July 14, 2022

Okay, friends in education. I need some help. I’ve had this idea for over a year and haven’t moved forward with it because #fear.

Fear of uncertainty, fear about whether it will get off the ground. Fear about not getting enough sleep.

But I just can’t shake the feeling that this is the next right thing. So, let me lay the groundwork:

July 13, 2022

Another day. Another ill-prepared footwear situation.

Besides a day hiking and a day at the Great NY State Fair, we typically take our kids to WonderWorks in Syracuse each summer. I keep waiting for them to grow out of it, but so far they still love the exhibits - especially the bubble lab and 4D movies.

July 11, 2022

We are not a huge hiking family. But we try to do one hiking day each summer.

Boughton Park. Chimney Bluffs. Beechwood. Buttermilk Falls. Grimes Glen.

Today was reserved for Watkins Glen. Both Jon and I have been there but it’s been a long time. Being the planner, I did some research. I scoured travel blogs to find out how to best navigate it with the least amount of people (an important factor for us in this season ).

June 24, 2022

To those in the evangelical church who are celebrating today, please do some research on the church’s stance when Roe v. Wade was first decided.

There was no outcry. The evangelical church was not opposed to it. In fact, the Southern Baptist Convention passed a resolution in 1971 calling for the legalization of abortion, then affirmed it in 1974 and 1976.

June 24, 2022

So many feelings today. The end of the school year comes with so much reflection.

But also, today is now filled with shock and tears and anger and grief. Growing up I thought this was a day I wanted to come. And knowing what I know now (after a lot of research and healing), I am horrified. This is not about the sanctity of life.

June 19, 2022

Just another day with the Check’s.

Me: Hannah Grace, what happens in this family is probably not normal.

HG: I know that.

Me: I’m okay with it. Are you okay with it?

HG: It’s growing on me!

June 4, 2022

I’m finding a lot of happiness as my work and personal life continue to become more integrated and aligned. Being able to be who you are in all aspects of life is energizing!

Come From Away has been on my must-see list since a good friend raved about it after it opened. But I haven’t seen it yet (I plan to watch it on Apple TV soon in the meantime).

June 4, 2022

To the kid who persevered and overcame to get back in the classroom. Who is perceptive and re-learning about friendships and allowing herself to begin to trust again. Who speaks out against wrong and teaches those around her while doing it. Who is finding her voice and advocating for herself, allowing others to see the greatness inside her more and more.

May 24, 2022

Taking a lot of deep breaths through tears tonight.

So many families hurting. Children, parents, educators, humans deeply impacted here and around the world.

This doesn’t just go away. Blame can add more harm. Legislation helps, but ultimately hurt people hurt people.

Unresolved trauma. Unhealed wounds.

May 21, 2022

Just a typical Saturday afternoon over here.

It’s been 19 years since we have picked out toilets together. They are kind of a big deal and I have very strong opinions about them.

May 18, 2022

TW: kidnapping, voyeurism

Long post alert…this one’s been brewing in my mind for a bit.

I recently went to a new doctor. The kind nurse introduced herself. We stopped at the scale, where she laughingly acknowledged that it was an awkward way to start our relationship. While in the room, she began asking me all of the standard questions. And then she asked me if I was safe at home. Without hesitation, I told her I was physically and emotionally safe at home and that I appreciated the question being asked.

April 28, 2022

Remember that thing we started yesterday about asking ourselves what is going well?

Here is mine today.

We have officially become “track people.”

April 27, 2022

When you are in the middle of a really hard few weeks, but you have therapy and hair appointments scheduled back to back at just the right time, you can take a breath and remind yourself of the good, of the ways you have shown up, of the positive moments to help regain balance and perspective.

April 25, 2022

I knew I wanted to be an education major in college and I knew I wanted to be safe in college. To me, safety meant going to a place that had the same beliefs and views that I had growing up.

We always thought we had a good marriage. From the outside looking in, everything looked great. And people often told us so.

Until we started peeling back the layers.

In what may be the longest reno project ever, we made some good progress on the IKEA kitchen assembly and installation this weekend.

It’s been two years since we wore these dresses.

Since Leah and I twinned.

We had just sent the kids home for what we thought would be two weeks. We planned for four. Just in case.

I’ve spent most of my life making decisions that I thought other people would want me to make. Playing small. Playing safe.

Putting my ideas, plans, desires in a box labeled “Expected” and tied tight with a bow.

But I’ve slowly been making bolder moves.