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Courtney Westlake

live a different beautiful

August 23, 2018

15 Must Read-Alouds for the Classroom: the Best Books for Teachers about Differences and Being Yourself

15 Must Read-Alouds for the Classroom: the Best Books for Teachers about Differences and Being Yourself

The beauty of reading to our children is that it can transport us to faraway places, time periods in the past or the future, even worlds only alive in our imaginations. But – as our family has seen from raising a child with special needs – reading also does something else: it allows us to learn about each other. It enables us to imagine how we might feel in situations we have never been in or to appreciate someone’s life we have never met. Reading provides us with the framework for developing … [Read more...] about 15 Must Read-Alouds for the Classroom: the Best Books for Teachers about Differences and Being Yourself

Filed Under: Reading Courtney 1 Comment

July 26, 2018

My Favorite Cleaning Product for Moms

My Favorite Cleaning Product for Moms

This post is sponsored by Federal Process and contains affiliate links. As always, all opinions are my own. I think there's a misconception that as we have adjusted to life with ichthyosis over the last six years, we are always on the hunt. New skin care routines, new cleaning products, new summer essentials, new types of clothing... endless options are out there when you really start looking. The reason we aren't always changing things up is that it can be exhausting to constantly … [Read more...] about My Favorite Cleaning Product for Moms

Filed Under: Parenting, skin Courtney 2 Comments

July 12, 2018

Tuned In Together: Why Our Foundation’s Family Conference Is So Important to Us

Tuned In Together: Why Our Foundation’s Family Conference Is So Important to Us

June ended in a big way for our family - attending our third national family conference hosted by the Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types in Nashville! We were thrilled to reconnect with other families around the world affected by this rare genetic skin condition whom we've gotten to know both online and in person over the last six years. There is nothing like being able to hug someone who has walked with you during some of most critical points of your child's life. What I … [Read more...] about Tuned In Together: Why Our Foundation’s Family Conference Is So Important to Us

Filed Under: family life, FIRST, skin Courtney 1 Comment

March 13, 2018

“Celebrating Our Stories” Releases!

“Celebrating Our Stories” Releases!

“Why do you think he’s in a wheelchair?” My daughter pointed to the outline of the man pushing the large wheels of his chair on the page in front of us. “I’m not sure,” I answered honestly. “Maybe he hurt his legs, or maybe he was born with legs that aren’t able to walk.” Whatever the reason, I was aware in that moment of the important lesson being shared over our library book: learning about someone who is different than ourselves. As parents, we’re all trying to do our best every … [Read more...] about “Celebrating Our Stories” Releases!

Filed Under: children's books, giveaway, Parenting Courtney 5 Comments

February 14, 2018

Seeing Each Other Through a Mother’s Eyes

Seeing Each Other Through a Mother’s Eyes

Unexpected. Overwhelming. Distressing. It felt like everything changed when the words of our daughter’s severe diagnosis were uttered. As my husband Evan and I began to learn about all of the facets of her rare and life-threatening skin disorder, the whisperings of certain phrases seemed to accompany each sentence of her prognosis: Can’t. Might Not. Won’t Be Able To. Will Never. Instead of imagining a world of possibilities like you tend to do when your child is born, it felt like a … [Read more...] about Seeing Each Other Through a Mother’s Eyes

Filed Under: family life, living with purpose, Parenting 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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