Raised Free-Spirited: What is Religious Trauma?
As a child raised by two pastor kids, I've always said that I was raised free-spirited. Meaning that yes, I was encouraged to never limit my soul, but also that…
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…
The Mountain: Noise, Quiet, and Reconnection
I’m leaving noise behind me, seeking quiet and reconnection in the mountains, and preparing to enjoy the opportunity to reconnect with family and friends in what has become an annual…
Examine The Big Picture: Details or 30,000 Feet or Why Not Both
Have you sat in the window seat on a plane ride? That is my favorite seat. I love seeing the view from 30,000 feet. Sprawling greenery, mountains, rivers. It's amazing…
Sharing Your Life Story With Your Kids: Tell It Like It Was!
As much as we may love being mothers, there is so much more to all of us. We all have a story to tell. And because our children play such…
In Praise of My Husband on Husband’s Day this April
In Praise of a Husband? I can hear what you're thinking, this is a women's blog! I know, I know, but I want to spotlight how important men and husbands…
A Reminder to My Immigrant Parents – You Belong!
A few months ago, I was invited to a gala event for a local organization. I had the privilege of inviting my husband and mom, something I don't typically get…
I’m Not Biting My Tongue Anymore! Speaking My Truth: Learned From Kids
Speaking my truth, I'm a GenX'er and that comes with many things I'm proud of. We didn't get trophies much but the ribbons I earned from track are cherished memories.…
Done Trying to Be perfect: Allowing myself to be a B+ Mom
With the New Year upon us, the pressure to improve ourselves as a human and especially as a mom is constantly in our faces. However, I need to be honest…
Did You Really Lose Yourself as a Mom? Or Were You Lost Long Before?
We hear moms say it all the time… “I had children and I lost myself”. I get it. I’ve seen so many women in therapy who feel this exact same…
How Do We Safeguard Our Kids From Toxic Relationships?
It's in the media. It's on so many episodes of crime shows. Toxic relationships turned into domestic abuse. Families are ripped apart by the grief of domestic violence. How do…
The Lies and Truth of Marriage: Growing Together and Apart
The lies of marriage make it difficult to have a "happy" or "thriving marriage, the truth is we grow together and apart. Here I am learning how to let go…
My Daughter Is Getting Married and This Girl Mom Is Getting a Son
The milestones of being a girl mom and raising daughters is priceless. Parenting comes with surprises every turn. Imagine my new delight at the engagement of my daughter. A feeling…
Cutting: A Way to Remind Myself I Was Alive
Trigger warning! Please be aware that this article discusses suicide, self harm, and cutting. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at…
In Praise of Boredom: 5 ways boredom is good
Boredom: the state of feeling wearied by dullness, tedious repetition, and apathy. Synonyms include apathy, indifference, disgust, lethargy, and monotony. Thanks, dictionary people. What a downer. How can any of…
Deleting Social Media: How it’s Improved my Mental Health and Productivity
I finally had had enough. I deleted social media from my phone. The mindless scrolling was taking a toll on my mental health and my productivity. We read all about…
Mama, Never Give up. Keep Trying, Keep Going.
I sat down on the steps, exhausted, ready to give up believing things could get better, ready to give up trying. The feeling of fatigue covering my whole body. Wondering…
How to Have a Clean House: A Mom’s Guide to Peace With Your Home
I feel like a maid. I spend my day just cleaning up after everyone and I feel lost in the to-do list. I'm on Pinterest yet again trying to get…
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…
7 Tips to Set Healthy Boundaries with Our Relationships
"Being human is hard not because you're doing it wrong, it's hard because your doing it right." Glennon Doyle, Untamed How can we set boundaries in our relationships and especially…
Parenting Adult Kids is Hard: 4 Lessons I’ve Learned
It's been two years since my twins moved into college dorms and began "adulting" as they describe it. These years of empty-nesting were supposed to be relaxing and stress-free. I…
When Are You Going To Have Kids? Sensitive Topic Most People Don’t Understand
We recently flew to Minnesota and being a family of four we had one row with the girls and me, then my husband across the aisle. A seemingly nice woman…
Seeing Double: From My Baby Girl to Adult. 11 Things I Want You to Know.
