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Tornado Warning: She’s the Storm You’ve Been Waiting For
I often {lovingly} refer to my youngest daughter as a tornado. She’s a force to be reckoned with on so many levels, and she always has been. I admire her reckless, carefree spirit—the way she unapologetically commands a room. Strong, fierce, and sometimes a little intimidating, she’s a whirlwind in the best possible way. We
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Stop ‘Working’ on Your Marriage—Do This Instead
The other day, a friend and I were deep in conversation—talking about life, kids, and, most of all, marriage. As we reflected on how much we’ve grown in our relationships over the years, I kept finding myself saying the same thing: “Marriage isn’t ‘work.’ It’s about being intentional. Marriage should be fun!” How many times
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The Ornament That Started It All
Every year, for the past 12 years, I’ve placed this ornament on our Christmas tree. And every year, as I put it on and take it off, I’m overwhelmed with love, gratitude, and memories that shaped the life we’ve built together. You see, this isn’t just an ornament—it’s the ornament. The first one Gordon and
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Code Word: Potato
If I could give my girls anything, it would be the courage to speak their minds freely—without fear of judgment or consequence. I want them to know the power of their own voices and to trust in the value of what they have to say. But if I’m honest, there have been moments when my
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Teach Them to Fish
They say if you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day, but if you teach him to fish, you feed him for a lifetime. This timeless wisdom highlights the importance of empowering others with the tools, knowledge, and skills to succeed on their own. True impact comes from nurturing self-reliance and
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Eldest Daughter Syndrome: The Quiet Pressure Every Oldest Daughter Knows
Have you heard Taylor Swift’s new song Eldest Daughter yet? If not, add it to your playlist for later, because whew… she wasn’t subtle with that emotional punch. And Taylor, if you’re reading this, sponsorship inquiries are open. The song touches on something so many women know in their bones: the emotional responsibility placed on
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The Question That’s Keeping Moms Stuck: Rethinking Mom Guilt
There’s this little buzzword that shows up in motherhood all the time. Something most of us feel, but rarely say out loud. That little whisper that pops up when you’re lying in bed replaying the day. Or when you’re scrolling Instagram. Or when a birthday doesn’t go exactly how you imagined. Or when the day
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The Neuroscience Behind Manifesting Your Best Life Ever
Maybe you’ve heard someone talk about manifesting and thought, “Yeah right, that’s just wishful thinking.” But what if I told you it’s not magic — it’s actually how your brain is wired? As a life coach and mama of two girls, I spend a lot of time helping women navigate the beautiful chaos of life with more confidence, clarity,
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40 Lessons in 40 Years: What Turning 40 Has Taught Me About Life, Love, and Growth
I recently turned 40. Yep! the big 4-0. Four decades of living, learning, stumbling and stretching, healing and hurting, loving and losing, parenting and persevering, building and becoming. If you know anything about my story, you know it hasn’t all been pretty. My best lessons have come from the messy stuff—heartbreak and healing, figuring out
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The Calm Mom’s Guide to Back-to-School Success
Back-to-school season hits like a storm. One minute you’re soaking up late summer nights and lingering slow mornings, and the next you’re thrown into early alarms, half-eaten packed lunches, math worksheets, and a calendar that seems to multiply overnight. If you’ve ever found yourself whispering, “There has to be an easier way,” you’re not the only one.
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Why I’m Done Apologizing for Raising Girls Who Know Their Worth
As I watched my 11-year-old daughter settle into her seat in First Class the other day, I couldn’t help but smile—and pause. She knows this routine like it’s normal. Meanwhile, I didn’t step foot in First Class until I was 37. At her age, I didn’t even know it existed. And there she was, effortlessly buckled in,
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We Don’t Say the “F” Word Around Here
There’s one word that’s completely off-limits in our house. Everyone knows it—my husband, my daughters—it’s the one word guaranteed to stop me in my tracks or send me into a full-on mom meltdown. No, not that F word.The other one: “Fat.” We don’t say it in passing. We don’t use it as a joke. Not even casually.In our
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When the Weight Becomes Worth It
“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave” — Elmer Davis Today, I watched my 11-year-old daughter take on Murph—in a weight vest, following full movement standards. If you’re not familiar with Murph, it’s a CrossFit workout performed every Memorial Day in honor
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The Hidden Price of Playing Small — And How to Reclaim Yourself
“I am no longer shrinking to be digestible. You can choke, respectfully.”That quote stopped me in my tracks. I saw it months ago on social media, and it’s been living rent-free in the back of my mind ever since. Stirring something. Cracking something open. Because if I’m being honest… I’ve shrunk. More times than I
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The Truth About Feeling Blah (and How to Reclaim Your Joy)
Let me guess. You love your family with your whole heart… but lately, you’re just not feeling it. You’re exhausted before the day even begins, your to-do list is longer than your patience, and somewhere along the way, you lost a piece of yourself. I see you, mama. You are not alone. A few weeks
The Balanced Mama
Parenting isn't about perfection, it's about connection
