Live Joy

  Let’s talk about something that doesn’t always get the spotlight: real friendship . Not surface-level. Not social media perfect. Not “only shows up when it’s convenient.” I’m talking about the kind of friendship that feels like home . A real friend is someone you can talk to about anything without fear of judgment. They don’t just listen to you, they see you. The messy parts. The dreams. The doubts. All of it. And they cheer you on without a hint of jealousy because your success makes them genuinely happy. A real friend doesn’t always tell you what you want to hear. They tell you what you need to hear. They’ll call you out when you’re wrong, not to hurt you, but to help you grow. Because they love you that much . They’re the ones who show up when life is beautiful and when it’s broken. They’re consistent. Honest. Loyal. Rooted in your life in the best way. In today’s world, it’s easy to feel like we have 100s of “friends.” We connect with people from high school,...

In the midst of summer fun and full schedules, it’s easy to forget one important person: YOU . Alone time isn’t selfish—it’s sacred. And summer offers the perfect invitation to slow down, breathe deep, and reconnect with yourself. Whether you're an introvert at heart or just craving a quiet moment, here are 10 self-care ideas to help you recharge and fall back in love with your own company. 10 Summer Self-Care Activities to Enjoy Alone Sunrise Coffee & Journal Sesh Wake up early, brew your favorite drink, and let your thoughts flow onto the page as the sun rises. Take Yourself on a Solo Picnic Pack your favorite snacks, bring a blanket, and enjoy some peaceful people-watching at a local park. Read a Feel-Good Book Outdoors (or indoors if it’s too hot LOL) Find a shady spot and get lost in a story. Create a Summer Bucket List (Just for You) What do you want to experience this season? Write it down and check things off jus...

  Being a parent isn’t easy, but it’s full of joy, especially as the boys get older. Lately, I’ve been seeing more and more of those little life lessons that pop up in everyday moments. Part of my job as a parent is to help my boys recognize those lessons and, hopefully, carry them with them as they grow into kind, strong, and grounded human beings. I like to share these conversations I have with my kids in case it helps another parent going through something similar or to hear any advice on how I could handle it differently. A lot of these lessons seem to come through sports. And I honestly think that’s one of the reasons every kid should play sports. It’s not just about being good at a sport, or even about winning. It’s about learning how to lose, how to be coached by someone you like and someone you don’t. It’s about learning to push your body, work with a team, set goals, and stay committed even when it’s uncomfortable. This week’s lesson was about integrity. My oldest son ...

  When my ex-husband and I divorced, our boys were just 2 and 3 years old. They don’t remember a time when we lived under one roof, but they’ve always known love, stability, and a strong parenting team. We made a decision early on: our kids would come first, always. Coming from a “typical 90s divorce” myself, where parents didn’t speak, barely made eye contact, and created anxiety in every shared room, I knew I wanted something different. And we built it. As Father’s Day approaches, I feel immense gratitude. Not only for the relationship I have with my children’s father, but also with his wife and his parents. We’re truly a parenting team. We bake cookies for Santa together, sit side-by-side at soccer games, and share inside jokes. At a recent tournament, three separate people commented on how well we co-parent. The boys have even asked after watching movies about divorced parents that don’t get along, “Do divorced people really act like that?” They’ve been raised by four l...

  If you've ever looked at your calendar and thought, “There is no way I can do all of this,” then you’re not alone. As someone who prides herself on being productive, organized, and pretty consistent with my daily habits, even I hit a breaking point sometimes. And right now… it’s June, and I am officially overwhelmed. People often ask me if I have more hours in my day because I can usually get a lot done. The truth is, I rely on simple, consistent routines that eliminate decision fatigue and help me stay focused. But no matter how disciplined you are, life happens. And when it does, I go into reset mode. Let me give you a quick picture of what June looks like for me: Week 1: Work trip to California (with a couple of extra days for fun) Less than 24 hours at home before a weekend soccer tournament 2.5 days home, then off to Chicago for another work trip Back home for a day, then my brother and his family arrive We all leave for a family tri...

  Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I’m so lucky,” or telling your kids, “Do you know how lucky you are?” I used to say that all the time—until I realized that luck really had nothing to do with it. To me, luck implies randomness, just happening by chance or due to factors outside our control. But when I pause and really think about my life, it’s not luck that I have a career I enjoy, or that I can take vacations with my family, or that I live in a home that brings me peace. None of that just happened . I’ve worked hard, made sacrifices, made intentional decisions, and kept showing up, even when it wasn’t easy. So, I’ve made a small but powerful shift in my language. When someone says, “You’re lucky to have a job you love” or “It must be nice to get away,” I respond with: “Yes I am fortunate.” To me, being fortunate is the result of intention . It’s the outcome of choices, consistent effort, and sometimes, a whole lot of persistence. This doesn’t mean everything is...