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…
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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…
Self Sabotage: How I Learned to Break the Cycles of Bad Habits
Self sabotage showed up big in 2020 for many of us. Food and alcohol and all the other things we tend to "over" do are quick easy soothers for hard…
A Bucket List: My 40 before 40
A bucket list is defined as a number of experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime." I prefer to define more simply as…
Living in Abundance: 5 steps to Loving What You Have
"If you look at what you have in life, you will always have enough. If you look at what you don't have in life, you'll never have enough." Oprah Winfrey.…
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 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…
Are You a Control Freak? 7 Ways to Cope with Anxiety Induced Control
Do you struggle with anxiety-induced control? Are there times where you feel like a control freak when things don't go your way? Is controlling anything you can, a coping mechanism…
Tolerant? 5 Ways We Can All listen to Each Other Better
The definition of tolerance is non-judgmental and open to difference; tendency to be generally free of prejudice. International day of tolerance is on November 16th, and I was just thinking…
The Ultimate Bon-fire; Thanks to My Brothers and Sisters of Camp Alvarado and Beyond…
It seems like another life ago, when I had a whole other family. Living on a compound in the middle of a desert far from home. In between flights and operations, a…
Right Path, Unknown Destination: Be Okay with the Unknown
Recently I started a journey with an unknown destination. I re-enrolled in graduate school to pursue a masters degree in an industry quite opposite from my most recent career. I…
Goal Setting for the Stage of Life You’re In and Utilizing Tools for Success
Goals, purpose, planners How do you feel when you think about goal setting for the year? Excited, overwhelmed, nervous? They sure feel overwhelming to me. I have so many thoughts…
Why is Healing So Hard? Five Pitfalls That Kept Me Stuck In My Healing Journey
When we deny the story, it defines us. When we own the story we can write a brave new ending. Brené Brown Why is healing so hard? If you have…
How Body Neutrality Taught Me to Appreciate a Body I Don’t Like
Every body is different. And yet I know I'm not alone in having this image of how my body should look. For years I've worked to love my body. For…
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…
Embarking on Growth: Purple Sweet Potatoes Brought Me Closer to My Grandfather
"Where there is no gardener there is no garden." -Wolfgang von Goethe . This quote reminds me of a conversation that my grandfather and I had after we lost my…
4 Things You Can Do When Your Best Doesn’t Feel Like Enough
I sat on the couch watching my daughter play with her toys; my eyes starting to fill with tears. Feeling overwhelmed and beating myself up for how the day had…
Your Past: How to Let That Shit Go and Move On!
I'm sure you've heard the saying, "the past is a lesson, not a prison" or something close to that. Dang, why did it take me fortysomething years to figure this…
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…
Four Disability History Topics That Should Be Taught In Schools
American history is the story of African Americans, Native Americans, women, immigrants, the LGBTQ and all marginalized people. The version of history taught in classrooms is often just one side…
Pantry Organization On A Budget: What You Need to Know
Let me be honest. I love organizing! Something about creating a spot for every item and knowing later that I can find that item gives me peace of mind. Now…
Hair Industry Sexism: How This Exists In a Female Dominated Industry
The hair and beauty industry is made up statistically of 77% female, and 19% male. So why do men still make 2% more than women? I've worked in this industry…
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…
Step Aside Pumpkin, These Fall Flavors Deserve Some Love!
Ah, the Fall! My favorite time of year! The air gets a slight crisp chill, the trees become a myriad of colors as sunset falls over them. We bring out the…
Beautiful natural autumn background. Red maple leaves against the background of the evening autumn sky. Shallow depth of field.
Let Go with Fall: 7 Ways to Change with the Season
My favorite season is here, welcome Fall! The trees are beginning to transition and it's time to acknowledge a similar change within ourselves. The changing seasons can be a guide…
Build Yourself Up: 5 Ways to be Your Own Greatest Champion
You must build yourself up if you are going to live the life you desire and find the joy you deserve. No matter the strength and number of your relationships…
The Power of the Pause: 5 Ways to Add a Little Space in Your Life
Pause. Feel your heartbeat. Take a big breath in and let your lungs inflate as full as they can. Pause and hold. Now exhale and let all that luscious breath…
Footprints Outlined in Wisdom: A Poem for the Heart
Footprints Outlined in Wisdom: Poetry by Natasha Ross Full Sun Full Moon, Full Sky, Full Bloom, looming at the end of summer. Drawings of your love fill my heart. courageously…
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…
Spite is the Enemy, Not the Woman Next to Me.
