Between after school activities, work obligations and weekend sports competitions, there are never enough hours in the day to complete all of the tasks I need to do to manage our family. Over the last year, I have taken advantage of Walmart+ because it has given precious hours back to my family. Time is a non-renewable resource and anything I can do to spend less time running errands and more time at home, I am in favor of!
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Our family is committed to educating not only our children but our community on what equality looks like and what we can do to unite all races in support of transracial adoption.
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”You’re just pushing your daughter into sex and alcohol with your PROM CONTRACT.” - Instagram critic
Fortunately, my parenting philosophy differs from the social media psychologist that wrote me that message. In our family, we believe that setting high standards with clear expectations and logical consequences will produce productive and accountable young adults. If nearly half of teens under 17 are having sex, my goal is raise the other half who refrain. .
This isn’t the first article to be written about embracing your body after childbirth and it won’t be the last…accepting the way your body may look or feel after child birth is a struggle that many moms face. Sure, we’re all proud of what our bodies accomplished in growing and birthing our children; that doesn’t make trying on bathing suits any easier!
I’ve been pregnant ten times. I’ve delivered five babies by C-section, one naturally and a stillborn daughter after 26 hours of labor. I have also had three additional miscarriages. My body has gained and lost nearly 250 pounds collectively, I’ve nursed each baby for a minimum of one year and I’m now nursing our adopted son…which means I haven’t slept through the night in years! If anyone can empathize the toll motherhood takes on a body, I can promise you it is me. So while I have abandoned the idea that my abdominal skin will be as taught as it once was, I still remain committed to my fitness routine.
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“I can’t believe that all of these people helped me and they didn’t even know me or my baby. Tell them thank you and I love them.” – 15 year old, teenage mother in foster care
These grateful words were spoken to me after the outpouring of love and graciousness shown to the needs of a teenage mother and her baby visiting our family for the weekend. What I learned from this collective demonstration of goodwill is that people WANT to help children in these situations but often don’t know how. Foster care children are an underserved population of children in our community. While we all can’t adopt or foster a child, we can support those families and organizations that do. Join the #fosterkindness movement by volunteering your time , coordinating services for foster/adopted children or financially supporting the cause that inspires you.
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Last night, I received a sweet message from a friend considering the adoption process. She wanted to know, “What makes a birth mother happy post placement?” I thought that this was such a thoughtful question that isn’t addressed enough. While every birth mother is different, I felt it may be helpful to share our story and what I personally felt obligated to promise my son’s birth mother.
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“Momma, do you think the baby will know he’s adopted? He has curly hair like me and tiny toes like Charlotte so I don’t think he will even know.”
These innocent words were spoken by my five-year-old, blonde, curly haired daughter in reference to her newly adopted, African American baby brother. This sweet statement is such a profound reminder that we are more alike than we are different and that humans were born to love and be loved.
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It is said that, “You don’t take a good photograph, you make it” and with our family, we’re just trying to “make it” through the shoot with the photographer not hating us. If you're looking for how to style and survive photo shoots with children, here are my 5 tips on how to get gorgeous photos with grumpy children!
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There are few things in life that I can confidently say I do well …I make my bed every day, I travel well with children and I can breastfeed like a champ. I have seven children, six biological and one adopted and I have breastfed them all.
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Our family took a giant leap of faith in moving to Franklin from Florida and my family could not be better for it. This All American town is good for our souls and it’s residents are good for our spirit!
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This isn’t the first article to be written about embracing your body after childbirth and it won’t be the last…accepting the way your body may look or feel after child birth is a struggle that many moms face. Sure, we’re all proud of what our bodies accomplished in growing and birthing our children; that doesn’t make trying on bathing suits any easier!
I’ve been pregnant ten times. I’ve delivered five babies by C-section, one naturally and a stillborn daughter after 26 hours of labor. I have also had three additional miscarriages. My body has gained and lost nearly 250 pounds collectively, I’ve nursed each baby for a minimum of one year and I’m now nursing our adopted son…which means I haven’t slept through the night in years! If anyone can empathize the toll motherhood takes on a body, I can promise you it is me. So while I have abandoned the idea that my abdominal skin will be as taught as it once was, I still remain committed to my fitness routine.
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There are 168 hours in a week and I just need ONE of those.... roughly four to five days a week...alone. Can I just get an hour to myself please??? An hour when no one is asking me for snacks, an hour where a child isn't clinging to my leg or boob and an hour where a kid doesn't need me to drive them somewhere? I just want an hour where I can move around freely and feel like I'm doing something for myself!
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Being a parent is one of life’s greatest blessings but it can also be one of the most challenging, demanding and overwhelmingly exhausting jobs that one will ever do. While no one I know would ever trade their role as a parent for anything, I think we all can agree that sometimes moms and dads need a break….or an extra set of hands…or a date night…or a trip to the grocery store or even the bathroom in peace. Welcoming an au pair into our home was one of the best parenting decisions I have made!
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This Adele loving Braves fan is a medical mystery that is smiling long past his three day life expectancy. His family has sacrificed everything to ensure they have one more day with their son. Grayson's needs are many and his care is extensive. Praying that this post falls in the hands of one life changing individual that can assist Grayson with an "angel donation" and for the community of people that believe that you can always be a little kinder than necessary.
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With input from my son's birth mother, the story of the unexpected bond we share, the quilt she'll carry for her lifetime and other birth mom gifts that honor their sacrifice.
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It is said that, “You don’t take a good photograph, you make it” and with our family, we’re just trying to “make it” through the shoot with the photographer not hating us. If you're looking for how to style and survive photo shoots with children, here are my 5 tips on how to get gorgeous photos with grumpy children!
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I can’t even remember what my life was like before Amazon Prime. Did I actually go shopping for inflatable rainbow unicorn rafts? Did I test drive every vacuum cleaner in Sears rather than just read the reviews and hope for the best? When I needed 12 dodge balls for a party, Styrofoam balls for science projects or emoji poop slippers, did I actually spend hours driving around town to find them?
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My garage is a stroller grave yard. With seven children, including a newborn, three toddlers and a first grader who still gets tired on long days, I have spent a good portion of a college fun at Buy Buy Baby on strollers. Looking for your baby's first stroller or need to upsize?? Here are my top picks in each stroller category.
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The 6 New Mom Must Have Baby Products from a Mother of 7
Whether you’re a first time mom, expecting another baby or you’re looking for the perfect baby gift, I can promise you that after having seven babies, these products are essential for bringing home baby! I have directly linked each and every product for your convenience ....
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