Disclosure: Consideration has been provided for publishing this article. These are great tips to remember before you head out the door! Whether you're taking a road trip, visiting family that lives out of town, or traveling for business, you'll want to stay healthy....
In a rare and wonderful collision of events, I escaped to the theater with Julia and Nate on Sunday to see The Greatest Showman. The next day, I attended a talk on Beauty by Leah Darrow, Catholic Speaker Extraordinaire and contestant on America's Next Top Model. After...
I shared with you that I spoke to our MOPS group about how to choose your word of the year. I've been asked to share the presentation with you, and I'm glad to! *The idea of a word of the year was first introduced to me by my dear friend Heather. Once upon a time, she...
Do you choose a word of the year? Since 2008, I’ve chosen a word to reflect on throughout the year. Last week, I had the honor of speaking to my MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group about how I go about choosing a word. Usually the word is one that I don’t necessarily...
In the great Christmas of 2017, the elves failed to make an appearance at first. I was mostly sure that the kids had forgotten and weren't concerned about why they were not there until Riley asked about them. I panicked. It was at least December 12th when he asked. I...
Disclosure: This conversation is sponsored by BODYARMOR. I am a member of the Mom it Forward Influencer Network and have been compensated by the sponsor. All thoughts and opinions are my own. The past few months, Nate has found a new passion. On a whim, he tried a...
Dark Chocolate and Hazelnut Cookies are a family favorite. Rich dark chocolate, caramelized vanilla and brown sugar flavors and hazelnuts - it'll be your favorite, too! This post first appeared on Bread Booze Bacon where I am a guest contributor. Dreamy fall nights...
Julia and Nate had their first dance at school. It was called The Winter Formal. All I can say, is it made me totally want to pretend to be their classmate and go to high school with them. I may have snuck onto the dance floor for the Cupid Shuffle. Maybe. No one is...
Goodness, that flew by. What a beautiful month of family and friends and memory making. Please bear with the over the next few days as I try to write everything down before I forget! We've been hit by the flu bug over here, so I'm hoping to steal away a few minutes...
Oh how I wish I could always feel the wonder and awe that little ones feel when they look at lights. I walk past them hurriedly, putting dishes in the dishwasher and scooping up too-small legos off of the floor. And then, out of the corner of my eye, I notice that...
This conversation is sponsored by The Phoenix Ballet. It is my honor to share news with you from a company that I enjoy and support! "All the spirit, love, and joy all our dancers put into performing The Nutcracker brings a special magic to the holiday season. Despite...
Telling you about my friends is so fun. Surprising them with a little shout out makes me giddy. I've shared my friend Jenna and my friend Cindy. Now, please allow me to tell you about my friend Lylah. If you've known me for a while, you know that I'm in love with The...
My dearest Riley, your story continues to piece together into this beautiful quilt and I want to write it all down for you, so that someday, you will know in black and white how very, very loved you have been from the beginning. This past Easter, your birth mother's...
This conversation is sponsored by Zuru. It is my honor to share news with you from a company that I enjoy and support! A list of the perfect stocking stuffers for little hands on Christmas morning! It's here, it's here and I can't stop smiling! Julia is 17, Nate is...
If it's worth doing, it's worth doing poorly. I heard that quote last year. I can't remember who said it. I wish I could so that I could give them credit. It has rolled around in my head for months, and now I get it. This is the season. The lists of things we should...
I love this season. Watching the kids get so excited to go on after dinner walks so that we can 'see Christmas' is the best! We leave the dishes on the table, grab our scooters, and take a walk around the neighborhood. (Thank you awesome neighbors for decorating! You...
These Christmas Door Decoration Ideas are just the thing to get you and your family in the holiday spirit! This is Julia's senior year. This will be our last Christmas of her childhood. That sounds heavy doesn't it? I want everything to be beautiful and perfect, but...
I was talking with a sweet new mom and she looked at me and asked what some of my Thanksgiving Traditions were, especially when my older kids were little. Of course I thought about the food, but then I was at a loss. I couldn't put into words all the ideas I had and...
This conversation is sponsored by Nielsen-Massey Vanillas and McCrea's Candies. It is my honor to share news with you from a company that I enjoy and support! Maybe it's a Southern thing, but mama told me never to arrive at a gathering without a gift. Even if that...
Celebrating All Hallows Eve - This year our crew consisted of Meg from Hercules (Julia), Shirley Temple (Mary Alice), and a clown (Riley). Riley basically just wanted any excuse to have his hair sprayed green. It was a beautiful night with our annual tradition of...
Dearest Sebastian, you are almost eight months old and you are still such a wonder to me. I'm so amazed and glad and surprised that you are here. Your childhood is already filled with so much love. You are making memories for Riley and Mary Alice that I treasure....