I ventured into the world of book (and blog) writing to fulfill a promise to my beloved mother-in-law. Sue's bright light was extinguished on December 2, 2010, after a valiant 13-year battle with breast cancer... just five month's after her first grandchild (my daughter) was born. Now as a mother, entrepreneur, friend, sister, daughter, wife, and torch-bearer of a legacy, I paddle my boat, one wave at a time, toward that promise to her—and now to myself. In death as in life, Sue continues to motivate and inspire me. Follow me, and I'll do my best to pass the inspiration along. To life!
For our honeymoon—well, technically our second one, but that’s another story—Ryan and I went to Thailand. It was a completely foreign experience outside of either of our comfort zones, and yet it remains one of our most memorable travel experience to this day. I’d even say it was one of our favorites because of that. … More One Night in Bangkok
I’ll never forget the first time I realized my toddler has actually drawn a… thing. Since then, I’ve been tracking down fun ways to help her get creative and practice her hand-eye coordination. It’s never too early to prep her for epic video game nights, right? Here are a few of our favorites drawing games. … More Drawing Games
Every once in a while, you’ve just got to give a shout out to the people who are doing it right. The people who really get it, and just by being themselves, teach you something by osmosis. These four bloggers have done that for me. Hats off to you all, and thank you. And if … More 4 Life Lessons From My 4 Favorite Bloggers
When was the last time you laughed like this? Head back, smile wide open, eyes pinched with happiness, not caring who saw you—scratch that—WANTING people to see you and see your joy.
No, not the ear-splitting, orange-flashing, rage-inducing kind of road construction. Roads made out of construction paper, silly. This kids’ activity is quick, cheap, and fun … plus you cover a bunch of great early learning basics. (See “The 4 Pillars of Play” for more info.)
I was having one of those crazy motherhood-freelancing-husband working late shifts-holiday season-pregnancy weeks that makes me wonder, “Why am I voluntarily adding blogging on top of all this again…?” Then I received an email from the universe. Or more, specifically, an email from a very thoughtful stranger named Jill, who unknowingly knew just what I needed … More Connect
For my daughter’s first Halloween, Sue set the bar very high with Amelia Earhart. Once the torch was handed to me, I continued the theme of Inspiring Women in History costumes. In 2011 there was Marie Curie, and the next year we finished the trio with Elizabeth Cady Stanton. (Appropriately enough, it was an election year. … More Strong Females in Literature Costumes: Carmen
Once upon a time, there was a little girl who was obsessed with unicorns. She wanted to wear unicorn clothes. She wanted to color unicorn pictures. She wanted to make up unicorn stories. She want to play unicorn games. She wanted to BE a unicorn. And through the magic of some leftover craft supplies and … More Making Unicorns
I hate breast cancer. Granted, most would say they don’t like it, but let me be clear: I LOATHE it. I hate what it does to people. I hate what it does to the people who love those people. I hate that it’s taken so many lives not yet fully lived. But most of all, I hate that … More Breast Cancer Awareness
Anyone else doing the Halloween scramble? Have no fear. I’ve wrapped up all my previous posts on Halloween costume ideas into one handy reference.
My Castle Heart Publications 