Melissa
Melissa was born and raised right here in Iowa. Although she grew up in southwest Iowa (about as close to Missouri and Nebraska as you can get!), she has called eastern Iowa home for 15 years. She and her husband Eric live in North Liberty, along with their 4 year-old daughter Kennedy. Melissa attended the University of Northern Iowa where she earned her BA in Early Childhood Special Education and her MAE in K-6 Learning Disabilities. She currently teaches kindergarten for the Clear Creek Amana School District, where she has taught for 14 years. In her spare time, Melissa loves to be outside playing or working on projects in their yard, spending time with family and friends, and baking up goodies for her family. She also enjoys taking walks with their two dogs, plump beagle Lenny and shy dachshund-beagle mix Cooper. Life as a full-time working mommy keeps her very busy, but Melissa wouldn't have it any other way!
Waiting For an Egg to Hatch: My Story of Infertility
For as long as I can remember, I pictured myself as a wife and mother. I never thought my life would be any different than that. Like my own mother, my older sister, and...
Fruit Salads That Will Add a Spring To Your Step
I don’t know about you, but I love a good hearty soup in the fall and the winter. My favorite for summer nights is a nice cold margarita. What about spring, you say? Well,...
St. Patrick’s Day Fun For Littles
It’s finally March, the month where the color green returns to the landscape around us. Little signs of spring are beginning to come out of hiding and St. Patrick’s Day is on the horizon....
What To Do When Your Self-Worth Is Worth Nothing.
Exhausted, anxious, strained, worried, tense, frustrated, and agitated. These are the words I would use to describe the way I have felt almost everyday for the past several years. That makes my life sound...
It’s Time To Talk
Have you ever avoided having a conversation with someone because you just weren’t sure what to say or you were nervous about how they might react to what you needed to talk to them...
Organize Your House AND Your Life
If you are like me, towards the beginning of every year you decide it is time to clean out the over-stuffed closets in your home. While that may sound like a very simple task,...
100 Days Smarter: 10 Fun Ways to Celebrate 100s Day at Home
As the school year passes by, you can probably ask your child how many days they have been in school so far this year, and they will know the answer. Not because they are...
Holiday Traditions Old and New
If you are like me, the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is your favorite time of year. I love all of the togetherness that Thanksgiving brings. From the food and conversation to football games...
A Forever Fairytale: Our Adoption Story
As I sit here watching my daughter spin and dance in our living room while watching Rapunzel, I can’t help but ask myself, “What did I do to deserve this little nugget of happiness?”...
Pigging Out On Pumpkin: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Blondies and Pumpkin Surprise Muffins
Fall has officially arrived! Do you know how I know? It’s because my favorite local coffee shop is now serving pumpkin spice lattes and oh boy, are they yummy!
There are so many pumpkin recipes...