children – sharing the stairs

What If…We Took That Risk?

15 Feb 202016 Feb 2020

There's a line in my self-help book that goes like this: While I realize that I am most definitely in my own way, I continue to find it difficult to move…

Empty Nest Test Drive

I'm sitting alone on a hotel bed as the rain pours down on the city below while our youngest daughter is at a concert. She was invited to go to…

A Disney Family Holiday

Do you ever have those moments when you wish you could freeze time? Those moments when you want to stay in your Fantasyland a little bit longer? That was me…

Disney Blended-Family Christmas

31 Dec 20181 Jan 2019

Christmas is a time for family. It's a time to be present with the ones you love. Ever since our oldest daughter graduated from college and started her career at…

The Youngest Child

My husband and I have five kids between us. We were both married before and brought two kids each into our marriage. I had a girl and a boy. He…

It’s Teacher Appreciation Day!

8 May 20188 May 2018

I've been a teacher for 28 years. My husband and I have five kids between us. Four of them have graduated high school. Our youngest will finish middle school this…

An Ode to Toys R Us

I'm feeling kind of melancholy about the closing of Toys R Us stores. It's been a long time since I walked those aisles, but thinking about all of those…

Every Day is Mother’s Day

7 May 20168 May 2016

I remember standing on the front porch with my newborn daughter in my arms thinking HOLY COW!! How was I responsible for this tiny human when I wasn't even sure…

It’s Not About Me…

Whew! In the last three weeks, we drove our son back to Chicago for his sophomore year of college. Our oldest daughter moved to Florida for an internship at the…