Cox & Kin

There's just something about the starting of a week. Mondays have a way of setting the tone - the turning of the page in your planner, a new rhythm, a quiet invitation to begin again. Around here, food is one of the ways we anchor that feeling. Whether it's a tried-and-true favorite (like the sausage gravy recipe I told you about last week) or something new we're experimenting with (like Mads learning to make her own Spanish Rice), a good meal has a way of pulling everyone together.  So today, we're starting something new at Cox & Kin: a weekly series we're calling Monday meals.  Every Monday, we'll share one recipe - sometimes a family classic, sometimes a new dish we've fallen in love with, sometimes something simple and comforting that fits right into the flow of everyday life. No seasonal limits, no strict themes. Just the meals we actually cook, enjoy, and return to again and again.  Some weeks it might be a cozy dinner.  Some weeks a breakfast we c...

Some recipes are written on index cards stained with years of use. Others are tucked into cookbooks with notes scribbled in the margins. Then there are recipes like GG's sausage gravy, recipes that live in memory, passed from one pair of hands to another and stirred often enough that no one needs to write them down. GG, whose name was Dorothy but whom we all called GG or Grandma, was my husband's grandmother. When I think of her, the first things that come to mind are card games around the table and her ability to cook amazing meals without ever measuring a thing. She had a way of knowing exactly how much flour, milk, or seasoning was needed without looking at a recipe. To this day, I still find that impressive. One of the recipes she taught me was her sausage gravy. What makes it special isn't a secret ingredient. It isn't a complicated technique. What makes it special are the memories and love attached to it. I can still remember her teaching me how to make it. ...

There's a special kind of magic that happens when the house gets quiet, the coffee table fills with scraps, modge podge, and the girls gather around with that spark in their eyes. You know the one... the "we're about to make something" spark that all girly crafty girls get. Last night, we leaned fully into that feeling and spent some time crafting D&D journals using the junk-journal method, and honestly, it was perfect.  We started with simple composition notebooks - nothing fancy, nothing expensive. Just the kind of blank slate that practically begs to be transformed. Then we pulled out all the things that brought us joy. If you are wanting to make your own, here are a few ideas you can use:  scrapbook paper old book pages stickers washi tape bits of ribbon fabric scraps stamps glue scissors little trinkets ink pads glitter At the end of the day, it's all about using what you have that speaks to you and what your minds eye likes on the page. Each of these thi...

If Night 1 was the spark, Night 2 was the moment the flame finally rose - bright, loud, and impossible to ignore. There's a different kind of anticipation that comes with the second night of SummerSlam. You're not just watching matches; you're watching stories reach their breaking point. You're watching rivalries settle, champions rise or fall, and the last echoes of summer wrestling ring out beneath the lights.  As always, we gathered for our PLE tradition - me, Ryan, Mack, and Mads all crowded around the coffee table here at home, snacks within reach and the room buzzing with anticipation. Angel and Chris joined us through Discord in our "In the Ring" channel, delivering their live play-by-play reactions and match predictions in real time. It's our ritual for every pay per view, and it makes each moment feel bigger, funnier, and more electric than watching alone ever could.  Coming into Night 2, the atmosphere felt charged - like every unfinished thread ...

SummerSlam always feels like the true heartbeat of wrestling season - the moment when storylines collide, rivalries peak, and the energy in the arena becomes its own living thing. Night 1 carried that familiar electricity, the kind that makes you lean forward before the first entrance evwen hits. There's something special about settling in for the opening bell, knowing you're about to witness the beginning of a two-night storm.   Before the first match even started, the tone was set: loud crowd, bright lights, and that unmistakable SummerSlam buzz.  There's nothing quite like the start of a two-night SummerSlam, and our home felt alive with it. We had our whole crew gathered - me, Ryan, Mack, and Mads all squeezed around the coffee table, snacks piled high, everyone buzzing with predictions and pre-match hype. Angel and Chrhis were right there with us through Discord in our "In the Ring" channel, firing off their live play-by-play reactions and bold match calls be...

