Stress Less

First Day of School 2014

On the way home from school yesterday, I was chatting with my three youngest kids about their day, their homework, their evening plans. And this theme kept repeating: “I’m so stressed out. I have so much to do. I’m never going to get it all done. I’m going to be up all night. I’m so […]

Cross-Country Friendship Lessons for My Daughter

Katrina and Her Best Friend Andi

Living in three different states over the course of four years is a revelation in many ways. The experience shines a light on the people in our lives, on those who choose to stay… and on those who don’t. Proximity makes most relationships much easier. There are no miles to traverse, no time zones to […]

#Ferguson Thoughts

Sam in His Shades

I don’t know what happened in the Michael Brown case. I’m not privy to all the evidence. But here’s what I do know… I have a son who is almost 18. Like most Mama Bears, I love him with a ferocity that still steals my breath. He is tall and strong and athletic and potentially […]

All Creatures Great and Small

Baby Mouse

We just wrapped up a couple of fun, family-filled days in the Windy City. It was our Last Blast of Summer — a little mini get-away before the kids begin the 2014/15 school year. We loaded up the Navigator — with 23 DVDs for our 4-hour trip — and established the ground rules: 1) No […]

From the NICU to the Open Road #TBT

Katrina Holding Gus for the First Time

Gus is getting his driver’s permit in two days. His annual NICU reunion takes place in seven more. Six days after that, he’ll be a high school sophomore. Today’s Throwback Thursday post goes all the way back to his fragile beginning, his precarious start, when we measured time in seconds, not days. He serves, always, […]