There are very few celebrities I idolize in this day and age (now…if we are to get into decades ago, oh Audrey Hepburn, Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin…the list goes on and on and on…you get the point and people like them don’t exist anymore. It’s a shame!) but one of them is HGTV show “Fixer Upper” host and creator Joanna Gaines. I have watched many episodes of Fixer Upper with Keegan, dove head first obsessively into Magnolia Network on Discovery +, read her magazine “Magnolia” every season and have even been to the Silos in Waco, Texas. No matter what creation of hers and Chips you read or watch, there is always the same “vibe” which can tell you everything you need to know about a person if you pay attention.

She gives those who are unknown a name and a voice when no one else would unless you were local and knew someone. Every detail is carefully decided with the thought of other people in mind, whether that’s helping them or giving them the recognition they earned. Selfless — the most understated description of Chip and Joanna Gaines. Yes, I told you, I am a fan!

I picked up her summer edition of “Magnolia” almost two weeks ago when we were shopping when we first made it to Missouri but until today, I haven’t had a chance to sit down and even glance through it, knowing it deserves my full attention.

This edition is entitled Flourish. That’s the theme. Every page (aside from the advertisements of course LOL) is part of the theme. It is well thought out and delivered seamlessly.

Among the many amazing articles inside, from “The Heart of Hospitality” to “The Power of Plants” to “The Great Fry Debate” (I mean waffle fries are superior, DUH!!), there’s a little something to uplift everyone! But there was one article that grabbed my attention. It was called “Have A Fun”. Maybe it was because it was not proper English (yes, I am a grammar nazi) but knowing Jo (not personally), there was a reason for the statement.

Joanna talks about taking life too seriously and forgetting to have fun, which we are ALL victims of, whether we want to admit it or not. She discussed about how at the beginning of every new year, she chooses a word to define the new year and she contemplates the possible word choices close to the end of year. I found that fascinating. But a saying her Korean mother says to her at the end of every phone call is “Don’t forget, Jojo, have a fun!” and it kept replaying in her mind as her word of the year. So that was her word to define the new year, to have more fun!

“That’s the other thing I’m learning about flourish — It’s a domino effect. When you see someone living out loud, all around the room, rules break. No one needs the permission, but they feel it — they can flourish too. You either jump in and follow someone’s lead, or you find your own corner where you thrive — whatever it is that reminds you that you are more than just sometimes remember. That the breath and your lungs is proof you’ve got more living to do. That the space You occupy on this earth isn’t meant only for work in toil, but also for joy and lightness.” – Joanna Gaines

This quote from the article really resonated with me. How many of us, whether you are a mom, a dad, A partner of a large CEO, vice president of a fortune 500 company, whomever we may be, how many of us say no or just don’t do the things that make us happy, give us joy, or feel alive because we don’t think we have time?

Especially parents, both moms and dads, we forget that we are people as well, Not just parents. That is where the depression, anxiety, resentment comes in to play is because we think we are now solely parents and no longer men or woman, or husband and wife. Society has taught us that it is not OK to have date night or meantime. We are willing to complain about it, we are willing to cry about it, but yet we are not willing to change that narrative. Why not change it?

Children learn mostly from what those around them do on a day-to-day basis. They were emulate their parents, their babysitter, their friends, because that is who they spend their time with. Children see all. Why wouldn’t we want to be the best people and the best parents because it is possible to be both, at the same time, for our children?

The clock doesn’t stop for anything. Why waste even a second on unhappiness? We always know how much money we have. We never know how much time we have. I don’t think we can afford to waste any time but we do it daily.

I love that this edition of Magnolia encourages people to flourish! At any age, the ability to flourish should always be an option. On page 32, there’s poem that I think everyone should read and take a moment to process the weight of truth behind it. Please read below.

Growth and change are necessary keys to happiness and joy. God knew YOU were needed here, on Earth, to make it a better place. The choices you make daily are either going TOWARDS or AWAY from your destined greatness.

Yesterday is gone. The past is gone. Today and tomorrow is a new day to make greatness possible. To be the person you are destined to be. Why would you choose against greatness?

God is good, y’all!

It is our last week in Illinois and we will be headed up north to Iowa for a few weeks. We have been in awe of the beauty Illinois possesses and we are so thankful that we have been able to enjoy its beauty! We haven’t done too much this last week like we had hoped but there’s much in store for the next few weeks so stay tuned (Peoria to the CAT museum (Keegan is like a kid in a candy store excited to go to this museum LOL) Chicago, Lake Michigan, etc.). Have a great week everyone!