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…
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…
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.…
I know what you must be thinking. Procrastination is a bad habit that should be avoided at all costs. Perhaps you struggle with it yourself, putting off activities or chores…
The number of years I’ve spent hating my body is a sad testament to the times we live in. Practically from birth, we’re bombarded with messages that we’re supposed to…
On Saturday, I did the quintessential single-mom thing – I learned to mow my own lawn. I had put this off for a while. Why? Learned helplessness. Of course, I…
**First and foremost I need to issue a trigger warning for this blog. I’ll be discussing domestic violence and verbal and emotional abuse. If you or someone you know is…
According to Aristotle, the famous philosopher, "the essence of life is to serve others and do good." That's what volunteering is all about. By raising your hand, you can volunteer…
I'm in the grocery aisle and I witness an employee greeting a confused shopper. "Is there something I can help you find?" The customer is looking for a particular brand…
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…
I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about the subject of friends. Everyone needs them. Friends enrich our lives, give us a sense of community, and help ease the…
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.…
Let's take a trip into how to have a great day and a wonderful week. Life can be unpredictable. Sometimes, you wake up not feeling good, it's a struggle to…
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…
Summertime is finally here, and with that, our thoughts turn to vacation and leisure time. One popular way to travel, especially in good weather, is by way of automobile. But…
We are all magical beings by nature and manifesting a magical life you want is possible for you. As a mama of three, author, a small business owner and everything…
It is hard to know where to begin with what I have learned about formula feeding since April 2021. See that was the month that I launched a local nonprofit…
Prosperity can mean material wealth as well as non-material benefits. When all of my interests prosper, life is expansive, balanced, and satisfying. What does it mean to prosper? The year…
My whole life was spent doubting myself in every way. I didn't trust myself at all. I didn’t make any decisions without running them by a handful of people first,…
I know. I know. As women, sex can be the last thing on our lists. It was for me for a long time. By the time I was done with…
How often do you make self care a priority? If you are the average person, probably not very often. In this chaotic, high tech, fast paced world we live in,…
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…
Creating semi-mindless crafts is one of my favorite forms of self-care. Plant hangers, cheap craft store kits, or whatever sparks inspiration. In the same way, cleaning is immediately satisfying, creating…
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…
We are in an age when people are throwing around mental diagnoses like they're candy in a parade. Narcissism has been a word batted around a lot in popular culture.…
It happens all the time. Someone says or does something offensive and you're left feeling hurt and angry. We have a natural tendency to fight back, to seek revenge, to…
In an early scene from the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy reaches a crossroads on the yellow brick road and is faced with a decision of how to proceed. Her directions…
Can you spot what’s wrong with my chandelier? Yep, it’s missing a lightbulb. Do you ever feel like you're something gorgeous that’s just missing a lightbulb moment? Projects in progress make me…
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’ve been feeling fragile and uneasy lately. With so much going on in the world, and in my personal life, it’s been a challenge to find peace. I know that…
"And" is a very small word that can wield a lot of power. Let's embrace those three letters as a word of connection, inclusivity, and gathering. Uniting and including are…
Because this is my first blog post with The We Spot, I wanted to introduce myself. But I’m not talking about your run-of-the-mill intro. I want to introduce myself in…
I’m transitioning from full-time real estate work as an individual practitioner to a “next chapter” real estate model. This involves having Realtor partners join me in the process of helping…
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…
Do you tend to evaluate your worth in terms of your performance or achievements? Beat yourself up whenever you make the smallest mistake? Find it hard to relax and accept…
I heard the call of creativity early in life. My preferred creative mediums were Play-Doh, sheets and blankets to construct indoor forts, and producing plays in the living room. I…
When you pick up a book, seek out a podcast, choose a program, attend an event, typically you're interested in learning, growth, inspiration, and maybe some fun too. Before Covid,…
What the Heck is Intuitive Eating Anyway? As an Intuitive Eating Counselor and Coach, I get this question a lot. I’ve written a couple of other articles about Intuitive…
Winter completely kicked my ass. For whatever reason, once it’s dark, I’m done. The literal and figurative darkness of the season was exhausting. Even when there was inspiring weather, something…
I admit it, I'm prone to procrastination so with a little soul searching I came up with seven reasons why I procrastinate. If you're a procrastinator like me, don't be…
There was a time in which I felt really lost. When I didn’t know which direction to turn. When I wasn’t sure which way was up and which way was…
I Drove to the Store with My Heart Breaking... because I didn’t know what else to do. I’d learned in my support group for spouses of addicts that when my…
In a world where we see many injustices, inequities, and despair. A world that at times feels heavy, out of control, and out of hand. When at times it seems…
