Gretchen, Senior Writer
Gretchen has lived in Colorado since she was 12 and never wants to leave. She has a 13-year-old son who is into having a good time, especially with sports and Fortnite. Together, they are navigating the teen world of puberty and growing up. She has a wonderful husband, having been surprised and blessed with a second chance at love. Their family enjoys playing board games, watching Avengers movies, and sharing dumb jokes over good food. In her free time, she loves to read, shop for purses, play games, watch football, laugh with her family, cook delicious food, and dream of the next home improvement project.
The Beauty is Found in the Breaking
Have you ever seen a boulder opal? They are found only in Australia, and form in the cracks, hollows and fissures of ironstone. The brownish, dark color of the ironstone contrasts the full opalescence...
That Co-Parenting Life: Feeling a Bit Like a Spectator
I lead two different lives. So does my son.
I have a life with my son and a life without my son. And my son has a life at my house and a life at...
All Oiled Up: My New Oil-Based Skincare Routine
I’ve always had very sensitive skin that is prone to irritation and dryness. Living in Colorado's extremely dry climate doesn't help! Facial cleansing products often left my skin red and inflamed, feeling tight and...
Keeping Our Kids Safe Around Window Blinds
There are a lot of things around our homes that can pose a danger to our precious babes. We cover our electrical outlets and install cabinet locks. We switch from harsh cleaners to less...
Fitting “Me” into the Margins of Motherhood
The purpose of the margins on a printed document is to make the important stuff stand out. It draws our attention to paramount information on the page. If the margins are too jumbled, too...
Words With Kids: A Mom’s Guide to Kids’ Slang
Once, I saw a bumper sticker on a minivan while I was in the school drop off lane. It simply said, “I used to be cool.” Oh, mama... I feel the exact same way...
Why I Have Tattoos: One Mom’s Story
We all have a story. My story is written on my body. And I’m not talking about the wrinkles earned in my four decades, my increasing number of gray hairs, or even my zebra...
Book Review: The Grown-Up’s Guide to Teenage Humans
Middle school years can be complicated years. At least for me as a mom. And I’ve only just begun! Thankfully, a friend recommended a great book that has helped me as I begin to...
Love Languages: The Personality Test for Love
Sometimes, my son baffles me. I think we all feel that way about our kids, sometimes. He works so differently than I do, and sometimes I am not sure how to best relate to...
Gratefulness: My Road to Joy
"There is no joy without gratitude."- Brene’ Brown
My journey to motherhood was uphill. My first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage, and it was ten months before I conceived again. Then, when I was ten...