In the past couple of years our family has lost my grandma and Chris’s grandfather. The kids ask about them all the time, and we love when they do!  We recall how Grandma always sent them holiday and birthday cards. We remember Boompa’s devotion to his family’s health and happiness. They were two spectacular people who […]

When people ask me how Chris and I met, I say we met 14 years ago before the start of our senior year at Notre Dame. When I first saw him in the parking lot of a bank I thought he was the HOTTEST GUY I’D EVER SEEN. Perfect tan, sparkling eyes, handsome face, strong […]

I was recently asked by a local kids cooking school what my definition of “The Kids Table” is. It took me just a few moments of reflection to come up with my answer: time together. Kids should feel welcome in the kitchen at any time. It is the heart of every home, the place where […]

OK, so I know this post will make it seem like I’m soooo on top of things, but let me assure you that I am most definitely not. But, yesterday, I received my order of holiday cards. I spent part of an evening last week knocking this off my future to-do list, and I’m so […]

We are still enjoying excellent October weather. We’ve had some stressful weeks as a family, so the warm temperatures and sunny skies are a wonderful distraction. The impact Mother Nature has on our well being – emotional and physical – should not be ignored. I believe she gifted us this fine fall so we could […]

Oh. This has been a long two weeks. Perhaps the longest and most challenging I’ve had in my 7+ years of parenting. Chris and I were faced with some big, potentially life-altering decisions, and I think it is fair to say that I freaked out. For 14 days straight. Now that we are starting to […]

Everyone loves to complain about Chicago weather, but that’s only because everyone hasn’t experienced a Chicago fall. We have gorgeous days well into October – the bees are still busy, green leaves still rustle in their trees, mornings are crisp and clear. This September has been nothing but mild temperatures and sunny skies. As sad […]

  By now, much of the world has seen the world’s saddest photo: This precious little person was named Aylan Kurdi, a 3 year old refugee fleeing war-torn Syria with his father, mother and 5 year old brother. They were crossing a 13 mile stretch of the Aegean Sea when their boat capsized. Aylan, his mother […]

Chris and celebrated our nine year anniversary this week. It doesn’t seem possible that we are fast approaching a decade of married life, but when I reflect on all that has happened in the past nine years I feel proud. Four kids, four moves, new jobs and business endeavors, travel. We’ve done a lot with […]

All summer the eco-geek inside me had been looking forward to August 1. That was the day when our fine city was to join the likes of Seattle, Portland and Boulder, CO with a ban on flimsy plastic grocery store bags. I was so excited… …until I realized our ban was no ban at all […]