The Dog Whisperer – The Muki Series
What do the Dog Whisperer and my family have in common? Nothing! Continue reading The Dog Whisperer – The Muki Series
The Damage We Cause To Our Children
I wonder what kind of damage we are causing when we lose our tempers with our children. Think about it… Continue reading The Damage We Cause To Our Children
Architect & Artist: Katalin Domoszlay
Meet the first of many locals, Katalin Domoszlay. Katalin paints from her cabin in Aspen and is here to share her spiritual perspective on her art with you. Continue reading Architect & Artist: Katalin Domoszlay
Boys Like to Get Dirty!
In the end, that’s what it all boils down to. Continue reading Boys Like to Get Dirty!
Saying Goodbye to Pre-School
It is so hard to say goodbye to pre-school for many reasons but the most important reason is that I will miss the Early Childhood Center and Linda Campbell who made it all that it is. Continue reading Saying Goodbye to Pre-School
Camping in Moab
I shudder to think of what camping alone with my two boys and Muki would have been like without my in-laws. Continue reading Camping in Moab
Having to Move From Our Dream House
So many of us are having to let go right now. Even though I try not to get attached to material things I still can’t shake the sadness of having to leave our Paradise. Continue reading Having to Move From Our Dream House
Living with Integrity
Jack Pierce McDonald may be physically gone but the legacy that he has left behind will resonate within all of us forever. Continue reading Living with Integrity
I Won’t Back Down
What would I do without my sisters? Continue reading I Won’t Back Down
Lacrosse Families
Do you ever wonder what happens behind the scenes of parents who travel to support their children’s passion for sports? Continue reading Lacrosse Families
The Sorrel River Ranch in Moab
[su_heading]The Sorrel River Ranch in Moab[/su_heading] Sometimes moms just need to get away! Here in the mountains April brings a mixed bag of muddy trails and major snowstorms that dump many of us into a slump, and that is when visions of red rock arches, fins and pinnacles infiltrate our minds and our bodies yearn for the adrenaline rush of mountain biking in Moab. The … Continue reading The Sorrel River Ranch in Moab
Encountering Elle Macpherson in Aspen, Again
Getting to know a different side of Aspen, the land of dog people and celebrities. Continue reading Encountering Elle Macpherson in Aspen, Again
Swallowed by Mud – The Muki Series
Kids Need Puppies
Our new puppy Muki arrives and the psychological issues run much deeper than any of us could have anticipated! Continue reading Kids Need Puppies
Closing Day At Aspen Highlands
Axel Pond Skimming Click to watch Axel pond skimming
(As I was taking a photo of Josh from ZG Tech he recognized me from my website photos that he had helped to design. Glad to meet you Josh, Meow) Continue reading “Closing Day At Aspen Highlands”
A Day at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
With demon mechanical bulls, thrilling swings, an alpine coaster, 500 million year old fairy caves, incredible views and so much more, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is a great place to visit! Continue reading A Day at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
Some days are better than others
Spring Break is here and Bono says it all. Continue reading Some days are better than others
Spring Break in Aspen
The Aspen slopes are calling our name over spring break Continue reading Spring Break in Aspen
Not Giving in to Stress and Anxiety
It’s not always easy to remain positive in these difficult times but children always help to put everything into a positive light. Continue reading Not Giving in to Stress and Anxiety
A Boy’s Embrace
There is nothing like being wrapped up in the arms of my big, floppy ten year old but soon I will not have this luxury. Continue reading A Boy’s Embrace
Valentine’s Day Sucks
I fear that I’m giving in to accepting that Valentine’s Day is just an overrated, commercial Holiday. Continue reading Valentine’s Day Sucks
Skiing Powder at the Wolf Creek Ski Area
Discovering Wolf Creek Ski Area was a POW POWerful experience and I recommend it to all. Continue reading Skiing Powder at the Wolf Creek Ski Area
