Hi Reader, Middle school dating conversations can sneak up on you. One day your kid is trading PokĆ©mon cards, the next day someone has a āboyfriendā or āgirlfriend.ā It can feel early. And honestly, a little overwhelming. Maybe you're asking the same question I did: How do I talk to my middle schooler about dating and relationships without pushing them away? This week on the blog, Iām sharing a practical, faith-based guide to help you navigate this stage with calm and clarity. Inside the...
about 1 month agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hey Reader, St. Patrickās Day is one of my favorite holidays with kids. But with six kids and teens, Iāve learned something important.Holiday fun has to be simple. When celebrations get complicated, they stop being enjoyable. Free printables I found on Pinterest So our family sticks to traditions that are quick, playful, and easy to pull together. Things like: š Green milk with Lucky Charms for breakfastš Homemade leprechaun trapsš Shamrock scavenger huntsš Irish music and dancing in the...
2 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hey Reader, As a white family, Black History Month isnāt about ādiscoveringā something new. Itās about recognizing how much we were never taught, and how much was deliberately erased. Itās about choosing to listen. As a family, weāre being intentional about learning the stories that shaped our country, even when theyāre uncomfortable. What we learned at Sloss Furnaces sign at Sloss Furnaces Weāve only visited one of Alabamaās historic sites so far: Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark....
3 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hi Reader, One of the questions survivors hear most is simpleābut heavy:āWhy didnāt you tell anyone?ā Iāve been thinking about that question a lot.And today, I want to answer it honestly. Sexual assault is far more common than many people realize.Most survivors never reportāespecially when the abuse happens in childhood. Iām one of them. Me, age six In this post and video, I shared parts of my own story.Not for shock. Not for sympathy.But because silence thrives when we donāt understand why...
3 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hiya Reader, February always sneaks up on me.Suddenly, Valentineās Day is here, and Iām craving simple ways to make it special. Romantic dinners get all the hype.But in our house, Valentineās Day is a family affair. When we first started homeschooling, we used Valentineās Day to teach history and faith.Now, itās more about breaking up the gray winter days and adding some joy. We keep it simple on purpose.Small traditions. Low pressure. Lots of connection. Here are a few of our favorite easy,...
4 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hey Reader, It's common to hear older generations disparage "the youth" and complain about preteens and teens. "Just wait until they're teenagers!" is a refrain that many struggling toddler parents have heard multiple times. As a mom who currently has 4 teens in my home, I gotta say, I can't relate. No stage of parenting (so far) has been EASY, but few have been as utterly rewarding and downright FUN as the teenager stage. recent silliness with my son Some things that made me smile (or laugh...
4 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hey Reader, Another year, another trip around the sun. This year I turned 44, and I'm noticing more creaks and cracks as I move. I realize I'm not really all that old, but I'm probably near the mid-point of my expected lifespan, and that gives food for thought. I don't always have a word or focus for the year, and it was several days into the new year before I found one that resonated with me. my word for the year and my brainstorm about it DELIGHT is the word that I'm feeling called to focus...
4 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hi Reader, Happy New Year 2026! We had a great start to this year, hosting many of our friends for a fun celebration on New Year's Eve - nearly 50 people filled our home! Finishing our New Year's puzzle But now that the excitement is gone, I've found it difficult to settle into routine again. The blank pages of my shiny new planner stubbornly refuse to fill themselves, waiting for me to write down my goals, dreams and vision for the upcoming year. Clarity feels hard to find. In the last few...
5 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hello Reader, Silverton sparkles in Decemberāand now it has national recognition to prove it. š HGTV just named Silverton one of the best Christmas towns in the U.S., and after living here for four years, I couldnāt agree more. Silverton Christmas Market From cozy breakfasts downtown to mural walks, scenic creek paths, and the glowing Silverton Christmas Market, this town feels like a real-life Christmas card. Iāve shared my favorite one-day Silverton Christmas itinerary, built for easy...
5 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
