Mother’s Day is such a beautiful opportunity to reflect on the journey of motherhood and honor the incredible women who have shaped our lives along the way.

I grew up with a very young single mother who worked multiple jobs for as long as I can remember. Even now, I can’t recall a season in my adult life where I’ve only had one job. When I stop and think about that, I realize just how much of my work ethic and drive came directly from watching my mother. She taught me resilience, determination, and how to keep going no matter what life placed in front of you.

My grandmother has also been a constant presence in my life. She is fun, feisty, and full of personality. Growing up, I was absolutely drawn to her. My love of painted nails, jewelry, and probably far too many clothes, that all came from my Granny. She brought joy and sparkle into everyday life, and I carry pieces of that with me even now.

During college, I spent my summers living with my aunt and uncle. Those summers left a lasting mark on me. That’s where my love of board games began, and I loved going to church with them each week. My aunt has always been such a beautiful example of kindness, faith, and devotion to others. Even today, when difficult situations arise, I often find myself thinking about how she would respond with grace, patience, and compassion.

My mother-in-law raised five incredible sons, and the stories they tell will keep you laughing for hours. From the very beginning, she welcomed me with open arms. Through every season of life, from raising babies, to moving in with us when I had cancer, to faithfully showing up for my children’s events despite the distance, she has been ever-present, dependable, and full of love. Her support has meant more than words can express.

As a mother myself, I realize that I have taken pieces of each of these women and woven them into who I am. Their strength, joy, kindness, faith, resilience, and love have all shaped the way I mother my own children. I know how fortunate I am to have had such incredible role models in my life, and I am deeply grateful that God placed each of them in my path.

Today, I celebrate all mothers: future mothers, hopeful mothers, mothers-to-be, grandmothers, bonus moms, and the women who pour love and guidance into the lives of young people every single day. Whether by birth, by circumstance, or simply by heart, your influence matters more than you know. You are helping shape generations to come.

Happy Mother’s Day.

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Teacher Appreciation Week is one of the best weeks of the year at our school. And, let me tell you, with it falling in the month of May, we are all barely hanging on – so it is much needed.

I ran across an article talking about ID.me and the deals that they have for teachers. I already had an ID.me account, so this was a no-brainer. And, of course, I tried it out to make sure it was legitimate! Even better, these deals aren’t just for this week! They are ongoing!

Here are the deals that you can get on merchant’s websites (as of May 6, 2026)

• Adidas – 25% off on full price and sale items
• Verizon – Discount on your plan
• Yeti – 20% off gear
• TurboTax – 20% off
• On Cloud – 15% off
• Hotels.com – 10% off
• GE – 41% off of select appliances
• Sam’s Club – $20 fee to join
• Crocs – 15% off
• Ray Ban – 15% off
• New Balance – 15% off
• Maui Jim – 30% off
• Hoka – 15% off
• Disneyland – up to $65 off on multiday tickets
• Bose – 10% off
• Stanley – 20% off

… and there were so many more!

Check out this link to start saving!!!

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We spent seven nights at the Hilton Cancun. The video takes you through our firsthand experience with the resort: rooms, restaurants, food offerings, pools, and things we think you should know before you go!

The post Hilton Cancun All-Inclusive Resort appeared first on Stephanie Click.

Last week, just before you left for drum corps, you sat in the family room with your dad and I. We were just chatting about nothing much – a little of this and a little of that. When you left the room to walk upstairs, I looked at your dad and said “He’s a really fantastic kid.” I believe that with my whole heart. The world could use more people like you. You are funny, so bright, wise, and thoughtful. You are a gift.

I hope that this year brings you joy and peace. Fun with friends and travel and experiences. Peace in your heart and with your decisions. You have a conscience that pulls at your heartstrings – let it always be your guide.

I can’t wait to see you out on the field with The Cavaliers this summer. Watching you perform is one of my absolute favorite things. You are pure magic and have so much energy! Your talent is off the charts – I’m so glad that you are using it to your full potential. You’re a star.

Happy birthday, Avery. I am forever and always your biggest fan. You make me so proud.

I love you,
Mom

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If you are someone that has lost your hair due to chemotherapy, I thought it might be helpful to see the timeline of how my hair grew back. When I had to shave my head in March 2020, I had no idea what to expect for regrowth. All I knew was that I wanted it to come back. 

Quickly.

So, let’s take a look at how my hair grew back over time. 

Please understand that hair is an individual asset and each person will have different results.

If you haven’t read my post about the day we shaved my head, I encourage you to start there.