Are you an empath? Do you struggle with flying emotions and negative energy? Feelings and emotions are intense and everywhere, that is why I am here sharing these 7 survival…
It was cold, and I found myself complaining about it roughly every 15 minutes or so. My husband was getting tired of listening to my ceaseless whining. Even the cat…
If one more person calls me a “strong woman”, I might scream. Not that I don’t appreciate you considering me capable and mature. But would anyone mind if I took…
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…
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…
Advice once given: Saying it is hard is making it harder. And I agreed that actually calling something hard could make it feel harder and create a negative perspective. And…
Have you ever felt stuck? Like you are ready to step into a new chapter of your life, but you still feel stagnant? It is frustrating when you can feel…
Brrrr. It's cold and windy and miserable outside. Time to find a comfy couch, a cuddly blanket, a cup of warmth, and a remote control or book and stay inside…
Resolutions. Goals. Vision. Change. Growth. Have you struggled with sticking to resolutions? We often start the new year off with big goals tied to resolutions. According to this Inc.com article,…
“Grace is a power that comes in and transforms a moment into something better.” Caroline Myss 2021 began with much uncertainty due to the ongoing pandemic. Somehow, I (and I'm…
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…
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…
"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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
"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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
"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%…
"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…
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…
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…
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 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 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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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.…
“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 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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
“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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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;…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
“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,…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Ever since I was little, I dreamed about getting my degree in Social Work and becoming a therapist. I have lived through a lot and I want to be there…
2020...the year. Who visualized this? It's been something....how's that vision board holding up? Last year I wrote an article about designing your vision board for 2020. Touting its propensity to…
Empathy, forgiveness, and hope are gifts we can give all year long. Empathy Before I started my personal development journey, I wondered what the true difference between empathy and sympathy…
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…
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…
So, What did you accomplish in 2020? Yeah, we get it, it’s the end of the year and we are supposed to be gearing up for happy holidays and…
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…
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…
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…
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…
This year has been one of change and growth for so many. In order to end this year on a positive note I am sharing some ideas on changing our…
“Thank you for your interest, but unfortunately your post was not chosen this time around.” Those words were tough to read, and even tougher to swallow. When I started writing…
Old Before My Time I thought I was old at thirty-nine. Through no fault of our own, my husband and I had suffered a devastating financial setback that left us…
“Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.” Brené Brown Imagine, a 41-year-old woman…
Being a peacemaker is a lot of work. I’ve been trying to keep the peace in one way or another, with one person or another, for years. And in today’s…
Debit. Credit. Income. Expense. Revenue. Profit. Gross. Net. All the financial words that usually cause a feeling of uncertainty in the realm of money for those that are unfamiliar. Together…
Forgiveness, there would be no chance of it. I had danced with the devil, there would be no second chances. I can remember the morning just like it was yesterday.…
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…
This is a story of trying new things...and the regret of listening to others. It's probably a familiar story to some. Picture this: it's 2010 and I have just returned…
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. 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…
Have you ever read a Choose Your Own Adventure book? These stories allow the reader to assume the role of the protagonist and make choices to determine the main character's…
I set out on a journey about 3 years ago. A journey of stabilization and healing. At the beginning, there was desire to heal and get better but there was…
Halloween will most likely look very different than it has in the past and I think it is really important to try and have some kind of normalcy. I wanted…
So often we focus on the problem we have at hand, we obsess over why it happened. We complain, we vent, we get it off our chest. I do this…
2020 Can Take a Hike! So here we are, going into the home stretch of 2020. To say this year has been hard or unique would be an understatement. It’s been surreal,…
Many of us are never taught to feel what we feel. Instead, we're trained to ignore our emotions, to stifle them. We label them as "good" or "bad," celebrating the…
Months ago, pre-Covid, as I cleaned up after the gathering of friends we had hosted for dinner, a stack of dishes stared indifferently back at me from my sink. I…