10/08/2026
Today was such a good day at Mendo LEAP. ❤️
Not because anything extraordinary happened, but because I got to witness so many of the things I dreamed Mendo LEAP could be, all happening under one roof, in one day.
We started our morning with our members, the families we have the privilege of seeing almost every day. We had our weekly Circle Time for infants and toddlers, full of little ones learning, exploring, and playing together.
We had an adult client with developmental disabilities come in for his 1:1 art lesson with one of our amazing art teachers.
We had stay-at-home moms and dads spending their midday here, letting their kids play while enjoying a little break themselves.
We had clients with developmental disabilities come in with their behavioral therapists to work on social play skills. We had occupational and speech therapists using our Private Play Room to meet with their clients.
We had kids coming in after school, playing together and experiencing what true inclusive play looks like.
We had homeschool students here for their weekly art classes. And today, we added a FOURTH group art class to our schedule because a group of 10 students got together and petitioned for it! How cool is that?!
We had our Parent Advocacy team meeting with a family, helping them create a plan to access the services they need and making sure they know they don't have to navigate their developmental disability journey alone.
We had a family we love seeing regularly book a birthday party and express how happy they were to support Mendo LEAP in that way.
We had staff members taking the time to listen, encourage, and show compassion to parents who just needed someone to talk to. Sometimes that's just as important as anything else we do here.
And we ended our day with a special guest speaker who came in to lead a training for our staff on navigating difficult conversations, called Proximity, Presence, and Professionalism.
And me?
Before I even came into work today, I got to spend quality time with my daughter, homeschooling her. Something I am so grateful to have the opportunity to do. I also got to have a rare morning date with my husband and business partner after dropping our son off at the amazing charter school he enjoys attending.
Then I headed into my office at Mendo LEAP. Preparing for facility upgrades. Managing vendor accounts. Working on expanding and improving our programs. Advocating for more opportunities for inclusive play in our community. Processing payroll. Planning staff trainings. Doing all the behind-the-scenes things that keep this dream moving forward.
And through it all, I got to listen to the sound of children laughing and playing. Literally all day long.
What a gift.
Then I got to end my night sitting around a table, having dinner with my amazing staff before our training.
I look at this team of 12 people and I just feel so incredibly grateful.
They love their jobs. I can tell by how hard they work. By the kindness and compassion they show our families. By the way they support each other. By how generously they give of themselves to a vision and mission that started as a dream in my heart.
We've created an atmosphere of kindness, compassion, and unity, and I don't take that for granted for a second.
It's such a blessing. Such a gift.
And tonight, as I reflect on all of this, I can't help but think about where I was five years ago.
Five years ago, I was a stay-at-home mom who was completely burnt out. I was drowning in diapers, dishes, and laundry. I was exhausted. I felt like I had lost myself.
I had no idea how I was going to get through that season of my life.
I had no idea that I would find myself again.
That I would fall in love with my partner all over again.
That I would meet so many incredible people, build relationships I never could have imagined, and push myself so far outside of my comfort zone.
That one day I would employ 12 amazing people and have the privilege of investing in their lives while they invested in mine.
That I would get to spend my days building something that brings people together, supports families, creates opportunities, and makes our community a little more inclusive.
That this dream I had would actually become my reality.
And not just a reality, but something so much bigger and more meaningful than I ever could have imagined.
I think about that version of myself often. The exhausted mom who couldn't see beyond the mountain of responsibilities in front of her. The woman who was just trying to make it through another day.
If I could go back and tell her anything, it would be this:
Hold on.
Don't give up hope that things can change.
Don't stop advocating for yourself.
You are worth the fight.
You are going to find yourself again. You're going to discover strengths you didn't even know you had. You're going to build a life filled with purpose, connection, and so much joy.
You will make it out of this valley.
And you are going to have SO MUCH FUN once you get there. ❤️
Tonight, my heart is just full.
I'm so thankful for this life, this team, this community, and every single person who has been part of making Mendo LEAP what it is today.
What a beautiful day. What a beautiful life.