"When we look at our big kids, we still see our babies, too. This double vision is one of the most profound privileges of parenthood. We gratefully turn to fresh…
To the Village-less Mom – I see you. I am you.
To the mom parenting without a village, I see you. I want you to know, I long for that close circle of support too. My husband and I are raising…
The Five Love Languages through Zucchini
The summer light is fading, the morning is starting to have creamy crispness to it, and our gardens are full of zucchini. This zucchini squash quandary is not new...it has…
10 Things My Toddler Has Taught Me About Life
I never expected to be sitting here writing this blog article. I knew being a mom would push and mold me but I did not expect to learn such profound,…
Kindergarten Is Calling: The Bittersweet Blessing of Letting Go
I’ve been counting down the years, watching them turn into months. Always keeping my eye on the proverbial clock that’s been ticking away since she was born. And now, according…
Overcome Family Guilt and Shame: 7 Ways to Stop Saying Sorry
Guilt says you made a mistake. Shames says you are the mistake. Guilt motivates. Shame annihilates. -Susie Garlick Do members of your family bring instant guilt and shame? Specific members…
How Do I Find My Fun Me Again? 5 Ways to Bring Your Smile Back
This past year has been heavy. Ok let's be honest, for many of us, it has just plain sucked! The pandemic, social unrest, dehumanization, political division, virtual school, it has…
The Ups and Downs of Entrepreneurship: How to Stay Balanced
The ups and downs of entrepreneurship are like riding Mr. Freeze at Six Flags. If you have a business or are in the process of starting your business, you probably…
7 Ways to Encourage Your White Children To Be Anti-Racist
My life is dedicated to working toward equity for all and speak, train and think about racism. I work to be anti-racist daily. I have been a parent for just…
Looking Back: A Letter To Share Some Mama Wisdom
Dear Mama, You are in such an intense season of your life with these precious babies. Diapers, sleepless nights, napless days, every bodily fluid imaginable. Juggling more than 1 person's…
Nine Things to Do When You Have an Empty-Nest
The day that all older women told me about arrived recently...my fourth and last baby has graduated from high school and will quickly be out on his own. While endlessly…
5 Fun and Simple Road Trip Games to Play with Your Kids
With summer comes lots of travel for some, and often by car. I am sharing with you today 5 fun and simple road trip games to play with your kids.…
Induction Birth Story — 5 Focuses To Turn Trauma Into Triumph
A year ago I went to my 40-week prenatal appointment alone, masked following pandemic protocols, but looking forward to the ultrasound to get to see my baby. I was not…
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…
Sorry Not Sorry: 13 Things I Will No Longer Apologize For
I spent a large chunk of my life apologizing. I have been sorry for everything. You ran into ME? Somehow it must be my fault. So often I was the…
Have a Successful Summer With Your Kids With a Bucket List That Actually Works
Summer is here and while it's fun to make a bucket list of activities- most families get to the end of summer and forget it. We end up a little…
Healing Childhood Wounds with a Letter to My Dad
Healing is in layers, healing is time. Healing is excruciating. Once you think it's done, it's not. Mary Demuth Father, dad, daddy, those names can bring a boil to my…
Life-Long Lessons From Camping and Our Three Month Trek (Recipes Included)
When I was young, my mother would take us camping just for a quick overnight in the mountains that surrounded my childhood home. She would load up the tents and…
Teenage school friends having fun piggybacking outdoors
5 Ideas to Keep Your Teen Active This Summer
Can you believe we are thinking about summer activities already? This summer more than ever it is important to plan some outdoor activities for your middle schooler. I am sharing…
Friends and Friendships…Healthy or Toxic? How Do You View Yours?
