Author: noteworthymommy

I am a Christian, wife, mother, educator, musician and writer. After teaching pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and college level classes, I became a curriculum specialist for McGraw-Hill and I traveled the country training educators and supporting schools. After becoming a mother I resigned from my job but McGraw-Hill asked me to come back as a per diem consultant. My dream job is being mommy to our miracle baby, Lillian Clare. When I'm not spending time with my active “mini me,” you will find me volunteering at school, playing the clarinet in the Saint Louis Wind Symphony and the Northwinds Concert Band, attending Bible study or singing in the Treble Choir at my church. Contact me at noteworthymommy@gmail.com

Celebrating Mini Me’s Baptismal Birthday

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February 22 is a special day in our family—it’s Mini Me’s Baptismal Birthday! Each year, we take time to remember the day she was baptized into God’s family at Zion Lutheran Church in Belleville, IL, the same church where I was baptized as a baby.

Mini Me’s Baptism Day!

The Gift of Baptism

In the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), we believe that Baptism is a miraculous work of God, not something we do for Him, but something He does for us. Through water and His Word, God creates faith in the heart of even the smallest infant. While we may not fully understand how this happens, we trust in His promises. Parents and godparents take on the responsibility of nurturing this faith, teaching the child about Jesus so that their faith may grow and remain strong, as Jesus commands in Matthew 28:18-20.

A Joyous Day of Family and Faith

Mini Me was surrounded by so much love on her baptism day. Her Godmother, Aunt Kay Kay, traveled from Ohio, while my husband’s sister came from Georgia. My cousin Julie and her husband Rick also stood as her Godparents. Along with other family members and close friends, we celebrated this important step in her life.

One of the special symbols from that day is her baptismal candle. It serves as a beautiful reminder that the light of Christ now shines in her life. Every year on her Baptismal Birthday, Mini Me loves lighting her candle, celebrating the faith that was given to her in those holy waters.

And of course, what’s a celebration without a sweet treat? Our tradition includes donuts with sprinkles—those tiny drops of sweetness reminding us of the water sprinkled on her head during her Baptism. It’s a simple yet meaningful way to mark this sacred anniversary.

Mini Me with her baptismal candle and donuts with sprinkles!

Remembering the Promise

Baptism is not just a one-time event but a lifelong gift. It’s a promise that God is always with her, guiding her, strengthening her faith, and calling her His own. Each year, as we light her candle and enjoy our sprinkle-covered donuts, we give thanks for this amazing gift of grace and look forward to seeing how God continues to work in her life.

It was a glorious day then, and it’s a glorious day every time we remember it. Happy Baptismal Birthday, Mini Me!

Reenacting a Family Photo

1972- Me, my mom and grandma on the day of my baptism
2015-Mini Me, me, and my mom on the day of Mini Me’s baptism.

Finding Joy Through Music: My “Happiness 911” Songs

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I love listening to Gretchen Rubin’s Happier podcast. On a recent episode, Gretchen and her sister Elizabeth talked about “Picking Your ‘Happiness 911’ Song.” The idea is simple yet powerful—having a go-to song (or several) that instantly lifts your mood, provides inspiration, or helps you push through life’s challenges.

Throughout the 53 years of my life, this Noteworthy Mommy has had many songs that serve as my personal anthems. Music has been a constant companion, celebrating my happiest moments and comforting me through the difficult ones. So, I thought it would be fun to write a series of articles highlighting some of my favorite uplifting and inspirational songs—songs that have brought me joy, motivation, and strength over the years.

I’d also love to hear from you! What songs pick you up, inspire you, and bring you pure joy? What songs motivate you to get through this crazy world we live in? What songs are on your ultimate playlist?

To get the conversation started, here are a few of my “Happiness 911” songs—songs that never fail to put a smile on my face or give me the energy to keep going:

• “Electric Youth ” – Debbie Gibson

• “Amazing’” – Point of Grace

• “September” – Earth, Wind and Fire

• “The March (We Demand Equality)- From the Musical SUFFS

• “Counting Stars” – One Republic

These are just a few of my go-to songs, but there are so many more that hold special meaning for me. In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing the stories behind some of my favorites—why they matter to me and how they’ve helped shape my journey.

