be still and smile

Well, as of next week we will be back to school and back to our fall routine. The fall season brings many things, it is almost like a "New Year" with re-starting our routine, refreshing our attitudes, re-focusing on priorities and it has this lovely energy to it. Even for kids. Our girls are incredibly excited about learning, with Halen in kindergarten and Henley in pre-k 3 we are always looking for ways to challenge their growing brains. I was thrilled when I stumbled upon t

My husband and I have this ongoing argument about daily life. I am the whimsical, laid-back, easy breezy one who knows everything will be okay. Well you can imagine what happened to that when cancer hit… I really could care less about petty stuff. To me why does a clean house matter? Why do the clothes have to be folded RIGHT now? Why does STUFF matter? To me things are just things. What matters to me most are emotions, relationships, experiences, people, moments, memories. F

Here I am 17 months out from being diagnosed with breast cancer, and most people when they see me say I look great, and seem to be doing great. Which I am, thank God, I am. But what most don’t understand is the constant mind battle that takes place from the moment you are diagnosed. This battle will stay with me forever. I am not sure if other cancer warriors deal with this particular battle, but it is very very very difficult for me. I walk around absolutely terrified of can

Healing from anything is difficult and takes time. Regardless of that wound being physical, emotional or mental. With a battle of breast cancer, I have dealt with wounds in all three categories. Sometimes at the same time, sometimes at all different times. Some were expected, and some were unexpected. Dealing with wounds is similar to grief, and in many ways those wounds are grief. In grief there are several natural steps your body goes through to work out the wound. I have f

My oldest daughter is fixated on treats. Currently if my four-year-old wipes her bottom herself (cleanly) then she gets a treat, if my two-year-old goes potty on the potty, she gets a treat. So now they try every opportunity to do these things to get a treat. When did childhood = sugar??? Makes me cringe. For us treats are ones I have thoroughly read the label on from Whole Foods or the natural side of HEB or Trader Joes. Usually a gummy treat where I can read every single in

Most of us, especially those in my generation, were raised with affirmations like, “You are so special. You can do anything you put your mind to. Go change the world.” At first glance, you make think. ROCK ON. Heck yes, get up and do the thing. I was the same way for most of my life. I am thankful for the affirmations, as I have realized my love language is words of affirmation, this helped shape my confidence, my determined nature and my sense of security within myself. Howe

Our fifth stop was Bloomington, Indiana. We realized we were just a few hours from Aunt Lisa and Uncle Jeff’s house and decided to head out of Kentucky and up that way. We arrived earlier than planned and found a nice park right outside Indiana University in Bloomington. We went on a walk and collected leaves from all the different trees we found (close to 10, impressive!), the girls got some wiggles out and we enjoyed not having an agenda. Finally, we wound down the long gra

I have been trying hard lately to raise tiny disciples. We talk about being a blessing vs being a burden to others. We speak of kindness and gentleness every day. I like to put our talks into practice and I have come up with 10 great ways moms can use to help their littles show compassion, gratitude, love, selflessness, and kindness toward others. Hand-written Notes: I think this is a lost art, I understand life gets hectic, but I still think hand-written notes, whether that

Two years ago, I had a gorgeous belly protruding, waiting for a darling daughter to emerge. I had stopped working my daycare and we had people coming to visit the house to see if they wanted to rent it out. I remember sitting on our cozy chair by the window, just peering out and I knew I would have my little girl that day. A few contractions and potential renters later, we decided to make the trek toward Castle Rock, by the hospital to be on the safe side. Halen’s birth was p

Last year at this time, I had no idea what was coming. I was living in my own mother’s house (again), I was buried in motherhood of two little children… almost 3 and almost 1 year old girls. I was drowning in poop, breastfeeding, spit up, an in-home daycare business, my marriage…I hardly had time to think, let alone think of myself. This year I think about motherhood and the word that most describes the mothering I experienced and the mothering I want my children to experienc

