The thought of losing your 7-year-old is unfathomable. Losing a child should simply never happen, but for reasons we don’t know now, it does. Nixon Whatcott bravely battled osteosarcoma for nearly a year and a half. A once very active little boy, he faced losing […]

Not The Way I Planned

Nixon Strong

Being a single parent is undoubtedly challenging. One of the most humbling aspects is getting by financially on one income. We live in a two-income household world and it’s increasingly difficult to make one income work. This is where “The Single Parent Project” comes to […]

The Single Parent Project

I have always held my self worth in the same space as my riches. I thought my parents would love me more and I would love myself more if I was successful with money and in my career. I still struggle with these thoughts as […]

Fumbling Through Finances

I’ll never forget the day that I met Carmen Parker. Our sons were in the same kindergarten class and we met up at a park to let the boys play. As a few years past by we both faced divorce. She was a bright light […]

Accepting And Loving My Transgender Child

Molly Bice Jackson has faced the unthinkable. She’s lost one of the most precious people in her life, her beautiful daughter Lucy. Molly’s tragic story has stuck with me for over a decade. I’ve found my heart aching for someone I’ve never met. I’ve found […]

Losing Lucy

I don’t think I’ve even met anyone who has more valiantly fought obsessive compulsive disorder, or “OCD” like 19-year-old, Luke Davenport. We’re not talking about you like things a little nice and tidy “OCD.” Obsessive Compulsive Disorder made it very difficult for Luke to finish […]

Luke’s Battle with OCD

I don’t know if I’ve ever met someone that has faced more trials, miracles, love, or loss quite like Laura Dibble Watts. She’s had so many “Not the Way I Planned” moments that I feel like she could write multiple award-winning books, so I was […]

Trials, Miracles, Love, & Loss

John Moug has faced some very unexpected moments in his life. Most recently he found himself suddenly out of work and uprooting his life to a new state. I didn’t know a lot about John’s past when I sat down with him. I was intrigued […]

Sudden Job Loss and Moving to a New State

Nancy Gifford has a story you won’t soon forget. After years of struggling as a single Mom, she lost the love of her life while battling stage 4 cancer. Since her tragic loss and heroic battle, Nancy has gone on to run marathons and inspire […]

Losing the Love of My Life While Battling Cancer

I can’t even begin to adequately express how much I appreciate your bravery and vulnerability over the past year. My gratitude for every one of you that has shared your story of life not going the way you planned has changed my life for the […]

The Best of Not The Way I Planned 2019

How precious are these two?! Simon and Louie were born in Hong Kong and mainland China respectively. The orphanage was their home until Katie and Taylor Davis came into their lives. Katie and Taylor always wanted a big family, but adopting two little boys from […]

Two Little Boys From China Make Our Family Complete

I’ve had to embrace change a lot lately. From job loss to moving and divorce, change is tough! I even struggle with minor changes and setbacks, like burning dinner or in today’s instance, equipment not working and not being able to bring you the story […]

Tips for Embracing Change

Sarah’s family life was altered forever when she lost her Dad to a terrible car accident when she was just 4-years-old. Since that tragic day, her family chooses to thrive in the midst of their loss. As naive teenagers, Sarah and I loved planning out […]

Losing Dad and Finding Humanity

I’ve been divorced for 2 1/2 years. We don’t talk about divorce often around the house. It’s uncomfortable to conjure up those painful memories and the issues that are still difficult to navigate. After bribing my kids with $10 each (yes, I am that parent) […]

My Kids Take on Divorce

Val Cameron is one of the bravest people I have ever met. She is never afraid to be herself or stand up for herself. On second thought, maybe she is, but she pushes past the fear and does it anyway! At 40, Val has found […]

Suicide and Suddenly Single

Not the Way I Planned will showcase inspiring interviews, plus tips and tricks for living your best life, even if it’s not the life you planned.

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Not The Way I Planned

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