  SummerSlam weekend is finall here - the two-night storm we wait for all summer long. there's nothing quite like the buildup to a premium live event, especially one stretched across two nights where every rivalry, every storyline, and every championship feels like it's teetering on the edge of something explosive.  In our hosue, the excitement is already buzzing. On Saturday and Sunday, we'll gather for our tradition: me, Ryan, Mack, and Mads all crowded around the coffee table, snacks at the ready, predictions flying. Angel and Chris will be right there with us through Discord in our "In the Ring" channel, delivering their live play-by-play reactions and bold match calls. It's chaotic, loud, hilarious, and absolutely perfect - the way SummerSlam is meant to be experienced.  And this year's card? Absolutely stacked.  Championship Clashes & Main Event Storms Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins This match might just be the hardest match of the entire weekend ...

 Summer has a way of speeding up just as my soul is asking to slow down. For years, our summers were a gentle mix of quiet days and small adventures, but lately they've taken on a fuller rhythm - wrestling schedules, Dungeons & Dragons nights, weekend getaways, and our annual Fourth of July trip to the Cove. It's a good kind of full, the kind that comes from traditions we love and people we want to be with. But even good fullness needs balance.  Somewhere in the middle of the noise and the fun, I've been learning to pay attention to the small practices that bring me back to myself. Music has become one of my anchors - soft background playlists while I write or work, something steady that keeps my mind from scattering. D&D nights and wrestling pay-per-views are a blast, but when I need grounding, I need something slower. Something quieter. Something that lets me breathe.  One practice I'm leaning into this summer is free writing. No structure, no pressure, just l...

 May moved in softly this year, almost unnoticed at first, and then suddenly full of moments that nudged our family forward in ways we didn't expect. It was a month of slow shifts - not dramatic, not loud, but meaningful in the way only quiet change can be.  If I had to have a song to describe the Month of may, it would be Slow Fade by Casting Crowns: We started the month celebrating Madison's 20th birthday, which still feels impossible to say out loud. We took her to Carolina Ale House , just the four of us, and the whole evening felt like a gentle step into her young-adult life. The most "Mads at 20" moment came right after dinner when she announced, with absolute certainty, "We need to go to Crumbl next..." Some things never change, and I'm grateful for that. She's also been thinking more seriously about her "adulting path, leaning toward taking the para-pro exam. Helping others comes naturally to her, and she's always had a knack for tea...

 April moved quietly, carrying a mix of celebration, tradition, unexpected sickness, and the steady hum that comes with everyday life. It wasn't a loud month, but it was meaningful in the way only a soft month can be - full of moments that remind us of just how God meets us in both the joy and the stillness.  This month actually began the night before it officially started. On March 31st, Ryan and Mack drove to Charlotte for her Christmas-gift concert - TWICE. She had been counting down for months, and sharing that night with her dad made it even sweeter. While the two of them were off to the venue, Mads and I had an all day Wicked marathon with Auntie Angel. Having this day to connect 1:1 with our girls set a warm tone as we headed into April. But it was more than just a warm tone... it was a reminder that joy often shows up in the things we plan for far in advance and then finally get to experience.  A few days later, WrestleMania weekend arrived, and with it one of our...

  As we wrap up March, the house feels full. Full of new characters, new stories, and a lot of gratitude. It's been one of those months where the weekends flew by, but the memories feel like they're going to stick around for a long while.  We started the month on a high note right here at home. Maddie and I had our Coffee Team rotation at Greenville First. While we missed our usual trip to the mountains, there eis something so special about serving our local church family and sharing that time together.  While we're talking about blessings, Ry had an incredible experience this month. He was gifted a ticket to see Phil Wickham with our dream friends, Matt and Crystal. It's always a joy to see him recharged by such powerful worship and great company.  Around the table If you've been following our "Kin" adventures, you know that we love a good story. This month, our tabletop gaming took a fun turn!  Homebrew Beginnings: I welcomed the Storm wreck Isle party b...