Today four years ago, I became a mother. The thing I wanted most in this world, besides being Evan's wife. I was given that gorgeous gift with a daughter, straight from above. I planned so precisely for that moment and when it arrived she completely took my breath away. Not much can be explained like a mother’s love. It is unexplainable…the power, the depth, the feeling that you would do absolutely anything in the world for that being, and that starts from in the womb, to the

Hey hey mamas! So, I am on day 26 of my Whole30 challenge and I feel amazing. Wow have I seen serious changes! I truly feel like all I had to do was change my mindset and then it all fell into place. I have struggled with my weight/appearance for the last 10+ years. I know much of that was my own mental game, where I needed to extend myself more grace, acceptance, and self-love. However, society does not promote that. I tried everything, every diet, every idea, even some scar

It all starts with my Monday morning alarm reminding me that it is time to hit the pavement and #nevermissamonday. During this time, I feel alive and love pushing my limits. I try to ignore the pain in my hands and feet. When I arrive home, I am greeted by my happy-go-lucky firstborn. I have to remind myself to get my morning supplements in before #chemobrain sets in and I forget. Then, I attempt to get my #jesustime in by focusing on my bible study while H eats her cereal an

Any other mamas feel like their car is an extension of their purse? My sweet, amazing, acts of service husband will clean out my car… I am sure more for his sanity than mine, but he will clean it out. Which I am grateful for, but what happens days later? Everything ends up back in my car. Why? We need ALL of the things. Whether that be socks, tissues, diapers, shoes, a stroller, books, Thieves, snacks, water bottles, toys...you name it we probably have it in my car. In severa

How do you stay well in the wintertime? We dove into essential oils 2 ½ years ago. Why? Evan had terrible headaches, turned migraines. Halen had incessant ear infections. I was over the OTC drugs that created a band aid, but not a solution. I was determined to find something better for our family. I did my research, just like anyone should do when welcoming something new into their home. I talked to my husband about it, most know he is super critical. We both gave a smiling n

Since my child was born I have been ecstatic to share all of Disney with her. Even when she was so tiny, sleeping in her Moses basket, I would put on whatever Disney movie I could find on Netflix, just to have it on. My over-excitement to become a mother was truly busting at the seams. Then when my daughter started showing interest in movies/shows I would again get giddy to share some of my beloved movies and cartoons from my childhood. But, watching them from a mother’s pers

As I watch these Christmas movies with inevitable happy ever after, it makes me think back on my life. The choices I made, the decisions that led to me to where I am today… and what I would do differently. I’ve always been a fairytale girl, and God gently reminds me that people are incapable of fulfilling that desire within me. But, I think we can come close. Christmas is bringing a lot of emotion my way, and I have had a hard time getting into the spirit. I feel like this ba

Once my 16 chemotherapy treatments were completed and with my imminent surgery which would leave me destabilized for a while, I knew I wanted time away with my family. Plus, our family decided experiences were vital from this point forward. I emailed a few hotels around the city to see what my options were. When I emailed with Jeanie, from Hyatt Lost Pines Resort and Spa, I was thrilled to put together a weekend stay. Her vision, above and beyond generosity, and individualize

I know this seems odd…to write a letter to my chest. But for me, they have done so much, and not only for me but for my daughters. I had always been maternal, from the moment I could walk and carry around a baby doll. God had fully intended to make me a mother, it was part of my destiny. To love and care for another being, to put another before myself. When I gave birth to Halen we had zero issues breastfeeding, she latched immediately and our forever bond had been solidified

Here I am four months after all my hair fell out. It was a traumatic scene for me (read about it here) and what felt like it would take forever is now right in front of me. In May, November seemed eons away and now I am inching my way closer to phase two of my cancer journey. Getting used to myself without hair took some time, and now that it is growing back I am out of my comfort zone. The last time I had hair this short I was probably 5-6 months old. And now that my hair is