Pimping Out Your Husband
If your husband was hot, would you pimp him out? Continue reading Pimping Out Your Husband
Listening to your Children
Sometimes we all need a reality check that we are not as connected to our children as we think we are. Continue reading Listening to your Children
Trying to Fit it All in
Do you ever feel like your head is about to blow off your body as you try to accomplish the impossible? No? Then I need to talk to you, sooner rather than later. Continue reading Trying to Fit it All in
Getting Your Children to Help
All it took was one great goal to motivate the boys to eagerly do their chores Continue reading Getting Your Children to Help
Puppy Promises From Thumper
If the children want a dog than they need to convince their daddy that they will be good and take care of it, not an easy task. Continue reading Puppy Promises From Thumper
It’s My Blogoversary
Trying to understand my obsession as a blogger. Continue reading It’s My Blogoversary
Its Okay to Stay Home and Play
Sometimes, if you have the energy, it is good to stop and spend the day playing with your children, at home. Continue reading Its Okay to Stay Home and Play
An Aspen New Years
Yes, it’s true. I am a party girl, I love glitter, I love to dance, I love a good shot of tequila and I am one of those people who loves New Years Eve. Continue reading “An Aspen New Years”
A Dream About Dying
Having high anxiety over the holidays? Continue reading A Dream About Dying
Dealing With Concussions
On Christmas Day we arrived at my sister Micheles house with the Vini-Man loaded with presents for all the cousins. The kids ran around in their pajamas taking them off throughout the day to plunge into the hot tub and then dive into the snow. It was a wonderful family day until Michele came back from a walk completely disoriented. Her dog,?Loki, one of my … Continue reading Dealing With Concussions
Mixed Marriages: A Beautiful Thing
Is it religion or love that defines us as people? Continue reading Mixed Marriages: A Beautiful Thing
How to Get Fidgeting Boys to Go to Sleep?
Does your oldest child give you a hard time when putting him to bed? Continue reading How to Get Fidgeting Boys to Go to Sleep?
Taken Down by Thanksgiving
The holidays can be a wonderful way to reconnect with family and friends but they can also be detrimental to your health. Continue reading Taken Down by Thanksgiving
The High Activity Level of Boys
Accepting boys and all of their energy is not always easy as a mother but if you don’t accept it then you will be forever fighting it and who wants that? Continue reading The High Activity Level of Boys
Mommy Bloggers are the New Celebrities
It is amazing to me the fascination with vain celebrities. People want real. They want raw. Of course sex and good looks always sell, but many Mommy Blogger’s have all that it takes to make it as a Celebrity. Continue reading Mommy Bloggers are the New Celebrities
Let Negative Comments Help You
Every now and then I receive mail from somebody who I have clearly offended with my writing. I thought that I would share it with you and also give you the opportunity to critique my writing for the better good of my novel. Have at it! Continue reading Let Negative Comments Help You
Be a Stay at Home Mom, or get a Job?
You wanted a bit of adversity? Well here it is. Read and weep for me my friends, read and weep. Continue reading Be a Stay at Home Mom, or get a Job?
Do You Really Trust Your Children at Home Alone?
I know that you think you can trust your Tween at home but can you really? Continue reading Do You Really Trust Your Children at Home Alone?
Living Societal Norms
[su_heading size=”28″]Living Societal Norms[/su_heading] Sometimes you wake up and realize that perhaps you didn’t need to follow the societal norms of marriage and then children — just sometimes. I took a well needed spontaneous night off with two friends I haven’t seen in a very long time. In the pouring rain we hit the town of Basalt. You never know what you are going to … Continue reading Living Societal Norms
Am I a Goddess?
All mother’s have a secret that I am about to share with the world. We are all superhuman. Continue reading Am I a Goddess?
