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Dinner Count: #87 #88 #89 #90 This week looks nothing like what we planned and everything like what we needed. We’ve actually had more  family dinners than usual, not because life slowed down by choice, but because it slowed us down entirely. When medical uncertainty enters your home, plans change instantly and everything else rearranges itself around what matters most. When Everything Changes Overnight Sunday dinner felt normal. Safe. Familiar.Monday night, my daughter and I

Some weeks gently unfold.This one turned our life upside down. Monday through Saturday were nonstop: meetings, practices, appointments. Sunday, though, gave us a pause. We sat down together and had a real family dinner. A simple meal. Familiar food. As we ate, I realized something that’s been quietly happening on this journey: I’ve let go of experimenting in the kitchen. I’m back to the same rotation of meals. And while part of me feels a little disappointed about that, I als

This week felt like a blur. But within the blur were big moments were moments of family conection.

Driving Teens, Girl Dinners, and Growing Through Co-Parenting This was another full  week. The kind where the calendar feels like a matching game: football, drama club, doctor appointments, school-based OT, and dance class. We were here, there, and everywhere, but somehow we made it work. One thing I’ve been grateful for lately is having a teenager who drives. My son can take himself to and from football practice, and when it’s time to go to his dad’s house, he’s able to take

If you’ve ever wished you could reach inside your teen’s brain and upgrade the thoughts that spin on repeat: this book might just be the closest thing. Your New Playlist  by Jon Acuff written with his daughters, L.E. and McRae Acuff, is a lighthearted, teen-friendly guide to rewiring the soundtrack inside our minds. Those thoughts that push us forward or hold us back. The big idea? Our thoughts play like music. And if the music isn’t helping, we can change it. This book is fa

Week 34: September 2-6 Dinner Count: 0 You would think that after Labor Day we’d get a little breather… but motherhood laughs at the idea of rest. Tuesday hit the ground running with drama club and night football practice. The kids barely saw each other, and dinner happened whenever we were home: not around the table together. The rest of the week was a blur: dance classes, doctor appointments, football games, and an epilepsy-awareness event. It felt like every time I looked

After a whirlwind few weeks, this one began quietly: a rare, slow Sunday before life picked back up again. I made the kids sit down for dinner with me. No phones, no rushing, just food and conversation. It was exactly what we needed a pause from the constant motion. The kids slept in, caught their breath, and we re-connected over something simple. By Monday, we were back to football practice and school routines. My son’s schedule keeps us constantly moving, which means I get

A guide to building resilience and managing mental health. When I first picked up this book, I was really excited. Mental health in children is one of those topics that every parent worries about, yet many of us feel unqualified to handle. I was hopeful this book would give me practical tools to help my own kids and the families I work with, learn how to manage big emotions and build resilience. Dr. Caroline Leaf is a cognitive neuroscientist who has spent years studying how

What Every Parent Needs to Know Let’s be honest, talking to teenagers can feel a little like trying to hug a cactus. You love them deeply, but sometimes every word you say seems to poke or irritate. I recently read How to Talk So Teens Will Listen and Listen So Teens Will Talk  by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish, and Holy Cow! This one is worth every dog-eared page. It’s one of those books that made me stop mid-chapter and think, “I wish I had known this five years ago.” Here

No Dinners But Lots of Fun Family dinners have been my big goal this year: 100 family dinners in 2025. There was a moment early on when I...

This week was rodeo weekend ! The kids were in the parade, Addie had a birthday party, and school life is now in full swing. My daughter...

We are blazing through the year. 30 weeks in and it’s already August. The first full week of August always feels like a turning point....

And just like that, summer is over. We are officially back to school, and I still can’t believe I have two kids in high school. My son is...

The Summer is Almost Over This week felt like the calm before the storm. School is about to start, and for the first time in a long time,...

Zero Dinners This summer looked different. My kids went off to camp, something they’ve done with me every year of their lives and for the...

Dinners 64-68 This week was a big travel week. On Sunday, the kids came back from their weekend with Dad, and by Monday, we were in full...

This week we shared three simple but meaningful dinners: Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday. Before transitioning into a long weekend with...

Connecting with your kids is so important. Big or small it makes a different.

Sometimes, parenting gives you a season where the pace slows down, the to-do list gets a little shorter, and the moments feel more...

This week was a blur of family moments that reminded me why I started this 100 Family Dinners  journey. Spoiler alert: we only managed...