Featured WIRL of the Moment

Reality – What It’s Really Like

Reality – What It’s Really Like

This post is part of a series titled, “A-B-Cs – What It’s Really Like”. Each week a new letter and its word will be revealed. Each word’s explanation will illustrate significant personal meaning, application and ultimately demonstrate, What It’s Really Like… Back in 1998 MTV debuted the reality TV s... Read More »

Previously Featured WIRLs

Growing Up Without Grandpa and Grandma

Growing Up Without Grandpa and Grandma

  One of the hardest things that my wife and I have had to endure is coming to grips with the fact that our children will likely only ever have a limited relationship with our parents.  We relocated to the South in 2011 for job opportunities that were non-existent near our hometowns.  At the time we were excited about beginning a life together and setting out on our own.  We knew that the 800... Read More »

Unexpected Motherhood | WIRL Project

My Most UNEXPECTED Reaction to Becoming a Mother

This is just a little story about me, it’s kind of personal and very honest. I hope that, maybe someone who is, or has felt the same is given some piece of mind knowing that there is someone else out there like them! So I’ll start off by saying something you probably aren’t used to hearing from a woman…I never dreamed of having children or being a wife. Shocking, right?!? M... Read More »

Your First Poop as a Mommy – What It’s Really Like

Your First Poop as a Mommy – What It’s Really Like

Yes, you read the title correctly…today I am talking about mom poop! As a new parent, you know what to look for in your infant’s poop (texture, color, when it should come, etc.), you may even cheer when they do their first one, but nobody EVER talks about what its like for the new mama to pass her first poop after birth! So, here is a short little post about what it’s like. Don’t worry, I don’t ge... Read More »

Observations and Contemplations of a Road Warrior

Observations and Contemplations of a Road Warrior

Please excuse my lack of focus. As my family and friends know too well, I have quite an hard time keeping my attention on one thing very long. I’m in sales, and because I have close to a 1000 miles of windshield time most weeks, I have plenty of alone time with my thoughts. So, here’s a snippet of what went through my head on my Monday drive. Good luck embracing my absurd stream of con... Read More »

Phil Gleason | WIRL Project

How to Calculate Retirement Age

  Calculate Your Retirement Age Early retirement? Normal retirement age used to be 65. With changes in pension benefits, health care expenses and other factors, there is no normal retirement age. Social Security was created in August 1935. It was intended to supplement other income sources for retirement. What’s changed? Everything. People are living much longer. In 1935, life expectanc... Read More »

Instagram Hashtag WIRL Project

Be Careful How You Hashtag

  When I had Mason, I swore I wouldn’t be one of those moms who blasted social media with my baby’s photos. Even during my pregnancy, I’d share a “bump” photo every now and then, but tried to keep it to a minimum because, let’s face it, it can be annoying! So, when I had my new baby boy home with me and he was resting peacefully, I found myself taking a lot... Read More »

Angel Bumps | WIRL Project

Angel Bumps

I met my guardian angels over ten years ago. It seems so trite to say it was a time in my life when I was running on empty. Hell, if I was a car, the gas tank would have rusted out completely. There’d have been a huge hole in the bottom that leaked gas as I pumped it in. They were my lost years. I really had nothing left to give…to anyone. My oldest of five, has emotional disabilities. Next in lin... Read More »