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THE DIARY OF A BONUS MOM

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my momish moments, diary of a bonus mom

"I didn't give you the gift of life, but life gave me the gift of you."

LATEST MOM HACKS:

tips for making your home less stressful to maintain
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Messy kitchen? There are solutions. You CAN design a kitchen without the appliance chaos. And the first step is...

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momishmoments
A little reminder, stepmama. ❤️ A little reminder, stepmama. ❤️
I am already a mother for a young man who has live I am already a mother for a young man who has lived in my home—and my heart—for nearly a decade, filling every crevice and space with joy, and laughter, and healing. #momishmoments #bonusmom #dearsonofmine
The most beautiful, heart-wrenching, hardest, and The most beautiful, heart-wrenching, hardest, and selfless thing you’ll ever do — that is motherhood.
The little things are actually big things. 💕 The little things are actually big things. 💕
Everyone's asleep, and I just put the finishing to Everyone's asleep, and I just put the finishing touches on this little chalkboard - a tradition seven years strong - a tradition that's solely ours. ❤️ Seven years of first days. Seven years of having the honor of standing by your side as you head into the next stage of life. You were a soon-to-be-fourth-grader when I just met you, and now you're halfway done with high school. I know the time flies, but it's crazy to imagine that I've known you half your life now. So many first days of school, so many memories. When I first came into your life, I spent so much time agonizing over all that I missed - the first steps, the firsr words, the first baseball games. I knew that was time I would never get back, and it made me so sad to know that I wasn't there for you in all those stages. But looking at this chalkboard, I'm reminded that we've shared a lot of firsts, too, a lot of special things - our things. Maybe it's not about the chapters I've missed, but the honor I have to write my own story with you. Our story. I love you. #momishmoments #dearsonofmine #tomystepson #firstdayofschool #stepmamastories #diaryofabonusmom
A little reminder for every stepmama, especially i A little reminder for every stepmama, especially in the back-to-school season. ❤️ #backtoschool #stepmomtruths #momishmoments
Happy Father's Day to the man who gave me the priv Happy Father's Day to the man who gave me the privilege, the blessing, and the title of 'bonus mama.' ❤️ Being your partner, co-raising Austin together, and navigating the craziness of parenthood by your side is the scariest, beautiful, and most rewarding thing I'll ever do. I love who you are as a father, and how that has been the first and most important thing in your life since the very beginning of us. It's truly an honor to have stepped into your story & now write our own chapter(s) together. Love you. 🤍 ⚾ #momishmoments #happyfathersday #dadswhocare #baseballdads #motherhoodstories #bonusmomdiaries
Mother's Day weekend. . . this is always such a b Mother's Day weekend. . . this is always such a beautiful and challenging time for me. From the beginning of my journey as a 'bonus' mom, I struggled with my identity. At first, I didn't really feel like a mom at all because i was just "Austin's dad's girlfriend." And I didn't want to overstep, didn't want to assume any role I wasn't 'technically' given, and didn't want to make anyone uncomfortable. So, I held back or didn't always say what I felt or believed. But then, very early into my journey, I was thrown into a space of advocacy. I was the person in every school and IEP meeting, I was the one making lunches and decisions about what foods to pack or buy. I was sitting in my son's doctor's office listening to different treatment options and shifting our lives accordingly. I was both burdened and entrusted with the most difficult decisions about therapy, intervention, health, and education. And I made all those decisions, I did all of those (hard but beautiful) things, I showed up even when it was hard, and I lived that interesting contrast — doing all the 'mom' things without really feeling like a mom — honestly, until this year, when I truly decided to own my role, and most importantly, honor myself. In my heart, I've always been a mom. But it wasn't until I spoke those truths aloud — most importantly, to MYSELF — that I believed them. And maybe the same goes for you, mama. Maybe you're a mama but haven't given yourself the title or respect. Maybe you haven't honored yourself and what you've done. Maybe you haven't stepped into your worth. Maybe you haven't believed in all that you are and could be. Maybe you haven't showed up for yourself as much as you've showed up for everyone else. So, this post — me holding the book where I published my own words, truth & story of motherhood — is a reminder for you. You ARE a mom. And you should be proud. 💗💗 #happymothersday #nontraditionalmotherhood #momishmoments
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FROM THE HEART:

I'm already a mother she says

A Different Kind Of Motherhood Story

by Marisa Donnelly

I am already a mother—for a young man who's lived in my home & heart for nearly a decade, filling every crevice with joy, laughter, healing.

July 26, 2025
From The Heart
happy grandparent walking with child on the beach

Including Your Aging Relatives In Your Family Life

by Marisa Donnelly

By thoughtfully incorporating your parents or grandparents into your family plans, you’re giving them the gift of belonging and purpose.

