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When in Doubt, Choose Kids

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When in Doubt, Choose Kids If you ever walk the hallways of Lombard Middle School in December, you might stumble upon a scene that makes you pause. A crowded hallway. Students laughing, pointing, gathering in a circle.  And right in the middle— Zelphyr the Elf , sitting cross-legged on the floor holding UNO cards while a fifth grader giggles beside the elf. Middle schoolers live in a strange, beautiful in-between. They’re too old to walk in a single-file line… yet still young enough to light up when their principal shows up dressed as an elf. We ask them to grow up fast: manage big emotions, juggle academics, navigate friendships, handle technology, and meet expectations that even adults struggle with. So when Zelphyr the Elf pops up sitting in a hallway with UNO cards, it sends a quiet but powerful message: Joy is allowed here. Laughter is safe here. You can still be a kid here. And while a few adults call it “chaos,” this kind of chaos is intentional. When students are smiling an...
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Finding Gratitude in the Struggle

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  Finding Gratitude in the Struggle This past week, I faced my fourth small bowel obstruction. If you've ever experienced one, you know the pain is unbearable. The discomfort, the nausea, and the dreaded NG tube—it’s a cycle that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. This time, I managed to avoid surgery, but when the surgeon said, "It’s very difficult to prevent these," my heart sank. I’ve always believed that if we work hard enough, if we follow the right steps, we can avoid setbacks. But hearing those words reminded me that sometimes, despite our best efforts, challenges will come. It was a hard truth to swallow. Yet, as I lay in that hospital bed, surrounded by the beeping of monitors and the quiet resilience of other patients, I saw something deeper. I witnessed people enduring battles far worse than mine—some without a single visitor, some with pain in their eyes that went beyond the physical. And in that moment, I felt a shift. Yes, this was hard. Yes, I wish I never had to ...
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My One Word for 2025 is Overflow

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     This year, my word is overflow. It captures a vision of how I want to live—abundantly, purposefully, and with discipline. Overflow doesn’t mean chaos or burnout. Instead, it means filling my cup with the things that matter most, so that it overflows to inspire, support, and uplift others.      I struggled this year with finding a word that would make me a better mom, wife, leader, and human being. After much reflection, I decided to dive into Zac Bauermaster's book Leading with People. He reminded leaders to reflect on when they are at their best. Our cups need to be filled in order to serve others. This insight helped me realize that overflow isn’t about being stretched thin—it’s about being full enough to give.      I have a tendency to overcommit, driven by a desire to do my best in all areas of life. Whether it’s professionally or personally, I find myself wanting to give more than I often have time or energy for. This year, my goa...
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