A Spiritual Encounter
A Halloween tale Continue reading A Spiritual Encounter
Family Outings with Teens
Family outings are so important but can be such a royal pain in the ass! Continue reading Family Outings with Teens
Watching The Movie Where The Wild Things Are With My Boys
The opening scene was shot to Indian war cry music, from Karen O’s indie rock group the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and my hair prickled on my neck, this was going to be good. Continue reading Watching The Movie Where The Wild Things Are With My Boys
The Panic Of Missing A Child
When your children reach a certain age, the old fears you once had mutate into new fears. The chances of their getting lost are smaller but the chances of their getting hurt by their own volition are greater. Continue reading The Panic Of Missing A Child
Meeting New People is Like Traveling
I am aware that I am in complete denial that taking the kids on a road trip could be a total bust but I am just that desperate. Continue reading Meeting New People is Like Traveling
Escaping With My Children To The Desert
I have never stayed in one place for this long without taking off somewhere, anywhere, to break up the monotony and my life is truly getting more and more monotonous as I deal with troubled finances and rejection letters. Continue reading Escaping With My Children To The Desert
Enjoy Them While They Are Tweenagers
My oldest son is teetering on the edge of innocence and as I get a glimpse of his teenage years to come I get more and more worried, especially since he closely resembles yours truly. Continue reading Enjoy Them While They Are Tweenagers
Oh To Be the Perfect Parent
I really cannot stand that I am always behind the eight ball so this week I decided to make a concentrated effort to get the meals organized and to wake up early enough to factor in my soft addiction to the internet. Continue reading Oh To Be the Perfect Parent
Understanding Football
My challenge this month is to learn the game of football. Although I cant imagine that I will ever be convinced that watching men in tight pants move a few inches across the field every hour could ever get my adrenaline pumped, I am ready to give it my best shot. Continue reading Understanding Football
A Birthday Toast to My Husband
It is not often that we get to show our spouses what exactly it is that we love about them. Continue reading A Birthday Toast to My Husband
Teaching Boys in Schools
Parents and teachers need to learn how to accept the high activity levels of boys and give them safe boy places to express it. Continue reading Teaching Boys in Schools
Anatomy of a Mommy Blogger
In all of this self-analysis I have deduced that my writing has become a reflection of my spiritual journey as a wife and a mother. It has helped me to live in the present more completely and spiritually then ever before. Every nuance, every impressionable expression, every tribute to life, resonates in my being and writing it all down helps me to grow. Continue reading Anatomy of a Mommy Blogger
Back To School – Routine is Good
After a summer playing Camp Director, I have decided that next summer will be different. I have done my boys a disservice by mapping out their days.
No longer will I take the responsibility of entertaining them every day and no longer will I be following them around the house cleaning up after them. I will establish a routine now that will hopefully help them with the transition back to school. Continue reading Back To School – Routine is Good
Back To School – Enable Your Kids To Be Proud Of Their Lunchbox
There will be one fundamental change on my personal school supply list this year. We will be focusing on being as environmental as possible with our lunch packaging.
Creating healthy lunches that the children will eat and actually look forward is another challenge. Continue reading Back To School – Enable Your Kids To Be Proud Of Their Lunchbox
Hiking with the Nature Conservancy in Gunnison
Hiking with the Nature Conservancy in Gunnison With our middle son Axel, I got into my friend’s car with her two children and set off on our road trip to Crested Butte to partake in an exploratory Nature Conservancy field trip to the Mexican Cut/Galena Mountain Research Preserve in Gunnison. Axel was elated that we left his brothers at home and he had his mommy all to himself, but he still … Continue reading Hiking with the Nature Conservancy in Gunnison
Back to School, Not So Fast My Friends!
About This Post
It’s back-to-school time, and this year Sprite and TwitterMoms have partnered with bloggers like me to share back-to-school tips and tricks, advice, stories and more! Visit Sprite’s back-to-school channel on TwitterMoms to get helpful ideas, learn how to survive the back to school rush, seek out advice from other TwitterMoms and join the conversation. You can learn more about donating your My Coke Rewards Points to support your local school, how to enter for a chance to win some Back to School cash, check out recipes, or even play some fun games. Here’s to a successful and stress-free back to school season from Sprite and TwitterMoms! Continue reading Back to School, Not So Fast My Friends!
Parents Need Children
Five well needed days without children can be dangerous but it can also help to positively put everything into perspective when they return. Continue reading Parents Need Children
Going on a Date with Your Husband
Kids are gone and Wade and I are hitting the towns of Aspen, Basalt and Carbondale with a vigor! Continue reading Going on a Date with Your Husband
Funny Kid Expressions
So go ahead: dream up and write definitions for your Five Funniest Momfinitions. Pretty soon we’ll have a whole Momfinition Dictionary! Continue reading Funny Kid Expressions
Date First Then Sex
All it took was a much needed date with my husband to eliminate the ennuis of marriage. Continue reading Date First Then Sex
Camp Mom
All parents go through the difficult transition from school to summer. Being a camp counselor is great if you have the organization skills and energy for it. Have you gotten into it yet or are you still struggling? Continue reading Camp Mom
Leave the Siblings Behind
Children can teach their parents the importance of one on one time. My nine year old son taught me how valuable it is to plan individual dates with each of my boys.
