Who would have thought — after riding the first 6 months of the first year in a new decade — we would be here. In our homes. Behind masks (I hope!). With our children. Our animals. Fighting for Black lives (may we continue to always learn how to be anti-racists). In a global freaking pandemic. That isn’t going away. Right? …
Oklahoma Christmas: Goodbye 2019, Hello 2020
I hope your holiday season is merry and bright! I’m in the middle of final papers, submitting final grades, and everything else that comes with the end of a semester. Fall semesters seem to be especially difficult because there is balancing the holidays — finding the best deals, lots of home-cooking, and trying to get the whole family to smile …
Remembering the 33 Victims of John Wayne Gacy on the 40th Anniversary
Stories plant themselves in us for different purposes. Some stories fuel our imagination, like #HarryPotter. Others teach us how to grieve and love like @cherylstrayed writes about in #Wild. Stories like #RobPiest — remind me that life is fragile, imperfect, sad, but also redemptive. It’s true we live in a world where terrible things happen. But we have agency in …
We’re Here, In Oklahoma
I’ve been asked to describe Oklahoma. There are spiders that jump. Spiders as big as golf balls. Sometimes they find their way into the house, and I try not to die. It is cold. Then it is very hot. Then there is a tornado warning. Then you’re safe. All within 24 hours. People are oddly nice. It’s a small town, …
The First Year of Motherhood
It’s been almost a year since I have become a mom and all I can think is: where did the year go? To recap: I thought I was going to give birth around Christmas time in 2016, but our little angel would not come until January 16, 2017, Martin Luther King Day. Those first two weeks were difficult. Nothing could …
The Perfect Sunday
Last night Bennett, Nick, and I attended our first wedding as a family of three. We danced with Bennett on the dance floor. And ate tacos and had some beer. It was fun to get out and celebrate new love. Last night, Nick said he would take the middle of the night feed, which usually comes around 3 am. My …
10 Must Have Products For New Mamas
Hi world! Becoming a mama has been an incredibly life changing journey. Every day I fall more in love with B — his coos, his smiles, giggles, the way he kicks, when he stares up and smiles at me while BF-ing. He is a handsome baby boy who is growing so quick. When I became pregnant, I was pretty much …
HELLO WORLD: I’M A MOM
HELLO WORLD, I am out of hiding. Kind of. So, almost seven weeks ago I had a baby! A beautiful baby boy that Nick and I named Bennett James O’Neil. We are still working on nickname options. Sometimes I call him Benneeto Burrito. Because he is a burrito baby, a chunky boy. Nick sometimes calls him Pokey Jr. (My nickname …
Sisters and Brothers: Ali and James, Choosing to Love
Happy 2017, lovelies. This year I am launching a series of stories that can better connect and bridge the gap between siblings of sisters and brothers with special needs. To join the community and to find out more about this project, join us on Facebook: Sisters and Brothers on Facebook Our first story is by Ali, a student at Azusa Pacific University, …
I’m Still Pregnant: My Thoughts on 2016 and Hopes for 2017
I know there is a lot of negativity floating around for the year 2016. But I cannot help but soak in all of the good for this year. For me, good always outweighs the bad. I spent the majority of this year pregnant. What I thought would be a hindrance, turned out to be a complete miracle, a deeply residing …