Category: Intentional Family Life

Our family adventures and how we create lasting memories.

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Pandemic Parenting: Helpful Strategies to Get Through Difficult Times

Pandemic parenting is by far the most exhilarating yet exhausting experience. We are challenged daily to not only provide guidance and structure for our kids but doing that all while trying to accomplish our professional and personal goals is hard. But then they lather my face with kisses and I realize that I’m fortunate to watch them grow.  

I get to witness their milestones instead of getting the play-by-play from their teachers.  Baby boy is now walking and I got to see his first steps. I have been teaching baby girl site words and she is now reading complete sentences.  

They’ve been at home for seven months.  Though baby boy only got to experience school for a couple of weeks, baby girl still quotes her teachers and talks about her school friends almost every day.  Occasionally she asks why they haven’t yet found a cure for COVID. She misses storytime at her favorite children’s museum.  She misses her teachers and friends.  

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One Act: Restoring my Confidence in the Democratic Process

Restoring my confidence in the democratic process

My confidence in the democratic process has fluctuated over the years. In the current climate, it’s easy to lose hope and we have to be intentional to seek out moments of gratitude and optimism.

As a nation, we are at a critical juncture. The pandemic continues to wreak havoc, hospitals are scrambling to treat the influx of patients and physical and mental health challenges are increasing in number.  The economy continues to struggle as governors maneuver between phases 1, 2, and 3.  

To add to it, social injustices keep recurring and wildfires continue to sweep throughout parts of the west. People are hurting, families are hurting, and there seem to be no clear signs of recovery in the weeks or months ahead. 

Despite all of this, there is a silver lining.  The American people!  They are turning out in record numbers not only to vote in person but sending mail-in and absentee ballots as well.

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Building Confidence & Trust in our Kids with Simple Words of Affirmation

Baby girl and I started the practice of saying ‘Good morning, I love you’ as our official morning greeting.  They are the first words we say to each other every day. Well, most days. She’s a toddler so sometimes there’s whining first thing in the morning. But once we get past that I steer her back to our morning greeting. She actually says, “Good morning, I love you, I love you too” as if she’s speaking for both of us.  It’s adorable.  We believe in using words of affirmation to build confidence and trust in our children. 

I started doing this because our family was simultaneously experiencing a lot of transition.  Simone gave birth to baby boy, I started a new job and we were staying in a rental house while our primary home was being renovated.  

Our attention was divided more than ever and I wanted baby girl to know that she is loved unconditionally. 

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Build an Amazing Community, with Intention – One Walk at a Time

A little over a year ago, I began thinking about how I could build community amongst neighbors and friends in our neighborhood.  Not just the “hi and bye” or the generic surface conversations we can tend to have, but relationships with depth. Relationships that our children can come to admire and emulate with their friends in the neighborhood as well. 

The idea that came to mind was a weekly walking group that not only builds community but promotes exercise, shares resources and empowers each other.  

Then we decided to renovate our home…

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