November 13, 2022

First up - the hair. I’ve always wondered about beehives and how women made them happen. It’s not high on my research priority list though. But tonight? Tonight I am pretty proud of the height I achieved with this rockin’ folded ponytail!

Second - I’ve been intentionally working to be transparent and vulnerable here. And writing helps me process. So here is an in-the-moment hard thing in case it is helpful to anyone else.

October 10, 2022

Six years ago, I was talking to someone about one of my kids and how they were similar to another family member.

The person I was talking with abruptly stopped me. Told me to stop the comparison. Told me that our children are their own people. They are not anyone else. They are their own.

October 5, 2022

Oh my goodness!!! Four years ago today was the most epic 80’s themed roller skating party!! Today, I got to wear the same outfit for neon day at school!!!

October 4, 2022

A little while ago, I wasn’t sure if I would stay in education.

I set three criteria/signs that would need to be met if I were to consider going back. They were pretty unrealistic and I only breathed them to a couple of people, saying them jokingly because I knew how outlandish they sounded.

But I knew my values and my work had to be aligned. And I was committed to only considering positions that would support this.

October 1, 2022

I used to be a planner exclusively. I hated uncertainty. I wanted to control all the things.

But I’ve slowly been letting go. And embracing the unknown. Knowing I will be okay no matter what happens. That I can make good decisions and trust myself.

I’ve been trying to say yes, even when I’m scared. Embracing more adventure, more spontaneity.

September 27, 2022

So, we have this thing we want to try. Many people have reacted and talked with Jon and me about the things we share about growth, parenting, and marriage.

We know all these things can be hard and isolating and lonely at times. And we want to create a time and space to connect and talk openly. To learn from each other.

We’ve decided to try some FB Lives and we will be re-posting them here on this site as well.

September 11, 2022

September 7, 2022

HG has very strong opinions as a student in school.

When I got home from work today, she met me in the driveway and immediately started sharing about her day, which included the use of her least favorite instructional tool - packets!

August 27, 2022

The 13-year-old dared me to enter the Jeep through the window just like she regularly does. “Maybe I got my flexible genes from you,” she said.

Hmmm.

Challenge accepted.

August 22, 2022

When your love languages are spreadsheets and systems and structures and logistics. And elementary school scheduling.

And you spend a massive amount of time creating a detailed schedule that takes into account the feedback people gave so as much as possible is planned ahead of time.

And you have 36 tabs to prove it.

August 11, 2022

I’ve always known I had super thick hair, but thought it was straight with a weird little wave once in a while all growing up.

But LOOK AT THIS!!! I haven’t done anything to it this morning!!! There is a lot of natural wave and I LOVE IT!!

August 6, 2022

I typically write about things I have worked through, mostly figured out, healed-ish.

But this one is different. I’m right smack dab in the middle. Progress has been made but I’m still far from figuring it all out. It’s a puzzle that I take piece by piece, trying to process each new realization.

And just when one layer is better understood, the one underneath it is ready and waiting.

Many have known about my unusual sleep (or lack of sleep) habits for most of my life.

August 2, 2022

You know the rain and the open Jeep roof thing from yesterday? Well, I’m still laughing about it today as water continues to drip into my lap whenever I turn.

But let me tell you how six-year-ago me would have reacted to it.