Through My Lens

Being Present in a Busy World Presence is such a tricky thing, isn’t it? Life rarely slows down, but being present doesn’t mean everything is calm—it means noticing what’s right in front of you. For me, that reminder came in the most humbling way possible: from my kids. One of them looked at me the […]

When I think back on my favorite photos—of my family, of my clients, of everyday life—they’re rarely the posed ones. Sure, the “smile at the camera” shot has its place, but the moments that make me pause are the in-between ones. The giggles after the “cheese,” the way kids look at each other right before […]

Every school morning, I slip a note into my kids’ lunch boxes. Nothing fancy—just doodles, silly words, reminders to be kind, and a quick “I love you.” It started as a way to give them a smile in the middle of their day. A small habit. But I’ll never forget walking into Leo’s classroom for […]

Oh, those mornings. You know the ones. The alarm goes off, and for a split second, you feel ready to conquer the world. Then it’s time to get the kids up, and it’s a mad dash to get everyone dressed, fed, and out the door with all their things. It’s a dance of forgotten socks, […]

Creating a Summer Bucket List That Sparks Joy, Creativity, & Connection for a Magical Childhood Experience Why Summer Sometimes Feels Overwhelming:Let’s be honest—summer break sounds dreamy, but it can also sneak up and feel a bit overwhelming. The kids are out of school, the structure disappears, and suddenly you’re trying to fill days without emptying […]

A Gentle, Honest Guide for the Brave Hearts Who Show Up When someone you love experiences the unimaginable—the loss of their baby—it’s hard to know what to do. The fear of saying the wrong thing or unintentionally adding pain can make even the kindest hearts feel paralyzed. I’ve been there. On the receiving end. Living […]

Honoring Oatley, Holding Hope, and Parenting in the Space Between The ache of loving after loss When I found out I was pregnant again after losing our son Oatley, I thought joy would flood in. I thought it would feel like a fresh start. A new beginning. A gift for surviving the worst pain of […]

The Thread That Never Leave Grief is often misunderstood. It’s not a moment, a season, or a stage to pass through—it’s a thread that weaves itself into our very being. For me, that thread began to unravel the moment I heard the words no mother should ever hear: “There’s nothing more we can do.” Losing […]

A mothers reflection, from her broken heart. To truly know our family, you must first know Oatley Vernon Dale—our firstborn son.You won’t see him in our family photos, at least not in the way most people expect. But look closely. You might spot a small blue ceramic heart gently held in someone’s hands. That’s our […]

I Guess I’ll Start Here… My love for writing began in the fourth grade, thanks to the kind of teacher every child deserves—Mrs. Carol Kransic. She introduced our class to journaling and gave us the rare gift of creative freedom. There were no grammar checks, no red ink, no spelling corrections. It was the first […]

I’m a rainbow mom, navigating the deep terrain of infant loss and learning to find light after heartbreak. My journey has taught me that grief and healing are not opposites—they’re partners in the process. And through creativity, I’ve found ways to breathe through the hardest moments and celebrate the sacred, everyday joy.

I Guess I’ll Start Here… Writing has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I can trace it all the way back to fourth grade when my teacher, Mrs. Carol Kransic, introduced me to journaling. She encouraged us to just write—not worrying about spelling, grammar, or whether it even […]