Ashley
It’s Not the Building, It’s the People: Grief after the Tornado
My aunt died unexpectedly my senior year of high school. The next morning, I went to school and walked around numb and in disbelief that everyone else could continue life as normal. Never...
Innovative Education for Jobs that Don’t Yet Exist :: The SmartLab @ POPCS
As a mom, I want nothing more for my children than for them to be safe, loved, and prepared for the life that is ahead of them. An executive from a Fortune 100 company...
Beyond Pink: Supporting People with Breast Cancer
Seven years ago, I attended my first Pink Out volleyball game in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness month. I hadn’t been to anything like it before. Pink banners and posters lined the gym walls....
Conquering Fear with Truth
In the final weeks of summer, my oldest daughter mentioned she was dreading the start of school. I thought it was odd, but I chalked it up to nerves, reassured her, and continued on...
Common Spaces: How We Found Friends in our Neighborhood
When we moved into our neighborhood four years ago, we didn’t know anyone and craved community, but we struggled to meet our neighbors. We felt a little awkward inviting people we barely knew into...
The Day Our Cashier Became a Part of My Village
Without realizing it, the more kids we add to our family, the more I avoid situations where our family of six might cause a scene. I’ve turned down invitations and skipped events fearful that...
You’re Irreplaceable, Mama :: Thoughts from a Working Mom
I love my job. Like, really, love my job.
I tried to take a year off from teaching when we welcomed our first daughter, but I only made it five months before I accepted a...
Four Tips for Navigating Conflict in Your Family
As my husband and I neared our third wedding anniversary, big life decisions dominated our conversations in the evenings. We routinely discussed things like: Are we ready to have kids? Should we move closer...