Because Life Happens After Coffee
Let’s be honest, raising kids is expensive. Whether it’s meals and snacks, school supplies, family fun, or just keeping everyone in clothes that actually fit, it feels like there’s always something coming up. And as a family of five with two pets in the mix, budgeting isn’t just a good idea, it’s a survival strategy….
I used to think parenting meant hiding the hard parts. Shielding our kids from the struggles, the doubts, the days where everything feels heavy. But now I know better. Now I know there’s power in letting them watch, not the breakdowns, necessarily, but the breakthroughs. The way we keep showing up. The way we carry…
I blinked…and she turned eleven. My oldest is growing up right before my eyes, and some days it stops me in my tracks. It feels like just yesterday I was holding her tiny hand, and hearing her sweet little voice ask me to play. Now I’m watching her turn into a full-blown little me with…
Our Unexpected NICU Journey Christmas is usually cozy mornings, family traditions, and joyful chaos. Christmas 2016 our world changed. Our son was born twelve weeks early, and we began a journey we will never forget. A Pregnancy Full of Hope and Fear This pregnancy, like the ones before it, was not easy.After experiencing three heartbreaking…
Feeding kids shouldn’t feel like running a restaurant… but let’s be honest, some days, it does. At our house, I try to keep things balanced, simple, and familiar. Most meals include: Most of the time, my kids eat what we eat with a few small rotations or swaps based on their preferences. They love classic…
There are some weeks when it feels like we’re just surviving. Two kids in Elementary school, one in daycare, two working parents, and what feels like a never-ending list of appointments, pickups, drop-offs, and deep sighs. We’re a military family which means we’re also far from home, still learning our way around a new city,…
Ever feel like your kids are tiny, chaotic coffee shop customers with wild energy and very specific demands? Same. This fun, lighthearted post imagines what the coffee menu would look like if toddlers ran the café—and spoiler: it’s extra, just like them.
“I used to swear by hot coffee. But now? I’m an iced coffee girl through and through. Unless it’s freezing cold or holiday flavors are out—then I might go back. My husband? He’s all about those frappes that basically taste like milkshakes with a caffeine punch.
Our coffee orders couldn’t be more different—and that’s kind of the fun of it. Whether you’re classic, chill, or sweet-tooth sippin’, your coffee says a lot about you. So tell me… hot, iced, or frappe?”
A year ago, I broke down more days than not. Crying, exhausted, and overwhelmed as a mom of three — I finally decided to prioritize my mental health. With the support of my husband, I started therapy and medication. Now, as we prepare for another move and a new chapter outside of military life, I’m learning to give myself grace. This is my story of progress, even when it feels slow.
One year in, and I can still remember the day we first heard the words: ADHD and ODD. It felt overwhelming, like stepping into a world we weren’t prepared for. But over the past 12 months, we’ve learned to navigate the chaos with compassion, advocate fiercely, and celebrate progress—no matter how small. This journey hasn’t been easy, but it has been eye-opening, humbling, and filled with moments of strength we didn’t know we had. This post is a look back at everything we’ve faced, felt, and figured out during this first year of understanding and supporting our child in a whole new way.
“They don’t know what it’s really like. Not the chaos. Not the quiet crying in between loads of laundry. Not the war zone that mornings have become. They just hear my ‘I’m good’ and believe it. But today, I needed to speak the truth—even if only here.”
One year ago, I was in a dark place, overwhelmed by motherhood, military life, and undiagnosed anxiety. Here’s how therapy, support, and a lot of coffee helped me find my way back.