Murphy's Laws for Moms

This past week as I was breezing through my day-to-day life, I was blindsided after one small conversation with another mom who I had never previously met. Randomly, we began a conversation (over something so mundane I can no longer recall what it was) and this mom began to tear up.  Not being an extremely emotional (at least on the outside) person, I had no clue what to do. So, I asked her if she needed something. Her response is one I'll never forget. This stranger of a mom heartbreakingly explained to me that just a few short weeks ago, her teenage son committed suicide. I knew of this tragic death through suburbia chat from friends who had teenagers in the same local high school. So, while it was not new information for me, it suddenly hit home. SOMEONE'S.CHILD.DIED This wasn't news to me, but now it was - and still is - personal to me.  Too often we count the numbers, look at the statistics, of death and suicides. We seek to resolve a crisis which can truly neve...

Today, I've made an important realization that is changing the way that I talk to my children.  I am no longer going to tell them to have fun. Don't get me wrong, I desperately desire that my children find joy, happiness and laughter through numerous experiences and adventures.  But, my children's definition of fun and mine have two VERY different meanings. I'll give you an example. My almost four-year-old son loves to destroy things.  He's like his dad - a man who just wants to learn how things work, as well as cause and effect.  So, he takes apart toys, sister's dolls, kitchen appliances, and more.  He tears books because "the story was in the wrong order."  He pushes buttons - both literally and figuratively.  He colors on walls, floors, computer monitors, furniture, carpet and more because he wants to create maps and "building plans" for his Duplos.  This is his idea of fun . Do you see my dilemma?  His idea of fun is so completel...

For a long time, I have had the desire to visit Vancouver Island in British Columbia.  I've heard so many stories of how beautiful it is and how much there is to do there.  So, when given the opportunity to travel there with my family, I jumped and I was not disappointed! Rathtrevor Beach in Parksville, B.C. While many people had told me that Victoria was the place to see on Vancouver Island, I was a little timid at taking my children there.  After a very busy couple of days in Vancouver, I wanted a place where we could just chill.  So, we drove north off the B.C. Ferry that brought us into Nanaimo and ended up in Parksville - otherwise known as The Canadian Riviera .  Warmest water in Canada at Rathtrevor Beach in Parksville, B.C. This quiet, beachside town was just the place to unwind and let our kids run free.  We drove to Rathtrevor Beach where the tide was low and the water was the warmest in Canada.  Despite the cool air and chill...

Recently, my husband and I decided to take a last-minute trip up to British Columbia.  In over a decade of living in the Pacific Northwest, this is one place we have never been.  Since there were so many things we did and saw, I've broken this post down into question you might have about visiting Vancouver. What do you need when crossing the border? Because this was a last minute trip, we did not have the time to get our children passports.  So, we were very excited to learn that children under 15 do not need passports when driving across the border.  You only need to have their birth certificates.  As adults, we did need to bring our passports. Note: If you fly into Vancouver, then you and your children will all need passports. What about your auto insurance? We almost forgot to check on our auto insurance coverage when driving into another country!  So, we were very grateful to learn that our coverage was still valid as long as we did not stay ...

Over the past several months, I've been doing a lot of thinking.  In light of recent tragedies both in the U.S. and abroad - whether domestic issues or terrorist activities - I've begun to take a look at myself and what I can do to make a difference.  I want to make a difference so that my children do not grow up seeing violence and hate everywhere they go.  I want my children to understand that they can make a difference in the grander scheme of life.  But, how do I teach them to do this? One question that keeps coming to mind is whether or not we are living in a world that thinks too globally instead of locally.  Technology and social media have allowed us to view atrocious acts of violence and deprivation throughout the world.  Acts which need people to step in to stop and change for the better.  We need people and organizations who are willing to act globally.  However, as I look at the community around me, this same technology and social me...

Because of the often high cost of travel, I have become very picky about how I get from Point A to Point B. However, living in the West Coast, flying often makes the most sense.  Since I often travel with my kids, I look for airlines and routes that are family-friendly. Recently, I learned I need to start looking at even more: the airport through which we are traveling. Nothing is worse than a long day of travel - often starting early in the morning - with kids who just want to get to their destination.  But, when you toss in a non-family-friendly airport...well, things have just about become impossible. This is where my kids and I found ourselves on a recent trip: in Salt Lake City. I used to love traveling through the Salt Lake airport. They had numerous play areas where my kids could let loose and use up some energy before our next flight. When you have two to three flights in a day, these play areas are a lifeline for family travel. But, Salt Lake has taken out all of ...

Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved Valentines Day.  There's something about knowing that you have a person out there in this world - be it a parent, friend, significant other, or spouse - who cares for you enough to give you a small (or large) semblance of their love for you. The gifts don't have to be expensive or luxurious.  After all, it's the thought that matters.  But, over the years, I've found that there are numerous gifts that just do not portray love in the way that I would like it expressed on this holiday.  So, here are the gifts I do not want to receive on Valentines Day. Appliances Yes, yes, yes, it's the age-old adage of truth.  I may have told you just how much I want to get that new vacuum or the latest and greatest blender, but please do not buy it for me for Valentines Day.  I do not need a reminder of the chores that need to get done around the house.  Getting me a new appliance does not show that you love me - it sho...