Ages + Stages

If only... what if... Everyone has a story that often comes with regrets. But in this story there is no regret, only courage and love. This is the story of how and why I bravely placed my first-born daughter...

"To get your kids to enthusiastically clean, all you have to do is become Messy Monster," I explained to my friend. "What is Messy Monster?" my intrigued mom-friend inquired. "You just proclaim to your kids that you're Messy Monster while using a...

I am a by-product of a very young couple madly in love. But as the story goes, sometimes love isn't enough. My biological father was just nineteen, my mom twenty. I've seen pictures of him and heard stories, but growing up never...

Okay, I am aware that I’m an extreme case when it comes to selfies, but admittedly I have an addictive personality… and isn’t the first step knowing and admitting you have a problem?  I have a problem, and I...

Captain’s Log, Stardate 10.19.2016 Our three-person crew entered Kinder Quadrant just six weeks ago, and we are still adjusting to this strange new world.   This morning, I came to realize it’s time for “The Talk.” “But Sarah,” I hear voices crying...

{Photo credit: Jill Kari Photography} Mama Said In the beginning when I first got pregnant, as planned, on the first try, I thought I knew it all. I was clearly already on track for a perfect pregnancy to raise a perfect child...

I have four kids and I remember being so scared to have The Talk with them. I’m not sure why because my parents were never awkward about it with me. They gave me factual information and always told me...

She saw me and launched herself into my arms, her sweaty face pressed to my stomach and chest. I could tell she was crying. “Honey, what’s wrong?” The response was muffled against my chest. I peeled her gently away from me,...

  Big changes are happening in our family. Okay, that might be a tad dramatic to say since last year we made an international move and this is nowhere near as exciting. However, we are embarking on a new adventure come...

I’ve always enjoyed Christmas in a ho-ho-ho-hum sort of way. Sure, I am enchanted by Christmas lights, love some Christmas music (if they only could start playing it just a week ahead of time) and never met a Christmas cookie...