Cate Johnson
Cate Johnson has been married to her best friend, Sean, for 12 years. She is the mother to their daughters who came home through international adoption in 2008. They also have a son that came home through domestic adoption in March 2011. The baby is another son, who is biological. Cate is passionate about Jesus, photography, writing and adoption and attachment. She also loves coming alongside prospective adoptive parents as well as those struggling through transition and attachment. Cate blogs about all of these topics and more at Gathered From Afar and Attaching Hearts.
Preparing for Adoption: Building a Library of Children’s Books
In many ways, adoption can be just like bring a baby home biologically. Waiting mothers gain "pregnancy weight." They can suffer from post-adoption depression that is identical to post-partum depression only doctors are less...
Adoption Consultants
One of the most common concerns in adoption is the finances. Although it needs discussion, it should never deter a family from adopting. All children cost money to come home to their families, whether...
Adoption: What Not to Say?
Over the last several years, you may have seen various online articles from adoptive parents on "what not to say to adoptive parents." Some come from wounded places in mommies' hearts that desperately want...
Revealing Baby’s Gender
As I shared in my last post, a huge part of my family and its story is about adoption. I have a wild passion for sharing about children in need of families and equipping...
Adoption: Where to Start?
Maybe you've always talked with your spouse about adoption and think now may be the time?
Maybe adoption looks like it might be the only way your family will grow?
Maybe you cry every time you...
Archives Week! My Favorite Post of Noelle’s
It's Archives Week here at SMB, and this morning I'm featuring my favorite post of Noelle's. You can read all her posts here.
Often when I head to the park with my children, I'll leave...
Adult Dehydration: What You Should Know
Unless you are new to the Sonoran Desert, you are well acquainted with dehydration. As Momma Bears we are super protective of our babies. We give our infants extra breast milk, formula and even...
Unrealistic Expectations
I once heard a wise teacher say in passing that parents often have ridiculous expectations on their children. He said he sees them yelling at their kids TO SHARE. But they have never taken...
Mommy SOS l Overly Friendly Strangers
So I had this incredibly awkward moment at a coffee shop. It felt more than awkward, it felt a little creepy.
I had a random guy ask to hold my baby today. When I told...
Children & Learning Musical Instruments | An Interview with Sean Johnson
My world is filled with music. Instruments are in every room. Songs fill my hours. Scales drone into my nights. Among many other things, my husband, Sean, is a guitar teacher. What was a...
A Mommy Lesson
Happy Spring!! This time of year is why we all love Arizona. Flowers, birds & butterflies. I want to be outside. I also want to be realistic with limitations with my new mobile toddler....
Hissyfits in Scottsdale
No, no, not the tantrum kind. The super cute kids resale shop kind! When we found out we were having our first baby boy, I ran out excited to shop in a section I...
Homemade Baby Formula
Almost a year ago, we brought home our precious little boy through adoption. He was 9 hours old when they placed him in my arms. I am not at all biased: he is perfection....
Cultivating Friendships
Joy's post on mom-to-mom friendships could not have been more timely after the week I had. Mommy mantras always include self care. I am horrible at self care. I usually am forced into it by...
The Attachment Cycle
The Attachment Cycle is something you know expertly. You might be asking how that is possible when you've never heard the term before. It's true, though. You are a mom. It is actually one...
The Birds & The Bees
The what??? I know many of you may be reading this nursing your babies or cherishing the quiet while your toddler sleeps. Now I brought up THE talk and you have sweaty palms and...
Room to Breathe
Each year as the weather starts to cool, I make a pact with myself. This year there will be calm in my schedule for the holidays. I want to bask in the peace and...
Keep Relatives Close
The dusty boxes were pulled from the attic this last weekend. The family treasures were pulled out with care and smiles. The girls had tolerated Halloween and hurried through Thanksgiving. They had counted the...
A New Concert Venue
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. . . well, ok, it's beginning to look like spring if you were anywhere other than the desert. But the fake trees in Costco let me...
Hostess with the Mostess?
This month, I threw three social gatherings in three days. A wine tasting, a baby shower and a birthday party. It was more than chaotic. Between shopping, cleaning, invites and unexpected hiccups, I was...
Love’n The Kitchen
Do you ever watch cooking shows and wish you could be in that kitchen to taste and experience the food that the Chef is making look so easy? I can hold my own in...
Tail Waggin’ Tutors
I love our libraries. Pick any one, and you will not be disappointed. The architecture, the abundant resources, the crowded quiet. This week, my children got to experience something that I had heard of...
Home Schooling Out of the Box
What I love about our sticky situations posts was the reminder that we all do things differently. That is, of course, more than okay, but took me awhile to consciously deal with. I am...
Cheap Rest
With the school year back in full swing, time to decompress, be still and rest seems so precious lately. As a home schooling mom, those moments are few and far between, and the year...
Sticky Situations | Toddler Tantrums
We moms are all supposed to be on the same team, right? But what about those times when you catch another mom giving you a sideways judgy glance - whether it's because you just let...
Sticky Situations | Things You Never Ask A New Mom
We moms are all supposed to be on the same team, right? But what about those times when you catch another mom giving you a sideways judgy glance - whether it's because you just...
Summer Squash Recipes
Last month, I shared my love of fresh produce that comes with the rising temperatures. If you haven't gone to the Simple Farm, today's market day. :) Today, I want to share another hidden...
TRANSITIONS | Adding a Newborn
What do you get when several moms with different perspectives weigh in on the same topic? A great conversation!
This post is part of our MomSense series on transitions. From what they eat and where they...
The Simple Farm Market Garden
As the weather warms, there is something in my east coast born heart that wants to get out and feel the earth under my toes and pick the fresh blooms of spring. ...