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Archives for January 2022

January 19, 2022

Scripture Memory Group 2022

  For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.       …

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January 10, 2022

How Do I Find a Therapist That’s Right For Me?

Since the beginning of the year, I’ve had a tremendous number of friends, acquaintances, and social media contacts reach out to me wanting information on how to go about finding a good therapist. I don’t mean to be dramatic or…

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About Me

About Me
Believer, wife, mama, and Licensed Professional Counselor. Book lover, part time pretend gardener, and full time expert in little girl drama. Sharing lessons I’ve learned as a counselor and the things I love the most. I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll be back soon!

Recent Posts

  • Kids Books for the Crisis in Ukraine
  • Disney World 2022 Travel Recap-Part Two
  • Disney World 2022 Travel Recap
  • Mental Health Monday–Meal Planning
  • Scripture Memory Group 2022

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Latest From Instagram

Sweet girl had her last official day of preschool Sweet girl had her last official day of preschool today, a fun skating party with all her friends. She loves her people SO hard, so knowing it was the last day was tough for her (even though most everyone will be back for summer play days on Monday😂). 

Watching your child grow and make special connections all on her own is amazing, and watching her realize a season she loved is about to change is a little bit brutal. But it’s all a chance to grow and learn, for her and for me too. 

I’m so proud of how hard she loves and what a good friend she is. She has such a kind heart. Her preschool class and their teacher made a really special bond and it’s been such a gift. 

Swipe to see a skating video, but be careful. I don’t want you to be startled by her speed 😉

Cutest outfit ever is from @littleenglishclothing .
📚Kids Books About Change📚 Change is hard. M 📚Kids Books About Change📚

Change is hard. Many of us, perhaps particularly our children, have experienced a lot of unexpected changes over the past couple of years. 

The ending of the school year and the beginning of summer can bring many changes—changes in routines, changes in peer groups, big moves, and ultimately ending a season that felt familiar without knowing what the next one will look like. Some difficult changes can feel devastating, but even the best changes can still carry a bit of stress along with them. 

In any case, many changes are unavoidable. When we teach our children how to manage change, we give them a gift they’ll carry with them the rest of their lives. 

Here are a few books I love using in therapy with children in seasons of change. Some address specific topics, while others address more general changes. 

***These books cannot and do not take the place of counseling. They can provide children with a chance to see themselves in someone else, to gain insight, and to gain empathy. They can encourage good conversations between a parent and a child. But when it is needed, nothing can take the place of true counseling with a licensed therapist. 

✨I’ve highlighted a few books, shared more info, and added links on my blog. Link in bio✨
✨Mental Health Monday-Boundaries With Kids✨ E ✨Mental Health Monday-Boundaries With Kids✨

End of the school year chaos is in full force and we’re right on the verge of summer schedule changes and more time at home with kids. It seems like a good time to revisit boundaries with kids. 

Boundaries with kids might look like:

-“Please stop touching me.”
-“That’s hurting me.” 
-“I need some privacy right now.”
-“No thanks, I don’t want to this time.”
-“If you choose to do _________, then __________ will happen.” (And do what you say you will, the very first time.)
-“No.” (without excessive reasoning.)

Not a single human being has the freedom to do or say whatever he or she chooses without consequences. Our children are all going to learn this one day—it’s just part of life. 

As parents or caretakers, we have a tremendous opportunity to impact whether or not our children first learn this at home with us, in a place of warmth, love, and safety, OR whether they first encounter this lesson in a different setting that doesn’t feel so loving, kind, and patient. 

Working as a therapist with many children and their parents has taught me so much. It’s very clear to me that teaching children to respect boundaries isn’t mean or bad. 

Rather, it’s a TREMENDOUS GIFT that will help your children learn to respect others, be an enjoyable person, set their very own healthy boundaries one day, and hopefully avoid a lot of future trouble (among many other good things). 

