Leslee Stewart

How a skirt, poop and OxyClean taught me the beauty of motherhood

Have you ever had those days, or let’s be honest, one of those seasons of parenting when you think, “This is never going to end! My life is going to be an endless cycle of ___________ (fill in the blank…sleepless nights…kids who refuse to eat vegetables…fighting over screen time…etc.)?” Whatever your parenting crazy cycle mightContinue reading “How a skirt, poop and OxyClean taught me the beauty of motherhood”

When it comes to business, I am shark bait

For the last few weeks my family has been watching Shark Tank reruns on CNBC. Other than one time, when the husband of a close friend of mine was in the Tank to secure a deal for his start-up, I’ve never really watched the show. But these last few weeks of watching have made meContinue reading “When it comes to business, I am shark bait”

Friday free-for-all: What’s up with the weather and what I’m buying my husband this Christmas

It’s another fantastic Friday which means it’s time for my Friday free-for-all post. The weather The weather is finally cooperating and letting me wear boots and sweaters all day, versus that weird thing where you bundle up in the morning but are in flip-flops by afternoon. Despite my flair for the dramatic, I don’t likeContinue reading “Friday free-for-all: What’s up with the weather and what I’m buying my husband this Christmas”

Happy Holidaze

I have a confession to make about last year’s Christmas card – I didn’t send them on purpose. Like many of you, life is busy for our family. When we aren’t working, we are busy moving our boys from school, to sports, to the shower, (occasionally, at best), to bed, only to get up theContinue reading “Happy Holidaze”

The mama bear effect

Claws out. Teeth sharp. Hair on end. Ready to fight. This week a new side of me came out in full force. Her name is Mama Bear and she is not to be messed with. Ever. I’ve heard about the Mama Bear effect from other mothers. When her cubs (kids) are threatened, whoa, Nellie! WatchContinue reading “The mama bear effect”

So this is 40

Throughout my life, I’ve heard turning 40 referred to in less than pleasant ways: Over the Hill. Middle aged. Lordy, lordy, look who’s 40! From grey hair (already got it), to adult acne (say what?), to extra chin hairs (thank you, Grandma!), most of the older women in my life have left me believing thereContinue reading “So this is 40”

Sticks, stones and self-sabotage

The other day I was floating along in life, feeling like everything was pretty good, when a friend made a comment in passing that opened the floodgates of doubt and worry in my mind. Suddenly I found myself replaying our conversation over and over, trying to dissect each word, tone and facial expression of myContinue reading “Sticks, stones and self-sabotage”

Friends in a Facebook world

For many years I thought the more friends I had in my life, the better my life must be. I spent most of my teens and 20s collecting as many friends as possible. I treated my physical life like a Facebook life – the higher the number of friends I had, the more social invitationsContinue reading “Friends in a Facebook world”

Get yourself a Bible promise

When my mom was a little girl, growing up in the First Baptist Church of Norman, Oklahoma, her pastor taught her a simple but important spiritual lesson that has served as cornerstone of her life, and mine: “Get yourself a Bible promise and stand on it, because God’s Word never fails.” Growing up, when IContinue reading “Get yourself a Bible promise”

Split personality house

I’ve always subscribed to home decorating magazines. Country Living is probably my favorite. The homes that grace its pages have inspired what I’ve tried to make my home look like over the years. From the outside, I’ve done a pretty good job of making my house magazine ready. Welcoming wreath? Check. Potted plants with trailing vines?Continue reading “Split personality house”