My blog’s tagline is “Navigating motherhood, adoption, and the world with heart and humor.” This blog started out as an adoption journal and has, over the years, evolved into a parenting and lifestyle resource. Most people who see pictures of our family get that our family was built through adoption but through the growth of…
One of my strongest memories from my 1970’s childhood is of my mom sunbathing. She’d put on her bikini, fill up her Tupperware tumbler with iced coffee, grab her pack of Salems, her large brown bottle of coconut-scented oil and head for the backyard where she’d bask in the sun for hours. By summer’s end,…
Dear February Jill, July Jill here. You can call me JJ or J Square or Double J for short. Oh hey – you no longer have that aversion to campy nicknames. Or, maybe you do but your IDGAF about things threshold is at an all-time low. Like…really low. Yep. Waaaay down there. And, by the…
Are you more of a glamper than a camper? I definitely am! My family and I recently visited Jellystone Park on the Guadalupe River and I’m excited to share our experience with you. This was one of the best family trips we’ve ever taken. I hope this information helps you plan your own outdoor adventure….
If you’re looking for a Texas beach getaway, consider the Brazosport area. You might be thinking “Brazos What?” which has been the reaction of most of the people I’ve talked to about my latest coastal discovery. Here’s everything you need to know about the beaches in Brazosport Texas. I hope it helps you plan your…
There’s nothing like a warm bowl of peach cobbler topped with soft vanilla ice cream. It’s one of our family’s favorite desserts and today, I’m sharing a new way to make it: Introducing instant pot peach cobbler. Disclaimer: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to…
“I’ll never drive a minivan.” Have you ever said that? I did, many times and you know what? Karma was listening because she’s all-seeing and programmed to hear every single “I never” that flies out of your pie hole. It becomes her mission in life to bite you in the ass and make you eat your words. Utter…
My boys are going into fifth grade in the fall – what school is going to look like then I have no idea – and for the first time ever, I’ve gotten serious about their summer reading list. Neither one of my kids love to read, I’m sad to say. I’ve built this summer reading…
If you are looking for socially distant vacation ideas and you’re dreaming of beautiful white sand beaches and turquoise water, I have two words for you: Gulf Shores. The beaches in Gulf Shores Alabama are my favorite beaches in the US. Even though I live a couple of hours from the Texas Gulf Coast and…
When we mention in passing that two of our kids are adopted, a common reaction is “Oh, I know someone who has adopted.” People often share stories about their adopted grandchild, neighbor, classmate…hairdresser’s nephew. When people learn they have something in common with you, they like to share…sometimes overshare. Much of what people know about…