On March 23, 2012 I received the best birthday gift ever, I found out that I was pregnant. At my first Ob/Gyn appointment my doctor informed me that I was doing well but expressed some concern about the size of my thyroid. She ordered a blood test which came back normal but she wasn't satisfied, so she ordered a thyroid ultrasound and referred me to a specialist. The ultrasound revealed that I had some weirdly shaped nodules.

In the last few weeks, I have been on a mission to getting myself back in shape and to a healthy weight. It has been a very difficult process for me as I have to get up early in the morning to work out while most people are still sleeping…

Having your goals and plans in your head is not enough. You must write them down. Research suggests that people who have their plans and goals laid out are more successful than those who do not…

Forgiveness is the most CHALLENGING thing for me in my relationships with friends, family members and my husband. I have ALWAYS had issues with this topic of forgiveness and have found that I am not alone in my struggles…

A picture says a thousand words. While looking at a picture of my husband with our 2 year old daughter Lily, I was struck by a deep sense of love and appreciation for the father he is to our children. That picture captures the father that my husband is to our two children. He is patient, attentive, loving and very active in their lives…

This past spring my husband and I planted some tomatoes, red bell peppers, jalapenos and habaneros, but between parenting, getting our kids to their activities, and work, we just did not have the time to weed and take care of the plants. By the time we went out to look at the plants, they were almost all dead and weren’t salvageable…

Even in the best of times, a relationship requires your constant attention. Breaking news: It hasn’t been “the best of times” lately!

Uncertainty almost always increases relationship stress. Another unnecessary update: Uncertainty is the new normal.

Sadness is probably the word most often associated with depression. While this makes sense, we must be diligent to not ignore other emotions that can play a major role.

How well do you really know your teen? Is their behavior age-appropriate?

This isn’t a test. Call it more of a reality check. After all, evaluating a teen's behavior is far from easy for parents. You are simply too close to the issue to maintain an objective viewpoint.