Back when I worked as a waitress, the hostess would sometimes seat four tables, one right after another. When this happened, you would have to flag down another server and say, “My hair is on fire” to let them know you needed help. My hair has been on fire the past few months. I’ve had a book deadline, and the stories...Continue Reading
On Ash Wednesday I made the spontaneous decision to write a blog post every day for 40 days during Lent. At the time this seemed like a brilliant idea. After a busy season of writing Bible study curriculum, blogging every day seemed like just the creative antidote I needed. Also, I was out of the habit...Continue Reading
I’m not sure how this happened, but we’ve become the last-minute project family. I’m not proud to admit we are the people who do science fair projects in one weekend, book reports the night before they’re due, and decorate family turkeys an hour before bedtime. These are not good habits to start so early in our kids’ academic...Continue Reading
Notice anything? I mean besides cutie-pie Lanie Ward reading Elisabeth a book. Maybe you also notice Nate photo-bombing in the background. And the snazzy-dressed City Centre crowd strolling past to their fancy lunch. Maybe if you looked longer and harder, you’d also see the Ward and Hergenrader girls are really sitting on AstroTurf, not actual grass....Continue Reading
This has been one of those weird weeks where everyone in our family is dancing to their own rhythm. The kids had President’s Day off of school, and then Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were big work days for Mike and me. As a creshendo to our weird week, the kids only had a half of a day of...Continue Reading
Last week I was at the Storyline Conference, which is pretty much the happiest place on Earth for creative people. Experiencing Storyline was the same thrill as watching our kids experience Disney for the first time. Welcome to Disneyland, kids. Dance with the bubbles streaming out of the streetlights. Scream on your favorite rollercoasters. Laugh hard...Continue Reading
After twelve years of trying to figure out what it means to be a successful Writer, I’m finally learning a bit. I’m starting to realize that playing the role of Writer is ego-feeding, control-freak work. It’s not writing, and real writing is what gives me the healing I desperately need. When I’m scared, I try to...Continue Reading
The kids and I handed out thousands of water cups at a triathlon Mike competed in this summer. Even though our family had a great day helping those thirsty runners, I can see the metaphor in this picture. It shows a lesson God is teaching me more and more every day. Here’s what I’m learning:...Continue Reading
A yucky stomach bug found its way into the intestines of our kids this week. Like a knee-locked junior high choir, they toppled off the proverbial risers of life one at a time. Each kid went from enthusiastic student to curled in bed, clutching his/her tummy. They each stayed home to watch movies with the...Continue Reading
Last month we visited Austin, Live Music Capital of the World. Mike and went out for a quintessential Lake Travis night, complete with a fantastic steak dinner and local live music. Because this is Austin, the guy performing was very, very good. Watching the sunset overlooking Lake Travis, eating spicy TexMex and listening to a...Continue Reading
