Lauren
Lauren was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina. She and her husband own a local upholstery shop called, Hot Rod's Upholstery. Lauren is a stay at home mama bear to two teenagers, a spunky little girl, and a toddler who is into everything. In a former life she was a single mom and yes her hair is naturally curly. Lauren loves binge watching Netflix and day trips to Charleston, South Carolina.
No Apologies :: Why I’m Proud to be a Helicopter Mom
Weekly I come across articles written by other moms bashing and criticizing what is known as a "helicopter mom" -- the overprotective parent who is too involved, hindering their child's independence.
I have a confession: I'm a helicopter mom.
My...
How to Experience Christmas Throughout the Year
My favorite part of Christmas as an adult has been spending time with my children on Christmas morning and watching their faces light up as they open their presents.
I love having all of them home on...
Mean Girls Survival Kit :: 4 Tips for Finding Real Friends at Any Age
Have you ever had to deal with a mean girl (here's looking at you Regina George) ... or are you a mean girl and just don't realize it?
If you're like most girls out there, the answer...
How to Create a Chore Chart That REALLY Works
I love a house that looks and smells clean. When I only had one child I couldn't rest at night in my apartment if I had a dirty dish in my sink. You see, I...
An Open Letter to My Bonus Daughters’ Birth Mother
I am sure most of us have seen the open letter one mom wrote to her daughter's stepmom that went viral awhile back. In this piece, the birth mother expresses thankfulness for her daughter's stepmother. While I am...
Giving Thanks in the Midst of Trials
Thanksgiving is a time where we reflect and remember to give thanks for the good things in life. I have been so blessed this past year. I've been given the opportunity to write for this amazing...
5 Healthy, Family-Friendly Recipes Your Family Will LOVE!
It's fall, ya'll! Just because Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah are right around the corner doesn't mean you have to throw your healthy eating habits out the window.
This past July I decided it was time...
Lung Cancer :: It’s Not What You Think
November is one of my favorite times of the year. I can't wait for Thanksgiving dinner -- mainly because I'm not cooking it. Most of my Thanksgiving holidays are spent at my grandparent's house...
Deep Cleaning Made Easy … with CottageCare!
Note: This post is sponsored by CottageCare. I was given a complimentary house cleaning by CottageCare; however, all opinions are 100% my own.
I've never had my house cleaned by someone else... until today. It was...
How to Discuss a Natural Disaster with Children
I've never experienced a natural disaster until this past weekend. Hurricane Joaquin and other storms brought torrential downpours to the southeastern United States. It rained in Columbia and the surrounding areas for 12 days straight, causing massive floods...
5 Ways To Be a Better Bonus Mom
I never thought that I would become a bonus mom. When my husband and I met I had a rambunctious 8-year-old little boy, my own apartment, a really awesome job at a local emergency care...
Breakfast in the Classroom :: Are You Involved?
September is Hunger Action Month, and according to No Kid Hungry, 1 in 5 children in the U.S. struggles with hunger.
I can't imagine what it feels like to be hungry and not have the means...
How 9/11 Changed My Childhood
In June of 2001 I flew from Charlotte, NC to Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts by myself to visit my uncle who lived in Watertown, Massachusetts. I was 12 years old. I wasn't nervous at...
Grieving the Loss of a Sibling
"Because I have a sister I have a forever friend."
My little sister, Brittany and I are only 20 months apart in age. When we were little we fought like cats and dogs, but as...