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Courtney Westlake

live a different beautiful

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January 10, 2019

My Favorite Books Read in 2018

My Favorite Books Read in 2018

I always love reading through my friends' favorite book lists at the end of each year, and I adore talking books and reading with anyone who will entertain that conversation with me, so publishing my own favorite reads of the year has always been fun for me. Admittedly, 2018 wasn't my best reading year. I finished around 52 books (I'm including a few longer read-aloud chapter books with my kids, to be fair). And usually I have a hard time narrowing down my favorites, but this year, I just … [Read more...] about My Favorite Books Read in 2018

Filed Under: Reading Courtney 7 Comments

November 16, 2018

Best Kids’ Gift Ideas for an Upcoming Family Trip

Best Kids’ Gift Ideas for an Upcoming Family Trip

Most families I know are anticipating an upcoming trip, whether a long weekend road trip in the spring, week-long summer vacation or (the always popular) Disney adventure. No matter what kind of traveling you do, there is always something you need for an upcoming trip. We are huge proponents of versatile, purposeful gifts - so I've found that the holiday season is a perfect time to get your kids stocked up on what they need for their trip! Opening a gift to use on our next vacation builds so … [Read more...] about Best Kids’ Gift Ideas for an Upcoming Family Trip

Filed Under: family vacation, Travel Courtney 5 Comments

October 18, 2018

A Long Weekend in Louisville: the best things to do with kids!

A Long Weekend in Louisville: the best things to do with kids!

A special thanks to the Louisville Tourism Board for helping to host us on this trip! Confession: I have a Travel Bucket List a mile long. Well, more than one list. I have lists for international travel, long weekend trips, National Parks I want to see...and on we go. Louisville has been on my "Cities to See" list for a while. It's not far from us, at a 5-hour drive, and the Kentucky Derby brings it back to my attention every year. So when we started talking about taking a long weekend … [Read more...] about A Long Weekend in Louisville: the best things to do with kids!

Filed Under: Travel Courtney 1 Comment

October 2, 2018

The Best Children’s Books about Looking Different

The Best Children’s Books about Looking Different

Differences are everywhere and within each of us. But while some differences are innate - such as personality traits - others are much more visible. We all have physical differences, from our colors to our shapes and sizes to other aspects of our bodies. And as our babies grow into their toddler years, they begin to notice these visible differences as they make sense of their world and learn to categorize. During this time, it's so important that we make physical differences part of … [Read more...] about The Best Children’s Books about Looking Different

Filed Under: Reading Courtney Leave a Comment

September 6, 2018

Why RV Travel is a Great Option for Families with Special Considerations

Why RV Travel is a Great Option for Families with Special Considerations

Special thanks to GoRVing.com for sponsoring this post and allowing us this experience. All opinions are my own. For a long time, outside felt really scary. When we first learned about Brenna’s diagnosis of Harlequin ichthyosis, with complications like heat intolerance and high infection risk, everything outside seemed unknown, very potentially dangerous. I was terrified of even moving her from a covered NICU isolette to an open crib, let alone bringing her home. Any environment we … [Read more...] about Why RV Travel is a Great Option for Families with Special Considerations

Filed Under: family life, family vacation, Travel Courtney Leave a Comment

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Welcome! My name is Courtney, and I'm a storyteller, wife and mom of two incredible children. After our daughter was diagnosed unexpectedly at birth with a life-threatening skin disorder, our lives today look much differently than we expected. But we have been overjoyed to discover just how beautiful different can be. If you’re ready to create deeper connection with your family through travel, reading, experiential learning and spreading kindness - then join us in Living a Different Beautiful! Learn more.

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  • My Favorite Books Read in 2018
  • Best Kids’ Gift Ideas for an Upcoming Family Trip
  • A Long Weekend in Louisville: the best things to do with kids!
  • The Best Children’s Books about Looking Different
  • Why RV Travel is a Great Option for Families with Special Considerations

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