You Never Let Me Cry
I’m not the mom who handles conflict well. Growing up, I was the peacemaker of the house. Once I even confessed to stealing a box of Snickers candy bars to...
Cari Dugan
Joy in the Chaos
If you are anything like me, you cringe at the sight of a mess. Nothing sends me into a quicker emotional frenzy than seeing a playroom upside down, dirty dishes...
A Date Night for Exhausted Parents
Before I had children I use to roll my eyes at those over tired parents who had no time to date. I mean really? How hard could it be to...
I’m Okay with Not Being First
My husband and I have four sweet children. We adopted our youngest, domestically, 18 months ago. She is the light of our home, we all are enamored with her sweet...
Letting Go of Perfection
Every Friday it was the same. Take the kids to school. Rush home to do all the things I didn’t get to finish during the week; laundry, clean bathrooms, scrub...
Those Whispers in the Night
Before my oldest daughter was born, my expectations of myself as a Mama were as large and grandiose as my swollen belly. I imagined that I’d be so many things: ...
I’m Going to Spoil You, Little One
When I became a mom for the first time 12 years ago, I was the first of my friends and family who lived near us. I really didn’t know what...
Think Before Speaking: Regarding Adoption
Usually when I am out and about with my youngest daughter, who is adopted, I don’t get a lot of questions about our family, especially if it just her and...
This Old Couch
Dear friend, Come on in. The door is open. Sometimes when you step into my home you will be greeted with freshly washed floors, a sweet aroma of freshly baked...
Giving Grace
About a year ago, on a cold winter’s morning, the kids and I were on our way to school. We commute about 25 minutes everyday, so the routine of rushing...
This Is My Motherhood
“He is mine in a way that he will never be hers, yet he is hers in a way that he will never be mine, and so together, we are...
Mom Friends In All Seasons
About four years ago, I joined a gym for one purpose: to get healthy again. I had let my health slide after three children, and it was beginning to affect...
First Time Mom (Again): 10 Things I Googled
This past spring we added our fourth baby into our not-so-little crew. Preparing for her arrival I was pretty confident in my mommy skills. I mean, this wasn’t my first...
You Are In Control
Every since our children were little, we established with them that their bodies are theirs and theirs alone. They controlled who they allowed to give them hugs and kisses. We...
