dianaw
Wife of 12 years to Brett, and a laid-back SAHM with a crew of three girls (7, 4, 2) and a boy (newborn) through birth and adoption. A Kansas girl from the start, she grew up in Lawrence, went to SBU, then taught everything from pre-K to high school. After nine years in Austin, she's back in the KC area balancing introvert tendencies and active children. Her happy place is in the kitchen, trying new recipes and experimenting with old favorites. When not hugging her minivan or slow cooker, she's pursuing eating well and dressing well – on a budget! She talks food, family, and fun on her blog Life on Olive Street.
How Timehop Changed My Social Media
“Let us see the dinosaur app!”
I hear it every day. They crowd around, squeezing together to see my phone screen, and I pass it off to whoever seems to have the least-sticky hands.
The "dinosaur...
Three Words Younger Moms Need to Hear from Older Moms
It was just a small moment in life. I was wrapping up the second trimester, there was the stress and busyness of the holidays, and I was also keeping up with a toddler, a...
Kitchen Shortcuts for Busy Moms
It is a truth universally acknowledged that moms are busy. No pride or prejudice about it. No matter your employment status or physical location, “working” mom or “stay-at-home” mom, every mom has a lot...
Our First Ambulance Ride
It’s an interesting feeling hearing sirens in the distance and knowing they’re coming for your baby. It’s ominous because of the sense of crisis, but it’s also a relief knowing that help is on...
Leveling Up at STEM with Code Ninjas
There is no shortage of extracurricular activity choices in the Kansas City area, but since each kid is unique and has varied interests, maybe there hasn’t been a “click” for every kid. Luckily, there’s...
Don’t Fear the MealTrain: Delivering Family-Friendly Meals for Common Dietary Restrictions
The postpartum adjustment is tough whether it’s your first or your fourth. One of the biggest blessings in the first weeks with a new baby has been the meals that friends and family have...
Speaking Their Language: Loving Your Family at Christmas
The Christmas season is full of light, joy, and merriment, but, as the busyness of the holidays grows, the intentionality of loving our family well can get crowded out. Showing love to the individuals...
Non-Princess Movies My Girls Love
In our household with three daughters, there are lots of princesses. I get the appeal - princesses seem to have lovely adventures and wear fabulous dresses. My girls love fancy dresses and jumping in...
Minivan Logistics for 2, 3, and 4 Kids
I had plans of being a cool mom with an SUV. I had one kid and a Honda Pilot. Life was good. Then I was pregnant with #2, and my #1 kid developed a...
Re-evaluating Modesty as a Mom
I’ve always followed some general modesty guidelines on principle. Basically, I wear shorts that cover 100% of my butt, don’t wear skirts that provide a view if I open my legs a few inches,...
Preparing for the Upcoming School Year
Summer is winding down, and the stores are full of crayons, glue sticks, and pencils. My second grader is grabbing the school list and checking it twice. My preschoolers can’t read a calendar, but...
Stuck in Neverland
I saved the tears for the car. In the back of the library parking lot, I banged my head on the steering wheel. We were never going to make it through a story time....
Prepping for our Fourth Baby
I’m due any day with Baby No. 4. Yep, I’m signing up for more years of diapers, sleep deprivation and squishy snuggles. Preparation for Baby No. 1 was full of unknowns, but I’m heading into...
Great Introductions
My palms were sweaty, and I cleared my throat. It had seemed like a good idea, but now that the moment was here I felt the magnitude of the situation. Two people who had...
Preparing for a Sick Day as a Stay-at-Home Mom
Germs. Ugh. As moms, we can power through a lot, but, despite our best efforts, sometimes they take us down. As a stay-at-home mom, this provides a new set of challenges. When you’re the...
