Tara Altenhofen
Tara is a proud mama to three girls, ages 10, 7 and 6. She has been married to her husband, Jason, for 13 years, 12 of which he has spent serving in the Air Force. She enjoys writing, hiking, spending time with family and close friends, arranging flowers, eating tacos and drinking coffee, especially at local shops--usually not at the same time. She claims Alaska and Kansas as "home". When she isn't folding all the laundry, or tackling a home renovation project with her husband, you can find her cuddled up with a book and her Airedale.
Military Marriage Day {A Reason to Celebrate on Aug. 14}
Aug. 14 is Military Marriage Day. If you haven't heard of it, you aren't alone. It's the new kid on the block. You know, like those of us in military families often are. The...
Freewriting My Way Through Motherhood
What feels like a lifetime ago, I was an undergraduate student at Kansas State University. I majored in Secondary Education, with an emphasis in English. I felt like I ate, slept, and breathed English...
What Is a Period Kit and Why You Need One
This year at my daughter's physical, another item was added to the list of things we talked about: how much longer until she might start her period. Although there isn't a guarantee when, her...
New Year’s Eve {A Family Affair}
Long gone are the days when we would venture out for New Year's Eve and stay until the ball drop. Usually, those days took place in our college town or a friend's home, but...
Morning Parenting Perspective: See Ya Out There!
"See ya out there!" my 10-year-old daughter grinned as she waved and stepped outside the door of our home. She wasn't going far, just to the driveway to play ball with her sisters while...
You Aren’t Alone Here {Tomorrow is World Suicide Prevention Day}
Mama, this isn't an easy topic... World Suicide Prevention Day (Sept. 10).
We hear phrases like "end the stigma" and "there's no shame in this," and we might truly believe those sentiments. And yet...
And yet,...
Breastmilk Drop in a Target Parking Lot {A Different Way to Donate Milk}
It was a warm day. I loaded all three of our little daughters into the car, lugging the blue and white cooler in last. It was filled just prior, little hands helping me pack,...
Thoughts on a Tuesday… Wednesday {When Dad’s Away}
My eyes dart around the half-finished kitchen, still empty of the cabinet doors that are waiting to be painted in the garage. The contents of the drawers have been scattered on the countertop for...
Six Words My Therapist Said You Need to Hear
A few years back was a rough season for me to put it gently. Maybe someday, if you know me in real life, I will whisper to you about it over coffee. But for...
The Art of a Good Easter Basket {It’s Actually Really Fun}
Hey moms! Easter is upon us. I know some of you are cringing because you feel like Easter baskets are just another thing on your to-do list. But, I also bet a few of...
Three Things to Help Littles When One Parent Travels
Our guy travels a fair amount for his job (though far, far less than pre-COVID at the moment, and we have adored the extra time together). After years of travels and many short times...
For Mom on Christmas
Every year, mom worries and frets, stresses and shops. Scours for that perfect gift, stays up wrapping way too late. She bakes and she shops again for all the things she forgot. She decorates...
Five Reasons I Grow Houseplants
If you walk into our home, you will likely notice a large tree, along with multiple other houseplants scattered throughout the main rooms. Somedays, the clay pots are overflowing with green and beautiful leaves;...
The Littlest Joys
Today, as my girls ran out the door headed to their school's picture day, I breathed a sigh of relief. They were leaving happy, hopping on the bus. And I was waving goodbye, secure...