How do we view our friends and are our friendships? Healthy or toxic? Have you found yourself arguing with your friends after they've disagreed with you? Do you see your…
Unbecoming: The Journey of Unraveling the Weight of Perfection
I stand looking in the mirror. I am unmasked and starting the journey of unbecoming. It starts again though. I hear her breathing and speaking her bullshit behind my back.…
Stop Yelling at Your Kids: 5 Ways to Find Your Cool
A big struggle moms come to me with, as a mom mentor, is how to stop yelling at their kids. My answers and help always surprise them. It sounds like…
What is Gaslighting? How Do I Protect Myself From This Abuse?
Someone steps on my foot and I yell "ouch." The usual response from an empathetic person is, "I'm so sorry I stepped on your foot. "Are you okay? I wasn't…
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…
Our Teens Are Struggling; How Can We Help?
Our world is hurting right now. And I don’t mean just with everything with COVID the past year. We have been hurting for a while. One of the concerns that…
Adult Child Guilt: Quick Tips on Setting Boundaries With Your Capable Parents
What is your duty as a child to your capable parents? Is it your job to make them happy? What happens when you have guilt for wanting to lead your…
Excuses are Overrated – You are the Solution to all Your Problems
Here’s the thing I am most frustrated about as of late. Excuses. Excuses are overrated. When we complain about everything on social media, posting the houses you wish you had instead…
Three Pillars to Rebuild Confidence as a School-Age Parent
Admittedly, I’m lacking confidence as a parent at the end of this school year. Yes, school during a pandemic has been more than just confidence-shaking. But for me it has…
Empower Your Daughters: 7 Things I Learned The Hard Way
Everyone you will ever come in contact with knows something you don’t. You can learn from all of them, even if it’s only that they don’t belong in your life.
Redefining “Smart”: The Importance of Emotional Intelligence
“Emotional intelligence is learned and learnable by everyone; whereas intellectual intellect is not learnable. The daily practice of doing emotional labour is what develops emotional intelligences. In the beginning, the…
There is Beauty in Giving! But Do You Have Limits?
I write a lot about how the beauty of giving is a gift itself, literally and figuratively. What about boundaries or cut-off points to your extended hand? If you do,…
Give Voice to Maternal Exhaustion – A Story of Burnout, Betrayal and Fear
What does maternal exhaustion mean? Well, I knew that I needed to face this topic for the last six months. Instead of writing, maternal exhaustion has been where I’ve lived.…
Living Out Her Legacy: Five Life Lessons My Grandma Taught Me
I’m cuddled up under one of my grandma’s blankets. A Mendoza painting of hers is now hanging in my entryway, a statement piece I’d overlooked countless times when it hung…
Navigating My Husband’s Job Loss: God’s Way of Answering Prayers
We thought we were safe. Every day I would drive into our neighborhood and pray a thank you to God for this life he had given us. The neighborhood, the…
Grief: A Delicate State of Being of the Mind and Heart
Hello there and greetings to all who read this article. I hope and pray that everyone is doing well. That is indeed my hope for you. This article was going…
World Autism Awareness Day: The Spectrum of Life
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it is about learning to dance in the rain." Viviane Greene Today on April 2nd, 2021 World Autism Awareness Day,…
The Unexpected Sadness When Our Dog Died: 3 Things to Help your Kids with the Loss
Our dog died and I had no idea I’d feel so sad. I knew my kids would be sad to lose our pet, but I really didn’t expect to be.…
Hurry Up and Stop Growing: A Mom’s Clashing Feelings
Two of my husband's children are acting like a**holes. Sure, they're my kids too and right now I am shifting parental ownership to their father. I am sick of the…
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…
Raise ’em Up with Respect and Kindness
Something happened this year at school with my daughter that got me thinking about respect among women and girls. The simple concept of respect is the admiration for someone’s abilities,…
Black History Month- Acknowledging the Past and Fighting for the Future
