Last month I wrote about loosing my daughter Anna Louise, our forth child, to miscarriage. (Click here if you’d like to read my post.) I also want to share some ways people loved on us, as to help those of you who “just don’t know what to say/do” to comfort someone who has had a miscarriage. Continue reading
I had a baby I never held; her name is Anna Louise. This is my story of miscarriage.
Deep breath. This is my story and I invite you to read it if you promise to be gentle and remember each woman experiences a miscarriage differently. It is a tender place and I ask you not to judge. Continue reading
Face to face with girlfriends
Nothing can remplace face time with girlfriends. (Real face-to-face time, not FaceTime.) The past month I’ve been privileged to forge a couple of new friendships, strengthen a longtime friendship and invest in some other women that are a part of my daily world. My soul is so much better for it. Continue reading
Street find (almost) Friday
I found this globe on the street in front of our house and tucked it away for the perfect project. This week it finally found a home in the hidden corner by my kitchen sink. Mind you, I didn’t hook up the electrical on it- that’s a bit too much to squeeze in while Chloe is napping and Jack is playing cars. This is such a happy corner. Continue reading
Living in a glass bowl
After a long week of tension with people in our apartment building, my feelings of living in a glass bowl have only magnified. I hate feeling like I’m walking on egg shells and it is even more despairing to know that I am teaching my kids to do the same. “Shhhh…. stop yelling. You guys, did you hear me?.. Put your indoor feet on. Don’t let that drop on the floor. Can you say hello? Walk on this side of the sidewalk…” I’m not sure how to break this cycle. Continue reading
Good Reads- kids’ lit, a design book for families and a couple more…
As a kid I’d stay up reading till one AM. Now I read when I’m alone in “the potty.” True story. HGTV magazine is like a 5 minute oasis. Ok, I do squeeze in a read outside the toilette. Here are a few books that have refreshed, inspired and challenged me lately. Continue reading
Back-to-School. Not pictured: machine guns
This morning we dropped our daughter off for her first day of grande section (3rd year) of pre-school. As we posed for the first-day-of-school photo in front of the school, we were flanked by soldiers with machine guns and two more were flanking Dave who was taking the photo. SERIOUSLY PEOPLE! I dropped my baby off and left with men with big guns doing rounds of the neighborhood churches and schools. No wonder I was hyped up for like an hour after we dropped her off.
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Get out of the rut: make this yummy BLT pasta salad (& DIY ranch dressing)
A month ago our weekly menu needed a summer upgrade. I found two great pasta salads that appear bi-weekly on my menu plan. Both are “easily modifiable” for preschoolers (meaning I can leave the “yucky stuff” out and it’s still a decent meal for my kids). Also, it can all be prepped ahead of time- just toss all the ingredients together before serving. Try it; it’s delicious. (Especially if you take the extra 7 minutes and make the ranch dressing yourself. Don’t be scared; I did it during the melting hour and we all made it to the table just fine.) Let me know if you try it! Continue reading
Happy Hours in Paris & FREE DOUGHNUTS
Les Heures Heureuses, or Happy Hours, is a three day event where restaurants throughout Paris propose special little appetisers for 2 euros. My friend Anne-Laure, who has an amazing capacity to find great outings like this, invited me to go. On y go! (Let’s go!) Continue reading
Living overseas & the 4th of July
The Fourth of July snuck up on me. I was cruising Facebook Friday and saw all the “Happy 4th of July” posts and remembered it is a whole themed event in the States– star spangled plates, cups, hats, t-shirts and Jell-o salads. It isn’t Wal-Mart’s impressive aisles of trinkets that I miss the most, it’s my family and the choked up pride I have that spills out when I have the rare opportunity to sing The Star Spangled Banner on the Fourth of July while watching fireworks illuminate the sky. I am American, and I am proud. I want my kids to get this, too. Continue reading
Everyday Paris Mama 