Amber Dawkins
Theme Dates: Going Beyond Dinner and A Movie
I have nothing against dinner and a movie. It’s a solid plan for a night out and has earned its reputation as the go-to classic date with good reason. However, I think many of...
I Might Be Pepa: Encanto Inspired Self-Reflection
Encanto has been a popular topic of conversation around our house lately. Most of us have seen the movie multiple times. We watch Encanto YouTube videos (my son loves the Disney Music VEVO version...
American Ninja Warrior Mom
When was the last time you heard unexpected good news? 2020 has been the year of the unexpected, but unfortunately, most of it hasn’t been good. I’m not going to run down the list...
The Playground Workout
Oliver was no more than six months old when I took him to his first playground. He sat like a sack of potatoes in the baby swing and eventually cracked a little smile for...
Beat the Heat at Superkidz Club
Seriously… a heat index of 107 degrees with 99% humidity for the fourth day in a row!? Not that long ago, Wednesdays were synonymous with snow days and we were all longing for the...
It’s Fun to Sweat at the YMCA
I've never been the kind to get super excited about walking on a treadmill to stay fit. However, if I were to be enticed by the bluetooth and WiFi capabilities of the Matrix treadmills...
To the People I Pray Will Never Raise My Child
We've been thinking about guardianship for our sweet son, should anything ever happen us. We have discussed our family options, but our parents are aging, and we would like to see our little boy...
For the Child Who Loves Music (and the Mom Who Loves Alone Time)
The Birdhouse Song
By Oliver, age 3.5
Accompanied by some beautiful guitar strumming
The trees are falling
And I don’t know why we can’t go home
The light switch is broken
And the piano is playing
The heart is broken...
My Wedding Ring: The Indentation is Gone, but the Impact Remains
It’s been 530 days since I took my wedding ring off, closed it in the nightstand drawer, and cried myself to sleep. That white gold band with a solitaire marquis cut diamond sat on...
Strength in My Socks
When my husband left, my friends and family surrounded me with a level of love and support that still brings tears to my eyes. I woke up to supportive texts almost every morning. I...
LULA: Smarter Home Services (and Bringers of Baseboard Bliss)
I was 8 months into a very high-risk pregnancy, awkwardly sitting on my couch as my sister-in-law cleaned my entire house, top to bottom. It had been so hard to accept her incredibly selfless...
To the Mom Whose Husband Just Walked Out
You are reeling; your future just shattered right before your eyes. It’s OK to cry. Cry hard. Sob on the kitchen floor until no sound comes out. Cry when you wake up alone in...
Therapy Isn’t a Bad Word
“Would you like to schedule another session?” The words caught me off-guard. The change was almost imperceptible, but it was there. A key word was missing from her usual question: WHEN. “When would you...
Adventures in Bucket-Listing
I was living a textbook life. I was raised in a conservative church, met my husband in the youth group and married him at 19. I finished my education degree and spent several years...
Strong as Steel
I can do a pull up. A full, real deal, no-cheats pull up. It took me 32 years, one Amazon Prime pull up bar order, and a final decision to train for American Ninja...