Now it’s your turn! I’d love to hear what’s on your ultimate playlist. Drop a comment below or share your favorite “Happiness 911” songs with me. Let’s spread some musical joy together!

The Joy of Pets: A Love Story from Afar

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Pets bring immeasurable joy into our lives. They each have their own unique personalities, quirks, needs, and wants—just like people. Some are bold and demanding of attention, while others are reserved, watching the world from a safe distance until they feel ready to engage. What remains constant is their ability to provide love, comfort, and companionship in the most heartwarming ways.

I have always felt a deep connection to animals, a kinship that has been part of me for as long as I can remember. There’s something about their innocence, their honesty, and their unwavering love that draws me in. But despite my love for animals, I can’t have a cat or dog of my own—my husband and daughter are both allergic, and as much as I would love to share my home with a furry companion, it simply wouldn’t be fair to them.

That’s where my “pet therapy” comes in. Instead of having pets of my own, I get my dose of animal love by visiting the beloved pets of my friends—especially the wonderful little menagerie at my friend Julie’s house. Julie and her husband, Dave, have a home filled with love from their four adorable pets: Leo, Spartacus, Snoops, and Boris. Each of them has their own distinct personality, and spending time with them brings me so much joy.

Leo is the ultimate attention-seeker. He is the kind of dog who makes you feel like you are the most important person in the world the moment you walk through the door. He’ll get up on his hind legs, his big, pleading eyes silently begging for me to pick him up. If I let him, he would stay in my arms for my entire visit, soaking up all the love and attention I can give.

Then there’s Spartacus, his canine brother, who is more cautious and reserved. It took time, many visits, before I earned his trust. But once I did, he welcomed me into his world with gentle affection. He now knows I am a friend, and that bond feels incredibly special.

Julie recently added two rescue cats to her family, Snoops and Boris. Their lives before finding their forever home were not easy. Boris had to have his tail surgically removed due to past trauma, while Snoops came to Julie with no teeth. Despite their rough beginnings, they have found a loving, safe haven with Julie and Dave. They were slowly introduced to their new canine brothers, and I’m happy to report that all four of them now live together in peaceful harmony—most of the time!

On my most recent visit to Julie’s house, she captured a beautiful moment of me with all of them. The photo taken that day radiates happiness and contentment. It perfectly illustrates the beauty of individuality; how some beings crave the spotlight, while others prefer to observe from the sidelines. It’s a reminder that, just like animals, people have their own ways of engaging with the world. Some of us are naturally outgoing, eager for attention and connection, while others take time to warm up, quietly processing their surroundings before stepping forward.

And that’s the beauty of life. God created each one of us differently, and our job is to embrace those differences with kindness, patience, and understanding. Whether it’s with people or animals, love is about acceptance; seeing others for who they are and meeting them where they feel most comfortable.

Though I may not have a pet of my own, my heart is full, thanks to the love and joy I experience through the wonderful animals I get to visit. And for that, I am endlessly grateful.

Welcome to 4th Grade

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At the start of this school year, I found myself hesitant, almost mourning the end of early childhood as my daughter stepped into 4th grade. It felt like a shift I wasn’t quite ready for—one that marked the passing of time in a way that tugged at my heart. The days of little hands and endless snuggles were fading, and I wasn’t sure what this new chapter would bring. My degree is in early childhood education, and this new stage was filled with the unknown.

Mini Me on the first day of fourth grade

But now, halfway through the year, I see that this stage of parenting is not something to fear—it’s something to love. I’ve found joy in the deepening connection we share, in the inside jokes that make us burst into laughter, and in the excitement of rushing home to tell Daddy the funny stories from our day. I cherish seeing the world through her eyes as she grows in confidence, trying new things like playing the violin, working hard in dance, falling in love with theatre, and advancing to the next level in softball. Watching her discover her passions and push herself to new heights fills me with pride and excitement.

