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...

  Every family has its own traditions, whether they realize it or not. These customs can be small or elaborate, passed down through generations or created last year on a whim. The sad part is, we often take them for granted. But when we become intentional about building and maintaining family traditions, we create lasting memories and deeper connections. In this post, I’ll walk you through what family traditions actually are, how they benefit your family, and how to start some of your own. I’ll also give you a list of fun and meaningful ideas to inspire your next tradition. What Are Family Traditions? Traditions are customs or practices passed down from one generation to the next. When we apply that to families, it simply means routines, rituals, or habits that are shared among family members and repeated over time. Family traditions can be as grand as an annual vacation or as simple as pizza night on Fridays. If it’s something your family does consistently and it brings you t...

Finding the right activities for kids with ADHD can make a big difference in their lives. They often need a variety of engaging options to expend energy, learn to self-regulate, and build skills that will help them as they grow. Don’t worry, finding ways to entertain and teach a child with ADHD is not as hard as it sounds. Today, I’m sharing ideas organized into five key areas that I believe can serve as pillars in their daily lives. 1. Spending Time Outdoors Spending time outside is important for every child, but it is especially beneficial for kids with ADHD. “Green time” has been linked to lower anxiety and stress, as well as improved concentration. Here are some ways to make outdoor time fun: Scavenger hunts you can set up right in your backyard. Nature walks with an objective, like spotting a certain number of birds or collecting leaves and rocks for crafts or scrapbooks. Hideouts such as temporary forts made by draping sheets over chairs, or a tent, treehouse, or...

As a mom who’s been through the whirlwind of Christmas with young kids, I want to take a few minutes to share a little piece of advice with all the younger moms out there… Enjoy this time while your kids are still young. I know the holidays can feel like a blur of stress, shopping, and trying to make everything perfect. But I promise you—this season will go by much quicker than you think. And one day, you’ll look back and wish you had slowed down and savored more of the little moments. I know firsthand how overwhelming it can be. The pressure to get the right gifts, the chaos of decorating, and the endless to-do lists can make it seem like there’s no time to just relax and enjoy your family. But the truth is, those to-do lists won’t matter in the long run. What your children will remember most isn’t the perfectly decorated house or the perfectly cooked meal—it’s the love and time you shared with them. One thing I learned over the years was to include my children in as many of the ...

Holidays can be so hard sometimes. And honestly, a lot of the time, it’s the people we love most that make them the hardest. I know that sounds kind of harsh, but it’s true. I’ve always loved the holidays. When I became a mom, I couldn’t wait to celebrate with my kids. I had all these ideas in my head of little traditions we’d start and build on as our own little family. But things didn’t exactly go the way I pictured. The first three years of our marriage were… a lot. Both our parents lived close enough that we could see them for every holiday, so we tried to split things up—Thanksgiving with one side, Christmas with the other, and then swap the next year. We thought that was fair. Our parents? Not so much. My mother-in-law felt like all the holidays should be at her house. Thanksgiving dinner at noon, and we were “supposed” to spend the night on Christmas Eve. That didn’t leave much for my family. And honestly, we were already trying to be there for Christmas anyway, because it ...

Many people seem to think that the newborn phase is the toughest stage in a child’s early development, and that after sleep training is complete, it’s smooth(ish) sailing from there. But actually, around the six-month mark, things can become difficult again! And if you haven’t yet sleep trained your baby, it could make starting that process even harder. So the question many parents ask is: Is this the 6-month sleep regression or teething? This question is fair, because both the 6-month sleep regression and teething tend to happen around the same time. It can be hard to determine which one is causing the disruption and the two combined can make for a really tough phase in both your baby’s life and your own. Here’s how to tell the difference between a sleep regression and teething, as well as what to do about both. What Is the 6-Month Sleep Regression? A sleep regression is a period when a baby’s sleep patterns suddenly change. Your baby may become restless during the night or sta...