For our family, the end of February has always meant Galveston Mardi Gras. Every one of us laissez les bons temps in a different way: I love huge parades with high-stepping marching bands, Mike likes the beer and soul food, we all enjoy seeing old friends and the eclectic crowds. Nate and Sam come for the...Continue Reading
At twenty-two, I was a fresh-faced college graduate, thrilled to be headed to Houston for my first teaching job. I had seen Dangerous Minds and Dead Poet’s Society, so I knew teaching would be hard. Thanks to these movies, I fully expected to introduce my inner-city/poor rich kids to the importance of literature. Shortly after that,...Continue Reading
As near as I can tell, women fit into two categories when it comes to our homes. The first group is those of us who have little kids and are still dedicating most of our time to physically nurturing them. Yes, we know the pictures on our walls are horribly outdated, we realize the fake...Continue Reading
This weekend Elisabeth finally learned to ride a bike. She mastered this skill a full two years after Sam–not that anyone around here is keeping track. (This is a joke. Twins are always keeping track. Elisabeth didn’t notice Sam zooming around on two wheels like Sam doesn’t notice Elisabeth is a full inch taller than she...Continue Reading
For all the cooks who nourish their families, who make three meals a day, who buy all the groceries, who do the sinkfuls of dishes, who freeze and reserve the leftovers, who think about what to make for breakfast while drifting to sleep…this is for you. For the cooks who cook eggs benedict for their...Continue Reading
Am I the only mom who dreads the bedtime routine? Who is WORN OUT from the bedtime routine? This is the time of day when I “forget” to read stories, when sleepy kids cry during prayers, and everyone moves in SLOWWWWMOTIONNNN. Why? Because we are all tired. The day’s wardrobe malfunctions, spilled yogurt drinks, fights...Continue Reading
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
