A few years ago, I wrote a blog about finding four-leaf clovers, which you can read here. In that post, I discussed how I discovered many four-leaf clovers. I don't believe it was due to an increase in their numbers that year; rather, I had learned to recognize what I was looking for. The blog emphasizes how we tend to find what we focus on. Our brains quickly adapt to identifying specific patterns—this is particularly relevant when it comes to observing our children's behavi

It's the most wonderful time of the year! The season to decorate your home, attend all of the community events and festivities, and host the perfect holiday party. Don’t forget to send out those Christmas cards featuring your "Hallmark family photo!" In all of the hustle and bustle of rushing from place to place and checking items off our lists, the "most wonderful time of the year" can quickly turn into the most stressful time of the year.   We’ve all been there—maxing out o

If your family is anything like ours, the amount of candy we accumulate during this spooky season is nothing short of crazy! Between parades, trunk-or-treats, fall festivals, and the big night itself, our candy stash seems to overflow. While I definitely enjoy indulging my sweet tooth, this sugary bounty can pose some challenges when it comes to mood, sleep, and overall behavior. As we gear up for trick-or-treating, here are three simple tips to help ensure you have a more po

As a psychiatric nurse practitioner and lifelong resident of the Midwest, I understand the challenges that come with the Autumnal...

The panic had set in. I sensed we had a major issue, yet I kept delaying the project. Convinced our front porch had a significant...

VA Adaptive Sports Grant image. Potomac, IL – (September 25) – Gateway Family Services of Illinois is proud to announce that we have been...

It was still dark on that brisk fall morning when I climbed out of bed and jumped into our blue Oldsmobile to head to Grandma and Grandpa...

Deciding to explore psychiatric medications can feel very overwhelming. The good news about this process is that it is not something that...

We repeat what we don't repair. -Christine Langley-Obaugh. Image of horse standing with a child's hand on the horse's nose. Have you...

Recently, in the barn, I watched as Mr. Buttons and JJ stood nose to nose for a bit, and it reminded me of a picture I had taken several...

It is never too late to express our gratitude & appreciation for the sacrifices made by our Vietnam-era veterans.

When we moved into our house, the landscaping was beautifully manicured. Our first year was a joy as we enjoyed the outdoors, but we...

While these are all good things, they can also create vulnerability in our systems, making the “most wonderful time of the year” feel like

Learning life lessons while decorating our Christmas tree.

For nearly 17 years I helped my grandma, called her Nanny, put up her Christmas tree.  We would drive to Danville, grab dinner, and shop...

“Am I living the kind of life that I want Jonah and Levi to copy?”

Grief is complicated and there are many things that come up when we are forced to process our own grief, while managing the grief of our...

A year ago, I submitted an article discussing the importance of creating rhythm, rituals, and routines for children as they headed back...

In a world of Pintrest, Instagram and all of the other forms of social media it is very easy to find ourselves in this push to be the...

I have always struggled with people pleasing. I do not like the feeling of disappointing or letting anyone down, which often means I say...