Last weekend, I participated in the MS Muckfest–it’s an annual event I started participating in 5 years ago because one of my brothers is affected by MS. All the hot-muck-goopy-filth felt like an all-too-appropriate metaphor for life this year, but it also made me realize a few other things. I know, I know… I’m not as young as I once …

I attended my brother’s funeral last week… Cancer took him, just as it’s taken other members of my family and just like it tried to take me. While I stood there, trying to comfort my family members and reflecting upon my own memories, I couldn’t help but reflect on all that cancer has taken from us–some of the strongest and …

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Weave Made Media® and Klondike, but all my opinions are my own. #weavemade #KandyBar – Full Disclosure It’s been hot–even more so because we’ve been running around to parades, hikes, parks, and water activities. Yes, it’s lots of fun, and I love spending every minute of our summer adventures …

It’s the age-old question: “What do I get dad for Father’s Day?” A tie?  Too played out. A cordless  drill? Too much like work. An art project, clay change bowl, wood bookends? Too old to do that (or maybe, just not enough time… So what do I do? What do I get that says: “I love you from here to …

Disclosure: I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. @CollectiveBias I was excited to hear about the new Food Assistant app from Kraft (as they teamed up with Blippar). It’s one of those apps that the kids love, but …

I first posted this article last year. I’ve expanded, and now am reposting, the article. I think it’s important to remember: We have but to listen… and we’ll hear their myriad of questions. Our children are in the process of discovering their world, testing those limits. Interspersed through the questions are realities of the world, with the pain, death and loss. …

I first posted this article last year around this time. And, I’ve received positive feedback on the story, so I’ve expanded it. I offer it here–as a reminder of what we’ve experienced, and a foretelling of the many experiences that are yet to come… Enjoy the read. Celebrate in the camping experience (no matter how terrible it may seem). And, …

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walmart and Walmart Foundation for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine. Well, it will soon be Mother’s Day, so I scooped the boys up and we made our yearly mom run to Walmart–so we could find a gift for their mom and mine as well. Being the very smart-and-savvy …

Into every parent’s life, some #ICKIES must fall. And, let’s be honest, most of us have had enough gross ICK to last many lifetimes! From the moment my son entered the world, he’s been at the very center of one mess-after-another. You know what I’m talking about: Marker murals all over the floor, walls–even his arms and legs Blotches of …

Every child is a miracle, but for some of our kids, it’s not been an easy road. I know I’ve written a little bit about my own experience with my first child, who died shortly after birth. But, I also have another child in my life who has overcome what could have been overwhelming odds–to beat cancer. My stepson, Ethan, …