I don’t even have to close my eyes to remember exactly where i was at this time two years ago when otto had his open heart surgery. It was hot and Joe, baby Otto and I went for a walk to dinner in downtown Grand Rapids before we headed to the guest room at the…
Mommin'
Anger and Character
I have been feeling the call to share some things that have been on my heart with you today. It’s a big week for us. It’s the 2nd anniversary of Otto’s heart surgery. I went to a prayer breakfast this morning where a friend of mine shared a very personal and vulnerable story with us,…
Otto’s Baptism Party
it seems like just yesterday may was here and we were on the brink of summer. the skies were start dark in the early evening and it was just not quite warm enough for shorts. now here we are in august with summer racing towards fall and i feel like everything that seemed so far…
Otto Craig is Two
I blinked and my baby turned two. the year between one and two has been nothing short of amazing and a blessing. yes, we had our struggles but it has been a true gift to have a year free of surgeries, and a bombardment of appointments. this year we have been given six months between…
Six Inexpensive Summer kids activities in Michigan
I can’t believe summer is already half over in michigan. we have been soaking up every single ounce we can from parks to beaches. our weekends are usually jam packed with all the kids activities that there are to do around our great state. last year otto hated the beach so we didn’t do much…
Three Steps to Establish a Toddler Bed time Routine
This post has been sponsored by Cetaphil®. All thoughts and opinions are my own. The daylight is finally long here in Michigan and the second we get home we are outside working on the farm and garden. There is nothing Otto loves more than racing around on his little tractor riding through dirt and puddles…
allowing myself to feel
it’s time for our whatever monthly reality check. we are currently about 4-6 months between cardiology check ups for otto and for about 3.5 of those months it doesn’t cross my mind that much because he is such a funny charismatic toddler. i still have a hard time believing my baby is now a toddler…
spring wardrobe refresh
i saw a meme the other day that summed up michigan perfectly at the moment. it was along the lines that early spring is 80% fall and winter, 10% spring and 10% summer pending the time of day. that leaves me feeling uninspired and confused in how to dress and i am in need of…
an update on otto
it’s been a while since i gave a full otto update. and to be honest it’s because things have been so good. we have received countless good news after good news that it’s easy to just celebrate and move on. which is so wrong because i don’t want to just share the dark. because right…
dinosaurs and hot chicken
we have been having some pretty epic weekends around here lately. while we should be staying home and taking advantage of the melted snow and brown yard, getting ready for spring clean up around the farm.. we just don’t want to. exploring is so much more fun. and this past weekend was nothing short of…
Fort Lauderdale and Miami Day Trip
we are back from our short and sweet trip down south where we escaped the cold and hung out a few days in Fort Lauderdale and Miami. i’m starting to think that short little trips are the ticket to a stress free mini vacay. if i’m gone too long from routine otto gets out of…
mom and toddler
there is something that has been weighing on me lately. and that is pretty much the weight of motherhood. guys… it’s hard. it’s a lot harder than I could have ever imagined. i’m struggling with all of the emotions that come with being a mom in todays day and age. and well.. i’m struggling almost…