Red Stick Mom

When Tragedy Becomes Triumph … A Call to Give Back This month marks two years ago that my life was turned completely upside down in a way I never imagined possible. With one PET scan and oncologist appointment, my husband Taylor and I were facing his untimely death. We were in our mid 30’s with three daughters ages 11, 6 and 6 months. Prior to this day, a tumor had been found in his bladder, biopsy done, results given and now we were seated across from an oncologist to get the results of a PET scan. Describing the feelings that go along with waiting for scan results is nearly impossible. Anyone who has had the misfortune of entering the cancer world...

Flowers left on the front porch, a thoughtful note, warm dinner or a gift card for delivery, offers to care for the kiddos, a simple care package: reaching out to a friend in times of need goes farther and means more than we realize—until we’re on the receiving end.  When we get sick or receive hard news, Mama, life doesn’t stop. We might have to breastfeed between emergency trips to the toilet, take a child to their doctor visit while enduring a migraine, or even celebrate a kiddo’s birthday with anxiety looming overhead and a stomach bug. These times are rough to say these least, but it’s also in these times that we can really show up for each other....

I am former Dave Ramsey enthusiast. I fell in love with his plan, or what he calls his “baby steps” towards financial wellness. They’re sound, they work, and they make sense. I’ve read all the books and previously listened to his radio show devotedly. Even before is February 11th Fox News interview, I recently developed some serious resentment towards him. Just like an Instagram influencer tells you his or her workout plan will be life-changing, Ramsey tells you his baby steps will do the same. He insinuates his baby steps will fix your marriage and the whole shebang. Speaking from personal experience, it does not work that way. He invites people on his show to do their “debt free scream.” Most of...

I am a mom to an almost 2 year old child who is too smart for his own good. He is my greatest blessing, but he also exhausts me. I'm married to an engineer who, at times, has an unpredictable work schedule due to emergencies. By day, you'll find me in the classroom teaching middle school English and by night/weekend, you'll find me spending time with said 2 year old, as well as working on a personal blog and a small business my husband and I started together. To say that I am spread thin is an understatement. I think, as moms, we are all guilty of giving it all to everyone or trying to do it all until we...

It’s Friday afternoon, and I’m watching from the front door as my older two kids get off of the school bus. Normally, my six-year-old son comes running up the driveway, smiling and excited, ready to tell me all about his day. But today is different. He’s walking slowly, head and shoulders down, visibly shaken up. I immediately know something is wrong. What’s wrong buddy? We go inside and I ask him, “What’s wrong buddy, do you need to talk about it?” I can see the anxiety all over his face, and tears begin to well up in his eyes. My mind is racing as to what could have happened to cause such an emotional reaction. I just hug him as he...