Jennifer
I’m a native Texan/San Antonian who spent a decade in Seattle and has never readjusted to the heat. I spend most days puzzling over my boys’ constant states of hunger and their non-stop wrestling. I live with my three favorite people on the planet: a fuzzy-faced dog that everyone loves (@sarge_the_whoodle on IG), a really ornery cat, and a fire-bellied toad that has defied the natural life expectancy for all toads. In my spare time, I operate a private practice as a marriage and family therapist, with specialties in traumatic grief, couples, and managing depression/anxiety without medication, which is a nice way to make use of my master’s degree in Applied Behavioral Science. I can most often be found on my own back patio with wine and a book, perfecting my status as a world-class procrastinator while ignoring laundry. Also: I’m married to my college sweetheart, also a Native Texan; and mom to three boys: two who run and one who soars, ages 13 (deceased), 11 (hungry), and 7 (also hungry).
Building Your Girl Tribe with Your Book Club
There's a lot of talk these days about the importance of a really great Girl Tribe, and while there is little doubt about how beneficial it is to have one, actually creating one can...
Me, First: A Self-Care Mindset
Self. Care.
They have nearly just become two, annoying, four-letter words based on how much we are told to do them. Urged to do them. Constantly bossed to do them. You see "self care"...
Feeding a Vegetarian
Earlier this year my eight-year-old announced that he was no longer going to eat meat.
“OK. Why not?” I asked.
“Because it makes me sad to eat an animal,” he replied.
Well, OK then. ...
A Fortnite Primer
These actual words might have been said in my house recently:
“I dropped in outside of Greasy and popped a chest…the loot was good. There were bogies fighting over by the Durr Burger that...
Twelve-and-a-Half
In six short months, you will step across the threshold from childhood to young adulthood. I will, no doubt, shed some tears over that crossing.
But I’m not in a hurry. Until then, you...
Serenading a Skunk
This post was collaboratively written with my husband, Ron Soos. I promised I'd give credit.
If you have lived in South Texas long, you’ve likely encountered them: furry, black and white, kinda cute, nocturnal, and...
Welcome to Texas; Here’s Your Horse!: Our TEXtravaganza with Out-of-Town Friends
We can all laugh at the stereotypical images the rest of the country conjures about Texas: everyone is on a horse wrangling cattle and has a gun strapped to their side with a ten-gallon...
Bring More Nature Into Your Own Backyard
About 327 times each week I think to myself, Gee, I wish I/we/the kids spent more time outside. I just know intuitively that it is better for all of us when we are outside...
Our Family Cookbook: A Record of Recipes and Recollections
A few years ago my mother-in-law was fretting over some cherished family recipes. She predicted that once she was gone, no one in the family would make those dishes anymore, and she was clearly...
A Scavenger Hunt Tween Party
This might just be the easiest party we’ve ever hosted.
My son turned 12 earlier this year, and crummy weather foiled our original plans for his birthday party. In a semi-frantic state we brainstormed...
When Seasons End
We had 11 years. It was a good run. Really good. Eleven years of putting out cookies, writing letters, standing in line for photos and staying up late in order to set out the...
A DIY Marriage Retreat
Any fans here of those marriage retreat weekend getaways?
As a marriage and family therapist, of course I think some of them are quite valuable, and I believe they can have their place in...
Overhaul Your Resolutions
If you are like a lot of people (nearly half of Americans), you probably made some resolutions last week. Maybe they are official goals or perhaps just general intentions for the coming year, but...
Experiences Over Stuff: Gift-Giving Ideas
Any parent who has ever slogged through their kids’ rooms and sorted, tossed, and/or donated piles of clothes and toys, seriously considers never buying a single, solitary toy ever again. I know I do...