A Can Do Mom

As many of you know, February is Heart Health Month. While I have always cared deeply about heart health and wellness in general, this year it means even more to me. That is because, as I shared in a recent update post , I had a major heart-related scare in January. You can read the full story there, but in short, I thought I was having a heart attack. I called 911 and went to the hospital. The local ER told me I was not having an active heart attack and said my symptoms were anxiety and muscle pain. I have struggled with muscle pain for many years, so I know the difference. My family remained concerned, so I went to a larger heart hospital about two hours away. There, I was told I was not having a heart attack but was experiencing episodes of atrial fibrillation, or AFib attacks. Thankfully, these are now resolved through stress management and balancing my electrolytes, which I will talk about later. This experience reminded me how often women’s heart health is underestimated, misu...

As a mom of two girls, I’ve come across so many quotes about raising daughters. Some made me laugh out loud (because they were just too real), others brought tears to my eyes, and a few made me stop and think about the kind of mother and woman I want to be. So today, I’m sharing 40 of my favorite quotes about raising daughters —the inspiring, the funny, and the ones that hit you right in the heart. I’ve also sprinkled in some of my thoughts and experiences along the way, because if you're anything like me, you're probably raising daughters and learning right alongside them. Thought-Provoking Quotes About Raising Daughters These are the ones that stopped me in my tracks. They made me reflect on how precious this journey is and how complicated, too. “A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart.” – Unknown This one gets me every time. Mine are growing up so fast. And while they don’t crawl into my lap anymore, they’ll always be “my girls.” “Mo...

I haven’t written a letter from the heart since January 1st. That’s because on January 11th, I had what I thought was a heart attack. Since this month is American Heart Month, I wanted to share what happened. In the days before the 11th, I hadn’t been feeling great. But I’m almost 50, so I thought it was just getting older, perimenopause, and some muscle pain. We also had a heavy snowfall on the 8th and I spent time outside dealing with that. So by Saturday, it seemed natural that I was feeling worse. The morning of the 11th I woke feeling drained. My left shoulder hurt, reaching up into my neck, and overall I just did not feel well. But I got on with my work. After lunch, I still felt off so I sat down at my computer to relax. Then I began to feel worse. At first, I did not think too much of it until my chest felt squeezed, almost like a corset tightening. Then the pain in my shoulder spread down my left arm, numb and burning. Heat exploded into my head and my heart pounded wildly....

  These quotes capture the deep and sometimes complex relationship between parents and sons. They remind us that the influence we have as moms and dads matters more than we often realize. “Do I want to be a hero to my son? No. I would like to be a very real human being. That’s hard enough.” – Robert Downey Jr Parenting isn't about perfection. It's about showing up with authenticity and grace. “Every father should remember that one day his son will follow his example rather than his advice.” – Charles F. Kettering Our children are always watching, especially our sons. “Men are what their mothers made them.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson As moms, our influence runs deep. The values we teach today become the foundation for tomorrow. “Happy is the son whose faith in his mother remains unchallenged.” – Louisa May Alcott That bond between a mother and son is something truly special. “When you teach your son, you teach your son’s son.” – The Talmud Parenting is legacy-build...

  Birthstones have long been linked with each month of the year, often used in jewelry and cherished as symbolic personal gems. But not everyone feels a strong connection to their traditional birthstone—whether it's the look, the color, or the meaning. Fortunately, modern options and alternatives are becoming more widely accepted, giving you the freedom to find one that truly resonates. In this guide, we’ll explore both traditional and alternative birthstones for each month, so you can find a gem that fits you (or your loved one) perfectly. What Are Birthstones? Birthstones are gemstones traditionally assigned to each month. Worn in jewelry or used symbolically, they’re meant to represent traits or bring luck to those born during that time. While each month has one or more designated stones, zodiac signs also have their own gemstone associations—but this article focuses solely on month-based birthstones. Birthstones by Month January Traditional : Garnet – Usually deep red; symbol...