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
How to Handle Mom Guilt During a Pandemic
When I was pregnant with my first baby, I had these visions and hopes of having happy, well-adjusted, smart kids. I was going to do everything right and we were going to raise our...
Thankfulness: How to Teach Our Kids Gratitude
Thankfulness. How do we teach our kids to practice gratitude and thankfulness in a world so cluttered with "the me" factor? I mean, if your kids are anything like mine, they have already started...
Being a Positive Mom: Five Ways to Find the Good
Being a mom is the hardest job we will ever love. In a world that is constantly moving so fast, the pressure builds. We are juggling appointments, schedules, work ... the list goes on....
Five Tips For a Stress-Free School Morning Routine
School is here! How are you feeling? Does the thought of getting everyone out the door by a certain time already make you panic? I know this all sounds overwhelming but it can be...
Guide to Starting Kindergarten in the Iowa City Area
Starting kindergarten can be daunting for both students and parents. When my oldest started Kindergarten, I remember a lot of information coming in quickly — and trying to keep track of everything was challenging....
Skip the Summer Slide with These 5 Tips
Summer is here! That means a time of rest, relaxation, being outside — and lots of fun. The last thing on the minds of most kids is school . . . or anything academic....
The TV Show Bluey Made Me Cry
Have you ever had a time when you were watching something with your kids and it made you cry? Well, my kids’ show made me cry. Yes that happened. Here’s the story.
In our...
The Time I Thought I Broke My Son’s Arm: Nursemaid’s Elbow
It was a late spring day. My then two-year-old son, newborn, and I were at a local gym for their tot-lot with friends. We had a great time playing with ride-on toys, going down...
It’s Been a Year Since Our Lives Changed Forever
“525,600 minutes. 525,600 minutes. How do you measure a year in the life?” A year. One whole year since our lives changed forever. The song “Seasons of Love” takes on a whole new meaning...
“The World Needs More Purple People” – A Book Review
As a mother and teacher, I am constantly trying to keep up on the latest books in publication. I love discovering books that tell a good story and teach a valuable lesson. I recently...