Joyfully Overloaded

Years ago I wrote for the first time about my mental health.  I was nervous to share with the world my imperfections.  At first I only shared my writings with a few friends, but as I learned more about depression and bipolar I realized that many of us are walking similar paths, we're just too afraid to share our stories.  Strangers started sending emails telling me how encouraged they were by my boldness, and search for hope and joy even though my mind shouted lies at me.  I started to realize that we need each other, we were meant to live all of life together.  I began to see that sometimes the best way to heal was to simply trust somebody enough to share our thoughts with.  Ever since then I have worked hard to be open and honest about both my joys and my heartache. The last week or so I'm realizing it's time to start talking about these hands of mine.  On the left I wear my wedding bands with my boys birthstones added in, because these four guy...

Lately life has felt full to over flowing with chaos.  We have found ourselves in this stage of life where we have both a whirling toddler and two middle schoolers.  Somehow you still rock fatherhood.  You balance life well, even though it doesn't always feel that way to you.  Aside from work you make time for dinners and coffees with friends, the kids activities, sitting-talking-laughing-and-strategizing life with me.  I think you do a great job at playing with your family.  I have Ren Faire photos prove it... 2007 See the tiniest of baby bumps in that dress.  Just nine months married! On this trip we packed zip-lock baggies for the morning sickness, water, and lots of snacks for the drive, but I got to experience my very first Renaissance Faire. 2009 In my third trimester with baby boy number two. A trip just the two of us. On the drive home I realized we never got a picture with the baby bump.  Actually I think we only have one p...