Academically, she is thriving. Her love for reading and writing is stronger than ever, and she has even created her own virtual book clubs—one with a friend and another with her grandmothers and aunts. Seeing her passion for stories and discussion brings me so much joy, and I love watching her enthusiasm for learning grow.

A big part of this journey has been navigating the year with Miss Schnegelberger, her teacher—a fourth-generation Lutheran educator and a first-year teacher who has already made such a meaningful impact. Not only is she supporting my daughter academically, but she is also guiding her in faith, teaching her about Jesus, and helping her grow into a kind, thoughtful person. Miss Schnegelberger has encouraged my little rule-follower to relax a bit, to enjoy life, and to not take everything so seriously—something I know all too well from my own nature.

Mini Me and Miss S.

Beyond the classroom, my daughter continues to amaze me with her leadership and creativity. She is the great negotiator, always finding ways to make her friend group happy, ensuring that everyone feels included and heard. On the playground, she and her besties, Abby and Penelope, dive into elaborate role-playing games, imagining themselves as sisters who recently lost their mother or a family who live on a farm with horses. And perhaps one of the most inspiring things about her is her fearless approach to trying new things. This year, she picked up the violin without hesitation—quite the opposite of me, the Noteworthy Mommy, who was so shy and afraid, only willing to try what my best friend was doing.

I realize now that each new stage brings something beautiful. I’m no longer dreading what’s next—I’m embracing it. The unknown doesn’t feel so scary anymore; it feels full of possibility. So bring it on! I can’t wait to see where this motherhood journey takes me next!

O Christmas Tree.. Love Beyond Your Branches

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The soft glow of twinkling lights filled the living room one last time as I stood before the Christmas tree, its slender branches adorned with shimmering white, red and silver ornaments. The bright red treble clefs I’d chosen this year, a nod to our love of music, seemed to hum silently in the stillness, their presence a joyful chorus of memories.

This tree had been more than a decoration—it had been the heartbeat of our holiday season. Friends and family had gathered around it, their laughter echoing through the house. Each visit felt like a precious gift, and I’d made a point to document the moments, snapping photos of every guest standing beside the tree. Each picture became a keepsake of the love and connection we shared, moments we wouldn’t soon forget.

But now, the season had come to an end. The time had come to take it all down. With every ornament I carefully removed, a wave of sadness washed over me. I remembered the sparkle in my daughter’s eyes as she admired the carefully wrapped packages under its branches, the stories shared late into the night beneath its glow, and the warmth that filled our home. It was as if I were packing away not just decorations, but pieces of joy and togetherness.

Yet, as the last ornament was tucked away and the tree dismantled, a quiet realization dawned on me. The beauty of the tree, the memories it held, and even the celebration of Christ’s birth—they weren’t confined to a season or an object. The love shared, the joy expressed, and the faith in my heart were not bound to the Christmas tree.

Jesus’s birth wasn’t a fleeting event, a story to be celebrated and forgotten. It was a beginning—a promise of hope, love, and constant presence. As I stood in the now-empty space where the tree once stood, I found comfort in knowing that the spirit of Christmas remained. Jesus is with me, always. His light doesn’t depend on a string of bulbs or a shimmering star atop a tree. It shines in my heart, in the love I give and receive, and in the memories my family and friends carry forward.

I took one last look at the photos I’d taken—smiling faces framed by the tree’s splendor—and smiled. The sadness of the moment was replaced by gratitude. Gratitude for the love of those around me, for the joy of the season, and for the reminder that Christmas wasn’t about the decorations but about a love that lasts long after the decorations are packed away.

Smiling faces framed by the Christmas tree’s splendor.

Merrily We Roll Along…It’s a Hit!