I will now be better equipped to handle the onslaught of emotions that occur after hiking uphill for an hour. Continue reading Leave the Siblings Behind
Do you Tweet in Your Dreams?
Twitter has become such a large part of my life as I grow my blog that I am Twittering in my sleep. I have always had crazy, fun dreams, especially about New York City and have started recording them on my blog. Continue reading Do you Tweet in Your Dreams?
Taking Care of Chickens
Taking care of chickens is a big responsibility and does not always go in your favor. Continue reading Taking Care of Chickens
Loving My Forties
A half hour later I walked out of his office stunned. In my forties, I have found an inner peace and an entirely new view on life and love. My senses are deepened and my openness to the world much greater. I am learning Spanish, writing, reading novels, juggling three boys, relishing in the affections of my husband and deepening my bonds with my girlfriends. Who was this man who could not appreciate the beauty of women in their forties? Continue reading Loving My Forties
An eight grade graduation speech
Listening to my nephew speak over the course of his eighth grade graduation caused a flood of memories. My little Devon had turned into this eloquent, amazing teenager not to mention an accomplished ski racer in the Junior Olympics.
Time had escaped me and my relationship with him as a young adult and I had a lot of catching up to do. Continue reading An eight grade graduation speech
All Parents Need Alone Time
As parents, we all need time to escape and reflect upon who and where we are in our lives. Life does not always offer up these opportunities. When a day turns sour, we need to dig deep into our own resources to help us get through it because nobody else is going to save us. Continue reading All Parents Need Alone Time
The Bernard Madoff Aftershock
[su_heading size=”18″]The Bernard Madoff Aftershock[/su_heading] I got a phone call a few weeks ago from an old time family friend. “Jillian, I’m worried about your motha”, she said with her thick Bostonian accent. “She needs you and it has to be you. You are the one who can help her move out of her place and give her good advice about what to do with … Continue reading The Bernard Madoff Aftershock
The Pains of Traveling
[su_heading size=”18″]The Pains of Traveling[/su_heading] It is a completely different experience traveling without the boys. I sat in the sixth row on both flights, a luxury saved for the people who don’t have children. How nice to not have to inhale the bathroom fumes. Maybe I should tell the airlines that once children are four and older they can actually be pleasant to … Continue reading The Pains of Traveling
What to do with Kids in Basalt
Want to learn how to survive the summer with your children? Follow me as I lead you through our daily adventures. Boot camp here we come! Continue reading What to do with Kids in Basalt
Flash Floods in Moab
Lucky to not be one of the few people needing rescue in Moab, we survived an interesting trip with flash floods and lightening bolts. The children loved riding Slick Rock and the parents had a good ole time hanging out in our Coleman Pop-Up Campers in the rain in between bike rides. Continue reading Flash Floods in Moab
Hiking Canyonlands with Children
[su_heading]Hiking Canyonlands with Children[/su_heading] Desert rocks soaking up the rain Last week I loaded up Vini-Man with a tent, backpacks and a first aid kit the size of Paris Hilton’s hand bag and took off for the Canyonlands in Utah for Brevitt’s outdoor ed trip. Unfortunately, I needed to take my own car in case Brevitt and I had to bail due to his … Continue reading Hiking Canyonlands with Children
What Not to Do With a Pregnant Mama
[su_heading]What Not to Do With a Pregnant Mama[/su_heading] What Not to Do With a Pregnant Mama? Don’t breathe on her, don’t look at her, do as she says, and everything will be just fine! The first time we saw our first baby, it was while having an Amnio in the Doctor’s office. “Is that what I think it is” I whispered to Baddy, knowing that … Continue reading What Not to Do With a Pregnant Mama
A trip to Paris, Pregnant
When I was five months pregnant with Hootie-Hoo, Baddy surprised me by presenting me with a trip to Paris, just the two of us, to celebrate my fortieth birthday and our pregnancy. Spring in Paris that year brought droves and droves of uninterrupted rain but I was alone with my love and that was all that mattered. Wanting to bring back memories of a time … Continue reading A trip to Paris, Pregnant
Preparing for Canyonlands with Children
