Life Lately and Showing Up—Even When It's Not Perfect

So it’s officially been over a year since I wrote that “I’m back!” post—and clearly, your girl did not follow through on making this space a regular thing. 😅 Life has been… a lot. Full, messy, beautiful, overwhelming—and I'm learning (sometimes the hard way) to extend myself grace, even when I fall short of my own intentions.

But here’s the thing: instead of doing my usual - sitting in the guilt of what I didn’t do - I’m choosing to show up today. Because it’s never too late to begin again. So—hi. 👋🏽 I really do miss this part of me.

You might be wondering, “So… what’s been going on?”

Honestly? A lot. I can’t believe it’s been so long since my last post. I’ve poured energy into my family, my friends, my patients, my students, and my advocacy—and while I haven’t written much here, I’ve been sharing little glimpses over on Instagram. That’s where I’ve managed to be a tiny bit more present, so feel free to catch up there if you’re curious about the in-between.

But let’s talk about 2025, because we all have to start somewhere.

At home, things are moving at the fastest pace imaginable. The Johnson household is a whirlwind of school runs, sports, laughter, and late-night chats. Nate and Isabelle are thriving, and I am doing my best to soak in every single moment. I didn’t expect to be having this much fun with them at this stage—and it’s been one of the sweetest surprises of motherhood so far.

Nate II is 16—a whole sophomore in high school (!!) and officially a licensed driver this week. This milestone hit me in the heart in so many ways. I’ve been praying over his safety and protection since the day he got his permit, and now here we are… He’s a careful, thoughtful driver, but whew—this mama heart is definitely feeling the stretch. Letting go just enough to let him grow, while still holding space to protect and guide. As we move into the summer, we are making college lists, planning football camps, and I am always thinking about the lessons I want to make sure he knows before he leaves us for college. This season is full of big emotions and even bigger prayers. 

Isabelle is 11 and absolutely taking middle school by storm! She is kind and brilliant and brave and all the things I wish I was at her age. This past year, we joined the world of travel soccer—and wow, what a ride it’s been. It’s a big commitment, but it’s been so worth it. She’s incredibly talented, and it’s been such a joy to watch her grow in confidence, skill, and teamwork on the field. Off the field, her heart for animals continues to shine. She’s still completely in love with all things animal rescue, and this summer, we’ll be turning that passion into action. Isabelle (and I—because, minors 😅) will be volunteering at our local Humane Society. She’s so excited, and honestly, I am too. Watching her step into the things she loves is one of the greatest gifts of motherhood.

One of the things I appreciate so much about this stage of parenting—raising a teen and a tween—is that we still genuinely enjoy being together. Don’t get me wrong, our days are often a whirlwind. Between practices, games, meetings, and the kids retreating to their rooms to do what teens and tweens do (phones, games, solo time), there are days I blink and realize we barely crossed paths.

But what I’m really proud of is how intentional we’ve been with the time we do spend together. It’s not perfect or overly structured, but it’s real—and meaningful.

Our spring break getaways the last two years have been such gifts. Yes, it was fun exploring somewhere new and going on adventures, but the true magic happened in the in-between moments—those quiet, connected pockets of time. Dinner conversations. Long car rides. Laughter for no reason. Just being together.

One unexpected highlight? Nate found this amazing deck of conversation cards called Talking Points, and we’ve started using them during meals. It’s such a simple thing, but it’s opened up new ways to learn about who our kids are becoming—what they care about, how they think, and what makes them laugh. This season can be so stressful, but it’s also full of sweet, sacred moments. And I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

And it is not just parenting. Marriage feels so different at this stage in our journey. This past April, Nate and I celebrated 15 years—and honestly, I’m still in awe of how quickly time has passed. I know it sounds cliché, but it’s the truth: marriage has not been easy. The day-to-day can be exhausting, and there were so many moments when we were just trying to make it through. But when I take a step back and really look at what we've built, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude.  Fifteen years of growing, evolving, and choosing to break cycles/be better—even when it was hard. I’m so thankful for the love that’s carried us this far. 

Oh, instead of ringing in 40 with a party, Nate chose to go skydiving. And I didn't freak out watching it happen like a thought I would #growth. 

These days, I'm holding space for both the joy and the stretch. The daily juggle of being a mom, physician, mentor, and human. The highs and the hard days. And I'm learning to say: "It's okay if I don't do it all. It's okay to start again."

So here’s to that—a fresh start, a soft reentry, and the reminder that presence doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be real. 

Thanks so much for reading—I really do hope to pop back in sooner than last time! 😅

I’ve got so much more to share, especially from the work front… you know, the doctor job that inspired this whole blog in the first place. 😂

So stay tuned—more updates coming (hopefully) soon.

xo,
Jasmine