Encouragement, Family Life, Inspiration

Where is Your Hope?

I was just about to leave the school restroom when a poster on the wall caught my attention. I stood and stared…my heart sank. I couldn’t wrap my head around the devastation of a child so filled with life, so full of potential, CHOOSING to end it all. And yet I know, this hopelessness–this believing that nothing will ever get…

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Encouragement, Inspiration

Teachers Who See

I was in sixth grade when I first witnessed the crippling effects of a tragic loss.  A girl in my school, not much older than I was at the time, had chosen to end her life.  Our town was devastated and heartbroken–our school was silent and shocked. My teacher at the time, who overflowed with wisdom and compassion, realized that…

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Art, Encouragement, Family Life, Inspiration, Printables

Wherever You Are, Be ALL There

Have you seen them?  They’re absolutely everywhere.  You know, the ones who can’t stop staring. I see them in restaurants while dining with my family.  They’re preparing to eat with their families too, except–they’re not really there. I imagine them as human versions of moths and mosquitoes, hunched over their metaphorical “bug zappers”, uncontrollably drawn in by the glow of…

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Encouragement, Family Life, Home Decor, Inspiration

Slow Down, Little Momma. You’ve Got a Long Way To Go

Motherhood is the most rewarding, life-giving, inspiring, fantastic job on the planet. Except…when it’s not. It’s a little bit more frowned upon in certain women’s circles to admit how exhausting, depleting, depressing, and frustrating it can be. Not many people like to discuss the post-birth one-size-fits-all mesh underwear that give you the appearance of a bonafide sumo wrestler, or how…

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Encouragement, Family Life, Home Decor, Inspiration

Where Have All the Good Men Gone?

My best friend Nicole is my real-life super hero. My real-life super hero endured sexual abuse from a close family member for most of her childhood. Nicole and I became friends as teenagers, not terribly long after her abuser had chosen to take his own life.  She was only 14. Over the years I have watched Nicole bravely and tirelessly…

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Encouragement, Family Life, Home Decor, Inspiration, Printables

Be Who He Made You To Be

Be who He made you to be. Really, that’s pretty self-explanatory and all that truly needs to be said. But I fully realize that I, personally, need to stop and meditate on that first sentence for more than just a nanosecond, because lately it has been showing up in my life on a regular, noticeable, persistent basis. In fact, it…

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