January 17, 2025
From The Heart, Mental Health
happy father with his child

How To Find Meaning And Purpose In Parenthood

by Cali Anderson

Whether you're a new parent or been through this journey for many years, here are some tips for finding meaning and purpose in parenthood.

March 2, 2023
From The Heart
My Bonus Mom Story

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Our Unfiltered Life:

momishmoments
A little reminder, stepmama. ❤️ A little reminder, stepmama. ❤️
I am already a mother for a young man who has live I am already a mother for a young man who has lived in my home—and my heart—for nearly a decade, filling every crevice and space with joy, and laughter, and healing. #momishmoments #bonusmom #dearsonofmine
The most beautiful, heart-wrenching, hardest, and The most beautiful, heart-wrenching, hardest, and selfless thing you’ll ever do — that is motherhood.
The little things are actually big things. 💕 The little things are actually big things. 💕
Everyone's asleep, and I just put the finishing to Everyone's asleep, and I just put the finishing touches on this little chalkboard - a tradition seven years strong - a tradition that's solely ours. ❤️ Seven years of first days. Seven years of having the honor of standing by your side as you head into the next stage of life. You were a soon-to-be-fourth-grader when I just met you, and now you're halfway done with high school. I know the time flies, but it's crazy to imagine that I've known you half your life now. So many first days of school, so many memories. When I first came into your life, I spent so much time agonizing over all that I missed - the first steps, the firsr words, the first baseball games. I knew that was time I would never get back, and it made me so sad to know that I wasn't there for you in all those stages. But looking at this chalkboard, I'm reminded that we've shared a lot of firsts, too, a lot of special things - our things. Maybe it's not about the chapters I've missed, but the honor I have to write my own story with you. Our story. I love you. #momishmoments #dearsonofmine #tomystepson #firstdayofschool #stepmamastories #diaryofabonusmom
A little reminder for every stepmama, especially i A little reminder for every stepmama, especially in the back-to-school season. ❤️ #backtoschool #stepmomtruths #momishmoments
Happy Father's Day to the man who gave me the priv Happy Father's Day to the man who gave me the privilege, the blessing, and the title of 'bonus mama.' ❤️ Being your partner, co-raising Austin together, and navigating the craziness of parenthood by your side is the scariest, beautiful, and most rewarding thing I'll ever do. I love who you are as a father, and how that has been the first and most important thing in your life since the very beginning of us. It's truly an honor to have stepped into your story & now write our own chapter(s) together. Love you. 🤍 ⚾ #momishmoments #happyfathersday #dadswhocare #baseballdads #motherhoodstories #bonusmomdiaries
Mother's Day weekend. . . this is always such a b Mother's Day weekend. . . this is always such a beautiful and challenging time for me. From the beginning of my journey as a 'bonus' mom, I struggled with my identity. At first, I didn't really feel like a mom at all because i was just "Austin's dad's girlfriend." And I didn't want to overstep, didn't want to assume any role I wasn't 'technically' given, and didn't want to make anyone uncomfortable. So, I held back or didn't always say what I felt or believed. But then, very early into my journey, I was thrown into a space of advocacy. I was the person in every school and IEP meeting, I was the one making lunches and decisions about what foods to pack or buy. I was sitting in my son's doctor's office listening to different treatment options and shifting our lives accordingly. I was both burdened and entrusted with the most difficult decisions about therapy, intervention, health, and education. And I made all those decisions, I did all of those (hard but beautiful) things, I showed up even when it was hard, and I lived that interesting contrast — doing all the 'mom' things without really feeling like a mom — honestly, until this year, when I truly decided to own my role, and most importantly, honor myself. In my heart, I've always been a mom. But it wasn't until I spoke those truths aloud — most importantly, to MYSELF — that I believed them. And maybe the same goes for you, mama. Maybe you're a mama but haven't given yourself the title or respect. Maybe you haven't honored yourself and what you've done. Maybe you haven't stepped into your worth. Maybe you haven't believed in all that you are and could be. Maybe you haven't showed up for yourself as much as you've showed up for everyone else. So, this post — me holding the book where I published my own words, truth & story of motherhood — is a reminder for you. You ARE a mom. And you should be proud. 💗💗 #happymothersday #nontraditionalmotherhood #momishmoments
A little reminder, stepmama, that this day is for A little reminder, stepmama, that this day is for you, too. 💕
Our house is a mess right now. Walls that were cut Our house is a mess right now. Walls that were cut for moisture removal have left holes along our laundry room and son's room. . . This led to drywalling, painting, a whole lot of dust, and all of our items helter-skelter around the living room. It's a lot (especially for someone like me who thrives in organization and hates the overwhelm of a messy space. But as I sifted through items this afternoon, trying to find dog bags in one of the bins from the laundry room, I found this book. And the words brought me back to the most important thing — love. So what if there's clutter? So what if the house is in disarray? So what if it's messy, and chaotic, and not the 'norm'? At the end of the day, we're still us — a family. 💕 I can't tell you how many times I've stumbled across a picture, or heard a song, or read something I've written from years ago, and just 're'-remembered how beautiful my relationship & motherhood story has been. I never imagined I'd become a momma in the way I've become one. I never thought I'd have a teenage boy whose "I love yous" makes my heart feel full. I never thought I'd be writing stories about my journey, or that I'd hold a book in my hands with words about becoming a stepmama on the page. Life has a funny way of writing our story for us, doesn't it? "My motherhood chose me." 💗 PS: You can buy the book here → amzn.to/3rx3g9t⁣⁣
I'm a mama, business owner, teacher, and coach. An I'm a mama, business owner, teacher, and coach. And I don't believe in putting women in boxes. I don't believe that you have to choose motherhood or your career, and I don't buy into the 'hustle culture' where your worth is determined by what you do. In fact, I think it's sort of a scam that contemporary women are pressured to be everything while simultaneously shamed for the ways they're inevitably falling short. I'm still learning, but what I've figured out thus far is that there's no 'right' or 'wrong' way to go about your personal journey. If you feel called to step away from work to pursue motherhood, then do it. If you're passionate about your career and don't want to sacrifice all that you've accomplished for your kids, that's okay too. If you find yourself pursuing 'traditional' roles because it comes naturally in your family dynamic, that's great. If you feel like you're doing something completely non-traditional, that works, too. And, if you find yourself somewhere in the middle, then dance on that middle line! I'm here to remind you that EVERY family & every mama is different. There's no shame. 💕 . . . #momishmoments #genderroles #familydynamics #genderstereotypes #momish #unfilteredmotherhood #honestmama #unfilteredmama
Spent last weekend celebrating my sister's graduat Spent last weekend celebrating my sister's graduation and helping her move & start the next stage of her life. It reminded me so much of when I decided to take the leap and move from the Midwest to California. . . and all the craziness, fear, and excitement I had as I left all I'd ever know in order to do something completely new. It also reminded me of my parents and how they were so eager to uproot their lives, jump into a U-Haul truck, and trek across the country with me. They say you don't know the depth of parental love until you become one, and I think in a lot of ways that's true. I didn't know the true selflessness, the sacrifice, and the loss of control until I became a stepmama. And that makes me all the more appreciative. Hug your parents today. 💕 #momishmoments #unfilteredmotherhoood
I used to care so much about what people thought o I used to care so much about what people thought of me. . . now that I'm a stepparent & a teacher, I've realized that what other people think of you really doesn't matter. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ And now I teach my kiddo & students to be themselves — their weird, silly, strange, and wonderful selves. Little by little I'm healing my inner child. 💕 Parenting is such a blessing, ya'll. . . . #momishmoments #innerchild #healingyourinnerchild #stepmom #beyourself #unapoleticallyyou #sleighinit #momtruth #unfilteredmotherhood
You'll be thankful for every moment (even the mess You'll be thankful for every moment (even the messy ones). 💕
Our love story was woven in a thousand tiny moment Our love story was woven in a thousand tiny moments, across states, through phone lines, in every shared embrace with a tiny human I quickly called my own. To watch our love grow, to overcome challenges and pain, and to finally be here — building our forever — is the most beautiful story I've ever written. 💕 #tonkinboutforever
Reminder: Your voice becomes the voice your child Reminder: Your voice becomes the voice your child hears. And not only how you speak to them, but how you speak to yourself, too. Are you speaking with kindness & compassion? Break the curses, be the change. #momishmoments

