Where Mindfulness Meets Storytelling — Welcome to the Wondering.Waves Blog
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Where Mindfulness Meets Storytelling — Welcome to the Wondering.Waves Blog *
Here, you can find heartfelt stories of military life, creative crochet adventures, mindful reflections, and the everyday magic of food, travel, and community connection. I’m Latosha, a military spouse and storyteller inspired by a legacy of creative women, sharing practical resources and gentle encouragement to help military families and creatives find resilience, joy, and a sense of belonging wherever life takes them. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, comfort, or simply a reminder that your story matters, you’re warmly invited to explore and make yourself at home here at Wondering.Waves.
With warmth and wonder,
Latosha & Matthew
How Buffalo Chicken Dip Became a Go-To Recipe for Our Navy & Marine Spouse Gatherings
A heartfelt story of how a simple, ultra-creamy buffalo chicken dip became a beloved staple at military spouse gatherings—from a Marine Corps food swap to a cozy Navy game night. Discover a recipe that’s easy, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for building community and comfort wherever military life takes you.
From Roses to Star Wars: Embracing the Small Joys That Light Our Way
A heartfelt reflection on rediscovering joy through simple moments—from the roses at Milo Academy to shared Star Wars movies—and learning to choose presence and self-care every day.
Discovering the Quiet Stories I Tell Myself: A Mindful Journey Through Limiting Beliefs
A mindful, honest look at the quiet stories we tell ourselves—the limiting beliefs shaped by childhood, military life, and old patterns of not belonging. Discover how journaling, self-awareness, and small mindset shifts help gently rewrite these stories with self-compassion and patience.
Embracing Self-Love on the Journey to Joy
Discover the transformative power of self-love on your journey to joy. In this mindful reflection, Latosha shares personal stories and gentle practices to help you value yourself, embrace small moments of care, and nurture your spirit amidst life’s challenges.
Finding Your Well of Joy: Mindful Moments for Military Spouses and Makers
Discover how to tap into your well of joy through mindful moments, simple rituals, and connection. Join me, a military spouse and creator, as I share my ongoing journey toward embracing joy in everyday life—from peaceful mornings under the Texas sky to cozy family traditions and community ties.
A Taste of Home at Señor Chang’s: Big Flavors in a Bold Space
Discover the hidden comfort and bold flavors of Señor Chang’s—a local gem where generous portions, spicy steak with caramelized pineapple, and mindful family moments turn a simple meal into a story of connection and joy. Join me as I share our journey from community service to comfort food, and why this spot has become a cherished part of our family’s story.
Talk to Yourself Like Someone You Love: Mindful Self-Compassion in Real Life
This weekend, I learned firsthand how powerful it can be to talk to yourself like someone you love. From meeting new family through an unexpected DNA connection to savoring mindful moments on the San Antonio Riverwalk, this post explores how gentle self-talk, presence, and compassion can transform both our inner world and our relationships. Join me as I reflect on lessons in self-kindness, offer a practical exercise for reframing the inner critic, and invite you to carry this warmth into your own life.
Choose Your Words Wisely: Turning Obligation Into Choice
The words we use—like “have to,” “should,” and “need to”—quietly shape our days and our sense of agency. In this mindful reflection, Latosha explores how shifting her language from obligation to choice brings more intention, warmth, and joy to daily routines and relationships.
No Name Calling: How to Speak Kindly to Yourself
The words we hear growing up—like “Be careful!” and “Be nice!”—echo in our self-talk for years. In today’s reflection, Latosha explores how to shift from name-calling to gentle, accurate language, building a kinder inner world and stronger leadership.
Your Inner Critic: Learning to Listen With Compassion
When your inner critic gets loud, it’s easy to believe its harsh words. In today’s mindful reflection, Latosha explores the strange logic of the inner critic, how it tries to protect us, and the gentle power of replacing criticism with encouragement and compassion.
Mindful Self-Talk: Learning to Be Kinder to Myself
Learning to be kinder to myself is an ongoing journey. In this honest reflection, I share how old stories and inner critics shape my self-talk, and how mindful journaling, gentle routines, and encouragement—both for myself and others—help me soften those harsh voices. If you’ve ever struggled with self-criticism, you’re not alone. Here’s how I’m learning to offer myself the same compassion I give to others, one mindful moment at a time.
Schedule in Spontaneity: Mindful Breaks from Routine
Inviting a little adventure into the everyday, I set out to “schedule in spontaneity” and break free from my usual routines. From mindful lunches outdoors to saying yes to small surprises, this week’s journey is all about finding joy, creativity, and comfort in the unexpected moments that color our lives.
Live for the Moment: Day 2 – Waking Up from Autopilot
As my husband and I cleaned and prepped our desert home for my parents’ long-awaited visit, I set gentle reminders to pause and be present throughout the day. Each mindful moment—whether organizing yarn, sharing a laugh over old sailing songs, or picturing the family gathered around a homemade meal—helped me appreciate the beauty of right now, even as my thoughts wandered to the future. Living for the moment isn’t always easy, but today, it felt possible.
Live for the Moment: A Military Spouse’s Restart and Mindful Walk (Day 1)
After months of feeling stuck in a routine, I finally pressed pause and listened to the quiet call for change. Today, I stepped out into the desert’s gentle autumn light, determined to notice the world around me—and within me—like it was all brand new. Rearranging my home and moving my creative space into the heart of the house, I found not just better light, but a renewed sense of possibility. This is the story of a military spouse’s mindful restart—one step, one breath, and one cozy moment at a time.
Nook and Press: A Mindful Bookstore Adventure in San Angelo
Discover the magic of Nook and Press, San Angelo’s newest independent bookstore. From whimsical décor to cozy reading nooks and shopable treasures, this mindful adventure offers comfort, inspiration, and a sense of belonging—one page at a time.
A Foggy Texas Morning: Finding Comfort and Presence at Cold Smoke Coffee Craft House
A rare fog transforms San Angelo into a cozy retreat, inspiring Latosha and Matt to seek comfort, connection, and presence at Cold Smoke Coffee Craft House. In this mindful reflection, discover the beauty of slowing down, savoring rituals, and finding joy in the simplest moments.
Celebrating Adaptability: Finding Family in the Waves
Adaptability isn’t just about surviving change—it’s a quiet superpower that helps us find family, joy, and unexpected beauty in every wave. In this reflection, Latosha shares stories of military life, creativity, and the communities built through embracing change.
Carrying the Weight: Balancing Passion, Purpose, and Self-Compassion
Balancing all the roles of military spouse, creative, and community builder isn’t about doing it all perfectly—it’s about learning to carry the weight with compassion, asking for help, finding beauty in boundaries, and celebrating the small wins that keep us moving forward.
Finding Gratitude and Joy: Reflections Under the Stars
Three days before the world shut down for COVID, I landed in Hawaii—hopeful, nervous, and ready for a new chapter. A quiet sunset on the beach with Matt became a touchstone for gratitude, reminding me that beauty and belonging can be found in the smallest, most unexpected moments.
Baking Belonging: Apple Turnovers, Volunteering, and Rebuilding My Village
Baking apple turnovers isn’t just about comfort food—it’s about honoring family traditions, building community, and finding belonging wherever life takes you. Join me as I share the story behind my grandma’s apple turnovers, the heart of volunteering, and how small acts of care create sweeter, stronger communities. Plus: a cozy recipe at the end!