Of all the moments in my life, one of the most rewarding is waking up each morning to these three incredible girls. Watching them smile, learn, and grow is a daily joy. I try to teach them to put God first in their lives, to love deeply, and to be kind. Hearing them tell me “I love you” over and over is priceless. We make memories together that last—like our weekend visit to the Como Zoo.
On Friday, Mr. N took us on a “homeschooling field trip.” Calling our outings “field trips” seems to triple the girls’ excitement, and this time I was just as eager as they were. We’d visited the same zoo on our wedding anniversary, and the girls had been looking forward to going back. Because the weather is colder now, many of the animals were inside and not on display, but the conservatory attached to the zoo offered a rich alternative.
Inside the conservatory we saw a wide variety of plants. Some species reminded me of Africa—mango, papaya, orange, and banana trees were all growing under the glass roof.
The visit was also educational for me: I learned there are carnivorous plants that capture and digest insects to survive.
We spotted vividly colored frogs that looked almost unreal. Their bright hues are a warning: many of these little frogs are highly poisonous despite their charming appearance.
There was a room filled with palms where I couldn’t resist taking a photo. Standing among them reminded me of the Bible verse about the righteous flourishing like the palm tree.
We also saw bonsai—trees trained to remain small through careful pruning and care. Some bonsai specimens can live for hundreds of years, a testament to patience and attention.
I plan to return to that greenhouse throughout the winter to stay connected to nature when the cold months keep me indoors.
Other thoughts from this week:
The American election results:
The outcome of the American presidential election stirred intense emotion and debate online, and I saw many people caught up in arguments. It’s understandable to feel strongly about politics, but I wonder whether heated quarrels truly serve us. Fighting over who holds office can fracture relationships and erode the spirit of unity among friends and family. Ultimately, there are weightier matters to focus on: how we live our lives, how we love others, and how we prepare for the future beyond this world. Those questions deserve our attention every day.
I heart you:
Thank you for taking the time to read my posts and for leaving kind comments. I appreciate the chance to connect with you through these words; your support means more than you might realize.
Go forth and have a wonderful week. Wake up each morning determined to make the day meaningful. Remember: however hard things get, there is always room for hope and improvement.
That’s what’s up with me — how about you?