Do you have an Elf on the Shelf? How do you feel about him? Does he bring stress to your house? Or joy? Both? I think it's time I introduced you to someone. Meet Dingle. This is the original Elf on the Shelf. Dingle existed long before the Elf on the Shelf commercial racket, as Charlie ...
Life
Magical Family Christmas Traditions: 25 Ideas to Start This Year
Can you hear that? I think it's Christmas music. I know, I know, it's only the beginning of November. We need to celebrate Thanksgiving before we start talking about Christmas. Don't worry, I have plenty of Thanksgiving recipes that will be coming your way very soon. As we're planning our Christmas ...
Because I Can’t Sleep with Two People at the Same Time
When you're pregnant for the first time, people tell you, "Your sleep will never be the same," and you think you know what they mean. You think that once you're given this insight, you can prepare yourself for this change in your sleep life. But the truth is, there's no way you can ever ...
Why I think I’m Going to Like Having a 9 Year Old
This little girl is nine years old today. Nine! Isn't it a surreal thing, watching your own children grow up? The years pass by quickly, yet we don't see the changes in our day to day life. One day, you just wake up and realize the little girl who loved princesses and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is ...
The Ultimate Guide to Reducing Indoor Air Pollution in Your Home
Air quality. It's something we probably don't think about enough, but can cause serious health problems. Indoor air pollution is in the top five environmental health risks. Health effects can occur quickly, after immediate exposure, or, sometimes, they occur over the span of years. This makes it ...
If Mama Ain’t Healthy, Ain’t Nobody Happy
We've all seen her. The mom who would do anything for her family. The mom who would give her everything to help her family be the happiest and healthiest they can be. The mom who is giving her everything for that goal. Literally, she is giving it all. And leaving nothing for herself.She's the ...
Northern Michigan Vacation
I grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and went to college in lower Michigan, but 15 years ago I moved away from my home state. Somewhere in the back on my mind, I think I assumed I'd end up back there someday. Here I am, though, settled in Ohio with little likelihood of ever living there ...
My Mom is a 10 Year Stage 4 Lung Cancer Survivor!
I couldn't stop myself from typing the words into google, even though I knew I didn't want the answer. What is the survival rate for stage 4 lung cancer? I didn't want the answer, yet I had to know. I was 29 years old, barely married a year, and hadn't started having babies yet. And even though ...
How to Intentionally Plan Date Nights (Even If You Don’t Leave the House!)
Want to keep your marriage strong? Here's how to intentionally plan date nights and nurture your relationship!My husband Tim and I have been married a decade. Do you know how easy it gets to slip into a routine where we forget to nurture our relationship? I'm sure most of you married folk can ...
How Not to Lose Yourself In Motherhood
September 21, 2008 around 9 o'clock in the evening my whole world changed. That first moment when my daughter, brand new to the world, grabbed my hospital gown with her tiny hand I knew I was done. Motherhood took hold of my heart and it was never letting go. But what does that mean? When I gave ...
First Communion Weekend
We had a special weekend with family celebrating Meghan's First Holy Communion. My throat tightens up looking at this picture as it is a vivid reminder of how my baby girl is growing into a lovely young lady, much too fast. Always too fast. Here are more pictures of our weekend if you'd like to ...
Spring Break 2017: Club Med Cancun Yucatan
We spent last week on the beach in Cancun, Mexico. Want to see? I'd love to share our family vacation with you. Lots of pictures. More pictures than words. And I feel like I have to say this: there's a mix of crappy iPhone pictures with nicer shots with my big camera. Note to self: lug out the big ...