Over the past two weeks, I've been sharing some of the bloggers I adore. First I talked about the absolutely beautiful and authentic souls I've had the great honor to "meet" here. Then I shared some writers/authors and book reviewers I enjoy every chance I get. Now it's time for me to share some of … Continue reading The Bloggers I Love: Moms Edition
I had about a week between the ultrasound and the start of my Spring semester, a week to finally let the thought I was pregnant settle in. Of course, that came with a whole host of other fears. I still wasn't past the first trimester, so there was still a good chance I would lose … Continue reading Finding Magic in Motherhood, Part 10: School and Pregnancy
Parents understand worry very well. Not only is the world a scary place, but babies and young children are just so fragile. I remember worrying about my kids when they were both newborns. SIDS terrified me and, since both were born early, both were slightly more likely to succumb to it. When my oldest learned … Continue reading And a New Phase of Worry as a Parent Has Begun
When I first envisioned my road to motherhood, it was full of sparkles and glows. I thought of my body changing, had even said goodbye to my pre-baby body in preparation for the coming changes. I expected morning sickness, aches, exhaustion, and a growing belly that I couldn't wait to show off. I didn't expect … Continue reading Finding Magic in Motherhood, Part 6: The Story of a Lamp
In all the plans my husband and I formulated, we never even considered miscarriage. We knew it existed, but didn't know much beyond that. There wasn't a history of miscarriage in my family that we knew of. My mom had never miscarried. There was no reason for me to think it would happen to me. … Continue reading Finding Magic in Motherhood Part 5: The Miscarriage
I never intended to write anything like this here now that I've changed my blog up to supporting stories, but sometimes I need this to be my platform. My oldest child started Kindergarten at the end of last month. It's been a big month of changes, from having to get up earlier to having to … Continue reading Mom Message: To the Schools
The decision had been made. I would become a mother, but I would only become a mother on my terms. I was an unplanned child and, while it created quite a change in my parents' lives, they were willing to make changes and sacrifices I was not prepared to. So, my husband and I plotted … Continue reading Finding Magic in Motherhood, Part 4: The Timing Had to be Perfect
I took my children to the mall for ice cream to celebrate my son's first week of Kindergarten. He asked for chocolate and mint chocolate chip for him, his younger sister, and me to share. As we went to sit, I barely registered that we had passed by an older Asian couple. I didn't pay … Continue reading Two Quarters From a Stranger
Personally, I hate the term behavior modification. But it has an important place in ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis). Anyone who has worked with, known, or been in contact with a child with an autism spectrum disorder knows behaviors are inevitable. These are highly sensitive, highly rigid individuals, which makes even the slightest deviation tantrum-worthy. The … Continue reading Parenting with Psychology: ABA Behavior Modification
My childhood couldn't be more different than the one I'm giving my kids. It's a combination of a different time and the people involved in raising the kids. On one hand, I'm sad I'm not giving my kids the same childhood I had, but, on the other, I'm oddly relieved. I wonder if my mom … Continue reading Finding Magic in Motherhood, Part 2: Remembering the Low Tech Childhood
The Lily Cafe 