My Husband's Swollen Ear Is Apparently My Problem
My husband has a swollen ear, a questionable plan involving a Walgreens syringe, and the audacity to offer me the opportunity to perform bathroom surgery. As a Certified Athletic Trainer, I've seen some things. But apparently, twenty years of marriage still hasn't prepared me for this level of nonsense. Welcome to another episode of military medicine, marriage, and Motrin.
Christmas in October: A Little Holiday Magic, a Lot of Chaos, and Starting Over
It's only October, but Christmas preparations are already underway! Between St. Nick pajamas, Elf kits, family traditions, and a new home with nowhere to hide presents, this holiday season is shaping up to be another adventure.
The Day After the Birthday Party, My Daughter Asked What’s on the Agenda
My son turned five, the birthday party was a success, and the kids woke up ready for another adventure. I woke up wanting to stare at a wall. Unfortunately, my six-year-old had questions about today’s agenda. Apparently, motherhood doesn't come with recovery days.
Somewhere Between Stay-at-Home Mom and Whatever Comes Next
What happens when you can finally see the end of the stay-at-home-mom years—and realize you have absolutely no idea what comes next? Somewhere between career tests, unfinished questions, five years away from my profession, and a suspicious number of home projects, I’m realizing maybe I’m not looking for something else to do. Maybe I’m trying to figure out who I want to be next.
Day Four Without AC, But At Least the Kids Have Beds
It is a balmy 78 degrees in this house. Day four without air conditioning. I am not okay. But today, the kids finally got their beds.
God Tried to Smite Me Today
I have long since said that God is just a little kid with a magnifying glass. Today proved it. He tried to smite me. He just missed.
The Military Spouse Road Trip Survival Guide (Spoiler: There Isn't One)
What should have been a simple drive home turned into potty emergencies, sketchy gas stations, a damaged tire, and one very tired military spouse. If you've ever road-tripped with kids, you'll understand exactly how this story ends.
I Love My Kids. I Just Need Everyone to Keep Their Pants On.
Slow Summers and My Own Personal Global Warming
After a hectic year of moves and transitions, summer at the lake has reminded me what matters most. Between sweating through every outdoor project, nursing transplanted flowers, homeschooling, and watching my children create worlds from construction paper, I've realized these simple days are becoming the childhood memories they'll carry forever.
I Finally Stopped Looking for One Perfect Answer
I spent months trying to decide if I was a homeschool mom or a public school mom. In the end, I realized I didn't have to choose one identity. Here's why one child is heading to first grade while the other is staying home.
Military Life: the parts no one talks about
Military life is often defined by the visible things: the boxes, the moves, the fresh starts. What people rarely talk about is the invisible weight that comes with it—the mental load of constant transition, uncertainty, and learning how to trust calm again after years of chaos.
The Garden That Wasn't Supposed to Have Stairs
I built a rock wall one stone at a time while solo parenting two small children during a PCS move. Then a mulch truck backed into it and changed the plan completely. Turns out, some of the best parts of life aren't the ones we design—they're the ones we create after everything goes sideways.