One Small Decision I'm So Glad I Made This Summer

Back in mid-June, I kept seeing a creator on TikTok share practical ways to set your future self up for success. The advice wasn't about making huge life changes. It was about taking care of the little things before they became another item on your to do list.

One suggestion immediately caught my attention.

Schedule your fall family photos.

At first, it seemed a little odd to think about family pictures when summer had barely started, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Every year, the calendar fills up faster than I expect. School starts. Work/volunteering piles up. Weekends disappear. Before I know it, the leaves are gone and I find myself saying, "Maybe next year."

That happened last year, and I regretted it.

So I opened my laptop and started looking for photographers with availability later this fall. As I browsed, I came across Lindsay McGowan Photography, a photographer based here in North Liberty. What caught my attention wasn't just her beautiful work. It was that she happened to be offering mini sessions, our family's favorite kind of photo session.

We're not the family that needs an hour in front of the camera. Give us a short window, keep everyone moving, and we're happy.

Then I saw the location.

The sessions were being held at Los Trompos, a temporary interactive art installation in Centennial Park. Created by Mexican designers Esrawe + Cadena, the larger-than-life spinning tops are inspired by a traditional children's toy, blending art, play, and community into one colorful experience. I had seen the same installation back when it was up in downtown Iowa City a couple years earlier and immediately thought it would make an incredible backdrop for family photos. I love color, and the playful design felt so much more like our family than a traditional field or wooded trail.

Even better, there were still a few openings.

Before I booked, I'm fairly certain I checked with Gspice. His response was, "We don't need family photos every year." My response, "I know. We didn't do them last year, and I really regret that."

So I booked the session.

A quick trip to Kohl's later for clothes that actually fit and made me feel good, and we were ready.

Fast forward to a few days ago, Lindsay delivered our gallery.

I don't think I was prepared for how emotional I would be looking through these photos.

I absolutely love them.

The location was every bit as vibrant and joyful as I'd imagined, but what really took me by surprise was seeing how much our family has changed since our last photos in the fall of 2024.

Gary and I have both lost weight.

Owen has somehow grown a million inches the past two years.

Jack now wears glasses.

When you see your family every day, those changes happen so gradually that you barely notice them. Then someone captures a single moment in time, and suddenly you realize just how much life has moved forward.

I've found myself smiling at these photos over and over again. Sometimes they make me smile so much my face hurts. Other times they make me want to cry, because I know this version of our family is already becoming a memory.

That's what family photos really are.

They're not about perfect outfits or convincing everyone to smile at the same time. They're about preserving a season of life that you'll never get back.

I'm incredibly grateful that a random TikTok video nudged me to think ahead. I'm grateful that I stumbled across Lindsay's page. I'm grateful there were still mini session openings. And I'm especially grateful that she captured our family so naturally, in a place that felt colorful, fun, and completely us.

Thank you, Lindsay, for giving us photographs we'll treasure for years to come. These aren't just pictures. They're a snapshot of exactly who we are in this season of life, and I couldn't love them more.

If you're looking for a family photographer in the Johnson county area, I can't recommend Lindsay McGowan Photography enough. And if you've been thinking about scheduling family photos someday, let this be your reminder.

You can also find Lindsay McGowan on Instagram & Facebook.

Sometimes the smallest decision you make today becomes the gift your future self treasures most.

Below are a number of our favorites!

Finding My Voice at MASFAA 2025

 Reposted from my LinkedIn reflection on the MASFAA 2025 Conference experience.

The MASFAA 2025 conference was a reminder of why I love this profession.

Serving on the Program Committee gave me a front-row seat to collaboration at its best. I worked alongside incredible colleagues from all over the MASFAA region to build a program that reflected our members’ needs, from a dynamic keynote to pre-conference sessions that delivered real value, to eight full session blocks filled with timely and thoughtful topics that spanned job functions. Even when a few unexpected absences required quick pivots, our team rose to the challenge. Kudos to the entire program committee for an AMAZING conference!

As a financial aid communicator, I felt especially proud to help present Fueling Your Enrollment Objectives: The Value of Transparency and Simplicity in Connecting with Today’s Students. The conversation reinforced how much clarity and trust matter in the work we do every day. Thank you to my co-presenters, Heather and Elyse, for your expertise in this area as well!

I left the week energized by sessions like I’m Worth the Investment: Practical Strategies for Aspiring, New, and Season Leaders, Driving with Data, Advising Professional and Graduate Students from Pre-Enrollment to Graduation (& Beyond), and Ladies Night: Empowering Women in Financial Aid and Beyond. I heard rave reviews from so many attendees about other sessions, too; the depth of expertise in our region is unmatched.

The biggest surprise of the week came on Monday night when Dr. Betsy Johnson began announcing the Outstanding New Professional Award. I remember thinking how special it must feel for the recipient to have the MASFAA president presenting it. Then she started describing experiences that sounded awfully familiar. When my name was called, I was caught completely off guard and honestly moved. To be recognized by such an inspiring, thoughtful, and impactful leader made the moment unforgettable. It reminded me how generous and supportive this community truly is.

