Hey Reader,

Feature Story: The Good Mom Was Never Gone

There was a season when being told “You’re a good mom” didn’t comfort me — it made me want to disappear.

Not because I didn’t want it to be true.
But because I had a mental list ready of all the reasons it couldn’t be.

The yelling.
The short fuse.
The constant feeling that I was one question away from losing it.

One of our pastors must have seen it on me, because every time he caught me leaving church, he’d say it again:

“Hey — you’re a good mom.”

I couldn’t even look him in the eye.

What he didn’t see was me at home, overwhelmed, snappy, exhausted, doing my best and still feeling like I was failing.

Here’s what I didn’t understand back then:

I was a good mom.
I just wasn’t able to show up as the mom I wanted to be — because I was carrying too much.

The good mom in me wasn’t gone.
She was BURIED under stress, responsibility, decision fatigue, and zero margin.

And I see this all the time now.

Moms who are trying.
Moms who care deeply.
Moms who are doing the work — but doing it overloaded.

That doesn’t mean you’re behind.
​It means you’re human.

And if you’re still reading this, still searching for support, still wanting things to feel better — that tells me something.

That good mom is already in you, too.

She’s just tired.

This Sunday I’m going to do something small to hear from you and check in more personally. I’ll share more soon.

For now, if this hit close to home, you don’t need to explain anything — but you’re welcome to REPLY with a simple “me too.” I read every response.

You’re not failing.
You’re carrying more than one person was meant to carry alone.

So much love,

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THIS WEEK’S FEATURE TOOL

If my story feels familiar, I want you to hear this clearly:

You don’t need to change your personality.
You don’t need to “try harder.”
And you don’t need to fix everything at once.

You need a little MARGIN — in your body first.

That’s why I created the 5-Minute Reset.

It’s a short, guided pause designed to help overwhelmed moms come out of fight-or-flight and re-enter their day with a steadier nervous system.

NOT to become a different mom —
​but to access the good mom who’s already there.

You can use it in the bathroom, in the car, or between lessons — no prep, no quiet house required.

👉 Get the 5-Minute Reset – $12

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FROM MY DESK

A quiet reminder for this week

Some weeks are loud.
Some weeks feel fragile.

This past week was one of those for us.

We had a homeschool meetup that ended up being a flop.
One day we all felt off and under the weather.
Another day my big boys were invited to a museum with friends.
And the one “normal” homeschool day we had? We spent it at the Capitol for another homeschool meetup.

Zero book work.

And you know what? That’s okay.

Progress doesn’t always look like momentum.
Sometimes it looks like staying.

Staying present.
Staying kind.
Staying connected.

Learning still happened — just not the kind you can check off a list.

If this week felt like one of those for you too, it counts.

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COMMUNITY BOARD

Are You on the West Mom?

I'll be traveling up and down WA, OR, and CA over the next year to speak and I would absolutely LOVE to see you at a live event I'm hosting. Just click the button below if you want me to email you about specific events that may be close to you!

I'm a West Coast Mom

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Come Meet with Me In-Person

✨ NEON Kidz Education Expo at the Keizer Event Center

📅 February 28, 2026
9am - 1pm​
​Keizer Event Center, OR
FREE

The 4th Annual Education Expo brings together trusted vendors, alternative education resources, and experienced speakers for one encouraging, information-filled morning. Explore curriculum options, ask questions, and learn from leaders who support homeschooling families every day.

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✨ Portland Homeschool & Alternative Education Fair at Rose City Park United Methodist Church

📅 March 7, 2026​
📍 Portland, OR
FREE

This fair is a great option if you’re in the Portland area and want to see a wide range of educational philosophies and resources all in one place. It’s especially helpful if you’re in a season of re-evaluating what’s working (and what’s not) and want exposure to new ideas without pressure.

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✨ Oregon Park Meetup Days

FREE

This spring and summer, I’ll be hosting Oregon Park Meetup Days — simple, come-as-you-are gatherings for homeschool moms and kids to connect, breathe, and let the kids play.

These meetups are intentionally low-key. No curriculum talk required. No pressure to have it all figured out. Just real-life connection with other families walking a similar path.

They’ll be especially great if you’re:

• New to homeschooling
• Considering homeschooling and feeling curious
• Or simply wanting more community for you and your kids

If you live in Oregon and would like details as plans come together, click below and I’ll make sure you’re the first to know as we head into spring.

👉 I live in Oregon — send me the meetup info​

I’d love to see you there. 💛

BOOK CORNER 🤔 What If? 2: Additional Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions by Randall Munroe​ ​AGES 11–16 My 13-year-old laughed his way through this one. It’s conversational, clever, and packed with real science — answering ridiculous “what if” questions with surprisingly thoughtful explanations. Yes, there are a few gross biology moments… but honestly, biology is sometimes gross. What I love most is how accessible it makes science. It doesn’t feel academic or intimidating — it feels like curiosity at its best. A great fit for kids who love facts, humor, and learning without realizing they’re learning. ⚔️ Big Bad Ironclad - Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales​ ​AGES 8–12 My kids love this one (and Lafayette)— and I see the payoff all the time. When we read American history now, they’ll casually say things like, ​“Oh yeah — he was the guy who did that in…” That kind of connection tells me the learning stuck. This book brings history to life in a way that’s memorable and engaging, helping kids build a mental framework of historical figures long before formal timelines and textbooks. A fantastic support for American history — especially for kids who learn best through story and visual context. ⚔️ Great Battles for Boys: The American Revolution by Joe Giorello​ ​AGES 8–12 Full honesty — we haven’t read these ones yet. But I keep hearing about it from moms I trust, and their boys are loving these stories. The feedback is consistent: engaging, story-driven, and the kind of history that actually sticks. This is one of those books I’m intentionally adding to our rotation — especially because my boys sometimes get stuck in a rut with their favorites and aren’t always eager to try something new. I have a feeling once it’s in their hands, it’ll do what good history books do best: pull them in before they even realize they’re learning.

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