Welcome to my circus.

About Maralee

I am a mother of six pretty incredible kids ages 12 and under. Four of my kids were adopted (one internationally, three through foster care) and two of our sons we made ourselves. Prior to becoming parents my husband and I were houseparents at a children’s home and had the privilege of helping to raise 17 boys during our five year tenure. I’m passionate about caring for kids, foster parenting and adoption, making my family a fairly decent dinner every night, staying on top of the laundry, watching ridiculous documentaries and doing everything I do for God’s glory. It’s tough to leave the house these days for anything besides grocery trips and the occasional stop at Grandma’s house, so this is where you’ll find my attempt at reaching outside my front yard to connect with other grown-ups.

Wait. . . haven’t I seen you somewhere before? (Guest Posts and Interviews)

Interviewed by The Washington Post: A White Mom’s Plea ‘to the White Parents of my Black Son’s Friends’

Rage Against the Minivan: What I Want You to Know

Scary Mommy: Dear White Parents of My Black Child’s Friends, 7 Ways to be Supportive of a Foster Mom, How to Help Children who Struggle with Social Skills

The Gospel Coalition: What if the Point of Infertility Wasn’t a Child?

Adoptive Families Magazine: To the White Parents of My Black Son’s Friends

Profiled on Adoption.com

Mere Orthodoxy: Evangelicals and Foreign Adoption

Christ and Pop Culture: Will My Son be Black Enough for Rob Parker? 

Fireflies and Jellybeans: But Don’t You Want to Have Kids of Your Own?

Lincoln Journal Star (newspaper):  Flexibility Needed on Foster Family Size

Omaha World-Herald (interview on foster family size)

Children’s Home Society of Minnesota: The Kids Who Don’t Say Hi, 8 Things to Say Instead of “He’s so lucky to have you”, What they Don’t tell you About Those Kids

GoodMorningAmerica.com: This mom’s hilarious candy chart has every parent thanking her 

Love What Matters: Candy is delicious and it’s okay to reward yourself

PopSugar: Forget the calorie counts! This mom’s hilarious candy chart is what all parents need

Regular Contributor at Her View From Home

Contributor at For Every Mom

Contributor at The Forgotten Initiative

Monthly radio interview and weekly mom thoughts at My Bridge Radio

Video content on MomsEveryday.com