I never thought I’d be trading palm trees for snow boots, but life sure has a way of surprising you. One day, I was soaking up the sun in El Salvador all year long, going to college and the next thing you know, this guy named Trevor locked eyes on me while I was visiting my brother in Hawaii.

Fast forward through a whirlwind of airports, military move, and a few “Are we really doing this?” moments, and here we are, happily raising three incredible kids in the mitten-shaped state of Michigan.

Mornings in our house start with someone forgetting their shoes, someone else crying because he wants a different color cup, and me reheating my coffee for the third time. Our days are a mix of laughs, deep conversations, and figuring out who fed the dogs.

With three kids, including TJ, who is autistic and nonverbal, I have learned to celebrate the small wins, the unprompted hugs, the endless chatter from my other two, and the tiny victories that feel like magic. This life has taught me patience, gratitude, and that silence is very suspicious when any of the kids are involved.

I understand all those moments, those feelings. I see you, momma! The way your child reaches for your hand, the scrunch of their nose when they laugh, the way you pull them in a little closer because you already know time moves too fast. Those are the things worth holding onto, let me help you never forget them!