For Easter break, our family travelled to California to hike at Yosemite and see old friends. I want to tell you all about Yosemite and its breathtaking views, but that’s another post. First I have to write about how hard it is to return from a family trip. It’s been two weeks, and our family...Continue Reading
The weather is warmer here, and the sunshine seems to have robbed our kids of their hearing ability. Yesterday I asked Catie to put her shoes away about 17 times. I’m not normally a yeller, but I’m starting to see the gratification. MAYBE YOU CAN HEAR THIS?! I’m sure the kids’ teachers are also struggling with the...Continue Reading
Of our four kids, only one was potty-trained by three. Only one learned to write his name in one sitting. Only one can make it through a day of Preschool with no tears, no separation anxiety, and no meltdowns about his shirt tag itching. Nate is an easy child, a pleaser who has the tenacity, IQ, and...Continue Reading
If you have three days in Galveston, you are in for such a treat. Here’s what to do, see, and eat while visiting Galveston. Come along and experience the very best our little island has to offer…. Day One–A Day at the Beach If you want a quiet beach, head west. Take 61st Street to the Seawall Blvd...Continue Reading
1. Go to church for yourself. You need the quiet space, the Sabbath, the communion. You need to know everything will be okay if you turn off your phone, your Instagram, and your to-do list. Better actually. Listen closely to the ancient Word, the new songs, and the liturgy you’ve heard seven thousand times. You need...Continue Reading
We were ten minutes into the twins’ first basketball game when the mom next to me told me Elisabeth’s shoes were on the wrong feet. This woman was sitting with her toddler daughter, whose shoes were not only on the right feet, but the exact shade of pink as her Ralph Lauren dress. Her daughter could have been an actual Ralph Lauren model....Continue Reading
When Catie took this picture of Mike and me, I thought it would turn out pretty good. We felt strong, outdoorsy, and happy and I assumed we looked that way too. Later when I uploaded the picture, I saw we actually looked tired, old, and spacey. Isn’t this true for life, too? Especially in parenting. I’m doing...Continue Reading
Our Cocker Spaniel, Madison, turns 16 this year. Even though she has no major health issues, she’s at the upper end of life expectancy, and our vet has started to prepare us for the inevitable. She has lost a few pounds since her last check-up, her fur is slowly falling out, her eyes have cataracts, she can’t hear, her nose...Continue Reading
If life is divided into trimesters, I am smack-dab in the middle of the second one, the Parenting Years. The First Trimester was about growing up, finding what I’m good and not so good at, building relationships, and falling in love with my husband. The First Trimester was a selfish one, doing more of what felt good...Continue Reading
This has been the week of decisions, crossroads and overanalyzing the heck out of everything. For real. This week I earned a blackbelt in obsessive thinking. Most of the obsessing had to do with my career. I’ve been working on a book for two years, and this week I finally found a home for it. But I wasn’t...Continue Reading