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The musical Merrily We Roll Along is a Tony Award winning hit! Winning this year’s Tony award for best revival, lead actor, supporting actor, and best orchestrations, Merrily is one of Stephen Soundheim’s celebrated scores, a personal narrative that moves backwards in time. Merrily follows the turbulent relationship between three lifelong friends played by Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez and traces every milestone of their lives for nearly two decades as they navigate success, show business and unbreakable bonds. (Taken from Merrily’s website)

Merrily is one of the best musicals I have seen on Broadway. I saw it in January 2024 with one of my bff’s and fellow theatre aficionado, Auntie Jaime! It has all the feels, and is relatable no matter where you are in your friendship dichotomy. And did I mention the dynamic score? After the show we turned to each other and said in unison, “Merrily is going to sweep the Tonys!”

The Noteworthy Mommy and Auntie Jaime in the lobby at the Hudson Theatre prior to seeing Merrily We Roll Along.

But when Stephen Soundheim and Hal Prince premiered Merrily on Broadway in 1981, it was a major flop! It closed after a mere 16 performances. Perhaps audiences weren’t ready for Merrily, it was ahead of its time. But more than likely the show was confusing for theater goers to follow as it starts at the end and goes in reverse chronological order, ending at the beginning. Pure genius in my opinion!

While many saw failure, others saw Merrily’s potential, and over the years Soundheim and Furth (book writer) gave permission and subsequent successful productions were staged throughout the world.

But it wasn’t until Maria Friedman took hold of Merrily that the stars aligned. Friedman transformed the cult flop and brought the little show that could back to Broadway for the first time since 1981. Merrily finally got the recognition it deserved! I think Friedman was robbed at the Tony awards; she should have won for best director.

Merrily will sadly play its last Broadway performance on July 7, 2024. How I wanted to make it back to NYC to see it again, the show is that good! Thankfully, I will get to see it again! Merrily was recently filmed and will likely appear on a streaming service within the next year, allowing fans like myself to relive this amazing production for years to come and allowing those who were unable to visit the Hudson Theatre in NYC to experience the magic in their living rooms.

Epilogue: The story behind the musical Merrily We Roll Along, going from failure to award winner, epitomizes “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again.” It illustrates you may have a brilliant concept, but if the execution is completely off, your project won’t stand a chance. It reminded me, don’t get discouraged, move on, it simply isn’t the right time. The story behind the rebirth of Merrily shows you can start something good but sometimes you need to let it go, allow someone else to take over, and as a result, something extraordinary can happen!

Mom Takes the Cake…Baked With Love

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My mom loves cake! Sponge, triple chocolate, strawberry, banana, almond…she isn’t picky. But her favorites are a lot like her, uncomplicated and sweet; angel food and white cake with vanilla frosting.

My mom loves cake and everyone knows it. When she’s at a family celebration, a church gathering, or a party of any kind, she always leaves with an overflowing plate of leftover cake, carefully prepared just for her by the host or hostess. And when the birthday cake is cut at a family party you’ll hear, “Make sure Aunt Janet gets a big piece!” Or a piece of each if there are multiple flavors. My mom loves cake!

From an early age my mom loved baking. As a child she hand crafted miniature baked goods with the help of her fully functional miniature toy oven. While other kids were playing outside, mom was left to her own devices, creating new delicacies complete with homemade frosting.

Mom’s love of baking continued into adulthood when she began getting recognized for her craft. Her baked goods were adorned with blue ribbons year after year at local competitions and she was crowned not once, not twice, but three times, Grand Champion Cake Baker of the County Fair! She was featured multiple times in the local newspapers, was interviewed on the radio, and everyone requested her recipes.

Mom with one of her award winning cakes.