Successful women surround me and it's so incredibly beautiful until I get a knot in my stomach. It happens slowly, but then quickly. Spite blurs my vision and creates lies…
Good Credit: Why Women Need to Have Their Own
Do you think about your credit? When I was younger it never crossed my mind. What it was, how to use it, why it might be important. Or, most importantly,…
Four Things The Mental Health System Taught Me
I have been utilizing the mental health system since I was 10 years old. It was at that age that I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and Major Anxiety…
Hispanic Heritage Month – Mes de la Herencia Hispana
"Preservation of one's own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures."Cesar Chavez According to the United States Census Bureau, the U.S. population is roughly 332,693,997. About 18%…
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…
Best Business Practices to Keep Your Financial Records Straight for Your Side Hustle
You started a side gig, started making money, and now what do you do? I'm going to share some best practices on what to do first (even if you've been…
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…
Living in the Hard Moments When I Want to Eject
Navigating the loss of my dad a mere five years after the loss of my mom . . . there are no words. The strong desire to push eject from…
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…
It’s Preparedness Awareness Month! Where Do We Even Start?
Welcome to September! National Preparedness Awareness Month! I honestly didn’t know there was National Preparedness Month till around July when someone mentioned it on my timeline. Turns out it was one…
How I Learned to Redefine Charity By Tithing Time and Talent
Charity is defined by giving money to an organization that helps those in need. And it's true, money does help. Our amazing network of nonprofits within our nation depend on…
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…
Maybe It Is You: 5 Strategies to an Attitude Adjustment
It is no secret attitudes are powerful influencers and an attitude adjustment can dramatically change your experience. I have first hand knowledge of this and I have to warn you,…
Hate Cleaning? Find Relief in the Art of Slow Homemaking
Slow homemaking isn’t being lazy. It’s having the power to realize that you determine what needs to be done. The power to make your own space feel clean. It’s taking…
Plans Change, Focus on the Vision, and Keep Going!
I love it when a plan comes together... But let's be realistic, things rarely go to plan. Plans change. Being a highly creative and "attention-faceted" adult, I have a hard…
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…
Community Service: How It Helped Me Develop My Leadership Skills
The year was 20-ought something. I would tell you it was the fault of my red, 1991 Chevy Beretta. That car kept me in trouble! The Texas highway patrol would…
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…
Feeling Angry All the Time? 7 Reasons Why and What You Can Do
"Anger is often a secondary emotion."Azevedo Hanks Are you feeling irritable, short-tempered or grouchy? Maybe you snap (or want to) at everyone around you. Yet you don't know why you…
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…
Tips How NOT to Pass Your New School Year Anxiety onto Your Kids
Were you one of those kids that couldn't wait to get the school supply list? Run to the store and gather all those clean crisp notebooks and markers? Well, I…
24 Favorite Inspirational Quotes for Women to Empower and Uplift
No matter what stage in life you are in, let these 24 inspirational quotes for women help you see and know your worth. Life can get hard sometimes and as…
Summer Reading Book Club Ideas for Women From The We Spot
As things are opening up and people are beginning to reconnect, why not start a new women's book club? Meet with your current circle of friends. Create a new tribe…
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…
Losing My Religion: An Imperfect Journey to Finding My Faith Again
If you’re anything like me, the title of this article may have scared you away. Losing religion? Finding faith? Yikes. Religion can be a touchy subject; delicate at best, offensive…
How to Raise Chickens – Simply, and In Your Back Yard!
This spring, we got our first set of baby chicks from a local store. These are the first that we were raising ourselves, not with the help of my sister-in-law,…
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.…
Embracing the Fullness of Our Names – Unapologetically!