As February comes to an end, I want to reflect on Black History Month. I believe that it is important to recognize that the end of this month does not…
Top 7 Tips for Women Home Buyers: Real People Helping Real People
According to an article in U.S. News and World Report, women home ownership is on the rise. 18% of home buyers in 2017 were single women, compared to only 7%…
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…
How Do You Raise Three Kids as a Single Mom? A Tribute to Wing Moms
I have been a divorced single mom now for 18 years. My three daughters are adults now. My former husband and father to my children lives out of state. Basically,…
Helping Little Humans Handle Big Feelings
The Blessing of Bonus Littles I’ve been blessed to be the auntie of two of the most loving, creative, kind, and unique kiddos (sure, I’m a little biased). My niece…
Time to Prioritize Heart Health — What Survival Teaches Us
Every woman should treat heart health as an important part of living. Why? Because heart healthy living means you understand the risk and preventative measures of heart disease and coronary…
Photo Credit: U Shine Photography- Jill Skoglund
The Universe Gifted Me a Special Needs Son
The universe gifted me a special needs son. He has a presence about him and is a bright light on my darkest days. The days I have lost all hope,…
What is Wrong with You? The Damaging Dynamic of Familial Toxic Love
A couple weeks ago I was out shopping with my daughter. We saw this awesome shirt (pictured) in the store Zumiez. I posted it on my story on both my…
My Dear Daughters, Always Remember That I Love You!!
“There’s no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.” – Jill Churchill I am a proud mother of three beautiful young ladies. Having all girls,…
Thoughts on helping your autistic child navigate the teen years.
The teen years with your children are typically a challenge, throw in a child with autism adding in further challenges. Today I am sharing some thoughts on helping your autistic…
Growing Pains: Letting go of Things That Leave My Soul Heavy
This past summer has been a summer of growing pains. I have outgrown people and things, but more specifically, I have outgrown things that leave my soul heavy. This…
My First Christmas in the U.S. – Holding On To Special Memories
My family and I arrived to the United States from Mexico in 1997, with just the clothes on our back and a handful of personal belongings. As a family, we…
Experiences Are the Ultimate Gift of 2020
If I’m being honest, I’m a terrible gift giver. I admire people who have a knack for selecting thoughtful, creative, and practical gifts. From the moment the radio stations start…
Reasons Why We Hesitate to Ask For and Accept Help When in Need
Do you find it difficult and are hesitant to ask for and accept help when you are in need? Why do some of us hesitate when it comes to asking…
Distance Learning: Educating the Heart Through Self-Compassion
How to educate has entered pretty much every parent’s home this year in a new way. As I write this I am embracing our third month of facilitating online kindergarten…
Black Mothers Matter: Addressing Deadly Healthcare Disparities
I believe that it is important to continually educate ourselves on the prevalence of racism that plagues our society. Recent events have created a new awareness surrounding the treatment of…
Family and Politics: Preparing for the Conversations & Potential Fallout
Our current political climate has been rocky and down right nasty. No matter your political affiliation, bitterness seems to be the flavor of choice for interactions between those that disagree.…
Life Lessons Learned From Beloved War Veterans
Veterans Day is always a day of great reflection for me. Growing up the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran and then later marrying a Veteran from Operation Enduring Freedom, I…
Music Makes the Mood; Our Dance Party Home School Hack!
Music. Just the word brings me joy and lightens my mood. What about for you? When the World Seems Heavy... I'm thinking sometimes we need something light, something just simple…
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…
Three Ways to Overcome The Challenges of Being a Caregiver
Being a caregiver can be very challenging and sometimes difficult to overcome but it can be done. On January 31, 2017, the rest of mine and my mother's lives changed…
Why Should You Care About Hispanic Heritage Month?
