I have been thinking about writing this post for the past three years. I finally found the courage to publish it. Please understand that this is a very sensitive topic and it is my personal story. I share it now to not only educate others about what it's like to lose a child (at any age), but to offer hope to those grieving mommas, daddies, siblings, and family members. Deep breath... On June 2nd of 2016, I arrived at my OBGYN's office for a routine checkup. I was nineteen weeks pregnant, and ecstatic for my fourth baby to be born that October. After waiting only a few minutes, they called me back, took my vitals, and directed me to an exam room. That appointment lasted less than an hour. What happened that day turned out to be my worst ... read more
11 Tips for Planning a Trip to the Legoland Discovery Center
It took him three years, but he finally did it. My sweet little seven-year-old had saved up $100 all on his own. What was he going to do this this load of cash you may ask? And yes, it was all cash! Well, we decided to take him to the place that is every first grader's dream. The Legoland Discovery Center in Schaumburg, Illinois! If you are thinking about trying out Legoland, I strongly suggest you start small by visiting the Chicago discovery center. With lots of activities and family-friendly attractions, this is a vacation worth taking. Here are 11 tips to consider before heading to the windy city. (1.) Getting there Travelling to Legoland in Schaumburg is expensive! You'll end up spending an arm and a leg on tolls! At least, that's what it felt like to us. We were coming ... read more
Christmas LEGO Sets for 2017
One of the coolest things I remember about my sister's old house, was walking into her dining room and seeing her table all decorated with a bunch of seasonal LEGO sets. Now, try to imagine. My sister has a family of THIRTEEN, so this wasn't just a little six-chaired dining room set. This was a banquet table, people!! The display eventually moved to her mantle, but the feeling was still the same. It was adorable! My favorite of her LEGO displays was definitely the one she set out for Christmas. She had her own little Christmas village which consisted of multiple "Decembery" sets. From the moment I first laid eyes on it, I decided I wanted to start collecting these sets myself. Can you believe that Christmas is only 121 days away? Are you wondering how I know how many ... read more
28 Ways to Be a Great Mom
This post is a collaboration between myself and my three sisters. We put our heads together, thinking about how our mom is the best mom ever. We are pretty sure other moms could learn a thing or two from this awesome lady! The following list includes ways that any mom can be a great mom - thanks to our mom, who was the shining example! (1.) Be willing to listen to your kids Growing up, I always felt like I could talk to my mom about anything. Even if she didn't particularly care about what I was telling her, I was never pushed away or told to leave her alone. She always seemed willing to hear about my day, latest drama, or newest idea! (2.) Raise your kids to love the Lord Every Sunday, without fail, we were required to attend church. That was expected from all of us, but ... read more