“What sets you apart can sometimes feel like a burden and it’s not. And a lot of the time, it’s what makes you great.” Emma Stone We identify each other…
I’m not Super Woman, I’m Anxious. – Why I do all the Things all the Time.
I often have people tell me, “You are superwoman. I don’t know how you do it all.” The reality is, I am not superwoman, I'm anxious. The truth of it is…
The Healing Process Can Be Messy: 3 Ways to Embrace It
Any type of mess makes me anxious. If my house is messy-even if I do not have the energy to do anything about it-it gives me physical anxiety. I start…
Where My Girls At? Cheers to the Low Maintenance Friends
This Is A Shout-Out to the Low Maintenance Friend. She’s been on my heart lately and I just wanted to take a minute to tell her how much she means…
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…
What is Juneteenth? Why This Holiday Deserves Recognition
To be clear, I am not a historian, or an expert in African American history or culture. I am a white woman and only learned of Juneteenth during my own…
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…
Suicide Interrupted; Finding Hope in the Pain
Please be aware that this article discusses suicide, rape, and abuse. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text HOME…
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…
Set up for Success: 4 Keys to Kickstart Your Business Finances
Whether you're a new business owner or you've been invested in your business for some time, we're going to review a few key items to ensure your business is set…
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.…
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…
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…
Spring: Moving From A Long, Dark Winter to Restored Hope
Awakened by tweeting and the singing of birds outside my window, my heart did a flip and my spirit soared. What a welcomed sound! It was the reminder I needed…
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…
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…
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…
A Love Letter To A Graduating Senior: Signed, a 30-Year Post Graduate
Dear Graduating Senior, I write to you as one who is now a 30-year post-high-school graduate. One thing I can say is: hold on---oh, what adventure and joy lay ahead…
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.
How Do Financial Experts and Vulnerability Fit in Your Money Journey?
Dave Ramsey, Robert Kiyosaki, Suze Orman, Jonathan & Amanda Teixeira, Crystal Paine, Jessica Turner, Holly Reid Toodle, Chelsea Brennan. What do all these names have in common? They are financial…
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…
Guilt Trippin’: Reframing Our Guilt for the Greater Good
Recently, I was chatting with a friend of mine. School had been cancelled for consecutive days in a row, thanks to massive amounts of snow dumped on our side of…
Afraid to Talk About Masturbation? 7 of Your Self Pleasure Questions Answered
Masturbation. Even the word itself conjures up discomfort for many women. The guilt, fear and anxiety that surround masturbation in our society is astounding. Of course this makes sense. Growing…
Calming the Noise of Social Media
We are certainly living in the digital age and it is more important than ever tat we are calming the noise of social media. To begin I wanted to say…
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,…
Celebrating Cinco de Mayo? Here’s What You Need to Know!
Cinco de Mayo! (“Fifth of May”) - the most widely celebrated Mexican holiday in the United States. Most people associate this day with tacos, tequila, sombreros, and serapes. Cinco de…
Are You a Multi-Passionate Opportunity Taker? 3 Things To Consider
What do you do? I uh, uh, I do, uh I do a lot... I have entered and left multiple career opportunities and I left a full-time job I enjoyed…
Expectations Got in the Way of My Happiness: How to Let Go of Control
Okay, I know what you're thinking. How can expectations get in your way of happiness? You have to have expectations to achieve more. How do your children achieve the high…
People Pleasing: Set Yourself Free From the Lies You Tell Yourself
It's subtle, people pleasing. The lies women are telling are often so close to the truth, so subtle that they go unseen, but they never go un-felt. Women are telling…
Self-Made…There’s No Such Thing! We’ve all Had Help Along the Way
There is no such thing as a self-made man. We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one…
Spectacular Gifts of Autism I Learned From My Undiagnosed Friend
The most kind man drifted into my life during my mid 30's. He was like no other. Tall, muscular, kind eyes, quiet and clean cut. He was a man of…
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…
April is Financial Literacy Month – Let’s Learn About Crypto!
