Amber Harder
Amber has lived in Minnesota her whole life, with a 4-year stint in Iowa for college (Go Norse!). She and her husband met while both trying to kayak for the first time. The kayaking didn’t go well, but their relationship did! They’ve been married for over 10 years and have four incredible children. Amber describes herself as a recovering perfectionist, unashamed introvert, and extremely empathetic. Her favorite moments are those rare ones during the day when time stands still and she can see with fresh eyes the amazing little people who call her mom.
Keep Planting
Every year I’m inclined to plant a vegetable garden. I begin with hopefulness and resolution. I plan what I want to grow, and dream indulgently about the armloads of produce I’ll collect by the...
The Boogeymonster is Afraid of Boogers
One thing I could always count on as a kid was knowing that when I had a bad dream, I would yell “Moooooooooom!” and she’d be there for me. Every. Single. Time. Her presence...
The “New Normal” Makes Me Want to Cover My Eyes
I tend to prefer the view of my neighborhood these days. Walking block to block I notice the flowers blooming, the tree branches stretching to the heavens, the puffy white clouds against the clear...
Why Do We Call Each Other “Mama”?
I don’t know when this phenomenon started, but I’m sure you’ve heard it – other women with kids referring to each other as “Mama.” I feel like this term has been on the rise...
So…Your Kids Are Learning at Home Now
I’ll bet you didn’t see this coming when you put your kids on the bus in the fall! Our regular school routines have been upended and we find ourselves adjusting to the new normal...
Repeat After Me: …And That’s Okay
It was a cloudy day. I think it started out that way, but I’m not exactly sure. The sun wasn’t yet up when the kids woke in the morning, and I was so busy...
Passing Kindness Through Generations
My grandma was one of those people who I think would be best described as small but mighty. Not mighty in an overbearing way, but driven and persistent and determined to make the world...
What the Clutter Communicates
Want to know my stress level? Take a look at my home office. You won’t gauge my stress level by the length of my to-do list or how many items are crossed off. You...
The Joy Comes from Using It
I am currently pregnant with our 4th child, and this pregnancy has been tough. With it comes not only new thoughts and emotions surrounding what it will mean to raise four kids, but also...
How I Got Swept up Into Fairy Gardens
I haven't been much of a fairy person, but I'm a huge fan of my 8-year-old daughter. When she took an interest in fairies and fairy gardens, I decided to do a month-long unit...
An Eco-Friendly Easter Basket
When I was a kid, my family had some special traditions surrounding the Easter holiday. In addition to the festivities at church, my siblings and I received Easter baskets at home. It's hard to...
The Song That Transformed My Parenting
I have fond childhood memories of watching midday reruns of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. I recall sitting on gold shag carpet in front of the big tube TV which was encased in dark wood, eagerly...
The Puke Shirt
I parented too many years without knowing the agony of caring for a child with an ear infection. Now it was time to pay my dues. My 3-year-old son seemed uncomfortable when I put...
Traveling Internationally with Kids
Recently we had the privilege of traveling to Ethiopia as a family. Our oldest daughter was born in Ethiopia and joined our family when she was 11 months old. We wanted to travel back...