Tag Archives: family

Ladies, how did we get to August? I am not ready for September and fall. Don’t get me wrong—fall may be my favorite season; I just need a little more time. Perhaps it’s that we had such a long and brutal winter last year, the realization that this was Hank’s final summer home, and that the lazy nights are winding down. The relaxed days on the boat are quickly slipping away. The beautiful craziness of fall is right around the corner. Once again, I am excited to share the 5ive journey with all of you: faith, family, friends, fitness, and …

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. Th e credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, …

Hey ladies, summer is starting to sizzle, and everything I love about Wisconsin summer is almost here. I love the lazy days at the lake. I love late night fires and early morning runs, followed by quiet cups of coffee while my tribe still sleeps. As I am writing this, I am reflecting on summers past. It seems like just yesterday I was spending lazy afternoons at the pool with my tribe. As much as I love this time of year, I always get a little melancholy as I feel the nostalgia of summers past. Life seemed crazy then, but …

Hey ladies, summer is starting to sizzle, and everything I love about Wisconsin summer is almost here. I love the lazy days at the lake. I love late night fires and early morning runs, followed by quiet cups of coffee while my tribe still sleeps. As I am writing this, I am reflecting on summers past. It seems like just yesterday I was spending lazy afternoons at the pool with my tribe. As much as I love this time of year, I always get a little melancholy as I feel the nostalgia of summers past. Life seemed crazy then, but …

Ladies, I am so excited to share yet another inspiring issue. I think it is safe to say spring has finally sprung; it’s time for gardens and gathering. We’re sharing wonderful ways to connect with friends and family, essential conversations for couples, and fresh ideas for gardens and yards. Be sure to check out new tips to take care of you, and whip up yummy recipes for all those spring gatherings. Let’s enjoy the beautiful long-awaited spring, my lovely ladies. I am so fortunate to share with all of you as the journey continues in faith, family, friends, fitness, and …

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. –Matthew 18:20 Ladies, I am so excited to share yet another inspiring issue. I think it is safe to say spring has finally sprung; it’s time for gardens and gathering. We’re sharing wonderful ways to connect with friends and family, essential conversations for couples, and fresh ideas for gardens and yards. Be sure to check out new tips to take care of you, and whip up yummy recipes for all those spring gatherings. I am writing this smack dab in the middle of Lent. Years past, …

This past week has been one of the worst weeks I have had in a while. I got an exam back, and I didn’t do too hot. I felt lonely at school. My anxiety had been through the roof. I was doubting myself more than usual. I took all my anger out on my family, the people I love the most. Ugh… We all have hard days, weeks, months and even years. Hard parts are part of being human, but during these hard times, we should strive to let love in–rather than push love away. My eight-year-old brother was in …

Hey, friends, it’s sweetheart month trailed by the luck of the Irish! I have several sweethearts, and I am Irish, so we celebrate love and success for the next two months (and beyond). This issue’s theme is Find Your Happy. It sounds ridiculously cliché, I know. I initially thought that, too, but I have come to realize that happiness is not just something we feel; happiness is something we can choose. This life is challenging, and it is so easy to get caught up in the craziness. I am very excited to share this issue, chock full of interesting tidbits for embracing …

Ladies, this issue comes at the most appropriate time: it is all about renewing and redoing. As we move into this holiday season, I again remind us all to be kind—to others, but to ourselves as well. It does not take time to smile at the lady in line at the grocery store when the lines are grossly long. If you do happen to see the man with the lonely eyes, go ahead and grab his hand. Assume the best in others; assume they are doing the best they can do at that moment. I am so excited for what …

The other day, an amazing thing happened to me. A memory from exactly one year ago popped up on my phone. It was a picture of me during my freshman year of college, but with a notably puffy face and red eyes. I had been going through a miserable time. The caption read, “I hate it here, I want to come home.” The picture brought back a flood of emotions and reminded me of how overwhelmed I was back then. For so long, I had tried to hide that I wasn’t having the “typical college experience.” And at that moment, …