I’ve heard it so many times about the “looks” that people get when they are different. It’s not like I never believed it, but I think I always explained it away, chalking it up to people who are just mean. Now, our family is the one who is different, and I see it so, well, differently. Last week, I took the kids to preschool open gym at our park district. I’d been many times before … [Read more...] about Why “the Village” is More Complicated than It Sounds
Moms with More
Four Words I’ll Never Forget
A few years ago, I took a class/book study about Think and Grow Rich led by my friend Kaelyn. At one session, she said four words to me I’ll never forget: Don’t should on yourself. I am the queen of the shoulds. As much as I tell myself that I’m fully confident in the mom that I am, the reality is that my inner dialogue is full of self-comparison and, often, … [Read more...] about Four Words I’ll Never Forget
Why 2018 Wasn’t a Bad Year
It’s the last day of 2018. With the year we’ve had, a lot of people probably expect me to send 2018 packing with the proverbial middle finger. But, I’m not. I truly can’t believe I’m saying it, but 2018 wasn’t so bad. Sure, there was some stuff that really, really sucked. But, out of many of those junky moments (well, many of them were much longer than moments) came … [Read more...] about Why 2018 Wasn’t a Bad Year
Our Own Little Christmas Miracle
We found out about Evan’s heart defect in mid-December of last year. It was obviously a scary and stressful time, and I remember looking at a neighbor/friend’s Facebook post when she took her girls to some events at her church. I felt a pull to go. I was raised part of a religious family, but never really found a church that I felt a “part” of. I didn’t think much of … [Read more...] about Our Own Little Christmas Miracle
How this Part of Parenting Can Look a Lot Like Anger
As parents, we constantly advocate for our kids. It’s funny, though, how advocating for our kids can look a whole lot like anger. If we let it, it can become anger. I suppose, by definition, there is some anger there. According to dictionary.com, advocate means to “support or urge by argument.” I have learned that we are by far the most effective advocates for our kids when we separate … [Read more...] about How this Part of Parenting Can Look a Lot Like Anger
How I Keep Flu Season from Causing a Breakdown
If you spend much time around me, you probably know I’m a bit of a germaphobe. So, let me tell you, cold and flu season with a baby whose body might not be able to handle a virus is a whole new level of anxiety. Emerie was born in December, and I was so terrified of her catching something that I literally didn’t take her out in public until she was two months … [Read more...] about How I Keep Flu Season from Causing a Breakdown