Specialties and interest include: birth, parenting, health and wellness, style, personal finance, intentional living, home, food, and travel.
My Husband and I Almost Never Fight About Money — Here's How
I didn’t write my own marriage vows. At the time, I think I was too love drunk, lost in a fairytale of what might be. Looking back, in the midst of my dreaming, it seems I forgot a very important part of all fairytales — namely, the dark twists and turns along the path to happily ever after.
I remember staring into my husband’s dreamy eyes and making promises. All of which I intended to keep and none of which I expected would require much effort. We were in love, right? What on earth would we...
I'm 100% Confident in My Choice to "Redshirt" My Son
My son was born on a hot August night. Back then, it didn’t cross my mind that school decisions might be difficult; that there might be options to weigh and consider. I was focused on other things — all-consuming baby things — and kindergarten seemed so far off. Would it ever actually come?
Giving Each of My Kids 9 Minutes Every Day Was a Total Parenting Game-Changer
Am I doing enough?
That question haunts me much too often as a mom. Thankfully, it inspires me too. To be better, to research more, to be intentional. But still, I worry. Why? Well, because these days are so hard and so long and yet, so fleeting. And, because I’m a mom, "worry" is pretty much my middle name.
I recently lamented to a friend that one of my greatest mom worries is that I don’t spend enough intentional time with my kids. Like, am I doing enough to really connect? I mean, we are t...
8 books going to the big screen (or streaming) in 2020
Years ago I read the book "Serena" by Ron Rash. It was captivating. Set in the 1930s, it chronicles George and Serena Pemberton and their timber business. Serena is a force to be reckoned with and she is one of those fictitious characters that I just knew could bloom into a blockbuster.
And then, she did. Serena became a film starring Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper in 2014 (available on Amazon Prime and Hulu) and for historical drama lovers, it is gold. This book/film adaption left me e...
Thanksgiving side dishes that will make your guests extra thankful
Whether turkey or ham or another main dish will grace your table this Thanksgiving, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that it’s side dishes that really make the meal.
Perhaps it’s Aunt Sally’s famous yams or your sister’s special bacon-wrapped veggies...you know exactly what makes your mouth water as soon as the calendar turns to November. Personally, I could gobble down an entire plate of side dishes and completely skip the turkey! After all, who needs turkey when you can load up on all ...
The Very Amazing, Oh-So-Fun, Nugget Comfort
We have discovered the very best toy in the whole entire world! An impossible feat? Nope! Ya’ll the Nugget is perfect in so many ways!
Now, when you see the Nugget your first question is probably, “Is that really a toy? Isn’t it more like furniture?” Well, yes and yes
Have you noticed that kids gravitate towards many things they aren’t technically supposed to play with? Pots and pans in the kitchen, jumping on the bed or couch, turning cardboard boxes into vehicles and spaceships … kids love ...
In praise of the Bradley Method
I knew I was the kind of mom who needed a birth class.
I wanted to know everything leading up to labor and delivery. Knowing alleviated my fears. Understanding quelled my insecurities. To birth well, I needed to understand what my body was doing during each phase of labor. Even more, I wanted to learn how I could graciously welcome my baby into the world. I knew I needed some guidance to do it well.
The local hospital offered an evening class, a one-and-done kind of thing. The birthing center...
Subtle Marketing Tricks We Fall For Every Time
“Would you look at that? Buy one, get one free AND no shipping fees! Quite silly to pass up, no?”
7 Ways to Get Out of Debt Now
This author and her spouse paid off $85,000 in debt. Discover their secrets for getting out of debt.
5 Of The Best Disneyland Hacks To Improve Your Vacation
For my daughter’s fifth birthday, she and I took a trip to Disneyland—a girls-only getaway. And my, it was magical, just as Disneyland has promised ...
Secrets Of The Barista Life: 9 Coffee Tips They Think You Should Know
Who is the heartbeat of America? The barista of course!
Visiting Yellowstone With Kids
1994. My first trip to Yellowstone. I had just finished 1st grade and was greatly anticipating our adventure to a new part of the country ...
5 Reasons I'm Announcing My Pregnancy Early
All week, I've been craving steak. It may be a little early in pregnancy to have a legitimate craving, but this mama needed steak nonetheless ...
20+ Oatmeal Toppings That Will Make Back to School Breakfasts Extra Fancy
Oatmeal is a fall staple. The perfect breakfast to kick off back to school mornings.
I Don't Like Kale and Other Things Hippie Moms Shouldn't Say
This hippie mom is breaking all the rules!...