Family – 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”

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”

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”

Hey God. Are you there?

Sometimes I wish God was as easy to reach as a friend on Facebook. There are times when I’m facing a problem and I’d like to instant message God to get a quick answer rather than pray and trust Him to lead me. Over the last year our family faced a big decision – whereContinue reading “Hey God. Are you there?”

Where did the last three weeks go?

Holy Guacamole! Has it really been three weeks since my last post? I warned you I was lazy, but this is downright shameful! I could lay out a whole list of somewhat valid excuses for my absence, primary of which was a trip back home for 10 days. But the truth is, when you areContinue reading “Where did the last three weeks go?”

Ways to beat the heat when you have no pool

We’ve lived in Florida two years now and bought our current house about a year ago. When we were house shopping, we didn’t want a pool. There were lots of reasons why, but our chief concern was safety for our kids. Plus it’s a lot of maintenance, cost, etc., and we just didn’t think we’dContinue reading “Ways to beat the heat when you have no pool”