We were in Galveston again this weekend to do some work on the beach house, to relax, and to eat donuts. Galveston is home to the best donuts at a little shop called Home Cut Donuts. That link is to the glowing reviews on Yelp. Home Cut donuts is a no-frill, locals’ spot that will probably...Continue Reading
The end of this story is that Sam did, in fact, turn around before the escalator reached the bottom. He did not fall over those people or crack his head open on that tile floor. His habit of riding escalators backwards is just another nerve-racking adventure of parenting young kids. While he’s doing this, and...Continue Reading
This morning I gave chapel at the kids’ school. Let me tell you, kids are a tough crowd. Groups of grown-ups have sort-of made up their minds about me as a speaker before I even start. Some people in the audience are rooting for me. There’s also those in the group who are distracted or just...Continue Reading
It’s only Monday morning, and this week is already wearing. me. out. For real, y’all. All the volunteer commitments and kid nurturing, wifing, housekeeping, writing, speaking, email-answering and befriending have clustered up into BIG DEADLINES this week. I’m not complaining, but as I look at this week, I’m seriously wondering… Who will do all that...Continue Reading
Texas schools were closed again yesterday for a Snow Day. If you’re imaging a scene like this picture, or like The Long Winter, remember this was a Texas snow day. The weather hovered around 32 most of the day and about six snowflakes fell. Forecasters over-predicted a winter storm for the second time in a...Continue Reading
5. It’s National Lutheran Schools Week! For one week a year, Lutheran School kids get to ditch their uniforms for to dress up like their Favorite Storybook Character and like a hippie from the ’60s. The really good news about this? If your kid goes to a Lutheran School, they probably wear a uniform the...Continue Reading
Last weekend, our family was walking down Seawall Boulevard in Galveston, looking like we had just stepped out of that website, Stuff White People Like. Mike and the kids were outfitted in outdoor performance clothes and New Balance shoes, while I wore some heavy-duty Yoga wear. We were staying at our house by the water. Our daughters...Continue Reading
For the past couple years, ever since Chronic Fatigue flattened my life into a pattern of sleeping and more sleeping, I’ve tried to eat healthier. To understand what that means, I’ve read a bunch of books about where our food comes from, about the typical American diet, and about how to prevent cancer, autoimmune diseases,...Continue Reading
If you have ever worked at a ministry that can’t make payroll, you know the disastrous effect this has on employee morale. One week without compensation and employees start complaining. Their work becomes sluggish and negativity rules your workspace. Without a paycheck, employees feel unappreciated and unmotivated. This is exactly how volunteers feel when no...Continue Reading
The kids’ school has a Talent Show every year at the end of January. The four Hergenraders perform a “show” (using this term very loosely here) just about every night in the living room, so the promise of an actual stage and an audience not related to them sounded like the very best way to...Continue Reading
