Mother’s Day is here, and it’s my eleventh Mother’s Day as a mom. My world shifted so significantly in becoming a mom that I almost can’t remember who I was before. I had goals, but they were selfish goals. I had a really organized house, but I never had a home like I do now. I didn’t have... Read More →

We used to go a few times a year, when Isabel was too little to even KNOW we were going anywhere at all. We got our last season pass when Ryan was about 3 years old, and Isabel was 6. Neither of them remembered anything about Magic Kingdom. How was it easier to go when... Read More →

It was my birthday weekend, and I’d spent most of it working on a design project. I wanted to go to the beach. I needed to. Something in me just HAD to feel the sand and the breeze and the waves. So at around 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, we drove the hour it takes... Read More →

As posted on Soul Parenting… Many nights, I am hurrying my kids to bed, ready to relish the last hours of the night. To finally get something done or sit in front of a favorite TV show. Or just to get to bed myself at the end of a long day. But some nights, I... Read More →

Could they be any cuter? I didn’t even realize they both picked Batpeople costumes until about a week after we bought them. THAT is how out of it I was in October. There was a LOT going on. I’m really glad they did, though. They made my job as mom-tographer really easy. I mean, Batman... Read More →

I love it when morning time is stay in bed time. I love morning snuggles and play. And geography lessons. And still-tired eyes. And sibling love. And, sometimes, I even love the ‘attitude.’ As long as it’s quickly forgotten. And we are back to geography lessons. (These shots were taken on August 11, 2012 and... Read More →

Almost 4 years ago, I dragged the kids to an animal rescue center up in North Miami. It was about a 45 minute drive, but they had posted on craigslist that they had golden-labrador retriever mix puppies. And I wanted one. {Mind you, that I had NEVER had a dog and knew NOTHING about dogs.... Read More →

This summer, my family joined my parents for a road trip. It was maaahvelous. I loved it so much I could write a book about it! Here is that book (flash required):   << I swear there was a book here. There is no longer. I’ll work on that! >>   I look forward to... Read More →

I just love it when I pick the kids up from after care and they are huddled beside each other, forgetting all the other kids around them. It doesn’t happen EVERY day, but I love when it does. It tells me they really love each other. Read More →

While waiting for Tropical Storm Isaac, we didn’t put up shutters or bring anything inside, off the patio. Nope. On Saturday morning, I went to kickboxing with my friend, Lisa. Rene spent the day moving his boat. The kids and I started our Harry Potter marathon – Half Blood Prince (the sixth movie) is just... Read More →

Isabel’s last year in elementary school? What the heck!??! I remember kindergarten. Vaguely. And Ryan is in 2nd grade. In a fancy portable. Taking PE… and Spanish… and Art… and Music. Officially a “medium kid.” (The fifth graders are BIG kids.) While the kids were excited for the new year to start, I was rightfully skeptical. I... Read More →

This past March, my family and I went on a road trip with our Girl Scout troop. We went to Savannah GA, to learn about the Girl Scout founder: Juliette Gordon Low. We visited to her birth house and the nearby neighborhood, which was beautiful. She is truly inspiring, so I recommend reading more about... Read More →