I’m all about faith, family, friends and fun.
I write about parenting, tough love, and strong families.
I care about you, your children and your struggles.
Hi there, I’m Tami Overhauser. I live in Austin with my husband Chad and our four children Rebekah 17, Samantha 15, Adam 11 and David 10. I am originally from Southern California where for the most part I led a happy-go-lucky normal childhood. Nothing much to see here… but middle school and high school were a different story. Chaos and swirling and darkness seemed to hover over me like a storm cloud, making life feel dreadful and depressing and I was rebellious and strong willed. God bless my parents because our home seemed like the only place that did not feel dark and chaotic. Perhaps that’s why I am so passionate about parenting well and making my home a soft, safe place where my family can come to laugh and be “loved on” after a hard day “out there.”
By some miracle of God I made it to college and majored in English Education and Linguistics at Cal State University Long Beach. I knew I loved words, written and spoken, and how we use them and thought maybe one day I would become a teacher. While there I experienced Jesus in a powerful way that changed my life radically. The chaos and swirling were gone and the darkness had lifted and for the first time since I was a child I felt peace and joy and clarity. I spent some time after graduation working in full time campus ministry at UCLA sharing my faith with college students and also speaking in high schools and churches about God and the plans and purposes he has for us. It was quite the crazy detour but I probably made a bigger impact on them than had I been their english teacher!
While working at UCLA, I met and married my husband Chad who was a student there playing football. Shortly after we were married he was drafted to the NFL and we began a wild and crazy journey across the map that took me way out of my California comfort zone to Chicago, Seattle, Atlanta, and Houston. We eventually settled in Austin Texas, where we have been for 16 years now and except for Rebekah, who was born in snowy Chicago, all my kiddos were born here and we consider Austin home.
My passion these days is parenting well, and building a strong family. My life is filled with the busyness that comes with a big family and the trials and triumphs that come with raising strong willed children. (Not all my children are strong willed all the time, but everyone is some of the time and some of them more than others.)
Parenting is hard and messy and some days I feel defeated, but something compels me to get back up and try again; to go back to the drawing board and see how I can improve upon yesterday. Maybe it’s my own strong will coming in handy but I really don’t want to just settle. I don’t want to just be mediocre at this, I want to do it well and see the fruits of my labor. These are my people and I am going to give them every thing I’ve got and then some.
And I want to help you do the same.
So I’m combining my passions! God, Words, Parenting, Family, Friends. and You!
A few of my favorite things.
My husband Chad. We have been married for 19 years and he is hands down the best thing next to Jesus that has ever happened to me. He is fiercely loyal, dripping with integrity and stubborn as an ox. ALL things I Love.
My Girls. Bekah (17) and Sam (15),both in high school ( Bekah is about to graduate!) and they are the joy of my life. I love to be with them and I think they love to be with me too. They are creative and funny and kind hearted and They. Are. Fierce.
My Boys. Adam (11) and David (10). There just are no words. If you have boys you know. They are awesome and exhausting and not twins!
Reality TV: Mostly singing competitions and well Bachelor nation. Shhh… and sometimes things involving “housewives”.
Exercise. All kinds. it keeps me feeling young and sane for the long road ahead of me. And because I have the metabolism of a sloth.
Paleo cooking/Gluten free Baking. Because when I hit 40 my body decided to revolt. And we just feel better when we eat better! I’ve got to keep up!
Friends and Family. I love nothing more than to sit across from the people I love and connect our souls.
Home. I love to be in my home with all the people above doing all the things listed above but sometimes I have to go out to the grocery store!