funeral songs casket spray

45 Best Funeral Songs and Hymns to Say Goodbye to a Loved One

What are your favorite funeral songs? They can be either popular songs or church hymns, or both. I’ve planned three funerals, one for my mom and one for each of her parents. So I’ve had some time to think about this. A couple of my favorites are Alan Jackson’s version of Blessed Assurance (makes me…

substitute teacher Lauren Flake

10 Things I Learned in Three Intense Weeks as a Substitute Teacher

I’m in my third week as a substitute teacher at the elementary level. Most of my jobs have been related to COVID quarantines. It’s been a rude awakening in some ways. Sure, I knew teachers weren’t paid enough. My mom and grandma and both of my in laws were teachers. But I didn’t see all…

10 lessons pandemic parenting

Top 10 Important Lessons from a Year of Pandemic Parenting

As a year of pandemic parenting draws to a close, I am in awe of the many ways we adapted to change as parents. Many of us managed a sudden shift to home school or distance learning while also working from home. Some of us couldn’t work from home because we were deemed essential. Some…

after tongue tie release surgery
|

After Tongue Tie Release Surgery, I’m Finally Learning How to Breathe

I’m learning how to breathe. Literally and figuratively. After tongue tie release surgery, I’m finally learning how to breathe. It turns out I breathed and swallowed incorrectly for 36 years. My new dentist immediately noticed my posterior tongue tie. She referred me to an amazing myofunctional therapist. The therapist taught me how to breathe and…