Do you know how you can tell Summer is here? Dishes are piling up...more than normal. Toys scatter the floor...more than normal. Laundry piles up...more than normal. Snacks are scattered throughout the house...more than normal. Energy levels are up...more than normal. Money flies out of the wallet...more than normal. All of these things and more make summer overwhelming...but there is also... Laughter...more than normal. Playtime...more than normal. Snuggles...more than normal. Time together...more than normal. As hard as it is for a working mom to cope with managing summer...it is my favorite ..read more

We picked up the perfect Valentine’s Day desserts from Earth Fare today! The kids’ eyes lit up when they saw their treats. They devoured the sweet strawberries dipped in decadent chocolate. My husband and I got to indulge in a double layer chocolate cake with vanilla icing, topped with luscious chocolate ganache. It was perfect for two, however I kept the cappuccino macaroon for myself. Happy Valentine’s Day from our family to yours! Check out your local Earth Fare for some of these delicious Valentine’s Treats! Look at these amazing treats ..read more

Life is full of change. If you're not changing, you're not growing. I've always been one to embrace change which I don't think is typical. Most people are afraid of change, and I think human nature tends to create fear in us when things are different or the norm is threatened. ​ For me, change is an opportunity. God doesn't make any mistakes, I fully believe that with my whole heart. Everything in my life, I know, has been orchestrated by God's hand. He has always led me down the right path when I've followed blindly. ​ So following blindly I continue. This website was created in 2014 as a way ..read more

As a mom we want our kids to have friends. We want them to feel like they belong somewhere and are happy.  It’s so incredibly hard as your kids grow and become more independent.  What’s even more difficult is trying to help your kids feel a sense of belonging when you know that feeling is not always possible.  How many of us still crave to be accepted?  How many of us still don’t have a “circle” or “tribe” though we try so very hard to connect and make it happen.  As a mom to teenage girls and a mom to little boys I find myself not belonging anywhere these days ..read more

Traveling has always been something my heart yearns for. As a teen I always dreamed of traveling the globe with my kids in tow one day learning with them everything the world had to offer.  Only I never gave it a practical thought. I’ve always wanted to travel.  However, a fear of flying and a busy schedule trying to pay bills and do life hasn’t really allowed for much of it.  Traveling is definitely either a luxury or a necessity in my world. Adulthood is not the exciting running off and gypsy-like living that I desired or imagined as a ..read more

So how many of us have a fancy camera laying around collecting dust?  Maybe it was purchased with the intent to learn how to use or maybe as a gift because you love photos? But yet there it sits.  Pick. It. Up. And. Shoot.  You do not have to be a professionally trained photographer to take photos and collect memories!   Sure, hiring a photographer for special family portraits or big life events is highly recommended. See my photography post for local suggestions of amazing professionals.  But just because you’re not excellent at editing or know much about exposure ..read more

My husband and I have just returned from an all inclusive earned trip to Costa Rica with the direct sales company I run my business with.  Incredibly thankful and overwhelmed with how spoiled we were we came home with big plans and ideas and a new purpose and direction.  The entire way home I was excited, motivated & anxious to get started.  Big plans and big dreams require big work.  And now we are home. Life must go on as planned. Kids to school, bills paid, work to be done. We both work full time careers outside of our family direct sales business. The struggle ..read more

5:22 A.M. Laying on my back, eyes wide open, heavy breaths...and I have nowhere to be this morning. Ugh, there it is again, that feeling. Have you ever woke up to that sinking feeling of doubt? You know, that feeling deep down in your soul that is telling you that you are not going to make it, that you are wasting your time, that no one believes you can do it...that you will FAIL. I have spent the greater part of my life worried about failure, somehow convincing myself I'm just one bad move away from doing something that I will regret for the rest of my life. BUT there is one thing I've come t ..read more

My baby's 3rd birthday is today. Today is also the anniversary of Sandy Hook. I can't get through this day without thinking about the children of Sandy Hook Elementary and that horrible day. It's been 5 years since the massacre that changed my perspective on school safety, my children and life in general...including gun control...I try to steer clear of politics on my blog...so we won't go there today. Today my baby is THREE! Three is such a big milestone and I feel it is my obligation as a mother of 4 healthy children to celebrate birthdays and big milestones like this as best as I can possi ..read more

Mom to three. My girl, she loves to read. She actually lays in bed each night and reads before going to sleep. My oldest son, loves to read, but would much rather be watching the hunting channel or a football game on the T.V. My youngest son, struggling reader. Reading doesn't come easy for him, and a book to him, means work. As an elementary school teacher for 9 years, I have seen first hand how reading at home can impact a child's love for school and learning. Creating a home that fosters a love for reading is no easy task. It is often much easier to let our kids play Mario Kart then have t ..read more