simply homemaker

Is writing a blog on a Thursday afternoon before midterm week the most responsible thing I can do today?

No. But it makes the most sense to me that when I feel like I’m just racing from one task to another, the best thing to do is to stop myself in my track, to take a step back, and to make sure I’m focusing on the right things.

2025 has been an odd year. Odd, but oh so good. I’m feeling 25 more and more every day. My priorities are straight. My checkboxes are checked, and I’m learning what I actually love and what I actually don’t. I’m more self -assured and just overall more selective of how I spend my time. I walked into Target today and walked out with everything I came in to buy, and nothing else. I keep certain apps on my phone for certain purposes. I go to bed at reasonable hours and get at least 7 hours a night. I drink water and take vitamins. I cook at home. I call my parents, my friends, and make sure I leave no message unanswered. I am comfortable driving kids in my car to a piano lesson. I seemed to have slowly arrived at this place, where suddenly all the things I have learned the hard way slowly fall into their rightful places, blessing me tremendously.

I really, really like the place I am at in life. Thank you, Jesus.

In all honesty, I’m in a season of transition, too. I’m working the job I dreamed of when I was 19 and I’m not sure anymore if it is the job I want to hold forever. I am graduating from my masters degree in just three months, and after having decided that PhD isn’t the right move, these might be my last months of school. Whenever someone asks me how long I’m going to “be here for,” I can only say: “until May at least.” I bake each week for my youth group and treat each youth group evening as my last: I give all my time and love and effort.

Virginia is still deep in the cold of winter, but I know, the sprouts are preparing themselves to come up and I would still not be prepared for that day when they all appear.

That’s what my season is feeling like right now. As God gradually fulfills his promise, I’m like a sprout, waiting and struggling and growing underground, knowing that when He allows, I might spring into something even I couldn’t imagine.

Life is fun lately – I got to go to the Bible museum with the friend I went to chapel with last Saturday, and got Vietnamese food out for the first time since I came back. One of the kids doesn’t know this yet, but tomorrow I am taking three Ruffin’s kiddos to a concert! I made a baked oatmeal and doubled my weekly baking last night so that I could make some brownies for Joanna, our resident gluten-free person. I started reading Narnia again, and that alone has been a real delight. I haven’t had to go into campus much because of the snow and President’s Day, and have really enjoyed time at home with the kids.

School has been good – I ended up convincing my visualizations professor to give some extra credits, which is something I always seem to be able to pull as a teacher’s pet over the years. My wrist/arm has been hurting and feeling a little off, so I’m going to see my doctor on Tuesday. It’s been making me a little nervous in the recent weeks, so I’d appreciate prayers for that!

Recently, I also am more intentional about the fact that I have anxiety. It seems to be something that I treat on and off over the years, and this is one of the most anxiety-inducing seasons I’ve been in. I am determined to trust God and not be anxious. Whether it is reading sweet books, or breathing exercises, or an occasional therapy session, or just time with friends and people I love, I am relentlessly going the opposite direction: gratitude and anxiety cannot exist at the same time.

I’m thankful today. Thankful for my family. Thankful for the Ruffin’s. Thankful to be finishing this degree I couldn’t even imagine myself starting two years ago. Thankful for my friends who I get to do life with. Thankful for the sweet little house that I’m living in – an answer to prayer and truly a dream come true even from the smallest detail.

I called my brother today and he said he might be going back to California this summer again. It’s also weird to have a brother who is going to be a senior in college just in a couple months. We’re growing fast, and time is flying. My parents and I already talk about our plan in December of 2025. Even though time at home was hard this past Noel, I know I want to go home if I can, this time for 2-3 weeks at most. I’ll keep everyone updated!

I am walking into this season open-handed, surrendered, accepting anything Jesus has in mind.

What are the things that make you feel like you’re dreading the year for? What are the things that move you forward with excitement and expectation? I hope this blog inspires you to dream for the spring, in small and big ways.

Love,

Tram