For us, the day was about more than just Kevin and I getting married; it was about us becoming a family, starting a new chapter in our lives, and committing to working on our marriage and family for forever. … More Our Blended Family Wedding
In a world that is constantly trying to sell us solutions to problems we didn’t even know existed, and fill our homes with noise and clutter and chaos, I believe one of the best gifts we can give our kids is the gift of quiet, simple play time that allows them to unlock their creativity and use their imagination. … More 5 Easy Screen-Free Activities for Kids
When divorce and parenting become intertwined, there can be lots of strong feelings. If there’s one thing I’ve learned through this process, though, is that I’m extremely grateful to co-parent with someone who is as equally committed to my daughter’s happiness as I am. … More Why We’re Committed to Peaceful Co-Parenting
My first chapter of parenting was very different from one I had ever dreamt up as a kid. Although there were many unique challenges I faced during pregnancy and my first few years of motherhood, there are three that stand out as the hardest. … More The Hardest Parts of Becoming a Mom at 19
When I was pregnant, there was no discussion on what my baby would call me, her dad, or her grandparents beyond, “Grandma wants to be called Mimi instead,” or “Instead of daddy, let’s teach her ‘papi’ in Spanish.” The fundamentals were not at issue: I am the mom, and dad is the dad. But what … More My Thoughts on Stepparenting, Pt. 2
What do you think of when you think of a step mom? Before I began to step into my role as a step/bonus mom, thinking of stepmom usually conjured images of the evil stepmother from Cinderella or the ostracized stepmom from The Parent Trap. The role of a stepmom tends to have a pretty negative … More My Thoughts on Stepparenting, Pt. I
On January 11th, I turned 25 years old! I’m just now getting to the point where my age seems to match up with how I feel. When I was in middle school and high school, people commented on how mature I was for my age or how I seemed older than I was. As a … More 10 Things I’ve Learned in 25 Years
Co-Authored with Kevin Allen When I separated from my ex-husband in November 2022, I was almost twenty-three years old, had a two year old daughter, hadn’t yet graduated college, and had my whole life ahead of me. I had gotten married at only nineteen, so I knew when the time came, I would want to … More 6 Hard Truths About Dating After Divorce
On September 22nd, 2024, my best friend and the love of my life got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. The moment was perfect, and it was one of the happiest of my life. There’s so much I could write about me and Kevin. I could write about how we met, … More Our Engagement Story
This post is in honor of my mom’s birthday, because I don’t have much to give other than what I can make or write with my own two hands. Happy birthday, Mom! I remember my first night at college like it was yesterday. My family all flew out to Hawaii with me to help me … More Lessons from My Mom
Step by Step Parenting 