One thing that is often not talked about is that when you lose your hair with chemotherapy, you lose all of your hair. Eyebrows, eyelashes, all the hair on your body, it all goes! (Not shaving my legs for months was probably the silver lining of chemo. I was sad that didn’t last permanently.)

My hair stayed completely gone the entire time that I was in active chemo treatment. (I did an additional 10 months of Herceptin treatments. Those did not affect my hair loss or regrowth.)

The first sign of regrowth for me happened about 4-6 weeks after I finished my last big chemo treatment. From there, my hair seemed to grow at a pretty good pace. Sometimes it seemed like I would wake up and it had grown overnight. It was wild!

What I didn’t expect was how different my hair would be. My once crazy thick, dark, naturally curly, and coarse hair was now gray, thin, and a bit on the oily side. 

Of all the things, THAT is what I didn’t expect!

Still to this day, I haven’t had my hair cut or trimmed. It’s probably a small bit of PTSD from being bald for so long! I want to keep the hair that I have! LOL!

Another tip that I think helped with my growth being so consistent is this: My regrowth started around September 2020. I didn’t use heat on my hair AT ALL until around October of 2021. That minimized the damage and breakage. 

Don’t be afraid to try new products – shampoos, styling products, conditioners, etc. This is your NEW hair. Be sure you treat it for what it is, not what your old hair was.

The post Post-Chemotherapy – Hair Regrowth appeared first on Stephanie Click.

As much as I’m tempted to cut cable, I just can’t seem to take the plunge. I’ve had cable television my entire life so it’s hard for me to imagine life without it. And, although I do relish in change, something about putting the fate of my TV time at risk just isn’t worth it.

So in addition to our extravagant cable bill, we also subscribe to every extra version of streaming media possible (or so it seems). Netflix, Disney +, Hulu, Apple TV, Paramount Plus … it’s endless.

Of all of these possibilities, the one that I use the most is Hulu. I don’t hear a lot of people discussing or mentioning Hulu when they talk about streaming, so hear me out. 

The ploy with Hulu when they first came on the scene was that they showed most new episodes the day after they aired (they still do, by the way). But there are some other wins: you can create up to 6 user profiles and you can watch on 2 different screens at the same time! 

So, enough on my Hulu ad … here’s why I love them, They have so many shows that I love. Shows that I haven’t seen in YEARS!!! Turning them on while I’m cleaning on the weekend or watching them while relaxing in the bath is so fun!

My Top Five:

1. Desperate Housewives – this is one of my all-time favorite shows. I identify with a small part of each of the women on Wisteria Lane. All 8 seasons are on Hulu!”Desperate Housewives” is a television series that aired on ABC from 2004 to 2012. The show follows the lives of a group of women living on Wisteria Lane, a suburban street in the fictional town of Fairview, Eagle State. The main characters include Susan Mayer (Teri Hatcher), Lynette Scavo (Felicity Huffman), Bree Van de Kamp (Marcia Cross), Gabrielle Solis (Eva Longoria), and Edie Britt (Nicollette Sheridan).The show is a mix of drama, mystery, and comedy, and it explores the secrets and scandals that lurk behind the doors of seemingly perfect suburban homes. The show’s narration is provided by the character of Mary Alice Young (Brenda Strong), who committed suicide in the show’s pilot episode.

   Throughout the show’s eight seasons, the characters face a variety of challenges, including infidelity, addiction, murder, and financial troubles. “Desperate Housewives” was a critically acclaimed and popular show, winning multiple awards, including three Golden Globes and seven Emmy Awards. It is considered one of the most successful and influential shows of its time, and it has had a lasting impact on popular culture.

2. Designing Women – if I could only watch one show for the rest of my life, it would be Designing Women. I even wanted Piper’s middle name to be “Suzanne.”“Designing Women” is a television series that aired on CBS from 1986 to 1993. The show was created by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason and focused on the lives of four women who work at an interior design firm in Atlanta, Georgia. The main characters include Julia Sugarbaker (Dixie Carter), Mary Jo Shively (Annie Potts), Charlene Frazier (Jean Smart), and Suzanne Sugarbaker (Delta Burke).The show tackled a variety of social and political issues, including feminism, sexuality, and race relations. The characters often engaged in heated debates and discussions about these issues, with Julia Sugarbaker serving as the show’s primary voice of reason.

   Throughout the show’s seven seasons, the characters faced a variety of personal and professional challenges, including divorce, infertility, and career setbacks. The show was known for its strong female characters and its witty, intelligent writing.

   “Designing Women” was a critical and commercial success, and it helped launch the careers of its four main actresses. The show also received numerous award nominations, including 18 Emmy nominations, and it is considered a cult classic of 80s and 90s television.

