know for sure it isn’t Josh.

But what I do know is we moved to Charlotte in August 2016. Ruby was 12, Molly was 11, Mack was 9. We searched for a church here and never felt settled. So in the summer of 2017 we finally joined First Baptist Charlotte after visiting there because a work friend of Josh’s invited him multiple times.

We joined the church when the pastor stepped down to pursue politics. We wanted to be a part of what was next at this urban Uptown church in the heart of our city and only 6 or so miles from our home.

The youth group was not super large. There were several interns and the worship intern kind of asked if anyone wanted to help with leading worship. To my surprise, Molly volunteered!! This kid who had never sang in front of a group before and only had some piano lessons and taught herself a little guitar. Ruby joined in some too and each Wednesday night in a small room after playing Chubby Bunny or some other messy game, they would help lead worship. I was shocked each time.

Fast forward a couple of years, they decided they wanted to go to a local private school, and I happened to see they were holding chapel worship leader auditions, so I made the girls try out. Ruby was so mad. She did NOT want to sing in front of these strangers. But after about twenty minutes, they both came out beaming. They had made it! And they led almost every Thursday for their high school years.

Ruby wasn’t interested in pursuing singing or leading worship really. But Molly was very interested in it. Felt made for it. She tried out for Liberty Collective during college maybe 8 times? And got rejected each time. But she was never deterred!

She had several internships during the summers at churches or camps. One particular church had a man/pastor there who told her she was more of a distraction than a help in worship. He didn’t like her clothes either.

She cried in his office and called me. I told her to get in her car and drive home immediately. They could take the rest of that summer internship and stick it where the sun don’t shine. Josh, however, was calmer and more measured in his advice to her. And she took his advice and stayed put.

I still think I was right.

So imagine my pure joy when we learned more about Low Country Community Church where she got a summer internship that quickly turned into a year long residency! From the culture there to the worship staff and volunteers to the friends she has made, it seems like she is made to be there! I love how the old man’s preferences about what he thought worship should be threatened to squash her youthful zeal and energy for worship Jesus BUT GOD provided this amazing place and these amazing people to be a part of Molly’s story and growth. The encouragement she has received also fills my cup!

So let me share this link of their most recent Worship Night. It’s all good but Molly shares and sings about an hour and ten minutes in.

https://www.youtube.com/live/pFrfhLzCxvo?is=LNgpgzoXXSzGPit8

Click and enjoy!

I do apologize for the extremely long pause here on the blog. The summer just about did me in. I’m beginning to settle into my new HRT regimen, and I have had four consecutive nights of AMAZING sleep. Nevermind the fact that three of the four nights included pizza for dinner. If that was causal, I’m genuinely afraid of developing that habit. But seriously —a few extra pounds may be worth the luxury of sleep. I’ve never in my life had good sleep and with perimenopause entering the picture about seven years ago, sleep has only gotten worse. The whole world looks different after a good night’s sleep. Four in a row?!? I’m a new woman.

But let me see if maybe some photo posts could get me a little caught up. Bear with me….

Josh and I went to the Duke Classic football game. It was fun!

Josh and I went to Virginia for a work retreat. It was beautiful there!

Most of the rest of my photos are of Rolo. This dog is rotten!!

I found a photo of me with the kids many, many years ago. I think it was 2007–the year the iPhone came out and I didn’t have one. Photos were rare, so finding this was sweet. And a reminder that seasons change. If your kids are all under one roof, snap the pictures. And be sure to get in a picture or two! It goes so fast.

Ok—maybe I’ll blog more often? I suppose I should make no promises. But I’m hopeful I will!