I met Bonnie O'Brien Al-Rifai when she took my family's first Christmas photos. We connected over Carter's loss and she shared she had just had her first miscarriage. I think we must have sat for hours that day talking - she and her husband, me and mine. They are an awesome couple, and we still talk to this day. Be sure to connect with Bonnie on her Facebook page and her website. Here's her story... ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Many women have had more ... Read More about Loss Mom Interview Series: Bonnie O’Brien Al-Rifai
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I Stand Corrected: Reactions to My Self-Image Post
Recently, I posted two posts to begin a series on lessons I'm learning. One on authenticity and one on self-image. I received a ton of feedback; they were probably some of my most important - and commented on - posts. But I didn't expect the reaction I received... I thought my Christian audience would freak out at my lack of modesty. Quite the opposite. They praised me for following what I felt God put on my heart to do. I thought my male audience - although I don't have much of one - would not ... Read More about I Stand Corrected: Reactions to My Self-Image Post
Loss Mom Interview Series: Angela Bickford (Intro)
The loss of a child is an awful thing. No words can describe it; no pain compares to it. I know that many of you have experienced it. I also know that many of you have only seen your friends or family members go through it. I want to change the way the world sees loss. Grief. Pain. I want us to embrace grief and treat it like a tangible thing that we can experience together. A bonding glue. I don't want society to be afraid to talk about it. Or afraid of the emotions that go with it. I want to ... Read More about Loss Mom Interview Series: Angela Bickford (Intro)
Every Body is Beautiful: A Lesson in Self-Image
NOTE: After this post went live, I received a reader comment that was too important to ignore. See how I responded here. I'm stepping out on a limb here. A BIG limb. Or should I say, a really tiny, not very stable, about to break out from underneath me limb... and it scares the hell out of me. Yes, I said hell. And, yes, that's a picture of me up there. Half-naked. At least I'm smiling... But I could sit here all night and criticize the things I see wrong in that photo. I certainly don't like ... Read More about Every Body is Beautiful: A Lesson in Self-Image
Not Everyone is Going to Like You: A Lesson in Authenticity
Let's face it. We all want to be seen as friend material. We all have an inner desire to be complimented and liked. But the reality is that not everyone is going to like you. No matter how hard you try. I've learned a lot about myself this summer. Mostly good stuff, but some big lessons about myself too - things I know I need to work on. The great thing is, knowing is half the battle. Awhile back, I had an uncomfortable run in with a mom acquaintance of mine. She kind of called me out on some ... Read More about Not Everyone is Going to Like You: A Lesson in Authenticity