3. Brothers & Sisters – this one slipped by so many people. If you haven’t watched it, you must. The plot and character development are top-notch. You will be HOOKED!“Brothers & Sisters” is a television series that aired on ABC from 2006 to 2011. The show follows the lives of the Walker family, a wealthy and influential family living in Pasadena, California. The main characters include Nora Walker (Sally Field), her five adult children – Sarah (Rachel Griffiths), Tommy (Balthazar Getty), Kevin (Matthew Rhys), Justin (Dave Annable), and Kitty (Calista Flockhart) – and their partners and children.The show explores the complex relationships between family members, as well as their personal and professional struggles. The Walker family faces a variety of challenges, including infidelity, addiction, and financial troubles, and they must navigate their way through these challenges while maintaining their family bond.

   Throughout the show’s five seasons, the characters face a number of major events, including the death of family patriarch William Walker, the revelation of family secrets, and the birth of new family members. The show was known for its strong ensemble cast and its emotional and heartfelt storytelling.

   “Brothers & Sisters” was a critical and commercial success, and it received numerous award nominations, including several Emmy nominations. The show is considered a classic family drama and is remembered for its memorable characters and powerful performances.

4. Ally McBeal – Calista Flockhart is a dream. I wanted to grow up to be an attorney with as much style and finesse as her!“Ally McBeal” is a television series that aired on Fox from 1997 to 2002. The show was created by David E. Kelley and centered around the life of Ally McBeal (Calista Flockhart), a young lawyer working at the fictional Boston law firm of Cage and Fish.The show was known for its quirky humor and surreal elements, including Ally’s frequent daydreams and the appearances of a dancing baby. The show also tackled a variety of social and legal issues, including sexual harassment and discrimination.

   Throughout the show’s five seasons, Ally navigates the ups and downs of her personal and professional life, including her relationships with fellow lawyers at the firm, her romantic relationships, and her struggles with her own insecurities and neuroses.

   “Ally McBeal” was a critical and commercial success, and it helped launch the careers of several of its actors, including Calista Flockhart, Jane Krakowski, and Portia de Rossi. The show also received numerous award nominations, including several Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. It is remembered as a unique and groundbreaking series that pushed the boundaries of what was possible on network television.

5. Golden Girls – the ultimate classic. I watch 2-3 episodes every night when I go to bed and have done that for years! It never gets old!“Golden Girls” is a television series that aired on NBC from 1985 to 1992. The show was created by Susan Harris and follows the lives of four older women – Dorothy Zbornak (Bea Arthur), Rose Nylund (Betty White), Blanche Devereaux (Rue McClanahan), and Sophia Petrillo (Estelle Getty) – who share a house in Miami, Florida.The show was known for its sharp writing, witty humor, and its portrayal of strong, independent women who are still living vibrant lives in their golden years. The show tackled a variety of social and political issues, including aging, sexuality, and feminism.

   Throughout the show’s seven seasons, the characters face a variety of personal and professional challenges, including dating, health issues, and financial problems. The show’s themes of friendship, loyalty, and the importance of family resonated with audiences and helped make it a beloved classic.

   “Golden Girls” was a critical and commercial success, and it has had a lasting impact on popular culture. The show received numerous award nominations, including several Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, and it is remembered as a groundbreaking and influential series that celebrated the lives and experiences of older women.

Hulu has its original content, as well as all the network offerings too! I just happened to get soaked into some of the shows that aren’t offered on other platforms! That’s what keeps my subscription going strong.

Want a 30-day free Hulu trial – here you go! 

The post What I’m Watching – May 2023 appeared first on Stephanie Click.

My walk through cancer treatment was at the start of the pandemic. I began chemotherapy treatments the week before the world shut down for Covid. It was a scary time if you were the picture of health, yet terrifying when you knew that you had to destroy your immune system to stay alive.

If you didn’t know me prior, let me tell you about my hair: I had the thickest, most luxurious head of hair that you have ever seen. Take the photo in your head and now imagine it 20% thicker. I could wear it straight, with my natural curls, or in a beautiful silk press. I had to plan my day around washing my hair because it took so long to dry – no matter if it was drying naturally or with a blow dryer. It took hours. 

I complained a lot about it. And, absolutely hated my hair growing up. (That’s another post for another day.)

My doctor advised that with the type of chemo that I was taking, I could expect my hair to begin thinning and falling out around Day 10 after my first treatment. And she was right – almost to the exact hour. 

