Encouragement

Yesterday as I succumbed to the chore of writing my family's weekly grocery list, I felt a sense of defeat as I wasn't able to create a plan for any new, different or creative meals to serve. Lately, I've been feeling like my motherly creative juices have been at a stand still and our life has been well, less than exciting (hence my lack of creative topics to blog about). Maybe it's the sweltering summer heat or the sheer exhaustion I feel at the end of the day, but I've seriously been lacking in the fun and exciting department. I'm out of ideas and patience for not only creative meals, but am also having trouble inventing cute new craft...

The waves can crash at any time these days.  In the middle of cooking chili or in the middle of a Friday Night Lights marathon with my husband or even mid-step on the stair climber at the gym.  The waves of anxiety and anticipation will overcome me.  This may sound like a serious issue, but don’t worry, it’s just typical middle-of-the-summer panic for a teacher.  This may surprise you, but we teachers get nervous before the start of every school year just like you and your child.  We, too, anticipate the unknown and ask some of the same questions your child ponders.  Do these sound familiar? “Who will be in my class?” “Will they like me?” “What will my day be like?” “Can I...

Dear sweet child, as I rock you to sleep I pray for you. As I watch you run and play, I pray for you. As I wipe your tears, I pray for you. When you are with me and away from me, I pray for you. I pray for you everyday. All day. Constantly I am praying for you. I pray for you more than you will ever know. When I pray for you, my words are the same... I pray you know my love. Always know I love you. I pray that when I wrap my arms around you, you feel safe and secure. I pray that you will never fear when I am around. I pray that you know I...

In the wide world of parenting topics I don't consider myself to be an "expert" (using the term very loosely) at much, but breastfeeding/pumping/working, well I've pretty much mastered! Having nursed my daughter for a little over a year, mostly while working almost full-time, and now doing the same with my son, I've developed my own list of essential items that every pumping momma needs when away from baby. A great, electric double breast pump. Yea, they are costly but at a price tag cheaper than formula it's worth every penny. Great news, many health insurance plans are now covering the cost of breast pumps! Your pump will be your best friend for many months, and when you are finally...

I had my first mammogram. At 30. A few months ago, I found a lump in my right breast. It was a random thing. I don’t do monthly breast exams as I should. In fact, when I found it, I wasn’t sure if it was new or if it had been there all along. Of course, I hit up Dr. Google who told me that breast tissue can change with your cycle,, and breast cancer is typically slow-growing, so I decided to wait 30 days to see if anything changed. It didn’t, so I made an appointment with my OB. A quick exam made her think that it was nothing, but she suggested an ultrasound to be sure. I wasn’t...