A note from the heart of me Life is full and beautiful right about now, and ruing this season of busyness, I'm needing to shift Cox & Kin to a gentler rhythm. As such,  will be posting one Month-in-Review post each month. this gives me space to be present with my family, my work, and the creative projects God has placed in my hands, while still sharing the heart of our home with our readers. February in Review February arrived with a mix of celebration, stillness, and a few surprises that only God could weave together. it was a month that reminded me how much life can shift in small, meaningful ways - sometimes through joy, sometimes through uncertainty, and sometimes through the simple act of paying attention.  Family moments that mattered this month held two big highlights for our family: Mackenzie's birthday and the excitement of WWE Elimination Chamber. Mackenzie's birthday was especially sweet. Instead of taking her out for Korean BBQ, I surprised her by making it ...

 Be still, and Know that I am God. - Psalm 46:10 Over the years, Sundays have become a sacred pause in our home. A day where pace softens and the expectations loosen. Even when we're not serving on the Coffee Team, the rhythm of getting ready for the day helps reset our hearts.  We settled into the usual Sunday quiet:   - Mads catching the sports highlights  - Ry catching up on golf news  - I took a few minutes to breathe  - Mack researched a bit about the Outer Banks Tonight I have D&D. No matter who is at the helm, it's funny how something as simple as a weekly game has become a thread that keeps our family connected across the states. It's community. It's creativity. And it's laughter woven into the beginning of a new week.  Where might you feel God inviting you to slow down today? 

  "We love because He first loved us." - 1 John 4:19 Saturdays are my exhale... no work... no meetings... just space to breathe. Well, that's usually the pace I practice. Today that rest blended beautifully with Valentine's Day. Instead of pressure or expectations, I lean into a celebration day rooted in grace. Love that doesn't perform or compare. Love that reflects the heart of my Lord.  This year, we chose to intentionally keep things simple. A shared meal, a few laughs, and a moment to acknowledge the ways we've grown over nearly 24 (woah did I say that) years of marriage. The girls add their own sweetness to the day and then we have D&D tonight.  Speaking of dungeons and dragons tonight, I will be the DM and I'm taking the party on a fun one shot adventure through the process of finding what happened to the post man and rescuing him then delivering the candy grams he was supposed to be helping to find their owners. I just love how love shows up in...

  "Let all that you do be done in love." - 1 Corinthians 16:14 Fridays always seem to feel lighter... the last stretch of the workweek... the anticipation of rest... the sense of exhaling. Today, I anticipate thinking about Valentine's Day and the small gestures that make love feel real.  A hand written note A favorite snack A message reminding how proud I am of the recipient Love you guys text messages to family afar Love grows in the everyday. It's built on the routines, the shared jokes, the forgiveness after long days, the dungeons and dragons nights that keep us connected across states. As I wrap up work for the week and look toward the weekend, I feel grateful for the ordinary love that fills our every day at home - we are imperfect. we are steady... and we are real!  What's one simple way you can show love to someone tomorrow? 

  "She looks well to the ways of her household." - Proverbs 31:27 Thursdays always feel like the quiet slide toward the weekend, and today I find myself noticing the house more than usual. Working from home means I see every pile. Every dish. Every corner that needs attention. However, instead of tackling everything, I focus on creating small pockets of peace. I like to call this putting out hotspots.  Turning on my wax warmer. Clearing one surface. Turning on the Tunes while I wrap up work tasks. These small things help anchor us. Especially with the family in a season of transition - Ryan with his new job. Mackenzie stepping into travel training. And, last but certainly not least - Mads navigating what remains of her gap year.  Homemaking is spiritual work. It may not be glamourous, but it's holy.  What is one small act that could bring more peace into your home today? 

"Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28 Wednesdays tend to carry their own version of tired. Some rely on the Great Camel when the to-do list grows, the laundry multiplies, and the week's weight starts to show. Today was one of those days where I felt stretched thin - not overwhelmed, just worn out. Balancing home, work, and the emotional load of guiding young adult daughters is absolutely breathtakingly beautiful, but it's also a real challenge some days.  Mercy shows up in small ways though. A quiet moment between meetings. a task I gave myself permission to push to tomorrow. A reminder that God has never, and will never, ask me to carry ALL THE THINGS alone.  Evening will bring just a bit of calm. We don't have dungeons and dragons tonight. Only a space to breathe... reset... and let my spirit settle. Sometimes that mercy looks a bit like rest.  Where do you need to receive mercy instead of pushing harder?   

 "In all things give thanks." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Tuesdays have a steady rhythm:  work during the day D&D with Red's Raiders tonight Today, I made a point to step out for a moment between meetings for a quick walk. It's important to let myself breathe outside of my normal routine. Greenville has this way of making ordinary moments feel just a tiny bit brighter. Maybe it's the friendliness of people in line or the way the foothills peek through when we are driving to and fro.  Joy showed up in small ways today: a productive meeting, the excitement of Ryan about his new job, a funny meme from Dr. Ponsia Bile in our D&D chat, and the anticipation of gathering for tonight with Uncle DM at the helm. All of these tiny things add up.  Cox & Kin has always been and will continue to be about noticing these everyday graces. The more I look for them, the more I find them.  As you went through your day, what ordinary moment brought you unexpected joy today?...

"Do not despise these small beginnings." - Zechariah 4:10 Mondays can feel like an abrupt beginning after a restful weekend, but today held a surprising number of small wins. Working from home as a Learning Manager means my Mondays are full of planning, meetings, catching up, and moving projects forward. However, I've learned to look for the tiniest of victories. This one action helps to make my day feel lighter and go faster.  a smooth morning routine a productive meeting a sweet message from Mackenzie excited about her upcoming travel agent training my sweet Turtle showing me a new Caitlin Clark clip she loved Even a quick check-in with Angel and Chris before they start their day in Wisconsin All of the above add just a touch of brightness and blessing to my day. These may seem like things to overlook, but I count them as small wins. They are the building blocks of gratitude. When I take the time to slow down and notice them, I realize how much God is doing in the backg...

"His mercies are new every morning." - Lamentations 3:23 Sundays always feel like a gentle invitation to reset. There's no rush to open my laptop, no meetings waiting, no deadlines tugging at my attention. Today carried that soft, sacred, quiet - the kind that makes space for reflection. As we got ready for church, I found myself thinking about how often God invites us to begin again. He does this not with fanfare, but with subtle nudges.  Greenville First Assembly not only welcomes me home, but grounds me. It may look like the family serving Reach Day, Ryan ushering, Maddie and I serving on Coffee team, or just attending. Today's service felt like a deep breath. With Ryan on the brink of starting a new job and the girls each stepping into new seasons of their own, our home feels like it's shifting in small yet mighty and meaningful ways. Sundays deliver the space to notice these shifts - to see where God is moving beneath the surface.  Later in the day, we had ou...

 Saturday mornings mean coffee and bible study in my house. The table is laden with books, notes, and my cup of caffeine. I have Angel on Discord and we are ready to roll.  There's just something grounding about spending time in the Word disconnected from technology where possible and just soaking in all He has for us.  In 2026, we are encouraged to optimize our time. But there's no way to optimize the Alpha and Omega. He is ever present in our lives and no time in his presence is ever wasted. We talk about the lessons He's teaching us. Our struggles. Our celebrations.  It's just our way of communicating not only with each other, but with our Lord and savior. 

