The YouTube algorithm regularly serves me up a dose of embracing the season of life you’re currently in. Fifteen years ago it started as Jake: A Mom’s Opinion. Two years later it was Jake & Nake: A Mom’s Opinion. And then at some point Nake became Nate and it evolved…
Back in early July, we discovered something fascinating about Jacob. His mind’s eye is in black and white. Not grayscale. 3D. Black and white. So are his dreams. If he concentrates really hard he can add colors to the pictures, but it takes effort and the colors evaporate if he…
On Friday we ventured out to Best Buy for the infamous retail holiday. I’m fairly certain I’ve spent my entire life avoiding Best Buy, and especially avoiding it at its peak of lights, sounds, and crowds. I usually find the entire place cold, blinding, and lacking in complementary ear plugs.…
Earlier this week I was browsing through my blog, looking for inspiration for an eighth grade yearbook ad. Maybe I’ll find a brief little story that hits that sweet spot of short, funny, and not cringe, Mom. Hmmm, what’s this one called 2025?… Clearly I’m clairvoyant. Thirteen years later and…
Business. Jacob’s always been interested in the start-up world and entrepreneurship. In elementary school he made his own “Food Fighters;” selling self-designed cards fashioned after Pokemon and miniature food with faces he made out of clay. “I made so much money off those little kids, Mom” says the former little…
After every trip, I’m possessed by the greatest of ambitions to capture the stories before they evaporate into the routine of our daily lives. And then the unpacking and Laundry Mountain and the groceries and the Zoom Life overtake me. When I collapse into my favorite corner of the couch…
Three short weeks ago, we arrived home from our latest adventure to the Netherlands. I soaked up the architecture, canals, imperfection, and flowers. The boys soaked up fragrances, football, history, and pastries. One of the best parts of our trip was visiting Majella in Voorburg and hearing the story about…
Thursday night we went to see Cake in Paso. It was the boys’ first concert, and while they didn’t know any of the songs, even though I’ve been playing them for months, they enjoyed their meatball subs with their buddies on a picnic blanket by the light of the moon.…
Two weekends ago, the weather was beautiful. The fog retreated and the sky was a deep blue. On Sunday, we made lunch plans to meet Roger and Diane on the Avila pier. It was a bit windy, but we scored a perfect set of outdoor tables and had a big…
I long for James stories. Looooong. Crave them really. They’re a non-renewable resource I stuff into my pockets. The keeper of the stories. Of his spirit. Sometimes I remember them in a rush. And other times it feels like I just can’t grasp exactly what happened. Today I’m sharing one…