I love the work I do every day in my financial aid office, but being part of Iowa Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (IASFAA) and Midwest Association of Financial Aid Administrators (MASFAA) has amplified that purpose. The people, the collaboration, and the shared drive to serve students...it all matters.

And yes, I ended the week singing my heart out at the legendary karaoke night with Tim, everyone's NASFAA BFF. I didn’t make it to the stage, but that didn’t stop me from joining in from the floor. Next year, I promise to come prepared with a song or two.

Working with Michelle Trame, Alexandria Miller, MBA and Dr. Betsy Johnson was a masterclass in leadership and teamwork. I learned so much through the process. Now, the excitement continues! I can’t wait to work with Emily Haynam, MBA, FAAC® and Sarah Freestone, M.Ed, FAAC to bring another incredible MASFAA conference to Iowa next October. MASFAA 2026 will be something special.

Dinner After Dark with Barrett's: Tomato!

Some people pass on tomatoes. I simply cannot.

When Barrett’s announced a tomato dinner, I knew I couldn’t miss it. I asked around, but the answers came back either “I can’t” or “I don’t like tomatoes.” Who do they think they are? Tomatoes are my love language. So I did what I had to do. I went on my own. (Don't worry, I didn’t even bother to ask Gspice to join me. He doesn’t share the same love of tomatoes that I do.)

A few days ahead of the event, Barrett’s reached out, checking if I was comfortable dining solo or if I wanted another chance to bring someone. That small act of thoughtfulness stuck with me. I told them I was fine flying solo. My mom, who first passed down her love of tomatoes to me, would be my “plus one” in spirit.

When the evening finally arrived, I was excited. It felt like stepping into a part of myself I hadn’t visited in years. Back in 2015 and 2016 when I worked the wine and beer dinners at Rubaiyat in Decorah, I loved the rhythm of pairing food with drink, watching the courses unfold like chapters in a story. Barrett’s tomato dinner pulled me right back into that magic, only this time I was the guest.

Each course celebrated the tomato in a new way, paired with wine or a cocktail:

Tea & Bread with La Vieille Ferme Rose

Tartare with Archetype Sauvignon Blanc

Lumache with a Tomato & Rosemary Gin Martini

Sirloin & Tomatoes with Maestro del Pomidoro Sangiovese

Tomato Puff Pastry with Parajes del Valle Macabeo

What Did I Enjoy the Most?

My favorite course of the evening was the sirloin and stuffed tomato. The steak came with what looked like an herby pesto, alongside a rice and red pepper–stuffed tomato capped with melted and toasted Gruyère. Holy moly, that was a perfect bite, especially with one of my favorite wine varieties, the Sangiovese.

A close second was the tomato lumache. This pasta course came with delicately peeled tomatoes in a bright beurre blanc, paired with a fancy tomato and rosemary gin martini. YUM.

An Unexpected Surprise

Earlier in the evening, Chef mentioned they “chased a label” for the night, choosing a wine simply because a tomato graced the bottle. To my surprise, the event manager brought me over a bottle as I was eating the final course. Chef had wanted me to have it, in memory and celebration of my mom. How thoughtful is that? I couldn't help but tear up as I took a few more bites before regaining my composure.

My Type of Celebrity

I've said this before and it remains true. Chefs are my type of celebrity. It was such a thrill to dine on a menu created by Chef Barrett, who became friends and colleagues with Chef Michael Symon, and once competed on Iron Chef. Learn more about Chef Cory on the Barret's website.

We are lucky to have chefs in this community who treat food with reverence and hospitality with care. This night reminded me why I love these kinds of dinners. It is about flavors, but it is also about the feeling of being seen, welcomed, and celebrated.

Sometimes the best dinners are the ones where you make room for yourself.

31 Things I am Grateful for in October 2020

1. tiktok - so much great content on so many topics. Yes, some bad but that's like all other types of social media too. it brings me so much joy but I'm also learning a lot!

2. having the energy to clean the fridge

3. taking a day trip to our old stomping grounds

4. walking the streets of Decorah

5. Mabe's Pizza and their crayons to keep the boys busy

6. spending a lovely sunny day with cousins at Pinters!

7. kiddos that love to play

8. tablets for long car rides

9. my three new beautiful rugs

10. morning walks with the boys

11. my cat for cozying up at the perfect times

12. coming up with a plan to read my books

13. rainbow colored tomatoes

14. finally watching Hamilton

15. beautiful fall weather, including days for shorts

16. falling leaves

17. Owen spending time in the garage trying to ride a bike with no training wheels

18. Owen then learning how to ride a bike in a matter of days, all by himself

19. Stratego battles with the boys

20. loose baby teeth and having brave boys who can deal with that themselves - I certainly will not pull any of them out!

21. planning out my command wall

22. having kids who love working on math!

23. Prodigy. Dreambox. Lexia.

24. discovering a teeny tiny bird's nest in our tree!

25. neighbors who have their Halloween decor on point

26. deciding to buy extra winter gear to help us as parents deal with all the uncertainty in the world but also the certainty of losing winter gear

27. I voted.

28. Watching late night comedy as a way to deal with my political anxiety

29. giving the boys a hair cut they wanted even though it only lasted a week

30. my new favorite high-rise leggings from Target

31. in-person schooling