Under Construction
When I started this blog, it was pre-Covid, and my goals and needs were very different from what they are now. I considered reshaping the whole look of Her First Role Model but changed mind. Instead I plunged right into creating new posts. And that feels so good! Do you ever just want to plunge in and figure out the right swimming strokes after getting wet? I certainly don’t recommend this approach to all of life’s goals, but in this case I think it’s just right. I have been contemplating the next steps for Her First Role Model for over a year, but most seriously since 2025 arrived. I considered…
2 Mascaras and 1 Deodorant
It’s been years since I last posted to my site, but not a day has passed that I still try to live into being HerFirstRoleModel. The last time I shared the challenges of such a calling, my daughter was a preschooler. Fast forward to her current status: tween! Yep, she’s arrived to that developmental age of “night and day”. Some days, she is content to be making slime or some other of her creative concoctions and other days, she is crushing over NHL hockey players and scrolling Pinterest for her ideal mate. Parenting can be a roller coaster, as it takes its direction from the unpredictable path of the tween…
Who Needs A Party to Decorate: DIY Halloween Witch Legs
My family absolutely loves Halloween. It was my sister’s favorite holiday. The only decorations I’ve ever known my husband to have are Halloween things! And my daughter thinks the creepier the better! Two years ago we had our first Halloween party! It was amazing, and we instantly envisioned it becoming an annual event for our neighbors and friends. Well, last fall, I was still recovering from my depressive episode and only had enough energy in me for one party – Addy’s golden birthday was most important! This year…well…need I really comment about COVID?! Without a party, I thought we would scale back on the decorations. Nope! Not with this family!…
When Hope Still Hurts
My period is late – way late! And just to add context, I am also pre-menopausal. Aaron and I are in the process of adoption. We have accepted our fertility challenges and feel called to grow our family in a way we hadn’t ever imagined for ourselves. My forty-something friend is 12 weeks pregnant! Okay, confession time. Back to my period…I am late, like weeks late. My body has felt like I should be bleeding but nothing happens. With this context and all the various factors swirling around, I started wondering (hoping, really) that I was pregnant! I recognized that little flitter inside my stomach. The one that you get…
The Scarlet Tide
September is almost over and October is in view. This is my favorite season. For some reason, I have always had more hope and energy during the Fall. The smells, the sounds and temperatures remind me of my college campus, my seminary apartment in Chicago, studying and writing, walking to classes and meeting up with friends for study groups! These are joyous memories. They lift my spirits and remind me that opportunities are bountiful! I am burning my Autumn Blessings scented candle as memories and emotions flood my amygdala! And then Allison Kraus’ haunting voice reaches my ears as “The Scarlet Tide” plays on my iPhone. The saltwater builds over…
A New Mantra for Today’s World
I have written about mantras before! I use them with my daughter and found them to be helpful for me too! My newest is this… BE YOURSELF. EVERYONE ELSE IS TAKEN. “Living your best life” is something everyone is saying right now. But like most things, it seems to steer us toward competitive living where success is measured in money, toys and beautiful Facebook posts! So when I say “be yourself” I am not advocating you put on the “sunshine and roses” face just so your FB looks dynamite. I am advocating for an intentional action toward authenticity! What does it mean to be AUTHENTIC? This is what Dictionary.com says.…
Sun Doesn’t Always Shine
How I Know I Am Called to Adopt
Saying Goodbye When Goodbye isn’t Enough
My heart is breaking. During this pandemic, I have been without the comfort of friends or the freedom that Addy’s kindergarten classroom affords. I have been in constant contact with Aaron or Addy for 2 1/2 months and yet I feel so alone. I am appreciative of their help and devotedness. We have accomplished a lot of house projects, planted a garden and had lots of kitty cuddles. Honestly, I have nothing to complain about. I am healthy. I am loved. I have enough money, enough food. I do not want for anything. Except, I do. Ann Marie Bond. One of two mothers-in-law has died. I’ve never known a tougher…
When Stubborn Serves Her Well
She turned her cants into cans and her dreams into plans. Yogi Yamada, author I’ve used stubborn to describe my daughter before (actually many times). Ages 3 and 5 are better left in the past as they were her most stubborn stages. Whoever said “terrible twos” never made it to 3-years-old! Year 5 had so many major life changes and routines disrupted, I don’t hold that one against her. This last year at 6, in Kindergarten, she is fun to be around. Her capabilities are ever expanding. She is confident and more accepting of not having to be the center of universe. She is helpful and quick to offer her…