You may have noticed a new question come up this year when you sat down with your tax pro Did they ask you if you bought or sold any digital…
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.…
Finding My Soul in the Garden: Digging for Healing and Health
Gardening has been the bane of my existence. I grew up in a very rural area of Iowa surrounded by acres and acres of corn and soybeans and alfalfa. The…
Getting Help is Hard; Not Getting Help is Harder
Mental health is a huge concern in our world today. Despite some advances, there is still a large stigma around mental health; especially around getting treatment. According to the National…
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…
Facing the Fear of Change: Why ADHD Makes it More Difficult to Navigate
Facing my emotions has never been easy for me, but the fear of change I would have to say is one of the worst. I don't like to sit with…
Money Fears: Face Them and Rewrite Your Money Story
Feeling unsure about your finances? You're not alone! According to Northwestern Mutual, 70% of Americans say their financial planning needs work. Together we can change that! Let's face those money…
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…
Buried In Our Something and Running from Sobriety
We all have something and sometimes we are buried in our something, running from sobriety. Your something might be grief. It might be alcohol or binge eating. Maybe it is…
Pan Haus: A Delicious German Breakfast Legacy – Recipe Included
The sun's bright beams flickered across my face. Savory fragrances wafted into the bedroom. My senses began to awaken. The aroma of garlic, onion, pork, peppers, and a variety of…
Tips for Preparing for Year End IEP Meetings
Attending annual IEP meetings can be difficult. With these tips for preparing for year end IEP meetings you will be ready to advocate for your child. Having IEP (individual education…
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.…
My Thoughts on Navigating Change, Endings & New Beginnings
Change is inevitable and the only thing that is constant throughout our lives. The world is always shifting and changing, even when we are not aware. I have a complicated…
4 Steps to Being a Successful Studier When You’re a Non-traditional Student
What is a non-traditional student? Basically, it means that you are over the age of 22 years old and did not go to college right after high school. That may…
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…
Stop Calling Yourself a Recovering Perfectionist: Perfect Isn’t Always Bad
I used to say it all the time. "I am a recovering perfectionist." What I really meant was more along the lines of, "Yeah, yeah, I know it's a bad…
A Letter to My Grade School Teacher: 5 Things I Wish You Had Known
I’ve been out of school for quite a while now. I’m considerably older than you must have been when I was in your class, but still depend daily on lessons…
Eat the Foods That Bless Your Body And Love Them: Recipes Included!
I Love Food! I am a foodie. Always have been, and always will be. I try not to let food determine my day, but I have been known to cry if…
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…
Why Are Daughters Critical of Mothers? Generational Feminism
A long time ago I told my girls, "I'm definitely not perfect so I am definitely going to screw up at being a mom sometimes! All that I ask is…
A Punching Bag and Boxing Gloves: An Unconventional Relationship
My first birthday after losing my mom, I asked my husband for a unique birthday present. A punching bag. There was so much emotion that had built up inside of…
In Honor of My Beautifully Broken Brain: My TBI Journey
March is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Month. My TBI story begins on a perfectly beautiful, bluebird-sky day in early February 2013. While driving my son's acting friends to their drama…
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,…
Living Away from Fear, Not Into It: An Unexpected Lesson in Courage
Not long ago, we stuck a for sale sign in our front yard, packed up the contents of our home for the last seven years, and decided to live away…
Do I Complain Too Much? 7 Things That Can Help
As I listen to my internal and external dialogue, it strikes me that I hear a lot of complaining. Coming from me. I'm the one doing all the complaining. So…
Women’s History Month: Women Who Empower Us
"People will forget what you said people will forget what you did but people will never forget how you made them feel." Maya Angelo Women In History Who Did Big…
3 Ways to Own Your Story, Unmask the Past, and Take Back the Future
A Different Kind of Mask Recently I found a series on Netflix called Imposters. Essentially there is a crew of thieves that create lives to leave their victims heartbroken and…
How to Mentally and Physically Practice Self Care
The term "self care" has become quite the buzz word these days. Though it is not what most people think. I wanted to discuss how to mentally and physically practice…
Where Have all my Adult Friendships Gone? How do I Make More Now?