History of Hispanic Heritage Month The Hispanic Heritage observance began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to…
Embracing the Beauty in the Ordinary
I am once again reminded that there is beauty in the every day moments as I watch the sunrise while holding our 8 week old. It is the ordinary, every…
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…
Change: Transitioning Well Through the Different Seasons of Life
As she entered this world, she needed me to physically care for her every need. It was essential that she have me hold, change, feed, bathe, clothe, and nurture her. Then,…
Tips for Nurturing Your Special Needs Child’s Self Esteem
As parents we want to do everything we can to help our children grow and these tips for nurturing your special needs child's self esteem plays a huge role in…
Forget-Me-Not: Caring for Those with Alzheimer’s and Dementia
When I try to imagine what it’s like to have Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia, I think of the flower that represents the cause — Forget-Me-Nots. Though…
A Pandemic, Natural Disasters, and Politics, Oh My! 10 Things Keeping Me Sane Right Now…
The past 6 months have been unquestionably the strangest time in my life. It has been an unprecedented, unpredictable, and challenging time for the entire world. Not only have we…
A Warrior Heart: Her Birth Story
It is 3:42 in the morning and I can feel her warrior heart beating against mine. I am exhausted and my body aches. It’s been less than 24 hours since…
Three Ways to Know You are Making the Right Decisions for You
If you are like everyone else on the planet right now, you have a great pile of decisions to make. Should I go to the grocery store? Should I travel…
This is What we Want for Her: A Few Parting Words for my College Freshman
In one week we will move my only child into her college freshman dorm room. We will unpack, joke, arrange, laugh, bicker and organize. We will make sure she is…
The Gift of a Sister: The Journey of Togetherness
A giggle escaped from across the backseat of the crowded Ford Super Cab pick-up truck. An exasperated groan escaped my lips as, yet again, my little sister crossed the boundary…
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…
Dear White Parents of Black Children: Our Love is Not Enough
When I was in college I got pregnant with my daughter. I gave birth to her at the beginning of my senior year of undergrad. From that moment on my…
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…
The Valuable Lesson I Learned From my Autistic Son
"A child can teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to always be busy with something, and to know how to demand with all his might…
Birds Build Nests…Why Am I Nesting?
Mid-March I became a different person...a nesting person. Not only did I "celebrate" another trip around the magnificent sun, I also compulsively began to clean and re-clean and decorate and…
The Surprising Benefits of Conflict
Many people do not recognize the benefits of conflict. Instead, they avoid it at all costs. They've been trained to be nice, and conflict just seems so "ugly." Witnessing conflict…
In a Sleep Coach’s House: We Still Have Tired Nights
I do have to brag that my kiddos have been great sleepers from a very young age! But that doesn’t mean that we don’t have setbacks and tired nights here and…
Time Of Self Discovery During The Stay At Home Order
Over the last 11 weeks I have had some time of self discovery during the stay at home order. During the recent stay at home order many of us have…
Yelling: How to Get Your Message Across
Early in the lock-down, I realized that I had no area in my house to "take" my yoga class. Work was from home, college was from home, high school was…
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. …
When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned: We Adjust and Move Forward
The doctor glanced up at me after examining my daughter and gently explained, “We’re going to go ahead and make an appointment for her at the children’s hospital downtown.” Well,…
That Glamping Life: Trading in My Tent for a Different Kind of Adventure
I am a “glamper.” I have officially traded in my tent for the glamping life. There. I said it. My backwoods, backpacking, teenaged self-of-old would shudder to hear those words…
The Best Thing We Can Do for Our Children: Allow Them to be Themselves
“When you parent, it’s critical you realize you aren’t raising a “mini me,” but a spirit throbbing with its own signature. For this reason, it’s important to separate who you…
Creating your Support System by Educating Family on Autism
Now that you have an Autism diagnosis it is important to begin creating your support system by educating your family so that they can better understand and help support you…
Leaving Everything Behind and Living With A Void In Our Hearts
“We leave something of ourselves behind when we leave a place, we stay there, even though we go away. And there are things in us that we can find again…
Separation Anxiety in Children: How You Can Help
Raising kids is a high-stakes responsibility and in this age of social media and easy access to information about anything and everything, parents are easily overwhelmed with feelings of guilt…
Help and Be Helped: What Makes Accepting Help So Hard?