Every year my mom would lovingly bake me a homemade, multi-layered cake for my Christmas birthday. Creatively decorated by my dad, and with my birthday angel announcing my age in the middle. In 1978 the cake had three layers, one red, one white, and one blue, for the bicentennial. Looking back the cakes were truly a labor of love, taking hours to complete. One year I did the unthinkable. I boldly declared, “I wish I had a store bought birthday cake like everyone else!” In that moment it was as if I had taken a cake knife to my mom’s heart and that was the end of my decadent homemade multi-layered birthday cakes. From then on I had nothing but store bought cakes. As a young tween I didn’t know my mom’s love language was baking, with an extra emphasis on cake, something that has taken me 40 years to realize. Like Jenna, from the Broadway musical Waitress, mom puts more than just sugar, butter, flour into her baking. She adds lots of love and bakes from the heart! I loved the special birthday cakes you made me. Thank you, mom.

I have happily been on the receiving end of many scrumptious treats over the years but I never inherited my mom’s gift of baking or her passion for it. I simply don’t have the patience. Mom doesn’t bake as much as she used to but that hasn’t stopped her from teaching the next generation how to bake. A few times a year she will enlist the help of her only grandchild (my daughter) and the two will spend an afternoon in the kitchen baking cookies or cupcakes or banana bread with chocolate chips. Giggles flow from the kitchen, secrets shared. Memories are made as my mom shares her gift, her love with her granddaughter. Reminding me, “It’s amazing what baking can do!”

Happy Birthday Mom!

Third Grade…A Transitional Year of Learning and Love

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It seems like yesterday that I walked my mini me into the Sonshine Center for her first day of preschool. Now she is a big third grader and requested to be dropped off in the carline. My sentiments echo what parents across the world are thinking… if you blink you are going to miss it! If you look away for a mere minute, her childhood will be over. So embrace this stage and age with all the good and the bad and know that like a shooting star, if you look away, you may miss the magic!

What Makes Third Grade Special?– The last grade level under the early childhood umbrella, third grade takes the skills taught in first and second and expands on them. Third graders read complex text, develop fact fluency (in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) and read for meaning in science and social science. In third grade we begin to see the shift from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” As a reading consultant I don’t like to use these terms because we learn while we are reading at all grade levels and most third graders continue to need phonics instruction which falls under learning to read. But it is a phrase used by many to describe the changes we begin to see during this transitional year. The best thing you can do for a third grader at home is to get them to read. Easy to say as a reading consultant but if I’m being honest, hard for this Noteworthy Mommy to implement.

First Day of School Cookies– Gone are the days of the ceremonial reading of “The Kissing Hand” but the tradition of making Nana’s famous homemade sugar cookies lives on! This year my friend, Ms. Ginger, helped us bake the delectable cookies that my mini me gifted to her teachers and administrators on the first day of school. Instead of making cutouts of hands and hearts, like we did in years past, we used a cookie stamp with Martin Luther’s rose. Borrowed from Ms. Cherie, who I refer to as my Zion mom, it made a sweet addition to our back to school cookies.

Making homemade Back to School cookies with Martin Luther’s rose design!

Miss Firminhac– My mini me has a young and energetic teacher this year. Miss Firminhac is new to Zion and came to us after completing two years teaching fourth grade in another state. She is a third generation Lutheran school teacher and we are thrilled to have her! The minute I met Miss Firminhac I knew she was a natural teacher. She is confident, kind and tall! What impressed me the most is how she got down on my mini me’s level and spoke directly to her in a soothing tone that eased any trepidations my mini me had about starting a new school year. With her inviting classroom and infectious smile, my “eight year old self” secretly wishes she had Miss Firminhac for a third grade teacher! I know my mini me is going to learn exponentially under the guidance of her dynamic teacher and will not only learn about the love Jesus has for His children but will be shown love by Miss Ferminhac as well.

Writing is Hard

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Last year I made a promise to myself. Try 50 new things during my 50th year of life and journal about each adventure. I went on many adventures, but I never wrote about any of them! I simply didn’t feel motivated. Did I have a major case of writer’s block? Or was writing another dreaded task on my never-ending to do list that kept getting pushed to the bottom? I have countless rough drafts in the que, unpublished, but eagerly awaiting to be released and read. So, what’s the hangup?

