parenting
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Internal Thought Vomit
Eric and I have a commonly repeated conversation, usually while driving. It goes something like this, Continue reading
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I Was Wrong
I remember writing about solo parenting many times throughout the last deployment. Reading many parenting blogs, military support websites and feeling overwhelmed by it all, but still armed with strategies and support to muscle our way through. As we prepared for this round, I kept thinking how much easier it was going to be. The… Continue reading
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The Life Raft of Gratitude
Navigating this deployment with kids old enough to comprehend time and distance more than they did the last time around, I’m finding that it’s teaching me how to teach them how to navigate tough emotions. One has to have a good cry, the other wants to not talk about it, for now. “Later, mom. We’ll… Continue reading
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Center
Inhaling his scent, hair sweaty from fever-soaked sleep, it was clear that I would be scrapping errands and instead caring for my sick 8-year-old. His sister was home with the flu last week, and as usual, it’s floating through our home despite any attempts at sanitizing every surface, doorknob and light switch. Secretly I love… Continue reading
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It’s Time
When I was pregnant with him, I was sicker than I’ve ever been in my life. I read all the books, studied up on exactly how he was developing and growing. We dreamed about what this little baby would be like when we were able to finally meet him, like all parents-to-be surely do. When… Continue reading
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Seeds of Safety
Walking to the corner I keep an eye on the other end of our road for the bus. Eventually it comes, lumbering down the street to drop off our kiddos from another day at school just a quick 3 suburban blocks from our front door. The pavement wet from last night’s rain, I clutch the handle of… Continue reading
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Deployments ARE Marathons!
Having a few races under my belt including a marathon, as well as a few deployments – I couldn’t help to note some striking similarities. During shore duty, the duty stations where deployments are not a factor, my mind goes to what I call the “shore duty mental bubble”. These are the tours where deployments… Continue reading
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I don’t.
“The older you get, the less you know. It’s a sign of maturity. Teenagers are the ones who know nothing but think they know everything.” I remember my mom saying something along these lines when I was in my teens, eye-rolling and sighing and certain that I was, of course, the exception. Turns out she… Continue reading
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Push Pull
I think most people are the same in that we often have opposing ideas. Our ideals can often contradict our reality, such as our beliefs not always being aligned with our actions. If I had my way, I would live in a world without clutter. Paperwork and “stuff” that litters our countertops in piles would… Continue reading
Life and Other Stuff 