Life can feel like a roller coaster at times. Some days are all sunshine and rainbows, and other days tornados and flash floods. It can feel difficult to get a grip when we’re riding the roller coaster, holding on for dear life, hoping our seat belt will hold out. Often times we let our happiness get caught up in the roller coaster. We place it in that little mesh pocket with our belongings hoping it will remain secure while we ride the hills and loops. And when the coaster takes a really crazy turn, we feel like we’re going to lose it. Continue reading “Unexpected Detours and Rainbows”
The Busted up Boots of an Everyday Hero
“You’re awesome, Dad!” our three-year-old exclaimed in Subway the other day as she hugged my husband tight. We looked at each other and smiled.
“You’re awesome, sweetie!” he replied with a twinkle in his eye.
“That’s a good daughter,” commented the Subway employee as he swept the floor.
“Yep. She sure is,” my husband replied still smiling at me. Continue reading “The Busted up Boots of an Everyday Hero”
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Never Be Ashamed of Your Scars – They’re Proof of Your Strength
There’s something about scars. We try to hide them, hope others don’t see them. There’s all kinds of makeup on the market to hide our physical imperfections. We modify images to make them appear perfect, free of flaws. It’s as if somehow our scars have damaged us, as if we’re now less than perfect.
And then there’s the scars you can’t see on the outside, the scars we carry within. We somehow feel we need to bury them deep down where nobody can find them, keep them hidden. Then we can go on about our lives carrying on like all is well. The problem is, if wounds are not given air, properly treated and allowed to heal, they fester and cause infection. Continue reading “Never Be Ashamed of Your Scars – They’re Proof of Your Strength”
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Performance Appraisals of a Stay-at-Home Mom
Transitioning from being a working mom to a stay-at-home mom has been an enlightening move. Something I quickly learned is there’s no-one to tell me whether I’m doing a good “job” anymore. It’s nothing like the workplace where you can pretty much get immediate feedback or results from whatever method you tried. Oh, yeah, that formula worked, or nope, try something else. It’s been a bit of a transition from the full-time workforce to home life. Continue reading “Performance Appraisals of a Stay-at-Home Mom”
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The Broken Road That Made a Mother
I’ve been thinking all week what to write for Mother’s Day. Nothing felt right. Too many overused cliches and sentiments. Then this. I decided to share the story of what set me on the path to becoming a mother. I didn’t used to want to be a mother – to have children of my own. For many years when people would ask when I was going to have kids, did I want kids, I answered with a confident, “No thank you. Not me. I’ll pass.” Continue reading “The Broken Road That Made a Mother”
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The Truth About Being Authentic
I’ve been doing some unexpected self-discovery this week. Or, you could say re-discovery. All because of a kid’s movie. That’s right. A kid’s movie. Some of the best lessons in life can be found in these little gems. Our family watched the Trolls movie last weekend. It’s a delightful show about a troll named Poppy who is an undeniable optimist at heart. She, like most of the trolls, loves to sing and dance and hug, and she has an uncanny ability to look on the bright side of everything and believe things will always work out for the best. Continue reading “The Truth About Being Authentic”
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Life Lessons From My Wild Child
Yesterday evening as my 18-month old daughter walked into the living room, whole jalapeño sticking out of her mouth ready to take a bite, I let out a gasp as the realization hit me that our chopping block island was no longer out of her reach. My mind wandered to the knife resting near the veggies where she reached up with chubby little fingers and selected the jalapeño instead. As I asked her to hand mommy the jalapeño, I made a mental note adding to the ever-growing list of hazards I have come to worry over our second child – our wild child. Continue reading “Life Lessons From My Wild Child”
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What Killed the Dead Sea and What We Can Do Differently
The Dead Sea is an interesting phenomenon. It’s the only place on earth of its kind. It has the lowest elevation of any body of water, and it’s named the “Dead Sea” because nothing can survive in its salty waters aside from some bacteria. It’s known for its dense mineral deposits, mainly salt, but otherwise, it’s a body of water where everything dies. Continue reading “What Killed the Dead Sea and What We Can Do Differently”
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Henbit Fields and Churchyards – If Weeds Could Talk
When the girls don’t take their naps, I like to take them for a car ride in the countryside. Some days they’ll sleep in the car. Others they’ll bob their little heads along to the music and watch the scenery with me. Either way, it’s a relaxing time for all. Especially for me since I’ve always loved car rides. There’s something magical about country roads, getting lost on the gravel, no time limit, nowhere to be, just the road ahead, music playing on the radio, losing myself to thoughts and letting my cares and worries fly out the open windows. Continue reading “Henbit Fields and Churchyards – If Weeds Could Talk”
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Sticks and Stones – When Words Hurt
I think we can all quote it, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Seriously, who came up with that? Sure, it sounds great in theory, as a comeback on the playground, but when you go home, when you leave the playground, the words linger. The words sting. Words have a way of doing that. This saying is so odd because it’s way too easy to break a heart with someone’s words. All it takes is one little phrase. Continue reading “Sticks and Stones – When Words Hurt”
Pixie Dust and Whiskey 