brenda
I am a small town Iowa girl who is loving life in the Iowa City area. I graduated from The University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Elementary and Middle Level education. I moved to the Iowa City area for my first teaching job and never looked back. It is here in Iowa City where I met my husband, Robert, married him, and we started our family. After our oldest was born, I left the classroom to be a stay at home mommy. We are the parents of three; Gabe (April 2013), Maggie (April 2015), and Julianna (September 2017). In addition to being a stay at home mom, I also substitute teach occasionally. I have many hobbies and interests. I love to be active by running and working out. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family, trying new recipes, playing board and card games and being involved in church. I am a sports enthusiast and enjoy cheering on the Hawkeyes, UNI Panthers, and the Chicago Cubs. I feel grateful for our little family. Life as a mom of three is busy and chaotic, but I wouldn’t have it any other way
A Socially Distant Walk: The Reprieve My Family Needed
As I write this, we are in the thick of social distancing from the COVID-19 pandemic. In our family, our daily life looks something like this: My husband works from home and I homeschool...
Hitting the Reset Button: My Parenting Realization During This Pandemic
COVID-19. Do your days right now just feel like endless re-runs of the movie Groundhog Day where everything is the same every single day and it feels like there is no end in sight?...
Coronavirus: The Questions I’m Asking to Cope in this Crisis
Coronavirus. When you hear the word, what does it make you think and how does it make you feel?
At first, I felt like this is no big deal. It will pass. The media...
True Confessions and the Untold Secret to Playing Pretend with My Kids
In my home the following scene has played out multiple times:
“Mom, will you come play dolls (superheroes) with me?”
“Sure Honey!”
Play begins. I make my doll or superhero do something.
Soon I hear,...
Mom Friendship: My Daily Mission to Include Others
It was a normal day in my life. When that light turned green in my kids’ room at 6:30 a.m., we were off and running. The morning rush began. Everyone needed to be fed,...
Why Advocate? How to Be the Advocate Your Child Needs You to Be
Since becoming a mom six and a half years ago, I have often heard people tell me to trust my “mom gut.” My mom gut is not just my stretched skin and enlarged midsection...
Time With My Littlest: Life Lessons From My Two-Year-Old
I am the mom of an amazing trio. We laugh, we play, we explore, we learn, we argue, and we are loud. I love it and would not have it any other way. Life...
Reconciling the Loss of Friendships As An Adult
“Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold.”
You may remember that song from your childhood. I know I do. I often think back over my life and...
Getting to Know Our Kids: The Date Night That Changes Everything
It was a beautiful summer day and my son had an evening playdate planned with some friends from school. When trying to figure out how we were going to get everything in and everyone...
From a Teacher to a Mom: A Reflection of Gratitude
It’s that time of the year. The weather is turning nice. Everything is in bloom. The school year is winding down, and summer is coming. As a mom, that may excite you or cause...