A Valley. A Really Deep Valley.

I made a list in my phone one day and handed it to Coach and he said, '“Everyone’s life isn’t this insane? Just us?” We both laughed until I started crying. Honestly, friends: 2025 has been rough from the very start. But, God.

I feel comfortable sharing it now because I want everyone to know that we LITERALLY ONLY saw God’s hand in each step. (Our family had a LOT going on in their lives as well. However, I am only comfortable sharing OUR home. So while all of this was happening, we also had BIG prayers for family.)

I will start with the elephant in the room: We had a head coach change. If you’re not in the coaching life: Head coach changes often mean moves, school changes, interviews, selling houses, new everything. Coach and I prayed daily for God’s pick for the program. This could mean LOTS of changes for us. However, God’s plan.

The program hired a true blessing to our family. (I say this with Coach’s permission) Coach Cain (and Mrs. CC) have found the fire for football again. This football program is so close to our hearts. We LOVE our system and our schools SO SO much. Coach Cain’s heart has found football peace.

On January 1st, I had to have a new window in my Yukon. $500. No worries. Just money. We have our health.

February 1st: Our dog had some health issues. $2500. No worries. Just money. We have our health.

February 15th: Yukon needed work. $600. No worries. Just money. We have our health. God gave us some amazing church friends that we can call and they can literally save us from the side of the road and they are the most knowledgable car people EVER. We feel safe and confident when we send them our cars. God is so good! No worries. Just money. We have our health.

February-March: My favorite leader in the whole entire world/ my person/ my friend/ the person I want to grow up to be….. announces she is going to a different position. My principal that has been a TRUE blessing to my life, is leaving. You want to celebrate for your friends when they accomplish something, but MORE change? For someone who is fairly good with change, (Real Life Coach’s Wife Life) I just stressed and prayed my way through a new football coach. My heart hurts. I LOVE every minute of working with her.

Our new principal, a dream. A coach’s wife. I tell her I hope she is ready to fully embrace the job of my personal mentor, I require lots of pep talks and “life is going to be ok, Cain” reminders. God provided HIS best fit for the job. Sure, she has to run a school, but she has to be my life coach. (I say this kidding, not at all kidding.)

March: Coach’s truck has issues. God gave us amazing friends. They fix the truck. No worries. Just money. We have our health.

April: I asked Coach to change the bulb in my closet light one Friday morning. He takes the globe down, and sees it is FULL of water. Well, that is terrifying. We call our handyman. He fixes it with a $600 bandaid. He tells us we need a new roof. No worries. Just money. We have our health.

My BEST TEACHER BESTIE/ TEAM TEACHER applies for a new position. It is the perfect position for her. It is her literal dream, but requires her moving schools. I instantly start praying for God’s plan. She totally deserves this job. There is not a better person. BUT, I really don’t want any more change. Selfishly, I need her to stay. I need ONE small spot of comfort next year. Come on, I embrace change. I just don’t want to have to embrace every single part of my life changing. (God is really working right here. He is really telling me to lean on him.)

She gets the job. She is absolutely perfect for the job. I am so so so happy for her. I am so so so terrified for me. But, God.

End of April: The weather hits 95* It is HOT. We are at the beach and our house sitter turns on the AC. It doesn’t cool. We come home. We call a repair company. We need a new AC unit. No worries. Just money. We have our health.

May: I haven’t talked about this out loud, yet. If you are reading this, I didn’t chicken out and really decided to share my full faith.

I applied for a new job. I felt God telling me to apply. I prayed about it. I felt all of the pulls from God. I was really trying to be obedient. I had a list of reasons WHY I wanted the job. I had an even list of why I DIDN’T want the job. I got an interview. The principal would be an actual dream to work with, and in all honesty, she would grow me in a way I want. I found myself waking up crying. I found myself terrified if I did get it. I was clinging to scripture and praying, “If I felt so pulled to apply, and I feel so good abut my interview…. WHY do I feel terrified about this? God wants me to feel peace. He wants me to feel OK.” I will admit: THIS moment was when I fully found God. I applied because I felt God’s push. I learned SO SO SO much in this three weeks. I can’t put in to words how I was feeling. I kept looking back on how God’s plan is truly the BEST plan. I was reflecting on how beautiful God’s plan has been for our tiny family. It has always been perfect.

I didn’t get the job. For some reason, I only felt relief. I couldn’t put my finger on the feeling. I read scripture that night as I cried so hard because I was so confused: “ For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

God, I promise. I am being faithful. I promise. I am at peace with whatever the plan is. I fully trust you. But I need a minute to chill. Please. The Cains need a break.

One week later, I was told I had breast cancer.