  We've had a change in plans for the no-glow experiment. Friday nights in this house belong to WWE Smackdown. In 2026, they tell us we should spend less time in front of screens, but I'd argue that when the whole family - Ryan, the girls, and even Angel and Chris (from afar) gather around shouting at the TV, it's as analog as it gets. For us, it's not about the blue light. It's about the shared adrenaline. It's about the predictions. It's about the collective "OMG" when a finisher hits.  There's something special about the tradition of a Friday night match that brings out the best (and loudest) versions of us. it's the one time of the week where the mental load is put on pause and we just let ourselves be fans.  Tonight's vibe:  Snack status: Pizza and a veggie tray The house divided: Is it Cody and Randy or Sami and KO?  The memory: Looing over to see Mack and Mads just as invested in the storylines today as they were when Booker T wa...

 It's Throwback Thursday and in the spirit of Analog  Love, I've been digging through my books for the stories that shaped my own world before screens were everywhere.  Today, I put my Kindle and iPad away and pulled out Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein. It's worn around the edges, and has that old library pages smell. There's just something different about reading a physical book. You don't scroll, you physically turn the pages. You don't click, you lick your finger.  I spent a few minutes today just looking at the illustrations on the pages. It reminded me that even at 19 and 23, my girls still appreciate a good story. These days our stories happen through role play at the D&D table with dice deciding our fate rather than bedtime rhymes.  Challenge: Go to the bookshelf today. Pick up a book you haven't touched in five years. Read the first three pages out loud to whoever is in the room with you (even if it's just your pet).

 Part of Analog Love is actually listening to what the people we love are into. Today, Mack and I did a Playlist Swap.  I gave her a taste of what I've been looping, and she shared her latest kpop binge-worthy album. It's funy how music can bridge the gap between being 'the parent' and 'the person.' Mack's current rotation includes:  BTS Twice Kpop demon hunters MonstaX The best part of the day had to be catching one another humming a song from the other person's list. Music is the ultimate analog connecter, even if we are listening to it through digital means. I can't wait for Ryan and Madison to join our music swaps! 

With Mack's 23rd birthday in the books, it's time to turn our hearts toward our February goal: Analog Love.  In a world that wants us sucked in and scrolling social media every waking moment, we're choosing intentional family time instead. It's easy to say we "want" to be present, but this month, ,we're putting some 'intentional friction' in place to ensure it actually happens.  Our 3 analog intentions:  The tech basket at 7pm : All devices go in the basket on the kitchen counter until the next morning.  The table project : We're keeping a 'permanent' setup on the table this month. It may be a high-stakes game of monopoly, a quick card game, or a Lego building session, the goal is to have something tactile to do with our hands during family connection time.  The 'sticky note' exchange : Instead of texting a 'good luck' or 'thinking of you,' we're leaving physical notes on the refrigerator or bathroom mirror. ...

 Yesterday was all things celebrating our Mack-a-doodle-doo. Today the house is quiet, I'm back to work, and if I'm being honest, there are still a few stray dice scattered on our coffee table.  It's Groundhog Day, which feels fitting. In the world of family blogging, we often chase after the "new" and "exciting," but there is something so grounding about the repetition of February. The way the coffee pot sounds at 7:00 am, the way we reset after entertaining, and the familiar rhythm of a workday.  If we're stuck in a loop like Phil Connors, I'm glad it's this one. Today isn't about the big milestones; it's about the beauty of the mundane tasks that keep our 'village' running.  As we prepare for the rest of our week, what are your plans?

  Dear Mack, Today you are 23. It’s a strange and beautiful age—the threshold of so much "new." While the rest of the world might see a young woman starting her professional journey, I’m still here witnessing the "analog" heart of you that hasn't changed. In 2026, where everything feels fast and digital, I want to record the things about you that are wonderfully, stubbornly real: The "Music Catch": There is no better sound than your giggle when you realize I’m actually listening to (and enjoying) the music you like. It’s our own little bridge between generations. The Dungeon Master: I love your obsession with Dungeons & Dragons. Watching you build entire worlds with nothing but imagination, some dice, and a heavy dose of strategy is a masterclass in creativity. The Travel Agent Hustle: I’ve watched you quietly put in the hours, researching and preparing to help others see the world. It’s a "micro-milestone" that has turned into a massi...