I love helping people. It makes me feel purposeful and fulfilled. Every time I’ve taken an Enneagram test, I’m a 2. “The Helper.” I want to bring meals to you…
Surviving the Adult Teen Years: One Mom’s Two Cents
One mom’s two cents to get you through those last few tumultuous adult teen years. Parenting is hard. Parenting adult teens is hella hardest. And those last few years will…
Don’t Like Your Family? Five Reasons Why You Can Stop Feeling Guilty
There is nothing wrong with you because you cringe at the thought of being around your family (or someone in your family). And, if you are feeling guilty about it,…
It’s Not Only Okay To Talk About The Hard, It’s Necessary!
"Vulnerability is our most accurate measurement of courage."-Brene Brown Life is filled with so many amazing moments. There is so much to celebrate, so much to be grateful for, so…
Cultivating My (un)Grateful Heart
My heart has grown quite disengaged and resentful of late. The world seems so harsh and unkind. Messages of hate and judgment, acts of cruelty and divisive language everywhere make…
The Magnificent Mundane: Finding Belonging From Your Line of Survivors
All the little moments that get lost when you are busy running the race to achievement. It's within these moments where belonging waits to be found.
Crapper Canvases: Lessons Learned From Bathroom Art
This reflection of the impact my mother’s bathroom decor had on my life lessons got me reminiscing on other lessons I’ve taken from crapper canvases.
Keep your Marriage Thriving: Tips for Special Needs Parents
Let’s talk about how to keep your marriage thriving, and some tips for special needs parents. Let's face it, having a good marriage does not come easily. Add to that…
Curb the distractions: Journey Together with 2 Techniques
Do 24 hours a day seem not enough to handle it all? You aren't alone. Balancing family and business while maintaining a sense of self is challenging. Add in social…
My Husband Annoys Me Beyond Belief: Five Reasons Why I Stay Married
I’ve been in a relationship with my husband for almost twenty-five years. We bonded over deep belly laughter and amazing sex. That grew into sharing our perspective and finding out…
Just One Child? Why People’s Family Sizes Are None of Your Business
In a New Year’s quest to declutter, my husband and I decided to sell our piano that had been sitting in our house collecting dust for more than a decade.…
You Reap What You Sow: How This Phrase Affected My Mindset.
There is an old proverb that mentions the idea of you reap what you sow. If you've ever heard this growing up, how did you decern it? When I heard,…
Empowered Women Should Not Equal Disempowered Men
I would say that I got onto my own path of empowerment in my early 20's. I was a single mom with my daughter for 8 years, went to college…
Love and Kindness Go Together: A Relationship Reminder
Love and kindness go together. They really do. In my 20 years as a counselor, I've been astounded at how many people say and do the most unkind things in…
Your Kids Are Going To Leave: Stop Expecting Them To Fill Your Needs
Our children are miracles. They make us proud, frustrate and challenge us and they teach us a lot about ourselves. However, they are not ours to keep. We don't own…
Holiday Money Blues: 4 Tips to Get your Finances Back on Track
Now that the holidays are over, and the first credit card statement shows up, gulp! Did you spend more than you planned? It happens to us all! I think especially…
Let’s Gift the Gift of Being Present: 4 Tips to Enjoy the Holiday Season
Creating a list, checking it twice, sticking to a budget, making sure the kids are happy and loved. It's easy to get so wrapped up in the shopping and the…
Celebrating the Spirit of Christmas; with the Giving of Tzedakah!
This Christmas season, I encourage you to celebrate the spirit of giving by embracing the Jewish tradition of Tzedakah! More Faith, More Fun! Our family gets the honor of having…
Holiday Memories: 3 Ways to Capture Them in Your Journal
This time of year I enjoy reflecting on my holiday memories, of a time when we all gathered around the tree to open presents or sat around the table for…
How to Be Alone for the Holidays — A Survival Guide
Being alone for the holidays is hard, so here are 7 tips to make it a little easier.
