Here are my top 7 tips for a less stressful holiday season. I told my mom, "Wow, the holidays are a lot of work as a grown-up!" Yes, yes they are - if you make it that way. The holidays bring on a ton of demands - cookie making, present buying and wrapping, budgets, debt, family get togethers, family drama, cleaning, parties - yes, a ton of demands. Sure, these things are fun but when all Read the full post >>>
How to prepare kids to face prescription drugs
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CollectiveBias #LICDrugDisposal I am a big believer in not hiding tough realities from my girls but I have been struggling with this one - how to prepare kids to face prescription drugs. I am excited to partner with LifeInCheck to spread the word about where to deposit leftover prescription Read the full post >>>
How we said goodbye to our family pet
As I start to write this, I am sobbing because of the loss I know we are going to face - I just made the call to the veterinarian to put our 12-year-old dog, Charli, down. As I type, she is laying down beside my chair - shivering, barely able to get comfortable, noticeably in some pain. Here is how we said goodbye to our family pet. Brian and I brought Charli home 12 years ago when it was Read the full post >>>
How to handle Mothers Day after loss
I wrote this post a few years ago right after Mother's Day. I can't say that Mother's Day is easier every year. However, my miscarriage has led me to treasure the people in my life even more. Here's to all the mom's out there who have dealt with loss. This weekend, I am praying for you. Believe me, I love Mothers Day but it sure is hard to handle Mothers Day after loss. After a miscarriage, Read the full post >>>
A note to my godson before his baptism.
On the two-year anniversary of my godson's baptism, I want to honor him. Here is the note that I wrote to him before his special day. Below is my note to my godson before his baptism. My godson is my nephew, Mason. Becoming a godmother is a job that I take very seriously and I am so very honored! Wow, being an aunt sure is different than being a mom, isn't it? Less stress and anxiety Read the full post >>>
Pain, loss, hope and life after a miscarriage.
This post was published several years ago back in June 2011. I am posting it fresh today because this loss is fresh on my mind and I am in the thick of life after a miscarriage. I am so excited to be working with two amazing friends and fellow bloggers, Kristi Dalnoky from Klover House and Becky Mansfield from Your Modern Family. We have been writing a book all about our experiences with Read the full post >>>
Have faith in something big
Us mamas gotta to have faith in something big. We are much stronger than we think. “Motherhood is more than a stage - itʼs a lifelong calling from God. With it He gives us hearts that love deeply, hands that serve tirelessly, and vision to see His blossoming image in the precious ones entrusted to our care.” - Author Unknown Do you ever stop and wonder, "Wow! How did I get here?" "Who am Read the full post >>>
First, I love you
First, I love you. My daughters, who I love to the moon and back seven million times, I love you, even when I feel completely overwhelmed. Before I get mad because you made a huge mess all over the house, first, I love you. I pray that I give you the respect to love you because you are so very little. Before I get mad because you yelled at your sister and pulled her hair, first, I love Read the full post >>>
Really good mama day and blueberry cobbler
Today was a really good mama day and blueberry cobbler had to happen. A day for the record books where I actually felt pretty sane. A day that I will look back on and remember. A day where I was so happy I was home all day with my girls. A day I felt like I made an amazing decision to be a stay-at-home mama. A day complete with amazing 75 degree weather, tons of time outside, burgers on the Read the full post >>>
All because I wanted time alone.
I walked out of the door and sat in my car. I took a deep breath. It is time for just me. I listened to silence as I drove to the store. I casually looked over my list, slowly crossing off my items as I placed them in my cart. Alone time is rare, but so needed. Moms need time alone. We know we need this. We are told to take this time. We have help available to us. We still don’t do Read the full post >>>