The Dancing Frog

07/15/2026

I often see moms posting on Facebook looking for ways to make extra money. One thing I do from home is VIPTeacher (formerly VIPKid). It’s easy and *most* of the time, really fun! If you’ve never heard of it, it’s an online ESL tutoring company for kids in China. You need a Bachelor’s Degree (can be in anything) and a TESOL or TEFL certificate. These are pretty cheap and easy to obtain online. Groupon very often has them on sale. I’ll post my referral link in the comments for anyone who is interested. I have done this job since 2019 and, besides the early morning since it’s China time you’re working with, I really do enjoy it. Please feel free to reach out with any questions! I’d love to help! ❤️

07/14/2026

Fellow Facebookians. I have been made aware that today is National Pandemonium Day. I don’t need a day since everyday of my life devolves into pandemonium by noon if it hadn’t welcomed the sun with pandemonium already, but maybe you need a day to just be ok letting the pandemonium take over. If you’re usually a person of order, the Internet said that today is the day to let it all go. National Pandemonium Day only comes once a year, so don’t miss it. 😜

On a serious note, since my life is in a season of pandemonium with so many changes recently, I am trying to be more orderly in my surroundings and home since those are the only things I can control. A friend of mine recently told me that during a chaotic season in her life she became a minimalist and it changed everything. I’m at that point, but it’s hard, dude! These kids have too much stuff, I have too much stuff, Louis has too much stuff…it’s all gotta go. I’ll report back if I ever make progress. 😅 Carry on.

07/14/2026

A little mid cleaning, mid scroll nap never hurt nobody. 💤

Also, I am self aware enough to know that this is 100% cringe. If you see this and know me in real life, please never mention it. 😅 K, thanks, bye!✌🏼

07/11/2026

I used to think “God won’t fail you” meant that everything would work out the way I planned. But through the years and through the many trials I’ve walked through, I’ve realized that it doesn’t mean that at all. Sometimes, sure. But a lot of times it means that even though things don’t go the way I want, it doesn’t mean He’s failed me. It means He stays with me through the hard and the messy and works it all out. There’s still pain and heartbreak, but He’s right there catching my tears and binding up my wounded heart. My job is to trust Him. As hard as it is sometimes and as scary as it can be, trusting Him is really the safest option.

Really having to live this out right now as life is quite messy and a little scary. Not always fun, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to put my faith into action. ❤️

07/10/2026

I escalate immediately to level 113. 😅

07/10/2026

Technically, he’s not wrong. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Looking forward to the day I can cover these cracked up floors with wood floors. But not trying to rush it because I don’t want to do it until my little kids are more grown up and less destructive. I love still having little ones running around!

07/09/2026

There was a time, years ago, where the thought of living on my family property was appalling. Not because there’s anything wrong with my family (I mean, there is something wrong with us, but that’s just generations of undiagnosed adhd and plain ol weirdness. 😉). We all get along most of the time and respect boundaries etc… But I was an independent woman with a husband and my own kids and wanted to make my own life…on my own. 💁🏻‍♀️

If Lauren from back then could see me now. 🤣 We’ve been on the compound for almost 9 years now and I can’t imagine life any other way. To live on land surrounded by my parents, sisters, even my husbands brother and his family, is a gift. I know this. I’m grateful.

I’m grateful that my dad had a dream 23 years ago to buy a house on land so that one day his kids could build on it. My 20 year old self rolled my eyes at that idea. I was young and dumb and mad that my parents moved me away from the city I grew up in to a country town I’d never been to.

I quickly grew to love it here though and soon my goal of moving straight back as soon as I could, wasn’t a goal anymore. I still didn’t want to build on their land, but the town was a place I wanted to stay. I met Louis and he loved it here too so we stayed.

When we finally decided to move to the family property when I was pregnant for baby number 4, my whole perspective had changed. I wanted my kids to grow up surrounded by a village and that is what is happening. Everyday I’m grateful for my dad’s forethought and wisdom. He played the long game, and he’s winning. He blessed us with the land to build and that’s priceless.

Today as I was sitting by the pool that my parents blessed the property with, watching my little kids swim, I thought “what if dad never bought this place and moved us?” It’s sad to think about. I’m so happy my kids get to grow up here like this.

There are many things in my life that aren’t good or perfect. Many things that haven’t gone the way I planned or wanted. But living on this property is pretty great. I’m very grateful for my dad’s dream and for this special piece of dirt he bought all those years ago and how it’s still blessing us to this day. I won’t ever take it for granted. ❤️

07/09/2026

So proud of my friend Dee Dee! My sisters gifted me one of her photos for my birthday and it’s my favorite thing hanging on my wall! Go follow her at Humble Heart Nature Photography. She’s so good and only getting better and better!

https://www.hammondstar.com/news/wildlife-photographers-work-recognized-by-state/article_ab700aaf-05da-5041-a9e6-3ba495d7b427.html?fbclid=IwdGRjcAS8uSJwZG9mAWZkaWQWUKN_WzvULaP0wLYPItg45FXCAHSIhWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR4CHlGy-7e2u_zI_QnCWMInRdGcBf3MscL-3hVm6ffTnTKPnOqcQx4-eCc9CA_aem_vxuo2YWTte3m6j3bH6zwWg

DeeDee Mahony, of Hammond, a wildlife photographer for five years, has started receiving recognition for her work.

07/08/2026

In real life, we all hang out together. But the girls loved making this!

07/08/2026

I’m not really sorry about it though because the older I get, the more I realize we’re all at least a little weird in our own way. 😅 It’s what makes life interesting! So stay weird, my friends!