Chris L
Born in Wisconsin, Chris moved South with her family, first to Richmond, Virginia, and then to Birmingham when she was 12. She loves being a girl raised in the South, and her only remaining Midwestern traits are a love for the Packers and a fondness for bratwurst. In 2010, Chris reconnected with Christopher, a former Birmingham-Southern College classmate, after a random meeting in the cereal aisle at Publix. They married in 2011, not realizing that they were bringing together a perfect storm of teenage angst with their three children.
Today, Chris is the center support that keeps the seesaw of her family balanced, leading a blended family of three young adults and enjoying an empty nest. Before the pandemic, most days were busy managing client relationships for a corporate event production company, but after six months of unemployment, she has become the parish administrator aka “the church lady” for her church. When she's not working, she loves reading a rich historical novel, volunteering with her sorority, and planning their next wine-tasting excursions.
10 Commandments for a New Grandma
This year, I get to become something I thought I might never be, a grandmother! To say I’m over-the-top excited is an understatement. Of course I have already chosen my grandma name—CeCe. My nieces...
Self-Care :: Five Focus Areas for the New Year
The other morning, I watched Dr. Jen Ashton on Good Morning America as she discussed her new book, The Self-Care Solution. I found that Dr. Ashton really speaks to me. We are both women...
Flying with Kids :: View from a Business Traveler
My career in producing corporate events was paused by the pandemic, but I recently rejoined the traveling world. I flew to Des Moines, Milwaukee, Charlotte, New York City, and Washington, DC, in November, alone....
Grandpa’s Guide to Burgers :: Over the Mountain Edition
Every week my dad meets with the ROMEOs – Retired Old Men Eating Out. (I have also been told this has been claimed by “Retired Old Methodists Eating Out.”) They gather for breakfast at...
Life Lessons from Reality TV :: Kids Cooking Competitions
Let me confess: I love reality television, and I especially love competition shows. Now, I know many of those types of shows are not appropriate to watch with little eyes and ears in the...
3 Simple Strategies to Lessen the Mess
Let’s face it. Raising a family is messy. From sports equipment to quickly outgrown clothes to craft and hobby supplies, our family homes can sometimes feel like an episode of Hoarders. Yet, one family’s...
Quizzing My Way Forward in 2022
A therapist once told me that I was extremely self-reflective. To this day, I’m unsure whether that was meant as a compliment or a correction, but the statement is true. I love to dig...
Challenge Accepted :: When Parenting Gets Tough
I have raised three young adults, although with one approaching 30 I think I have to call them “adults” now. I work in a church/preschool where I chat with three and four year olds...
A Birmingham Mom’s Ultimate Guide to November
We have officially entered holiday season, and for many of us, this is the best time of the year. If you are one of those mommas who can't get enough of holiday cheer --...
Lessons from Lettye :: Learning to be a Mother-In-Law
My son is getting married this month! My baby boy—the one who put me through whatever challenges he could come up with, the one who never believed he would have to be an adult,...