The photo is one of our favorites of both of us!  We are best friends and this picture sums up our love for each other!

We are co-owners of laurelbox, a gift box company with hand curated gifts to nourish aching hearts. (You can find us on Instagram: @laurelbox or Facebook: @laurelboxgifts/)

I have two girls, ages 4 and 5, and mother to two teens that my husband pre-made before we met.

I am a bona fide BOY MOM!  I have two boys, ages 3 and 4, and my third boy was born in October.

Building laurelbox was also a huge mom win for me because it grew sensitivity in my own heart, which carries over into how I parent. I wanted to help women have the boldness and words to be able to reach out to a hurting friend. For me through laurelbox, that looked like a lot of prayer and talking about loss with those who have experienced hurt. That carries over into my motherhood in a huge way, because it inspires me to intentionally teach my girls empathy, faith, and care for others. Hearing my girls pray for others unprompted and showing care and concern for others is such a huge win. Cultivating caring hearts in my kids is so important.

Building laurelbox from scratch, while also being a mother, often feels like a huge challenge. There have been a lot of days when it’s been really hard to balance it all, but laurelbox is more than just a small business. It is also a missional way for me to love on other women and remind them that someone sees their struggles. I have definitely gotten better over the years at managing my time, prioritizing what should be at the top of my list, and outsourcing things that make balancing my schedule more realistic so I can pursue both my role as mom and as business owner.

Denise is not only my business partner and cousin, she is also my bestie and she can attest to the truth of this… I legit send pictures of my casserole dishes to her on the regular. I love embracing my Midwestern roots with a good make-ahead casserole. Plus, as a working from home mom, it really helps my schedule to be able to make dishes ahead of time.  I also pack those casseroles with chopped veggies. Anytime I can sneak veggies past my kids it is a MOM WIN!

I feel like a champion when I get my kiddos into bed successfully and get to enjoy a glass of wine and some quiet time with my hubby!  You can also count on me to snap a pic and send it to my Joanna after a long nail polish session with my girls (complete with bedazzling accents and lotssss of patience on my part). You gotta document those jazzy nails!

Being a mom is about progress and not perfection. When you have a mom fail (we all do!), it is ok to acknowledge your mistake to your children. I keep my heart open to apologizing to my kids, because I am human and sometimes make mistakes. I think it’s really powerful for kids to see parents humbly asking for forgiveness when the need arises.

Remember to keep your friends close in this season of life. It’s ok if your circle of friends gets smaller as the demands on your time get bigger. But be sure that your circle of girlfriends knows your heart. Living intentionally in community makes such a difference during the peaks and valleys of life.