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DAILY MOTHERHOOD QUOTE:

"I thought I knew all the boundaries of myself, that I understood the limits of my heart. It’s extraordinary to have all those limits thrown out, to realize your love is inexhaustible."

Uma Thurman
happy kid smiling between parents

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SAN DIEGO, TRAVEL + LIFESTYLE:

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Tell-Tale Signs It’s Time To Get Hearing Aids

If you've been experiencing hearing difficulties or know someone who does, here are tell-tale signs it’s time to get hearing aids.

December 2, 2025
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Health/Wellness

Navigating Life After Becoming Chronically Disabled

Navigating life after becoming chronically disabled can be an unpredictable rollercoaster ride—but with meaningful opportunities, too.

November 21, 2025
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Signs Your Elderly Loved One Needs Home Care

Whether you're around your loved one daily or visit as often as you can, here are signs your elderly loved one needs home care.

July 17, 2025
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Travel

Outdoor Safety Tips For Families

Here are a few outdoor safety tips to help you stay protected, whether you’re in a new town or in places much further away from civilization.

July 16, 2025
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Effective Ways to Rejuvenate Your Skin for a Radiant Glow

Whether you've always taken care of your skin or just learning the ropes now, here are some suggestions to rejuvenate your skin!

July 15, 2025

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Sheryl Crow

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THE DIARY OF A BONUS MOM