Cate Johnson
Cate Johnson has been married to her best friend, Sean, for 12 years. She is the mother to their daughters who came home through international adoption in 2008. They also have a son that came home through domestic adoption in March 2011. The baby is another son, who is biological. Cate is passionate about Jesus, photography, writing and adoption and attachment. She also loves coming alongside prospective adoptive parents as well as those struggling through transition and attachment. Cate blogs about all of these topics and more at Gathered From Afar and Attaching Hearts.
Organizational SOS
Ok, I need some help from you ladies. I'm sending out an Organizational SOS. I now have 5 kids, and I am certainly not used to it yet. We are still transitioning and working...
Teaching our children about differences-and why they are OK!
As an adoptive mom to children that do not look like me, I get inappropriate, awkward, and surprising comments from other people all the time. I totally understand that often they are well-meaning individuals....
Disciplining Little Ones During the Holidays
From the onslaught of Halloween candy all the way til New Year's, children seem to be on a stimulation and sugar overload. Before special events dissolve into frustrations and empty threats, arm yourself with...
Mommy SOS | Co-Sleeping Woes
For 11 months, we have co-slept. I would love to say it has been sheet bliss every night as his milk breath and sweet chubbiness has curled up next to me. There are those...
THEME WEEK | What’s for Dinner? Meals to Give after a New Baby
THEME WEEK | What's for Dinner?
This week on SMB, we're tackling the daily question "What's for Dinner" Join us all week long as our contributors weigh-in with different ideas and recipes related to the nightly...
Why “trusting your gut” could be the best gift to your child
At the beginning of the year, I started to have concerns about the development of my toddler son. At the time, he was just shy of 2 years old. He had no issues to...
3 Reasons Our Apologies Matter
In a world that bombards us with image and fake standards, it is hard not to get caught up in looking a certain way as a parent. It can be how we look to...
Birth Order Question in Adoption
A common question in adoption is whether or not to jump birth order when bringing home a child through adoption. By this I mean, if you have biological children, would you bring home a...
Heirlooms in a Minimalist Culture
When we lose someone we love, having items to remember them by is such a gift. Far surpassing financial inheritance, heirlooms have a way of carrying relationships and stories on for generations. Keeping these...
Before Five in a Row: Home Schooling Ideas for Preschoolers
As many children start back to school, I am, as a home schooling mom, just solidifying lessons plans for the year. We don't actually take long vacations from school so we don't have a...
Strengths as a Mom
We all have a vision of how motherhood will be. We submit our paperwork to adopt or get that positive stick and our hearts start dreaming about all of the sweet moments you will...
Teaching Children the Beauty of Film
Editor's Note: Happy Thursday! All week long we're talking about screens - from TV shows to tablets for kids and grownups of all ages. Love 'em or hate 'em, screens and screen time are...
5 awesome things about kids sharing a room
"We could fit 13 kids in this house!" my sweet hubby exclaimed upon deciding to buy our current house.
It is by no means a large house. We have 4 bedrooms. If we are in...
Confessions of a Semi-Crazy Baby Momma
We all have those weird little quirks that exist far from social media in the quiet spaces of our homes. Here are a few of mine. Maybe at the end, you'll feel a bit...
Scrapbooks for Father’s Day
Father's Day is fast approaching. Have you found something special to give the dads and grandpas in your life? Recently, we made photo books for the kids' grandparents and great-grandparents. They turned out so...
Dating your kids: How we use one-on-one time to stay connected to our {five!}...
I don't feel like I have a big family. I find myself answering the question, 'how many children do you have?' with "just 5." I suppose I am surrounded by lots of much larger...
10 Things To Do Before it is 110°
OH MY GOODNESS!!! It is already in the 90's. I know it has actually been a late start to the weather heating up. It is never easy, though, when it starts. It is right...
Seeking Diversity in Scottsdale
We live in one of the most amazing towns. There really isn't a day driving down the 101 to my home when I don't gaze at Camelback as the sun sets and sigh a...
Homeschooling Fears Debunked
For many families, homeschooling is becoming an option on the table of discussion when it comes to educating our children. Even though there are more families considering homeschooling, there are doubts and fears surrounding...
Love for a Birth Mother
I joyfully share my heart with another woman. When my husband and I began our adoption journey about a decade ago, we felt led to pursue international adoption. Although it was not THE reason...
Meet Local Moms & Walk the Phoenix Zoo with SMB on February 28
We've been talking a lot about real life community. Next week is your chance to be a part of it. We are heading to the zoo to connect as moms. It is also a...
Marriage in Real Life
I am not sure if any part of culture impacts my little girls like Valentine's Day. Well, all that Valentine's Day represents--from film to TV to songs and cupid. It romanticizes love into solely...
Overwhelmed by Five
"Let me encourage you. No man ever got to the end of his life and wished that he had fewer children."
An older man sat before a group of new and soon to be parents....
Gender Differences…is it nature or nurture?
For years, I have only had girls. Three little girls right in a row. They are on top of each other just a little over a year apart. The first few years felt like...
Child Life Specialists: Unexpected Help in the Hospital
Nearly three years ago, I almost lost my eldest daughter. It was one of those incredibly scary times where your adrenaline is pumping for days before you are able to calm down enough to...
Sesame Street Live! “Elmo’s Super Heros” Coming to Phoenix
Our furry red friend is coming to our own Comerica November 16-18!!
Super Grover has lost his super-ness and Sesame Street needs a hero! Never fear, the fabulous five Super Heroes are here -- featuring...
Civility in Citizenship
When I was little, I lived in Washington, D.C.. I don't know what the motivation was for my Dad on the weekends. He could have simply wanted to be outside in the fresh air. ...
7 Gift Ideas from Grandparents to Kids
88 days til Christmas. Did that give you a heart attack? Maybe it is just the knowledge that I need to be extra prepared this year that has me a bit overwhelmed by that...
Review: Smartmax Magnetic Toy from The Doll House & Toy Store
Recently, the Doll House & Toy Store allowed my family to explore a fun toy from their store. The SmartMax Magnetic Discovery box is a kit of magnetic balls and straight and curved bars....
{Pregnancy Week} 4 Ways to Include Older Siblings in Pregnancy
It's Pregnancy Week here on Scottsdale Moms Blog! If you are just tuning in, be sure to read the rest of the week's posts here.
Our little bundle of joy on the way will be baby...