Do you choose a word of the year? Since 2008, I've chosen a word to reflect on throughout the year. Usually the word is one that I don't necessarily "want". I'll pray and ask what word He'd like me to think about, and a word will keep showing up in front of me. I let...
Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” I walked to the front of the church this morning to take up the gifts to the altar during Mass. I felt pride swell inside me as I...
Before I move on and share my 2017 word, I just had to share with you a few of the ways choosing this word changed me in 2016. Early in the year, the book The Temperament God Gave your Kids was recommended to me. You would think I would know this after sixteen years...
Christmas with mom and dad... Thank you so much for driving so far to celebrate with us!
I know, I know... I'm all out of order. But I don't want to forget, and I want my grandmother to see the pictures. So here they are... Love you all! Christmas with Tia and Colton.
Happy New Year from Scottsdale, Arizona. I hope your 2017 is full of beautiful, blessed memories. Thank you for reading, commenting, cheering, and the high fives! I appreciate you! Next year, I'm looking forward to adding a little boy to our crew, Julia getting closer...
“Tradition is a Lantern. The foolish hold on to it, the clever allow it to lead the way.” (George Bernard Shaw) I don't remember every Christmas present. I don't remember every Christmas dinner. I do remember my childhood traditions. My mom was big on traditions. I...
My little king. He was so handsome in his school play this year. I melted as he knelt down to give Baby Jesus his gift. We had decided to try and take Mary Alice to the school Christmas pageant, even though we were risking bedtime. Happy faces and snacks were...
Disclaimer: I was invited to a complimentary sneak preview of Sing from Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures. Julia was my date for this one and it could not have been more perfect for us! You know that we love to sing. When Rosita began singing around...
Disclaimer: I was invited to a complimentary sneak preview of Walt Disney Pictures’ MOANA. I have this theory about music. When a song is truly special, it's as if you've heard it before. There is something familiar about the tunes and the words. It's like the Creator...
This Aged Cheddar Grilled Chicken Salad is an win for everyone in the family. So easy to make and clean plates all around. With the New Year, making better food choices is one of my first priorities. Over the years, I’ve learned that this means having delicious, easy...
This review begins the same way that The Force Awakens did - From a little girl who wanted to live with the Ewoks in the forest on Endor, to a mom with four kids, I promise you a review with no spoilers. I want you to have the chance to feel the same magic that I did,...
My dearest oldest daughter, Today I sat in line as you filled out paperwork and received your driver's license. It was absolutely surreal playing patty cake with Mary Alice and handing over my credit card to pay for your driver's license. I walked behind you as you...
Disclosure: I am a Friends of Pfister blogger. This is a sponsored conversation on behalf of Pfister. The opinions expressed here are my own. I can remember when we were looking to buy a house, here in Arizona. We walked into the master bathroom and Brian grabbed my...
One of the most common questions I get is 'how do you get everyone to eat at the table together'? I feel like I never have a great answer for this. But sitting at lunch today, I thought of something I wanted to share with you. Getting everyone to eat at the table...
There is something about having little ones around at Christmas. There is magic. Less decorations. More snuggling. Less expectations. More scented candles. Less running around. More saying 'yes' to what they want to do. We sat down as a family and talked about what we...
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Home Insurance as a timely reminder on how to keep your home safe during the holidays! #WinterWithChill It can be so tempting to post beautiful vacation pictures on social media, but these can wait until you get back. Be safe and...
Disclaimer: I agreed to receive a copy of the book to determine if this project was something I thought you would like. After the book has gone to print, I'll have a few copies to give to you! I hope you check out their campaign and help if you are moved to do so. I...
This was Riley's first soccer season. It was pretty adorable watching a herd of kindergarteners conglomerate around the soccer ball every Saturday morning. I kind of love sports at this age. Julia was co-captain of the Volleyball team. We made awesome memories driving...
Who can resist a warm batch of these dark chocolate chip butterscotch cookies? This post first appeared on Around My Family Table where I am a guest contributor. Sunday nights are reserved as family nights around our house. We've spent the day finishing up little...
I've been given the opportunity to give away tickets to the new SING Movie! I'm thrilled to be able to give something back to all of you who read, comment, and support this blog! #SINGMovie Julia and I had the opportunity to see it last week. I'm not allowed to share...