Janelle
No More Ts on the Tags
I was shopping for my kids recently and came to a heartbreaking realization…both of my kids have graduated to the "other side of the aisle." Neither one of them have Ts on their tags...
The Morning Rat Race of a Working Mama
It's 5:15 am, and my dreaded alarm starts to go off. Most days, I hit the snooze button once or twice before dragging myself out of bed. I go straight into the shower for...
Sibling Rivalry: Surviving the Chaos
Growing up with a younger sister, I always knew that siblings had a very "special" relationship. I had friends with younger and older siblings who got along perfectly well. No arguing or fighting, and they...
I Didn’t Take Any Photos Today
I didn't take any photos today, and to be completely honest, I am grateful. I am grateful that I was able to experience my kids' emotions right alongside them instead of fumbling for my...
Hiring A House Cleaner Saved My Sanity
I used to think that the only people who had house cleaners were the rich and famous. I saw it as a luxury that only the upper class was afforded. Why would I pay...
We Are Way Past Teacher Tired: The State of Our Schools
When schools abruptly came to a halt on in-person learning back in March of 2020, I think I naively assumed that things would be back to normal by the beginning of the following school...
Is Dad Ever The Default Parent?
We’ve heard it a million times before: Moms are true superheroes. According to Luke Bryan, “all mamas ought to qualify for sainthood,” so it’s fairly common knowledge that moms make the world go ‘round....
Parenting A Strong-Willed Daughter: Choosing My Battles
"Strong-willed children become adults who will change the world as long we can hang on for the ride and resist the temptation to "tame" the spirit out of them. -Unknown
The moment I learned that...
Embracing the Chaos of a Busy Life
I will be the first to admit that I have never been able to sit still. As a young kid, I would wake up on Saturday mornings and immediately ask my parents, “So what...
Dropping the Beloved Nap
Having my kids close together was both a blessing and a curse. I remember thinking while I was pregnant that the only thing I really wanted when my babies were born was that they...
The Day I Was a Terrible Parent
I was a terrible parent today. I yelled way too much. I lost my patience. I felt like I was at my wit’s end all day long.
I was a terrible parent today. I woke...
Bye Bye Binky: Saying Adios to the Pacifier
Binky.Pacifier.Nu-Nu.Wubba. No matter what your family calls them, those little soothers can be a total lifesaver for a grumpy baby. Thankfully, both of my babies took a pacifier fairly early on and easy, which...
The Club No One Wants to Belong To
This is not a club you want to belong to. This is not a club you want a membership for. But this club brings women together in their loss, healing, grief, and sorrow. It’s...
Bending the Gender Norms
When we found out we were having a boy, there were so many different things that ran through my mind. Would he play football like his daddy? Would he be a mama’s boy? Could...