Where have all my adult friendships gone? This is what I think when I'm cruising "social media" and I see pictures of the girl's weekends I was never invited to,…
You Can Heal From Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the symptoms that spark from it can feel defeating. Overwhelming. All consuming. Some days it takes everything out of you. I have Complex Post-Traumatic Stress…
Kindness: Make it Part of Your Legacy!
Perhaps the only legacy worth having is to have been known as a kind and compassionate person. -Unknown What exactly is kindness? A quick google search gives a simple definition;…
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…
Sarah Nicole Landry @thebirdspapaya
Body Image: How Birth Helped Me Heal After Abuse and a Lifetime at War with Myself and My Body
I was 20 when I lost my first pregnancy. I felt betrayed by my body, but at that point in my life, betrayal was all I knew towards her. My…
Why Try a Plant-Based Diet: Will it Help or Hurt Your Health?
What is a plant-based diet? A plant-based diet is meals planned specifically around foods that consist of plants and no animal products. Also, a plant-based diet is not the same…
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…
Extreme Self-Care: 3 Big Takeaways from 5 Days by Myself at the Beach
Due to a series of unexpected events at the beginning of the year, I had the opportunity to spend 5 days of extreme self-care by myself at the beach. I'd…
Apathy: Managing Emotions in This Uncertain World
Filled with a sense of indifference, I sat and watched as the young sapling's leaves rustled in the light breeze. Its small trunk swayed gently as the wind swirled around it.…
A Day in the Life of a COVID Long Hauler
COVID has changed most of our lives in one way or another. It changed our world in what seemed as though overnight. I know that there has been so much…
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,…
White Privilege Exists: A Privileged White Woman’s Perspective
Need a phrase to silence a crowd quickly? "White privilege exists." Seriously, try it. You will see people stop in their tracks. They will stop then look around and become…
Stuck in Your Own Head: What Your Daydreams are Telling You.
The inherent risk in tackling this topic is that you think I’m crazy, but I hope you think I’m brave. Anything less than bravery could not have brought me here,…
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…
The Aftermath: Pressing Through the Pain to Find Healing After Trauma
Warning: traumatic birth story detailed below. Please read on with caution as the material or descriptions may be triggering. Every January, as his birthday draws near, I have a tightness…
Seeing My Daughter in a New Light: Through the Lens of COVID
I was 26 years old when I birthed my daughter, the final child we were to have...the icing on our cake. She was, like her older brothers, a joy to…
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…
Say Hello to a New Space: 3 Tips to Prepare for a Remodel
There's a good chance you've spent more time at home this year. Perhaps you always knew you wanted to remodel. Or maybe being at home more has prompted you to…
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,…
Detox and Recharge! Self Care Spa Recipes to Make at Home
The wintery days are upon on us, and we are very likely still somewhat limited in where we can go and what we can do, due to the pandemic. So,…
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…
How is Time Management Part of Self-Care? Asking for a Friend
OK, time management has been my pride for more than a decade of my career life. As a self-confessed procrastinator, I dove into learning all the time management skills and…
Does Brain Health and Physical Health Relate: Can the effects be reversed to live a healthier life?
Turning 40 recently has me thinking more about the status of my health. Also where I want it to be at this stage of my life. My interest in the…
A Work in Progress: My Journey with Perfectionism and Toxic Positivity
Toxic positivity is a mindset that I am very familiar with. For years, perfectionism and toxic positivity plagued my thoughts and inner world. This way of thinking affected how I…
How Do You Know When It’s Time to Move On?
How do you know when it’s time to move on? Or to say no to something that you’ve previously said yes to? Are you a “Yes” Person? If you find…
Feeling Overwhelmed? 10 Things to do Right Now
Overwhelm is not a feeling most of us welcome. Our typical response to ever-growing responsibilities and demands is to do more and work harder, rather than take a step back…
Give the Dance Moms a Break, Choose Acceptance Over Judgement
In 2016, I became a “girl mom.” But I was determined never to become one of those "Dance Moms." I was already mom to a little boy. He was innately a…
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…
Considering a Job Change? What Opportunities Should You Consider?
How can you know when it makes sense to move forward into a new job opportunity? How do you know when it's time for a job change? Do you like your…
