Real Life

As a parent, it’s hard to imagine anyone else loving or taking care of your children as well as you can. Yet, for many families, circumstances or career ambitions require us to be away from our kids for part...

I recently had surgery on my ankle.  The weeks following were definitely an adjustment for my family of four that includes a toddler and a baby. Here are my tips to help manage the time while mom is laid...

I love my husband and the life he has made possible for us.  However, there is a side to our marriage kept hidden–a side almost no one is privy to.  My husband is a lot of things to me: a...

On August 11th, 2018, my husband, two daughters, and I will be moving to Madrid, Spain. We will officially be referred to as “expats.” I had no idea what an expat was until I found out I’m going to...

The University of Iowa is celebrating Homecoming, a week for returning to the city that you once called home. I moved to Iowa City fresh out of high school, an excited Hawkeye freshman from rural northwest Iowa. Iowa City was a...

For three years I have been packing a cold lunch almost daily for my daughter. It’s become a hobby of mine… a bit of an obsession you might say. I have made countless themed lunches, but let’s get real...

Updated March 14, 2021 Are you looking to channel your inner Marie Kondo? Take a quick look in your dresser: if your clothes are neatly folded and filed upright, you already know the answer. For whatever reason you are de-cluttering,...

Autumn is just around the corner and there are plenty of things to look forward to. I personally love to spend the cool fall days baking or making soups and chili. I will look for reasons to get together...

Back in June, my husband and I, sat on the patio at our new house and talked about our wishes for the backyard. We finally have our own yard after living in a townhouse for 5 years and apartments...

I think we can all agree that eating together as a family at home is a positive thing. Sitting down together fosters an environment for sharing and communicating and can help us feel like a close-knit family. Not to...