Pushing Pause: The Power and Gift of Our Presence
I’m unsure where this year went. It feels like just yesterday, my kids and I were filled with much anticipation and excitement for the return of our husband and daddy…
This Isn’t A Hallmark Movie! 6 Ways to be Present, Not Perfect, During the Holidays
If you know me, you know I really love a good, sappy Hallmark movie, especially a Christmas one. During the holiday season there's little I enjoy more than snuggling up…
Going for the Win-Win: Decision Making in Relationships
We value strong, healthy relationships, but nothing can damage them more than poor decision making skills. Whether it is a spouse, sibling, long-time friend, or business partner, we want to stay close and feel connected. Going for the win-win is the solution to this problem.
A Christmas Love Story: How A Dog Became My Greatest Gift Ever
All good love stories start the same way...a brain injury and cold noses. Get some hot cocoa and a snugly blanket and let me tell you all about the Christmas…
To Give or Not to Give: Showing My Kids the Real Meaning of Christmas
I wrestle with the best way to make Christmas magical while not going overboard. Every year I struggle: To give or not to give.
Pumpkin Pie Modified; An Ode to my Uncle John and His Delicious Recipe
Pumpkin Pie recipes are right on time this month. However, let me be honest, this wasn’t the article I had planned to write for this month of Thanks. I had…
Why You Should Be Throwing a Friendsgiving and How to Do It
It’s November so Start Planning: In the last few years we have had a Friendsgiving at our house with 6 of our closest friends and it’s something that I look…
5 Natural Ways to Manage PTSD- Simple Habits for Daily Life
How to manage PTSD in a healthy and constructive way can feel impossible. There are so many unknown things happening inside our brains that it seems daunting to try and DO anything about it. I hear you. I understand.
What Dancing with My Husband Taught Me
I used to be the girl who was afraid of dancing. I was afraid to be in front of other people and worried about what they might think. Picture this:…
Embracing Gen Z: Learning to Relate Across the Generations
Allow me to be brutally honest. I struggle understanding adolescents and the young culture of today. It is more than not understanding their eye rolls or deep sighs upon, yet again,…
Three Ways to Deal with Rejection and Live a Healthy Life
No matter what form it comes in, rejection carries side effects that can throw us off track. Rejection can take away precious moments with loved ones, distract us from doing…
A Letter to the Mama Who Didn’t Cry at School Drop Off
Dear Mama, I see you. Talking with your mama friends about your kiddos starting school this year. Them telling you how much they cried and didn’t know what to do…
Exposing the Myths About Life Insurance and Why Women Are Under-Insured
September is LIFE INSURANCE awareness month. You may have seen some of the #LIAM2019 posts on social media or on a poster at the store. It's a whole month dedicated…
Stop the Meal Plan Mayhem! 3 Ways to Make Meal Planning Do-able Even With a Busy Schedule
Raise your hand if you have a busy schedule and you find it challenging to get healthy meals on the table every night—especially ones your kids will actually eat! My…
The First Time Kindergarten Mama: A New Season in Motherhood
My daughter started Kindergarten this year and it really caught this Kindergarten Mama off guard. Not the typical feeling of how much I will miss her or how hard it…
What Happened to the Fairy Tale? Embracing the Reality of Marriage
This year my husband and I celebrated our 9 year wedding anniversary. That's 9 years of some hard work, let me tell ya. I'm not here to tell you about…
Family care and protection insurance concept
Life Insurance: A Necessary Conversation
Shh, Let's Not Talk About "That. . ." Life Insurance. Nobody likes to talk about life insurance. It reminds us of our mortality and that we won’t always be around…
The Art of Commitment- Lessons in Digging Deep
Glasses clinked together as cheers resounded throughout the room. Cake was cut, ice cream served as the committed couple were celebrated. Giggles bubbled forth around the table. Children and adults…
The Benefits of Scheduling Your Daily Life Uncovered
Why I Began to Schedule I was never taught the benefits of scheduling my days. No one ever mentioned that there was even such a need. And so I grew…
Show Up – Lessons in Showing Up For Yourself and Others
As the end of summer approaches, I have started hearing stories about heading back to college. It has reminded me of a lesson that I learned in college, but I…
Young woman and man studying for a test or an exam. Tutor books with friends. Young students campus helps friend catching up and learning. People, learning, education and school concept.
