A Legacy of Love.
I believe I’m leaving behind a lasting impression of love; an imprint on these three souls that will reverberate for generations.
Our Birth Story
Theodore Boone Stoltzfus was born on March 2, 2022 on the day of the new moon. But this isn’t just a story about the birth of a beautiful baby boy. It’s a story of a mother claiming her power; strength she didn’t know existed within her.
What’s in a name?
I agonized for the entire 40+ weeks of my pregnancy over Theodore’s name. Maybe it was because he is our third, or because he is our rainbow baby.. but I knew he deserved a name that reflected the tremendous journey which led us to him.
The perfect pregnancy.
I’m not sure if there has ever been a single teacher better for me than pregnancy as it relates to body image, relinquishing control, slowing down, and enjoying the journey… it has taught me so much…
Surrender.
I have had to learn to be ok with my daily success becoming 100% intangible. I measure it in laughs and sand castles and bubbles. It’s defined by smiles and moments. It’s a muscle I’m flexing daily, and I am slowly getting stronger in my pursuit of presence for my kids.
Make it sacred.
I’ve cancelled the story that “I’m not a morning person”, and have taken back ownership of how I want to live my life. I no longer let the negative energy surrounding how I used to feel about mornings own my days.
Hope through heartache.
One day we’ll tell Jack and Colt about this experience. About how we thought we would have another summer baby to celebrate life with. But for now, I hope that if you are reading this and can relate in any way, you know that you are not alone.
So much more than sports and dirt.
As parents, we are the examples our children will grow to become. I know in my heart the changes Paul and I continue to make within ourselves, and our home, will help this generation of boys be the ones who will change our world for the better… just by being themselves.
Above all else.
How would your world shift if you were as kind to yourself as you are to others?
The year we never knew we needed.
You see it daily on your news app, social media feed, texts from friends: Go Away 2020. Is it 2021 yet? What else can go wrong? Thanks a lot, 2020. I get it. I’ve said it. But I’m going to challenge you to pause and make the conscious decision to look at this year differently.
The good in goobyes
This past week was a monumental one for me as a mom. It sounds silly, but the first haircut for each of our boys is incredibly emotional and was heightened even more with Colton. I held off for a very long time, partly because I absolutely loved his long hair, and partially because I did not want to let go of my “baby”.
Freedom at 50mph
58 mph to be exact. That was the top speed my son, Jackson, and I hit on our first jet ski ride out on the lake. Pure exhilaration exuded from my 4 year old. When was the last time you felt all-consuming joy? For me, in that moment, I would have been hard pressed to tell you if I’d ever felt more alive.