Not the End of Kindergarten We Expected

Not the End of Kindergarten We Expected

Well, it wasn’t the big goodbye hugs and high-fives that she would have loved to give everyone, but we got to wave and shout goodbye to our amazing and wonderful Southwood teachers and staff today. We will miss you all, and she can’t wait to be walking those halls as a big first grader and I can’t wait to be back volunteering and supporting you all anyway I can. Southwood Roadrunner family, we…

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Say Their Names: Ahmaud Arbery

Say Their Names: Ahmaud Arbery

So many things making me sad today.

This is making me sad and incredibly angry.

It’s 2020.

Why is this still happening?

I’m tired of my friends having to fear for the lives of their sons just because of the color of their skin.

I don’t want my daughter to grow up in a world where she has to worry about her friends just because their skin color is different than hers.

We’ve got…

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Corona Virus through a child’s eyes.

Corona Virus through a child’s eyes.

Ask your child the questions and have a giggle, not only now but in a memory a year from now:

Answered by: Madeline, Age 6

1. What is the Coronavirus? It’s the coronavirus. It’s what’s making people sick.

2. Who is the president? Donald Trump

3. How many days have we been in self isolation? A lot, I’m going to say maybe 100

4. Who is the first person you are going to hug when social…

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Are You Outraged Yet?

Are You Outraged Yet?

Are you outraged yet? If not maybe you need to take a look at yourself and ask why not? These black men that are being harassed, assaulted by police, and even killed just for being black men are our neighbors, our friends. They are fathers, husbands, brothers, sons, and beyond all that they are people. People who have every right to be in a park bird watching. Even a forgery suspect should be…

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WWMLKJD?

As I sit here listening to Martin Luther King Jr. speak, Madeline recognizes his voice and his face. Here is what she just told me. “Hey, I know him. He was a really nice guy. He cared a lot about people. He was good. It’s sad that he died.”As I sit here listening to Martin Luther King Jr. speak, Madeline recognizes his voice and his face. Here is what she just told me. “Hey, I know him. He was a…

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Inclusion Matters

There’s a lot of things that I know I will never understand about racism and the fear and burdens that people of color have to face in our country.

One thing I do know though is that I am grateful that I grew up in a town that is culturally diverse. I’m so thankful that I grew up surrounded by people from literally all over the world. I learned about different races, cultures, and religions…

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Too Many

Too many mommas have had to bury their children. And while our circumstances are completely different, I will say, as a momma who has had to bury her son, it’s a nightmare no mother should have to face. And to know that your child died at the hands of someone who is supposed to be there to protect and serve has got to be absolutely devastating. So while I don’t pretend to understand the pain and…

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Just Wear the Mask!

Just Wear the Mask!

Just wear the mask. It’s really not that hard (even Madeline manages to do it without complaining). It’s not about protecting you, it’s about protecting others, so don’t be selfish just wear the dang mask. Because I would like to be able to send my kid to school without one one day.

And seriously, it’s not about the government controlling you. 🙄It’s about doing your part to control spreading a…

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It was chilly out tonight, but we didn’t let that stop us from another chance to check out Winterfest at Worlds of Fun. Best part of going to Worlds of Fun when it’s 32 degrees, you practically have the park to yourselves! This was our second weekend in a row at Winterfest and we still haven’t gotten around to everything. The lights make the park absolutely gorgeous and magical! The characters roaming around are amazing. They never break character and are beyond fantastic in how they interact with the kids. There are lots of shows to keep you entertained. Madeline loves all the dancing! Don’t let the cold temps keep you from coming and checking out the magic of Winterfest. They have added even more heat lamps and fire pits to warm up around and there are tons of indoor activities, shops, and shows for when you need to warm up a bit. Winterfest runs now through December 31st! 

  Our Happy Place It was chilly out tonight, but we didn’t let that stop us from another chance to check out Winterfest at Worlds of Fun.

Always Loved, Always Missed

Always Loved, Always Missed

My Grandma was one of my all-time favorite people ever. No matter what, she always knew just the right thing to say give me advice, make me laugh, or to ease even my biggest heartbreaks. These last 15 years without her have been full of so many things that I wish I could tell her, show her, and seek her advice on. There are so many times that I have longed to just rest in the comfort of one of…

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Give Yourself Grace

I dreamed of Joshua last night. And not in a sweet “Remember I’m always with you, mommma” kind of way. In a “I felt the whole weight of his loss all over again and couldn’t breathe” kind of way.

Holidays are always hard. I see the presents under the tree and wish there were more…for him. I see three full stockings instead of four. I send another holiday card with the sweetest pictures of…

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Merry Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve box is opened, matching pajamas are on, The Night Before Christmas has been read by dad, cookies are out, Santa’s special key is on the door, and we are all ready for Santa.

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Through Her Eyes Madeline’s “big kid” gift this year was an Instax camera. Can’t wait to see the world through her eyes.

Happy New Year I always forget how much we do until I look back at photos and videos. We shared in the joy of the birth of our newest nephew, Landon.

Jumping in to the New Year We had a lot of fun checking out the new Urban Air in Lenexa, Kansas today. It was a great way to wrap up winter break (and would be a great way to burn off lots of energy inside on cold days!).

We Love Patrick Madeline and her two favorite Patricks.

New Year's Goals

New Year’s Goals

We are a week in to the new year and so far I’m

actually sticking to my New Year’s goal.

Here are my tips for making the “what’s for dinner?” question a little less stressful.

Read More at: http://bit.ly/2T0yo0V

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