Last week, my mom had a seizure. It was a stressful experience for her. She has multiple health issues, and developing epilepsy after a stroke she suffered three years ago is one of them. Whenever she has a challenging day, it unfortunately turns into a challenging week and sometimes a challenging month. It’s hard for me to watch because she is my mom, and I want the best … [Read more...]
Stop Single Shaming! 5 Ways the Holidays Can Be Great for Single People!
Stop it already!! Folk in relationships and marriages have to stop acting as if single people are sitting around miserable because they aren’t. A good example of this is around the holidays when lots of single people dread being around friends and (especially) family, who always find a way to bring up the awkward conversation about why they aren’t married or why they aren't … [Read more...]
Who Says You Have to Have a Boo for the Holidays? 5 Ways Singles Can Beat the Holiday Blues
It's the most wonderful time of the year. Well, at least for some of us. The holidays can be a dreadful time for singles, and for good reason. Why? Tis' the "cuff season" of engagements and baby announcements. For some singles, the holiday can be a depressing reminder of the fact that you're alone, causing you to have "What Do the Lonely Do At Christmas?" by The Emotions on … [Read more...]
7 Tips for Having a Drama-Free Holiday Season
With Thanksgiving and Christmas rapidly approaching, many of us are thinking about planning meals, coordinating family visits, and buying gifts. There is no question that the most wonderful time of the year can leave us feeling busy and depleted. But what often strips us of our energy the most isn’t the long to-do list, or standing in the kitchen all day; it’s the family … [Read more...]
4 Ways to Incorporate His & Her Family During the Holidays
Let me start off by saying I am the poster child for blended families. Both of my parents remarried when I was young, causing my family to quadruple. But now that I’m newly married, it’s officially out of control. I’ve been stressing out about how we’re going to see all 5 sides of the family during our first holiday season as a married couple. I think I’ve got it figured it … [Read more...]
3 Reasons Why this Autism Mom is Grateful
Raising a child on the autism spectrum is a never ending roller coaster ride, so today I want to celebrate the highs. Today, I want to celebrate the reasons why my son makes me feel grateful. Progress: When parents of children on the autism spectrum talk to one another, the word “progress” comes up a lot. We ask questions like: “How is he doing?” “Is he making progress?” We … [Read more...]
BMWK 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge; Week 4 Expressing Gratitude for Others
Week 1: Self-Gratitude Week 2: Gratitude for my Spouse/Significant Other Week 3: Gratitude for my children/family Week 4: Gratitude for others Week 4: Expressing Gratitude for Others This time of year can be really hard for a lot of people. You never know what that smile, encouraging word or simple act of kindness can do for someone. I'm committed to being more … [Read more...]
My New Definition of Being Thankful on Thanksgiving has Nothing to do with Turkey.
Our family, in the eyes of most people, would appear to be going through a lot. Our youngest daughter has sickle cell and has been in and out of the hospital since she was 4 months old. She’s had three operations, 12 blood transfusions, and was once on a feeding tube because we were told it was too dangerous for her to eat, she was even coded once where 20 - 30 doctors flooded … [Read more...]
4 Reasons to Be Thankful for Being Single
The holiday season can be tough for those of us who are still single and don't have a special someone to share it with. There you are, surrounded by friends and family who are all happily married or well on their way to the altar. I've learned that despite how it may sometimes feel, being single during the holidays doesn't have to be a lonely time. In fact, it can be an … [Read more...]
11 Reasons Why I’m Thankful for My Husband
During a week where we are reminded of why it’s important to give thanks, I find myself thinking about the things and people in my life that I am thankful for. I am pretty good at expressing gratitude. I always have been, and I thank my mom for that. I could go on and on, telling you all about my wonderful kids, my awesome friends, and the hundred other things I’m thankful … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving Love: 15 Reasons Why We’re Thankful For Our Marriages
Are you thankful for your marriage? This time of year, more than others, we focus of what we’ve been blessed with and what we’re thankful for. We’ve heard couples say they are thankful for their marriages, but what exactly are they thankful about? What are the specific details that allow them to feel blessed so we can all learn from it? Well, we took it to Facebook & … [Read more...]
Recipe: Easy But Oh So Good Sweet Potato Pie
Sweet Potato Pie was one of the first things my Mama taught me how to bake! So I've been in-love with sweet potato pie for a very long time! And let's not even talk about the next day slice of sweet potato pie. OMG it's like the flavors just have time to settle and, well um.... just um well...turn into pure goodness!! After I made this one for pictures and posting, I … [Read more...]
5 Ways Your Entire Family Can Express Gratitude This Month
In four weeks, most of us will be celebrating Thanksgiving, and November has become a month that urges us to reflect on what we are grateful for. It’s a known fact that expressing gratitude is a critical part of living our best lives. Whether you give thanks for the air you breathe, or the caramel macchiato you are able to afford on the way to work, giving thanks is good for … [Read more...]
‘Tis the Season to be Thankful: How Do You teach Your Kids Gratitude?
Recently, my daughter started school. Well, at least that's what I call it. For some reason, the word school sounds better than daycare. It makes me feel good when I kiss her goodbye and put her in the arms of another woman. And although she's only 15-months-old, she's learning a lot. She even knows sign language! One of the first words she signed was thank you. She can even … [Read more...]
Giving Thanks for My Imperfectly Perfect Family
A family with two little boys both diagnosed with autism. A family that lost their mother/wife to cancer. The bread winner and sole provider of the family who loses his job. What do all of these families have in common? Your initial thought may be something negative but, these are all descriptions of "happy families". How you ask? I don't have the answer. I'm not sure that … [Read more...]