I had my hair in a low ponytail. I was still spending every hour of every day in the recliner – sleeping there as well. I had garnered enough energy to try to take a shower. I was going to put my hair in a shower cap – there was not enough energy in my body to deal with blow drying my hair or messing much with it. As I took the hair tie off from around my ponytail, there were about 20 strands of hair attached. 

I immediately thought “That’s odd. I didn’t feel it pulling on my hair.” I grabbed my brush and started going through my hair, and it was coming out in huge clumps. 

It was happening. 

I don’t think I even took a shower if memory serves correctly. I went downstairs with my brush and clumps of hair in hand. My mother-in-law and husband were in the family room and I think that they were as surprised as I was at how quickly things progressed.

I couldn’t imagine extending the process of losing my hair strand by strand over the course of a day or two. The thought of watching it thin, or bald spots developing, was only prolonging the inevitable. So, I decided to jump into the deep end of the pool and shave it – that day. Right then.

The first call was to one of my best friends, Andrea Mann, who is the most incredible photographer. She has captured some of my favorite moments with my kids over the years. She lives in my neighborhood and was willing to come over to take photos. She had offered a few weeks prior, but once Covid hit and we were all bound to our homes – I wasn’t sure if she would be willing. But, she said “What time? I’ll be there.” She came in the back gate of our yard so that she wouldn’t have to come into the house. (This was during the part of Covid when we didn’t even let friends visit. But also, my immune system was at zero.) 

The entire process of shaving my head took about 15 minutes but it seemed like a lifetime. The sound of the scissors and clippers taking off section after section was like nothing I expected. Rows of thick, dark hair were falling to the ground of our backyard like leaves in the fall. I didn’t expect it to be an emotional experience. I didn’t think I would mind losing my hair. It grows back, right? I completely underestimated my response. 

Don started by brushing out my hair to put it in bubbles. Globs of hair were coming out in the brush. It was overwhelming.

A point frozen in time in my mind’s eye is this: about midway through the process, I looked over my shoulder to see Piper, holding up her phone, videoing as her dad cut off the entire length of my hair. She was sobbing. Not only was she crying as hard as she could cry, but the look of horror was all over her face. It was the first time that I saw the true impact that my cancer had on her. I was so incredibly sad. 

We had to stop for a moment. Don leaned over and held me while I cried. I then was able to hug both kids and promise them that I would fight as hard as I could for them.

When you are diagnosed, you go into survival mode. You are just trying to absorb what’s happening and keep putting one foot in front of the other. Beyond fighting the disease, my next biggest goal was keeping my kids’ lives as unaffected as possible. I wanted their life to be normal. I didn’t want them to think of me as sick or even to consider the fact that I may die.

One look at Piper that day let me know that I had failed. My kids understood exactly what was happening to me and how sick I was. My heart broke into a million pieces in that very instant. As long as I live, I’ll never forget the look on her face. 

Don then grabbed the clippers and finished the job. Huge piles of hair were now on the ground. I could feel the cool air on my head, as I took the brave step to look at my reflection in my phone’s camera. That first look is wild. It takes you by surprise, for sure. (For about a month afterward, I would walk by a mirror and not recognize myself!) 

That night was so odd. It was like the world should have stopped turning for a moment while I got myself together. But just like all things, life went on. We watched TV and ate dinner and talked about nothing much. The only difference in our lives was that I was bald. The stubble that I had left on my head would fall out over the next 48 hours. It was messy and itchy, much like getting a haircut and the shards that get in the cape at the salon.

One of the most precious gifts that I have from that day is the photographs. Andrea gave me a gift that I can never repay. Looking at these photos now reminds me of the goodness of God and how far I’ve come in this journey. 

It IS just hair, and it DOES grow back. But it’s never the same and the emotional toll weighs more than you could ever imagine. So be kind and offer a lot of grace.

The post Cancer & Chemotherapy – My Hair Loss Story appeared first on Stephanie Click.

Dance conventions and competitions have been pretty all-consuming on our weekends throughout Piper’s life. She started competing in first grade, so when you talk to her about it – she doesn’t remember her life before being on stage. 

There have been definite pros and cons over time. But the “pros” have outweighed the “cons”. Our lives have been planned around competition weekends and where nationals will be held. We have sacrificed financially and in every other way imaginable through the years. 

In the 12 years of competition dance, we have been in three studios. Each of them was great for what Piper needed for training at the time! We made lifelong friends at each one and learned so many lessons along the way that we have carried with us and have guided the path.

