I’m in my ‘30s and a mama of three. I probably seem like a super happy person most of the time. I love to laugh, sing show tunes, read novels, go on beach vacations and drink coffee (or wine) with close friends. I love writing, …
Widen Your Circle of Acceptance and Compassion
One of the best and worst days of my life is the day I resuscitated my son, Holden, from a near-drowning incident. Amelie, Holden, and I had met up with four moms and their children at a neighborhood pool. Once …
Something Better
When I met my husband, Alexis, he called himself an artist. During those pre-dating days, I often stopped by our college cafe where I knew I could find him transforming a blank wall into a European-looking street. When he painted …
The Biggest Question We Barely Ask Ourselves
I hear moms talking around tables with glasses of wine and cell phones in view, should a spouse or child at home need us while we are away for our few coveted hours, about what gives us purpose in life. …
How to Play With Your Kids (and Why It Might Be Hard Work)
Playing is fun. At least that is what parents think when we see our kids amongst piles of Legos and Littlest Pet Shop pets. Play is also something adults cease doing at some obscure point in time, replaced with responsibility, …
How to Build Your Family’s Unique Summer-Fun Bucket List
Summer is finally here. Thank goodness. But now you’re starting to hear increasingly urgent (and quite frankly aggravating) inquiries of “What are we going to do today?!? I’m so BORED!” If this sounds familiar, it’s time to take just 30 …
My Magenta Shoes
In almost every way I have chosen a colorless existence. A peek inside my bedroom closet reveals a sea of black and grey resting neatly on velvety hangers. My sofa, barstools and kitchen table are all brightly beaming in shades …
Advent 2017: Jesus Blew Up Mary’s Birth Plan
Prepare the way for the Lord. – Isaiah 40:3 “Call your husband and tell him you’re having the baby today,” said hospital person in charge of me. It was April 16 and six weeks too early, but apparently I was …
Three Ways to Introduce Hard Conversations With Your Kids
A few years ago, when my oldest was eight years old, I started noticing a subtle drift in our relationship. Typically a very open, talkative boy, he had stopped sharing as much about his school days, and acted as though …