Finance + Legal Services

What If My Ex Won't Pay Child Support?

When a parent stops paying child support, it can create immediate financial stress and uncertainty. Many parents wonder whether they can withhold visitation, stop following the custody order, or take other action on their own.The good news is that Texas law provides several ways to enforce child support orders. If your ex is behind on payments, you may be able to recover unpaid support through the court while continuing to protect your rights and your child's best interests.Key TakeawaysTexas...

Fitness

Learning to Persevere

How Jiu Jitsu Prepares Kids for Life Article by Christina Thompson | Photography by Isabella Aldrete For many parents, enrolling a child in martial arts is about more than learning self-defense.  We sat down with Laci Douthitt, co-owner and instructor at Stoic Jiu Jitsu, to learn more about how martial arts help children develop confidence, perseverance, and body awareness—skills that extend far beyond the mats. Q: What ages can participate in youth Jiu Jitsu? A: Classes begin as early...

Health + Wellness

Protecting Your Best Friend

A Guide to Heatstroke in Dogs Article by Benjamin Fox, D.V.M. | Photography by Stacy Berg As the mercury rises, so do the risks for our canine companions. Unlike humans, who possess sweat glands across most of their bodies to facilitate cooling, dogs rely primarily on panting and a limited number of sweat glands in their paw pads to regulate their temperature. This physiological difference makes them exceptionally vulnerable to heatstroke, a life-threatening condition where the body’s core...

Life + Culture

Jude's Light Shines On

How One Family’s Faith, Loss, and Love Inspired a Mission of Hope Article by Mary Grace Calley | Photography by Iris Castro “Mommy, do we get to choose our age in Heaven?” “I’m not sure, sweetie. What age would you choose?” “I would choose to be 8 forever.” A few weeks later, my precious son, Jude, died in a tragic car accident. He was only 8 years old. Jude was full of life, joy, energy, and kindness. He loved baseball, adventures, and making people laugh, and he never missed an...

Health + Wellness

The Beauty of Parenthood

In the Midst of Fear, Exhaustion, and Poop, There is Love Article by Christy Jensen, M.D. | Photography by Kristen Hafner I distinctly remember bringing our first child home from the hospital. My husband and I carefully swaddled her, rocked her to sleep, and laid her between us on our bed. We stared at her for a long moment, then silently at each other.  I can still recall the panic rising in my chest, followed by the irrational thought: When are her actual parents coming to pick her up...

Home + Design

Built for Man’s Best Friend

HOSS Straps Redefines Dog Gear in the Hill Country Article by Vivian Gomez | Photography by Sola Sight Media, Mark Reed, Austin Koile Like many Dripping Springs locals, HOSS Straps founder Josh Landry considers himself a hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman, spending as much time as possible in the field and on the water.  When he grew frustrated with outdoor gear straps that failed and malfunctioned, he set out to create a better solution. Landry designed and developed HOSS Straps, a patented...

Home + Design

Designed for Real Life

Elevated Interiors That Stand Up to Kids and Pets Without Sacrificing Style Article by Alexa Crawford | Photography by Iris Castro and Kieran Reeves Photography Nineteenth-century British designer William Morris said it best, and it's a philosophy that has guided both my work and my own home for years: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” And better if it’s both!  At TIPLER Design, much of our work moves between resort-style residences...

Health + Wellness

The Kids and the Kitchen

Ten Tips for Raising Nutrition-Smart Kids Article by Kate Peters, R.D., L.D. Parents play a vital role in helping children develop healthy relationships with food, exercise, and their bodies. Here are 10 simple tips for raising a nutrition-smart kid. Don’t label foods as “good” or “bad” Instead of assigning moral value to food, focus on how nutritious foods help children do things they care about. Explain how protein and whole grains provide energy for sports, how breakfast improves focus...

Life + Culture

Lucky Ducks

In One Dripping Springs Neighborhood, Traffic Stops for Feathered Friends Article by Melissa Svoboda | Photography by Claire Mulkey In Dripping Springs, encountering wildlife isn’t unusual. Between the deer, skunks, raccoons, foxes, and armadillos, you’re bound to come across a critter or two on a regular basis. But drive through the Caliterra neighborhood, and you’ll want to watch for ducks. Around here, ducks aren’t just another animal; they’re friends that everybody knows by name. Or.....

Food + Beverage

When Store-Bought Granola Bars Betray You

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Bars That Actually Taste Good Article and Photography by Tim Laielli Granola bars are a staple in my house, and I’ve spent a fortune on name-brand bars. They’re not even good and I still buy them. Why is it so hard to find something with minimal ingredients that doesn’t taste like straight-up seeds and nuts? Eventually I accepted that the perfect granola bar probably wasn’t waiting for me on a shelf. If I wanted something delicious, filling, and made from...