Sweet friend, I know you feel like your world has exploded into chaos. Two under the age of two feels overwhelming. It’s like raising two babies, but one child gets into one thing after another. It feels endless. The diapers, the crying, the messes. But sweet mama, it gets better . . . so much … Continue reading To the Mom of Two Under Two: You’ll Make It
Have you ever felt the nudge to say something but you let fear keep your mouth shut? I have. My family has been in the “church-dating” process (as my husband calls it), trying to find a new place to land. We had been attending one church for a couple of months, but it was a … Continue reading Encouragement for New Moms: You’re Doing Better Than You Think
“Enjoy this while it lasts. It goes by in the blink of an eye.” “Oh, I miss when my kids were little. Enjoy it while you can.” You’ve heard well-meaning people say those things, haven’t you? Oh, I’ve heard it so many times. I wanted to take their advice, I desperately did, but it was … Continue reading Being Present in the Hard Seasons of Raising Kids
At six years old, my daughter informed us she wants to be a soldier.When we heard from the ultrasound tech that we were having another girl, that was not exactly the career path that popped into our heads. There’s something absolutely terrifying knowing your child wants to do something big like this. I’m sure I’d … Continue reading My Little Girl Has Big, Brave Dreams
Sweet friend, I see you doing the best you can to smile and act like everything is OK. You’re trying to hide the truth from everyone around you. You’re even trying to hide the truth from yourself. But it’s hard to continue through the motions. There is a heavy weight on your shoulders that can’t … Continue reading To the Mom Tired of Acting Like Everything is OK
“Mama, I wish I was in eighth grade,” my sweet first-grader said to me as she sat at the kitchen counter one day after school at the beginning of the year. “Why’s that?” “Because then I would almost be done with reading,” she stated matter-of-factly. “Mama, I don’t like reading. It’s so hard.” My mama’s … Continue reading Your Child Can Do Big Things Even if School is Tough
Sweet Mama, I know you’re discouraged and feeling defeated. You feel like you don’t measure up and that you never will. Time and time again, you feel like you screw up, and you wish you could just do something right. Doubt creeps into your mind, and your insecurities rise as you look around at everyone … Continue reading Mama, Your Presence Is Enough
There’s something about when your kiddos can load the dishwasher, mop the floor, and start a load of laundry. There’s something about when they can put their own clothes away and style their hair without any help. There's something about when they can put their own clothes away and style their hair without any help. … Continue reading There’s Beauty in Having Big Kids, Too
Mama, Take the picture, no matter what’s in the background. I was searching through old photos on the computer to find one in particular (to no avail), but the longer I looked, the more my heart filled with joy as I saw smile after smile of my kids in their childhood messes. I went past … Continue reading Leave the Mess and Take the Picture
To the mama trying to hold it all together, I see the smile you show the rest of the world. I see the way you do everything you can to make sure things run smoothly, but I also see the truth you’re hiding from others. Maybe you’re even trying to hide it from yourself. You're … Continue reading To the Mom Trying to Hold it Together
To the mama struggling with postpartum depression, I know right now you’re surrounded by darkness, but it won’t always be this way. I know you feel like you can’t breathe, but it won’t always be this way. I know the tears fall freely, but it won’t always be this way. I know you feel broken … Continue reading It Won’t Always Be This Way
Mama, I know this school year has been hard. It was filled with ups and downs, and nothing consistent other than inconsistency. There were good days and bad days. There were quarantines and unexpected doctor visits. There were canceled plans and changes to schedules. Nothing stayed the same. I know you felt like you were … Continue reading Mama, You Made It To Summer—Now Enjoy It!
Sweet child, Don’t lose your spark, your wonder, your passion. The world will try to confine you and hold you back, but you were made to be free. You were made to inspire the hearts of others, just as you’ve inspired mine. You walk to the beat of your own drum, and I admire you for it. … Continue reading Dear Wild Child, the World Needs Your Fire
Mama friend, You’re crushing it. I know it might not feel like it, but you are. Every morning you get up, get out of bed, and care for those in your house. I know there are some days you wish you could hide beneath the covers all day (or even for an extra hour). But … Continue reading Mama, You’re Crushing It
Mama friend, I know you are unhappy with your weight. You stand on the scale and wonder how the number has gotten so high. You look in the mirror, and your pre-baby figure has been replaced with curves you never knew could appear. But you know what? That body has done incredible things. It carried babies, it … Continue reading For the Mama Struggling with Her Weight
Heart to Heart 