Encouragement

That's Enough Screen Time, Little One I am a middle child, through and through. Mischievous, attention-seeking, too smart for my own good, and always in trouble. I was a poster child for talking back, rolling eyes, and plotting everyone’s evil demise. In second grade, my family went to Disney World for a week, and I never saw the fireworks display because I was grounded every evening. That’s pretty much how most of my childhood went, punished and forced to entertain myself. But during all the time spent alone while punished, I developed an insatiable love for reading. I began to read like it was as essential as food and air. When I was seven, I remember sitting down with The Three Musketeers,...

When Moving... Want to pause your personality and life as you know for a few months? It’s easy. Move your family of five and business to a different state. Moving is an education. Here are some of my observations I have collected along the way. When plotting a move, you become very busy. You learn about things like debt-to-income ratio (need to know if locking down a loan) and mortgage rate lock extensions (there’s a fee - so avoid, if possible). You realize that estimated taxes and insurance on realtor.com are shockingly inaccurate, interest rates are so much more than they used to be, and the inspection period can be make or break the deal. Surprisingly, you realize it is possible to have a clean house...

It’s Mom’s Night Out! It’s always important to take a minute to recharge. If you’re like me I know you’ll miss your little cuddle buddies. But Mom’s Night Out is about you. Call your friends, choose your outfits, and get ready to have fun! What are some ideas for fun? -Go dancing!!! Be free!! Have fun dancing somewhere you can let loose and enjoy yourself. It doesn’t even have to be somewhere where you’re familiar with the music, as long as you feel comfortable, have fun. -Sing Karaoke!! Live your best dreams as Beyoncé, Madonna, or Dolly Parton. Go out and sing your heart out. Sing your cares away. You may or may not want that recorded. -Make candles!! Have a candle making night!...

As a busy mom, I put a lot of things before myself including my social circle. I feel as though my social life is always last. Everyone talks about how moms extend their arms for everyone else, but taking care of themselves is hard to come by. I understand that if I am not 100%, how can I be the best version of myself that I can be. Honestly, I thought I had my groove going, and I had a rock solid social life (some moms and some that are not) until I met the PTO moms, this past school year. Whew, that is a whole other breed of moms, in a good way. I just can't keep up...

Why I Choose to be a Great Stepmom When I met my stepdaughter, or bonus daughter as I like to say, she was the sweetest little six-year-old that I had ever encountered. She immediately bonded with my biological daughter who was three, and assumed the role as big sister gracefully and naturally. My husband and I were married within six months, falling madly in love with our blended family and our similar passions. My daughter’s biological father passed away when she was two, and my husband seamlessly and lovingly stepped into the full-time daddy role, adopting my daughter and becoming her superhero. The future seemed bright, but we had a very long and tumultuous custody battle ahead of us with his...