Mindy
Mindy is a mom of three, writer, optimist, striving to be eco-conscious, and hoping to defy stereotypes. She’s a Pacific Northwest Native who discovered a love of the Midwest six years ago after moving to Illinois. Her family of five came to Iowa City in the summer of 2012 for her husband, Tim, to attend the University of Iowa School of Law and they quickly fell in love with the city. Mindy works from home, while caring for her three terrific kids; Ella 7, Ezra 5, and Kai 2. She is always searching for that elusive balance between family and work and can often be found behind a keyboard writing a newspaper article or blog post or managing social media for a small company. Mindy writes about life as a mom – sometimes crazy, often surprising, occasionally exhausting, frequently challenging, always rewarding, and continually a learning experience – at her blog The Inquisitive Mom (www.theinquisitivemom.com).
How I Became a Mother: My Induction Story
In my birth class, induction and epidural were not popular words. My husband and I attended Saturday afternoon sessions dutifully; practicing breathing techniques, learning about tearing vs episiotomies, and preparing for birth's possibilities. A...
25 Ideas for Earth Day: Small Changes with Big Outcomes
Earth Day brought 20 million Americans together in 1970 to demonstrate peacefully in favor of environmental reform. Since that time, Earth Day has only grown over the past 40 years and it is now...
Conquering Homework Battles
Some evenings, homework time feels like a battle zone at our house. We are two years into the elementary school homework routine and still struggle with a simple, stress-free routine. The issue isn't homework...
What’s For Dinner? Secret Ingredient Slow Cooker Chili
I've often wondered how much more effective my dinner prep would be if I could complete it early each morning when my sons wake me up before the sun. While I may not always...
Prom Through My Daughter’s Eyes
Do you think you could do winged eyeliner?
With my first prom in over 15 years just a few hours away, I envisioned a dramatic look. The associate at Sephora gave a slightly nervous response...
Mama’s in Shock
The honeymoon stage was over.
The change came so gradually, my shift in perspective took me by surprise. Here I was in the new home we'd chosen. I could finally navigate the town primarily without...
Spread the Love: Help A Local Family In Need
A Real Need
A 2010 study shows that 1 in 3 American families are choosing between purchasing diapers and essentials like food, utilities, or childcare. This can lead families to make difficult choices, such as leaving...
Weeknight French Bread
What if I told you that your family could have hot, crusty french style bread in an hour and a half with no hand kneading, messy, floured surfaces, or long rising times? With this...
My Daughter Has Been Bitten…by the Literary Bug
We listen from downstairs and hear Ella shifting in her bed. A sliver of light from her bedroom slips into the darkened hallway as Tim peeks upstairs to see if she is still awake....