I’d done it again: said the words I shouldn’t have said. Critiqued when I should have encouraged. And the person I love more than anyone else felt the brunt of my barbs. Why is it that the people we care the most for often receive the ugliest, unrestrained aspects of us? Sometimes I need to […]
What Really Scares You?
Our family launched a new practice this year: we now have enough Nerf guns to have a battle. Turning nearly all the lights out and taking teams, we establish ourselves on opposite ends of the house and slowly make our way toward one another. Three shots and you are out of the game. The kids […]
Weekend Exhale: Videos of Life Inspiration
You never know what obstacles someone overcame to get where they are today. If you have an engineering mind, think of the endless possibilities. What are you using your platform for? What do you practice? Whatever your habits are–even negative ones–you will become good at (complaining, ranting, etc.). I’ve always […]
What Lent Means to Me: Not Just One More Thing
Raised in Southern Baptist churches, I never practiced Lent growing up. Why, I’m not exactly sure; perhaps we thought it was too “Catholic”–whatever that means. In college and beyond, I attended Ash Wednesday services and demystified the liturgy and practice of the Lenten season. I found deep intimacy and awe in humbly remembering that I […]
The Legal U-Turn: You Haven’t Gone too Far
Sometimes I reflect back on my early college days when I explored my boundaries a little too carelessly. Forgetting that choices always have consequences, I allowed myself to go down paths I knew were dead-ends…just to see what the journey might look like. Thankfully, my choices didn’t take me all the way to the edge. […]
I Think I’ve Become THAT Person
The other day I was conversing with someone–the who isn’t really important because this issue carries across multiple relationships. Although we bounced around vital ideas and problems within culture, religion, relationships, and parenting, etc., our discourse was plagued with bleak analysis and critical dismay (over people and situations). And I got to thinking, what good […]
Do You Need a Substitute Teacher?
Homeschool mommas need a break too, but ironically, we are often the last to get it. Aside from helpful grandparents who bail us out, we don’t get out-of-jail cards very often. No paid holidays, no snow days, no long weekends. Even co-ops and sports often require our help or presence. Homeschool moms are […]
When You Feel Like a Robot: Regaining Humanity Through Creativity
I grew up creating: writing stories, painting, and even tinkering around on the piano. Some people–my husband included–would claim a void of creative bones, but I disagree. Since we are made in the image of Almighty God, the Supreme Creator, we have the mirrored desires to create. And we shine His nature in us when […]
Comparison Kills
Although I appreciate the style, you’ll hardly ever see me wear my hair in a ponytail. Why? These little guys. My ears. In high school, my other insecurity was my height. I hit 5’9” at the age of 13 and my best friend peaked at 5’ 2”, so you can imagine the contrast. Not only […]
Dads, You ARE Appreciated
Bouncing around social media you’ll find all these blogs, videos, and memes encouraging moms, “You are doing great! Give yourself grace. Keep doing the hard stuff. You are amazing.” Etc. Etc. And then we dismiss or ignore the dads. Or worse yet, we applaud the moms and then beat fathers over the head, “You aren’t […]