Writing is hard. There, I said it. And it’s even harder when you don’t have a deadline and aren’t financially profiting from your prose. But writing is also something that brings me joy. Taking a blank screen and putting together carefully selected words to convey emotions, raise awareness and to get readers to think, is powerful! The minute I press publish I am empowered and accomplished. It’s the best feeling!

Do you have something in your life that you used to love but have for whatever reason pulled away from? Think about it and share in the comments below. Let’s motivate each other. And come back to my website and read some new posts from the Noteworthy Mommy. It feels good to be back!

Photo by lil artsy on Pexels.com

Leaping Into Summer… Reflections on a Year in Mrs. Leeper’s Second Grade!

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On Thursday, May 23, 2023, Zion’s principal declared the end of the 2022/2023 school year at closing chapel and summer officially began!

Our second grader is leaping into third grade! As I look back at my mini me’s second grade year, I am amazed at how much she has grown! Not just in physical height but in academics and confidence too. And we have her nurturing second grade teacher, Mrs. Leeper, to thank for leading us through the special year that is second grade.

Mrs. Leeper– With her quiet disposition, nurturing ways, and keen sense of intuition, it didn’t take Mrs. Leeper long to realize what makes my mini me tick! And that connection helped her guide and nurture my mini me. Mrs. Leeper has high expectations for her students, promotes independence and decision making, and provides ample opportunities for her students to work together and solve problems on their own. While in second grade my mini me gained more independence, confidence in reading and writing, fostered new friendships, and developed a deeper relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Mrs. Leeper and my Mini Me on the last day of school.

I had the opportunity to be my mini me’s second grade teacher on several occasions this year and some of my favorite memories are dancing to grammar and math songs, sharing pretzels and oranges with them at snack time and reading favorite Jan Brett books during read alouds. I led the class in prayer and reminded them how much Jesus loves them.

Field Trips– This year welcomed our first field trips since COVID and second grade enjoyed trips to the library, Magic House and to the Science Center. I accompanied the class to the Science Center where my STEAM loving girl and her BFF had a blast exploring every corner of the museum!

Special Guests– I wasn’t the only family member to teach second grade this year. My mini me shared her grandfathers with her class when her creative art teacher “Pops” taught an autumn leaf art lesson and Army Veteran “Paw Paw” visited on Veteran’s Day. And her engineering daddy joined the class when his auction bid brought Lutheran High’s robotics team, The Roboteers, to the classroom for an engaging demonstration.

Market Day- And then there was Market Day where the second graders made, marketed and sold a product to their peers, Zion students and family members. The kiddos made commercials, posters and all of the products. My mini me created Slimy’s Slime and sold three varieties of slime: regular, sparkle and glow in the dark! It is a project the class will happily remember forever!

Reading, Writing & Arithmetic-Although my mini me hasn’t fallen in love with books, she can read text independently and is comprehending and discussing what she reads. And like her Noteworthy Mommy, my mini loves to write! And Mrs. Leeper created ample opportunity for her to practice and refine her skills in second grade. The school year ended with a unit on letter writing and I’m happy to report that my little one is exchanging letters with her two BFFs weekly, if not twice a week! One friend gifted her a little mailbox and the BFFs personally deliver their carefully crafted letters to each other’s doorstep! She excels in math and science and they are her greatest loves; clearly skills she has inherited from her mathematical daddy!

This is only a sampling of the many learning opportunities that took place this year. Other highlights included singing at an Advent Service, participating in the spring musical (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), classroom parties, field day, lunch worker Julia’s magical birthday party, mileage club, Jumprope for Heart, dress up days, Mrs. Leeper’s surprise birthday party and weekly memory work. The memory work may not rank as a class favorite but the gift of carrying God’s word with them wherever they go, finding comfort in His word when they are facing adversity, and sharing His word with others, is a gift that will last a lifetime.

I have enjoyed watching these kiddos grow and look forward to new adventures with them when we leap into third grade in August!