 "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good." -Psalm 107:1 The last day of the month always feels like a threshold - one foot in what has been, one foot stepping into what's next. Today I am taking some time to look back over all the blessings that came in January. Not with a critical eye, but a grateful one. No month is perfect, but all months are full of God's goodness in ways we don't always recognize in the moment. i There are small victories, quiet joys, unexpected lessons, and moments of grace that carry us through harder days. Even challenges have a way of shaping us, reminding us of our dependence on God and the strength He provides. As I reflect, I realize how much beauty there is in simply acknowledging what God has done - not rushing past it, not minimizing it, but naming it with gratitude.  Greenville has a way of grounding me in this practice. The familiar drives, the cozy corners of home, the gentle rhythms of our days - they all remind me that gratitu...

"The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still." - Exodus 14:14 Some days feel uneventful on the surface, but they carry a quiet undercurrent of God's work. Today is one of those days for me - nothing dramatic, nothing particularly noteworthy, just steady rhythm of home and family life. But as I move through the day, I keep sensing that God was doing something beneath the surface. A softening here. A strengthening there. A gentle nudge toward trust. It's easy to overlook these subtle movements when we're waiting for big breakthroughs or loud answers. But scripture reminds us that God often works in the stillness, in the pauses, in the moments when we stop striving long enough to notice his presence. Greenville has taught me to appreciate this slower pace - the way the light shifts across the day, the quiet hum of ordinary life, the sense that God is near even when nothing big is happening.  Maybe today isn't about accomplishing big things. Maybe it is ab...

Some days don't come with big milestones or dramatic breakthroughs. They're made of small motions - packing lunches, wiping counters, and answering the same question several different ways. Choosing patience when you're running on fumes... It's the kind of day that rarely makes it into the family scrapbook, but it's the kind that builds a life worth living.  Lately, I've been intentionally noticing how much of our stories are written in quiet times. The moments when the room is silent. The things we do that no one else sees. The faithfulness that doesn't feel flashy or impressive, but matters so deeply it touches our souls.  There's a verse that's been echoing on my heart through all of this reflection:  "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the lord..." - Colossians 3:23 It's a reminder that the unseen things are not unnoticed. The small things are not insignificant. The repetitive things are not wasted. They...

  Here we are... 28 days into the new year, and what we would describe as the New Year Energy is finally becoming acquainted with the late January reality.  I used to think that if I wasn't hitting my goals at 100%, I was failing. However, this year, I'm leaning into the 80% rule. If the house is 80% clean, the laundry is 80% put away, and I'm 80% consistent with my new habits - I consider that a MASSIVE win.  Today is my Wednesday Vibe Check. We look at our intentions and realize that while we haven't mastered everything we set out to do, the intent remains. We are trading perfection for persistence.  Today's small win is simply that I arrived at a great idea for place name tags for our Bilbo and Frodo Baggins Birthday Bash later in the year. It may seem trivial to some, but knowing what I want to do and figuring out the supplies I will need to purchase to do it is huge for me.  How is your January holding up? Are you at 100% or are you happily joining me in th...

 Some seasons of life feel like they're defined by BIG milestones - the move to a new city, launch of a new project, start of a new Dungeons & Dragons campaign arc, the moments that make it into the family scrapbook. But lately, I've been reminded that the Lord often works just as powerfully in the small wins, the quiet victories that don't always get applause but still move us forward.  As we re-settle into Greenville and find our rhythm in our new apartment, I've noticed how much peace comes from celebrating the little things. A simple statement from my pastor "Welcome home" on my first Sunday back at GFC... A successful grocery run without forgetting the one item I actually needed... A moment of laughter around the table. A day when the kids get along just a little easier. A creative spark that turns into a new printable or fresh idea for a D&D session. These may not be "headline" moments - but they matter.  They matter because they're...