So please do feel free to say “I need some privacy right now” and shut the door and lock it when your precious little sidekick follows you into the bathroom yet again 😉 And remember—this kind of love, though exhausting, will have a big pay off one day 💕
Hey, who remembers this?? Back in February, I star Hey, who remembers this?? Back in February, I started a scripture memory group. This time of the year is so chaotic that it’s easy to drop out of things like this. In fact, I missed the last two posts myself due to being unexpectedly in the hospital with my parents. A few years ago I would have been so upset with myself, but now I know things like this just happen sometimes—so I say let’s pick right back up where we left off! 

I’m sharing the caption from my original post right here, in case this is your first time seeing this or in case you need a refresher. 

✨✨✨I never ask this, but I’d love for you to share this post. It’s so difficult for things to be seen on Instagram and of all the things I share, this one matters perhaps the most💕

“Several years ago, I participated in a scripture memory program and I’ve never looked at scripture the same way since. The verses that I learned that year wrote themselves on my heart and I came to discover that the word of God is indeed alive and active. 

I’ve had an difficult last couple of years and I trust many of you can relate. But through it all, God’s word and the Gospel of Jesus have stood firm in my life. I know I could benefit from another time of memorizing scripture in an intentional way and I thought some of you might like to join me this year! 

I’ve come up with a super simple program, because simple is what we need. You’ll commit to learning two verses a month—just two. It’s a manageable pace and by the end of the year you’ll know 22 verses. 

We’ll do most of our communicating through a private Facebook group with regular updates here on Instagram. This will be totally free to you and very simple. 

Please feel free to come just as you are. Whether you’re already learning scripture, have wandered away from your faith, or don’t know what you believe but just know you need to focus on something positive, everyone is welcome. Just DM me if you’d like to join. 

I’ve written a full blog post about why scripture memorization means so much to me and about all the program details. Check it out at the link in my bio or in my stories.”
Dance recital night and what a joy it is to watch Dance recital night and what a joy it is to watch this tiny baby growing up to be her very own person—a loyal friend, so thoughtful, and brave enough to try new things. What a gift she is to the people who love her. 

*This is my best friend Susan. There are a million good gifts wrapped up in sharing your kids with other people and it only gets better as they get older 💕
Lately, Lily wants me to lay in bed with her and t Lately, Lily wants me to lay in bed with her and talk for a little while at night. She’s never had trouble falling asleep, so this is new for us. She tells me all her secrets and asks me all her big questions. We talk about when she was a baby, we laugh, and then we plan on doing it again the next night.

So for about a month my kitchen has been a perpetual disaster, because for years I’ve spent that time cleaning. But once I’ve laid in a bed for 15 minutes I’m obviously too tired to revive myself to a cleaning state. Another case of “I didn’t used to be this way”. 😂🥴

Some level of order and routine in my home are deeply important for my mental state—for most of our mental states. But being rigid in old routines isn’t more important than telling nighttime secrets before bed—because if I do this when she’s 5 maybe she’ll keep doing it when she’s 15. 

So it looks like it’s time for me to rearrange my routine, which I’m learning is always happening as seasons are changing. As I do, I’ll remember that the point of routines isn’t to be a slave to them, but rather for them to be a tool in creating a home where there’s space for unconditional love, nighttime giggles, warmth, and secret telling. 

*My @barringtongifts St. Charles Yacht Tote was indeed the travel bag of my dreams. I’m SO pleased with the size of it and can’t wait to take it on many more adventures! I’ve linked it in my stories. Head there to see a picture of this color a pattern that’s a little more accurate 💕 #barringtongifts
Dozens of roses, lots of herbs, and tiny seedlings Dozens of roses, lots of herbs, and tiny seedlings popping up everywhere. Vacation is good, but home sure is too 💕

We have a slower few weeks coming up (hopefully) and I’m looking forward to watching things grow, hosting friends, and having a generally good time in this eternally messy, yet cheerful, backyard 🌸

*Will got me this new garden box for Mother’s Day and I love it. He’s always the most thoughtful gift giver 💕

Dress: @victoriadunndesign
The trip wouldn’t be complete without a new stuf The trip wouldn’t be complete without a new stuffie from Nana 💕

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