When Celebration and Grief Collide
My daughter’s birthday is in November. As any mom, I get excited as her birthday gets near. But for me, her birthday is a time when celebration and grief collide.…
Everything is Backwards: Being Left Handed in a Right-Handed World
When you're left handed, everything is backwards. It's understandable that the world is made for right-handed people. Only about 10% of the population is left handed. But when you're a…
Learning to go with the Flow: Lessons Learned from my Family Vacation
I am not a go with the flow type of person. I don’t like change. Typically when things happen to force me to change in some way, I don’t adapt…
My Favorite Gluten Free Salad Recipes
Summer is a great time to enjoy a variety of salads. But unless you’re talking about a lettuce-based salad, it can be difficult to find great a gluten free salad.…
7 Things People with an Invisible Illness Want You to Know
Having an invisible, chronic illness is difficult. Honestly, that’s putting it mildly. The truth is, it SUCKS. Being sick is hard enough, but when you have an invisible illness, it’s…
The Importance of Clean Candles: How Your Health May be Affected
Most people are aware of the dangerous chemicals and toxins found in most household cleaning products, many makeup and skincare lines, personal health products, etc. There's plenty of information out…
I Hate Parenting My Kids: The Honest Truth
I recently read a blog where a mom shared her feelings about the difficulties of being a mom. She was raw and brutally honest. I related to her feelings on a…
Seeing Christmas Magic Through My Daughter’s Eyes
Christmas magic has always been prevalent in my family. My mother was a bit of a Christmas fanatic. She believed and I mean truly believed, in Santa. She swore the…
Gluten Free Solutions to Holiday Meals: You Can Still Enjoy Thanksgiving
Enjoying holiday meals after a celiac or gluten intolerance diagnosis can be difficult. I know personally those first few years I just didn’t eat that much because I didn’t know…
My Favorite Gluten Free Apple Recipes for the Fall
Since having to go gluten free several years ago, I’ve spent some time (and trial and error) trying to make my favorite recipes gluten free. This is especially true of…
Living Through A Home Renovation: 7 Things to Know
In the 14 years I’ve known my husband, we have spent more time living through a home renovation than living in a completed home. When we first met, he was…
Life as a Stay-at-Home Mom in a Pandemic: Not What I Signed Up For
Let me start by saying I LOVE my children! Becoming a mom was not an easy journey for me and there were times I thought it might never happen. I love…
One Year Into Quarantine: 3 Things I’ve Learned About Myself
I'll start by saying this quarantine thing hasn't been easy...at all. I have enjoyed some aspects of it and I've downright despised other parts. But I try to look on…
Trisomy 18 Awareness Day: Sharing My Family’s Journey
March 18 was selected as Trisomy 18 Awareness Day because it is the 18th day of the third month. I'm sure this is a day you've never heard of. Just…
My High-Risk Pregnancy & Journey with a Chromosome Abnormality
For women with a known chance of a high-risk pregnancy, finding out you’re expecting can be a terrifying experience. I am one of those women. It's difficult to share such…
Putting a New Twist on Annual Holiday Traditions
While gathering together for traditional holiday activities might not be possible this year, there are still ways to celebrate. It just may take a little creative ingenuity to put a…
Five of My Favorite Holiday Gluten-Free Cookie Recipes
When I made the decision to go gluten-free 5 years ago to help with my Rheumatoid Arthritis and digestive issues, it was extremely difficult. There are things I was really…
I am Tired: Confessions of a Special Needs Mom
I am tired. There, I said it. It’s not like me to publicly admit such a thing. I am strong and independent and I do my best to soldier on…
Preparing for Your Fall Family Photos: Advice From Photographers
I absolutely love having family photos taken, especially in the Fall when the weather starts to change and I start thinking about Christmas card photos. My husband would probably even…
Surviving School: Practical Advice for In-Person or Remote Learning
Parents are in an impossible situation when it comes to deciding what their children should do for school this year. There truly is no good answer. But we all have…
Enjoying the Slower Pace of Life
If there’s an upside to the up-side down world we’re living in right now, it’s the slower pace of life. Coronavirus forced us to sit still and stay home. Because…
A Parent’s Unending Love and Support
Having recently spent a week in the hospital with my daughter, I started thinking about a parent's unending love and support. Even now, as a grown woman and parent myself. …
We’ve All Said the Wrong Thing Before So Let’s Give a Little Grace
I’m the type of person who thinks about the times I’ve said the wrong thing over and over again. These comments will pop into my head sometimes at completely random…
Telling Your Story Can Be a Survival Guide for Special Needs Parents
“One day you’ll tell your story of how you’ve overcome what you’re going through now and it will become part of someone else’s survival guide.” -Unknown This quote resonated with…
Navigating Friendships Through All Stages of Life: 4 Things I’ve Learned
Friendships are hard. Period. Navigating friendships through all stage of life is hard, especially as life changes. When friendships are good you feel great, but when they come to an…