Now listen here, I know most folks don’t get too excited when they peek out the window on a Tuesday morning and see it’s raining cats, dogs, and probably a stray possum or two. Especially when you’ve got errands to run, a kid to get to practice, and Lord help us all — an outdoor sport on the calendar. Nothing quite tests your patience and your hair like a soggy ball field and a folding chair sinking in mud.

Hey there, shug! I sure hope these little blogs feel like a big ol’ hug and a good belly laugh — because Lord knows, sometimes we all need both. Being a mama (or a step-mama) isn’t for the faint of heart. And if you’re anything like me, you’re somewhere in that pre-menopausal twilight zone where your body’s confused, your brain’s fried, and 40 is chasing you like it’s got a personal vendetta.

I sure do hope these little blogs bring you a laugh or two, maybe a tear, and a whole lot of “me too” moments. Because truth be told, none of us are walking through this wild life alone — even if it feels that way some days. We may all have our own kind of chaos — different messes, different stories, different shoes kicked off by the door — but we’re all just doing our best to hold it together with a smile and a prayer.