In total, Piper has competed in 55 group dances and had 14 solos. To think about that blows my mind and as I look at photos, I can vividly see each costume and hear the music that goes with it. I guess when you rehearse it for that long and see it performed so many times, it just stays with you. 

There have been lots of highlights along the way: titles and trophies and scholarships. They all mean something special. I would guess that the biggest highlights for Piper would be winning Starquest Solo Nationals when she was 11 and making the Tremaine Performance Company when she was 12. She remained a TPC member for 5 seasons. The travel and friends and coaching that she experienced with Tremaine are absolutely second to none. That opportunity changed her life as a dancer and as a person. It was incredible.

The chance to travel with Piper as she competed and trained and assisted afforded us time together that is priceless. We have crisscrossed this country by plane, train, and automobile. We have laughed and cried and made memories that will last us a lifetime. I am so grateful to have worked for companies that afforded me the time off to do these things.

I would be remiss if I didn’t close by saying a special thank you to Piper’s current studio owner/director Sheila Milner. She has fought for, shown up, and challenged Piper to be her best self for years. She concerns herself with what she does in the dance studio and on the stage, but also what she does off the stage as well. She’s followed with her grades, her drum corps tour, and her life. She is a mentor and a friend to us both. 

To close out the last convention, Sheila and the other DanceZone company members celebrated the seniors. Posters and gift baskets and cards were shared with each of these beautiful dancers who are getting ready to become DanceZone Alumni. These “lasts” are so sentimental and never lost on Piper. 

Closing the curtain on this chapter of life for myself and for Piper is so bittersweet. I can honestly say that I will miss it. I will warn you now that I’ll be the mom at The Show (recital) with an entire box of Kleenex as I see my beautiful girl dance her way into the next chapter … gracefully and with a smile – just like always.

The post Last Dance Convention and Competition appeared first on Stephanie Click.

It’s the high school marching band World Series! Bands of America, the premier marching dynasty, is hosting their Bands of America Grand National Championships in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. To get to finals at this competition is no small feat. These marching bands have been preparing for the better half of six months to vie for the championship title. As any marching band enthusiast can tell you, there are no losers in this competition. Every single student that competed this weekend from last place to first place is an absolute winner and champion.

I’ve been going to this competition regularly for over 30 years. It’s nearly a way of life! But last year, I chose to sit it out and celebrate with the live-stream and friends. One thing about the marching staff that I am part of is that we love to have a good time. And more than that, we love a good competition.

With that, I created a set of four bingo cards for our party. Each of these cards is different so there’s a possibility of a different winner on each card. Most of these are things that we laugh at ourselves about. Things we catch ourselves doing that are so hectic in the moment, and then we roll our eyes about later.  I sat through almost 4 days of marching competition last week, so some of the squares are built from those observations as well. (Anyone notice how many drum majors are named Elizabeth? Just me? Ok.)

You are welcome to download these cards to print OR you can save them onto your phone to share with friends. If you want to watch the competition, you can order the steam of finals from Box5 media.

Congratulations to all of us for making it through another hectic fall! And a special good luck to every band competing tonight!

The post Bands of America Grand Nationals Bingo appeared first on Stephanie Click.

My baby girl is now an adult. You have grown into the most beautiful human – far more than I ever dreamed you could be.

When I sit down to write about all the things that you have accomplished and all the ways that you have grown this year, I’m speechless. You have climbed some huge mountains and, no pun intended, planted your flag at the peak! 

Putting you on a plane by yourself to spend 3 months away from me was one of the hardest things I’ve done. Selfishly, I would have loved for us to have one last summer of pool days, dance nationals, back-to-school shopping, and binge-watching of Gilmore Girls. But, instead, you took on the biggest challenge of your life and I couldn’t be more proud. 

This year, you grew in ways that I never could have imagined. You became the performer I always knew you could be – first and foremost. You proved your independence and responsibility over and over again. You are so ready for college – you are absolutely going to thrive!!!

You are still the funny, quick-witted girl you’ve always been. In Kindergarten, your superlative at the end of the year was “The Jolly Joker.” That is still you – all these years later. You have the biggest smile in the room, a laugh that is contagious, and are so silly. I can just think about you and smile.

I’m hanging on every second that I have left with you at home. Our house will be so quiet next year without you running up and down the stairs or singing in the shower. You’ve been tied to my hip for 18 years – my clone, my mini-Stephanie, my baby – I wouldn’t change one single thing about who you are! 

Happy birthday, Curly Girly! I’ll love you forever.

Mom

PS – you’re no longer a minor LOL. The drum corps world is rejoicing with you right now!

The post Happy 18th Birthday, Piper appeared first on Stephanie Click.