A decade ago, just before I married, two of our closest friends lost their youngest daughter in a drowning accident. She was 3 years old and had managed to sneak away from a group of children and slip into a pool without her mother’s knowledge. She had spent lots of time in pools that summer, … Read more →

Country artist Tim McGraw is bringing attention to the perils of distracted driving with the video for his song “Highway Don’t Care,” which premiered this week at the Belcourt Theater in Nashville. Every day, nine people in this country are killed and more than 1,000 are injured in crashes involving a distracted driver, according to … Read more →

On Sundays, the 9-year-old and I put on our aprons to make and bake snacks she will take to school. Too much work, you say? Not at all! Get ready to be inspired to stay out of the boxed and bagged snack aisle – even if you think you can’t bake. We spend about an … Read more →

I remember the biggest fear of adopting Losiah. It was quite simple.  What would it do to the dynamic of our already “prefect family”? Notice the quotes on “perfect” because we all know you have the perfect family… But it was a legitimate thought. I was fearful of the unexpected, of how the kids would … Read more →

Ever since my children could walk, we’ve been taking them on family hikes. In the beginning, it was tough. We were lucky to get a quarter of a mile before the kids started complaining that they were tired, they were thirsty, they were hungry, they were hot, they were cold, they needed to be carried. … Read more →

The recent explosions at the Boston Marathon and now the news about ricin-laced letters being sent to our nation’s leaders have left all of us shaken. The finish line video is frightening to us as adults, as are words like “terrorist,” “pressure-cooker bombs,”  ”poison letters.” Imagine if you were a child? It is important for … Read more →

Going back to work after maternity leave is an emotional time.  When I went back to work after my son was born, I listened to everyone’s advice and thought I was ready to return.  I was organized, planned out my pump breaks and started pumping two weeks before my return.  My type A personality made … Read more →

You don’t need a big back yard, a lot of time or a lot of gardening know how to grow a successful garden. With one pot, some dirt and a few healthy plants you can have a bountiful mini-garden that produces enough food for your weeknight dinner salad or a fresh batch of salsa.  Even … Read more →

Our son Brian (pictured above, with our family) was killed in a traffic crash in October of 2009. A young woman lost control of her car, crossed over the median on I-40, and hit Brian head on. The reason? She was distracted by using her cellphone. You’ve seen them out there. People with their phones … Read more →

Whether or not we like to admit it, our kids will get hurt through the course of their lives. A lot. As toddlers, there will be boo-boos, shots, scrapes, falls, bumps, bruises, separation anxiety, allergies, food intolerance, and lovies getting lost. Once in school, not only do you have the physical hurts, but the emotional … Read more →