[su_heading size=”18″]Preparing for Canyonlands with Children[/su_heading] “I’m bleeding mommy,” yelled Thumper as I typed away at my computer. “I’ll be there in a second,” I yelled not quite ready to handle yet another injury. I shot up running when Axel came in a few seconds later and accused me of caring more about my computer than I did about Thumper who was severely injured outside. Indeed, he … Continue reading Preparing for Canyonlands with Children
Analyzing Children’s Dreams
[su_heading size=”18″]Analyzing Children’s Dreams[/su_heading] Axel did not like our discussion before he went to sleep. He is socially so different from Brevitt and is quite content hanging with his one best friend and his family. I tried to teach him how to be sympathetic and friendlier to the other children who look up to him and ask for playdates with him daily. He started crying … Continue reading Analyzing Children’s Dreams
A Mother’s Love for Her Children
[su_heading size=”18″]A Mother’s Love for Her Children[/su_heading] Picking up the boys from school yesterday was different than usual. I watched lovingly as my little weeds emerged from school with backpacks on and friends abreast. They ran up to me smiling and giving me hugs. Excitedly they shoved their homemade birthday cards into my face. I told them to wait for Baddy and give them to me … Continue reading A Mother’s Love for Her Children
Designing My Own Website
We have all struggled with keeping up with technology and I just happened to take it as far as I was able. I soon plunged into website hell and have finally climbed back out. Continue reading Designing My Own Website
Mom Health Food
A diet of nuts, berries and vodka is not always the healthiest way to live. Continue reading Mom Health Food
Is it The Terrible Twos, Threes, or Teens?
After having three of my own boys I am quite aware that it is possible that girls develop differently than boys. Ok, faster. So when it comes to boys, the “Terrible Twos” don’t happen until they hit about 3 and a half. What I’ve noticed, and I am just speaking for myself here, girls are generally potty trained one year earlier, they learn how to … Continue reading Is it The Terrible Twos, Threes, or Teens?
Conversations with Toddlers
[su_heading]Conversations with Toddlers[/su_heading] I have been missing my children even though I see them every day. They want me to make money but do not like it when I am holed up in my office writing. They want their mommy back and I need them as well. I have watched them become needy, sullen and more mischievous because they are not getting my full attention. … Continue reading Conversations with Toddlers
Taking Little Children Skiing on Powder Days
Rising to a snow storm, I sluggishly forced myself out of bed keeping my eyes half closed as I crawled on all fours into the bathroom. The full moon had as usual tilted me on my axis and I was up all night writing. Sometimes the full moon has me waking the boys to run outside naked at midnight amongst the silhouetted mountains, other times it would … Continue reading Taking Little Children Skiing on Powder Days
Dreaming About A Lecherous Husband
I love my husband but obviously have some deep rooted insecurities that are divulged in my dreams. He sure wished he could be privy to his lecherous behavior, in my sleep. Continue reading Dreaming About A Lecherous Husband
Being a Mother Can be Frustrating
We are not always in the mood to deal with our children but if we can just embrace them, the day could improve. Continue reading Being a Mother Can be Frustrating
Losing Everything Because of Madoff
[su_heading]Losing Everything Because of Madoff[/su_heading] It is very windy and stormy outside. Hootie-Hoo is asleep, Thumper is hanging out with his daddy and Axel is at a birthday party. I could sit down to a good book and send myself into another world or I could dig deeper into my own world and write. I guess Ill choose the latter, again not much came to me … Continue reading Losing Everything Because of Madoff
Teaching children how to Communicate
If we teach our children to reason with one another through rational thought and discussion instead of fists and harsh words we are providing them with valuable skills to help them to survive. Raising our three boys ages 4, 7 & 9, has given me a completely different perspective on the perplexities of life. I was born the youngest of three girls and boys have … Continue reading Teaching children how to Communicate
Maximize Child Time Before They Leave You
I am hanging on for dear life to their cherished innocence and love for me. It is flying by way to fast. If I don’t establish a closeness with them now, than what kind of relationship will we have when they are moody teenagers? Continue reading Maximize Child Time Before They Leave You
Putting Flames on My Mini-Van