Dave Ramsey is WRONG: Learn a New Way of Doing Things
...well...not entirely. But, if he was the only one I continued to learn from in balancing my budget, then I would have lost an opportunity to grow in my ability…
Tips for the Sandwich Generation: Caregiving for Ailing Parents While Raising Kids
Many of us are caring for our parents as they get to an age where their health begins to fail or they are diagnosed with a chronic illness. In addition…
The Secret to Doing It All: Don’t! And Five tips to help you look like you Do!
People often ask me how I “do it all” or how I “keep it all together," and I’m just going to be honest from the start and tell you my…
My Reactive Behavior Almost Ruined My Marriage: What I’ve Learned
It's really hard to bring awareness to the parts of yourself that you don't like, especially when you hurt those you love the most.
When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned: Healing after Having a Baby at Twenty-Three Weeks
We are coming up on five years since having a baby at twenty-three weeks gestation. Every year, my processing takes off another layer from the pain of that situation. My…
My Sister; Lessons She Has Taught Me Growing Up
"Sisters are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly" -Unknown My Inspiration My younger sister Osmara was born with Bilateral Microtia,…
Summer Fun: 3 Family Friendly Fun Summer Activities
Summer is here in full swing! Our family is at first very excited for pool days, beach trips, warm sun, lots of grilling, and deck time. The sun stays out…
5 Ways to Utilize Social Media
During the summer months, there is an urge to change things up. Spend more time outside. Go on vacation. Experience longer conversations with loved ones. Catch up on reading. But…
Important Things To Consider Before Full-Time RV’ing
Have you ever considered downsizing what you own and full-time RV’ing with your family? There are some pretty amazing benefits of downsizing what you own. You will be able to…
6 Tips for Traveling with Young Children- Be Prepared, Bring the Fun!
No doubt, traveling with young children can be stressful and even overwhelming. However, over the last few times we have traveled, I have found a few tips that truly helped…
The Evolution of my (S)Heroes
Every kid wants a hero. Someone who is bigger, stronger, and more powerful, who will defeat the bad guy, and inspire them to be more. Often it is quoted that…
Military Wife Life: Tools to Survive the Constant Transition of His Career
The same day I chose this blog topic, I received a “heads up” that my husband’s name was at the top of a list for a deployment next year. He…
How I Conquered Mount Laundsuvius: Practical Laundry Tips For The Overwhelmed Mama
Mom life is laundry life, right? For the seven years I’ve been a mom, I have had a constant pile of laundry that needs to be washed, folded and put…
Surviving May: Advice from the Mother of a Graduate
May is always a busy month. Add to the mix a child in high school and May is just crazy. Make that child a senior and the month is insane.…
Family Fitness Outside: My Five Favorite and Easy Denver Area Hikes
Admittedly, I don’t do this enough with my own kids, but I am still a huge proponent of getting out into nature and experiencing our beautiful state of Colorado! And…
Ten Confessions of a Boy Mom- Defecting at it’s finest
I've made a list of my ten confessions as a boy mom, but I think it is important to note that I grew up in a family of all boys,…
Hey, I know you! New Phase…Same Family
Hello! It started innocently enough. We were two 19-year-old college freshman, and we only had eyes for each other. And, we had it badly. We could talk for hours about…
I No Longer Show Up For My Family
This one shift has helped me love those around me better. I am able to accept the humanity of those around me and allow that they are doing their best.