Encouragement

Trust me ... there is a lesson here, hang in there. I recently scratched an item off of my bucket list and I didn't even have to pack a bag. While I'd love to take an exciting vacation to the tropical rainforests of Brazil, it just isn't in the cards (or the budget) right now. But a Brazilian bikini wax ... totally doable! With swimsuit season arriving, I decided to take the plunge and have a little professional grooming done for the occasion. And seriously, a Brazilian bikini wax has been on my bucket list for a while; I just never took the plunge for fear of the appointment breaking the bank or umm, removal of ALL of the hair...

I presume that if you're reading this, you have children. And I presume that if you have children, you know all about the elaborate procrastination techniques they employ at the most inopportune times. Who else has days that go like this: When It's Time to Leave: Mom: Go put your shoes on. Kid: Goes to room and comes back 5 minutes later, still shoeless. Mom: Where are your shoes? Kid: Look at this shell! I found it under my bed. It's pink and is shaped like a heart. Mom: I love the shell! Now please go put your shoes on. Kid: Goes to room and comes back 5 minutes later, still shoeless. Mom: Where are your shoes? Kid: Can I take this snugly toy to school to show...

  Each evening, I set my alarm for 5:15 the next morning. Do I need to get up at 5:15? Probably not. And I don't. I hit the snooze button. I annoy my sleeping husband in increments, each with a nine minute reprieve. Sometimes I don't get out of the bed until 6:00. There are *things* I have to do in the morning to start the day and it would be SO. MUCH. EASIER if I didn't have to rush to do them. And I don't. Have to, that is. But I totally wind up rushing - and sometimes, there is crying in my house before 7:00am. I don't have babies anymore. My children are seven and four. Full disclosure: Sometimes...

Ok, I lied. She isn't five. She's four and three quarters. But, she isn't sleep trained. In fact, she's never been one who understood the glorious allure of shut eye. Most days, I'd rather eat one of those world record hot peppers than deal with bedtime. And naps? Ha, not in this lifetime. This kid just plain hates sleep. I know I'm not alone. I've watched Super Nanny. I also know that I still have it pretty darn good in other departments, so I can't complain too much. But I'm still praying that any potential future child of mine will love bedtime. It all starts during the bedtime routine. Putting on jammies and brushing teeth is a threat-filled marathon with...

Hi Mama: Some days are hard. You spend all day running around at work, chasing toddlers or trying to clean up messes after some really tough conversations after recent hurtful events in our community and you think “What am I doing??” Being a mom is rough. We all want to make sure our kids are taken care of and loved. Motherhood is a beautiful, inspiring and an eye opening experience, but it is hard. Give yourself some credit. Take that much needed day trip with your girlfriends, put your energy for a day into a cause you believe in or sit on the couch and read a book. Fill your cup and feed your soul -- your kids will be ok. Yes,...