When I was pregnant with my third child, Tucker, I had to trade in my Toyota Fore-Runner for a mini-van to accommodate my impending larger family. It was a difficult decision for me to make. My father had a BMW fetish and that is what I grew up driving in. Continue reading Putting Flames on My Mini-Van
I Saw The Tooth Fairy
[su_heading size=”18″]I Saw The Tooth Fairy[/su_heading] The other night Axel’s tooth fell out, or rather, Wade yanked it out as usual. This family is not for the weak hearted. When the children hurt themselves they scream louder when they see their Daddy approaching. Both Wade and his father have the ability to handle pain and they expect the same tolerance from their wives and their offspring I was so … Continue reading I Saw The Tooth Fairy
Living with Boys
[su_heading size=”18″]Living with Boys [/su_heading] The boys worship their dad and follow his lead as he clears 720’s off of every precipice. Or rather, Thumper clears it most of the time. Axel perseveres in manic attempts to clear it and Hootie-Hoo jumps off making all the appropriate sound effects. We travel from BMX park to ski terrain parks replete with full face helmets and pads for every sport. When we are home we … Continue reading Living with Boys
Getting Chicken Eggs From a Neighbor
[su_heading size=”18″]Getting Chicken Eggs From a Neighbor [/su_heading] Tonight at dinner I asked my family to take note that I was actually wearing a short sleeved shirt without a sweater on. It probably was the first time since the last warm day in the Fall that I was not wearing my old three ply cashmere sweater and my hat and gloves at the dinner table. My … Continue reading Getting Chicken Eggs From a Neighbor
Staying Balanced as a Mother
[su_heading size=”18″]Staying Balanced as a Mother[/su_heading] This morning Baddy and I laughed, cried and spat at each other, and the kids, in the one hour we had together before we shoved everybody into the car to go to school. Oh to be able to afford the $1,000 per kid school bus. This behavior is indicative of a strange phenomenon that occurs before my birthday every … Continue reading Staying Balanced as a Mother
How to Make Marriage Last
Baddy has changed so much since I first met him on Halloween. I loved his demeanor then but was not used to nice, quiet and shy men but there was something that drew me to him, regardless. After spending about a year together I would catch glimpses of roguish behavior after a night of poker or a weekend back country skiing with his friends, and … Continue reading How to Make Marriage Last
Water Nymphs at Conundrum Hot Springs
Nymphs in the forest, hot springs pools, makes for a dreamy weekend spent in nature, that is unless you are there with your girlfriend. Continue reading Water Nymphs at Conundrum Hot Springs
Modeling in Aspen
No matter how hard I tried I was never able to relate to the people in the fashion world. Continue reading Modeling in Aspen
Getting Children Up in the Mornings
[su_heading size=”18″]Getting Children Up in the Mornings[/su_heading] In order to start the day without chaos, I wake up early enough to get the children’s breakfast and lunch made. It is so quiet. So unbelievably quiet. I’ll just fit in a few minutes of time to myself, before making the meals. Next thing I know it is 7:00am and the tornado is about to hit. QUICK…wake … Continue reading Getting Children Up in the Mornings
The Oldest Boy in the Family
[su_heading size=”18″]The Oldest Boy in the Family[/su_heading] Being that Thumper is quite the performer, we always thought he would try to get the leading role in his school play. Apparently, he prefers to perform off stage. Every year I think, this could be the year where he shines and every year I try to hide my disappointment when he comes onto the stage as … Continue reading The Oldest Boy in the Family
Recovering From Flying With Children
[su_heading size=”18″]Recovering From Flying With Children[/su_heading] I wouldn’t say that we made it home from visiting Grandma in Florida without incident. The fact that we made it home at all is very significant. The turbulence was brutal and I was reduced to an absolute useless mess while my boys searched for land through the airplane windows. I saw the sun again and realized that we … Continue reading Recovering From Flying With Children
Watching Children Grow Into Daredevils
[su_heading size=”18″]Watching Children Grow Into Daredevils[/su_heading] Wednesday’s are Baddy’s evening to be full on testosterone with his friends. In the wintertime they race up mountains on skins as the sky shows off it’s magnificent sunset, skiing down with headlamps on. In the summer they mountain bike through ridiculously difficult mountain terrain, usually clocking something outrageous like 40 miles and 4K vert. It is amazing that they … Continue reading Watching Children Grow Into Daredevils
Jillian's Real Life 