A new year. What’s a task-oriented, planner-toting, stressed-out-mom-of-three, wanna-be-writer to do? There’s a part of me that longs to open a spreadsheet and plan the next twelve months. There’s another part of me that knows just how long that spreadsheet will hold up under the steady stream of daily life. So this year, I’m trying… [ read more ]

I used to love this time of year. Before I grew up. Before I discovered that buying Christmas presents on a budget is hard work. Before I longed to be in two places at once. Before I spent hours cleaning, preparing, shopping, wrapping. Before I realized that all those decorations would have to be taken… [ read more ]

We spent all of October focused on renewing our minds . Then we’ve spent the past several weeks considering thankfulness. Have you noticed how crucial a thankful heart is to renewing your mind? I have. I’m living it. Right now. I’m having the kind of day that has, on occasion, turned me into a grouchy, short-tempered mama. And… [ read more ]

I wasn’t expecting a God-moment as I drove to get my hair cut last week. The kids were in the back of the van, and for once, I wasn’t running late. It was just a normal day. I was doing normal things. And then it happened. But I almost missed it. The splash of color… [ read more ]

 I love my Tervis tumbler.  It happened so fast, all I could do was pick up the pieces. Literally. You wouldn’t think an 8-month-old had hands that move at the speed of light. But mine does. I walked by the counter, and before I could say, gasp, yell “NO!” he had grabbed the… [ read more ]

Image by TheCulinaryGeek via Flickr Most mornings I need a jolt (or two or three) of caffeine to keep me on my feet. So the other day, I fixed myself a cup of coffee, poured in a generous portion of french vanilla creamer and ran out the door. As I pulled out of my driveway, I… [ read more ]

I hate carpet for one reason. You can’t clean it. You can get most of the spots out. But they’ll come back. Because they weren’t ever really gone. And that’s why I love the hardwood floors in my new house. Love them. Herds of small children can run around carrying cups of purple grape juice… [ read more ]

Deuteronomy 33:25 ~ Your bars shall be iron and bronze, and as your days, so shall your strength be. (ESV) Right now, I don’t feel like my bars are iron or bronze.   I feel like a half-way decent puff of wind could knock me over.   There is nothing sturdy about me.   I’m… [ read more ]

I miss sleep. Oh, how I miss it. I miss going to bed and having every expectation that I will not be disturbed until my alarm blares. Or the neighbor’s rooster gets cranked up. Whichever comes first. I miss waking up refreshed. These days, when I wake up—never of my own accord—every cell in my… [ read more ]

Image by ant.photos via FlickrAs I ran a few errands last week, a car pulled out in front of me. He could have waited, but it wasn’t close enough to warrant laying down on the horn, so I let it go. (As if I could do anything about it in the first place). But then things got… [ read more ]