I feel like I’ve entered a whole new realm of parenting. One where my most absolute moments of frustration become moments of self-reflection and my children become mirrors. I see myself. It is sometimes an ugly sight. It is becoming more and more apparent that the natural condition of the human spirit is not a [...]
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One of my friends replied to my last post on twitter with this statement. “It reminds me that there are only two things in life that matter, relationships, and I can’t remember the other one.” So. True. I have taken that to heart. And wanted to focus on this for just these brief few minutes. [...]
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Never would I have thought those words would come from my mouth. I’m the kind of girl who needs her kitchen cleaned before going to bed. If my kitchen is clean, my house feels cleaner. And when I wake up and make coffee at what feels like an ungodly hour – I NEED my kitchen [...]
Read moreYou apparently start to get a little deprived…
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This morning we had plans to go to the Family Christian Bookstore here in town to watch the new Veggie Tales movie. Prayse wanted to bring some money in case she wanted to buy something (100% chance this would happen). It was the perfect opportunity to talk with her and put into play some money [...]
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I have been bothered lately by how Prayse has been responding to me. It’s such a frustrating tone that can be whiny, is high-pitched, disrespectful and makes me see red. “IT’S THE PAAAAAARENTS JOB TO BRUSH TEETH AT NIGHT!!!!” After the five times I’ve asked that she just get started and I’ll come help her [...]
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I’ve been on a different journey than in the past. I’ve found myself a bit more bold with God and with what I ask. Both growing up and as an adult I have been very timid. Timid with my relationship with Him, almost holding him at arms length a bit because He was so big, [...]
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2.3.2013 Heading home! What a journey. I have learned a lot as I think back to what I saw, experienced and heard just by staying silent and listening. What sticks out in my mind is the truth of what a servant’s heart really is. Preparing for missions is so much more than packing and immunizations [...]
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2.1.2013 Today was full of ups and definite moments of tears as well. Angeline I saw twice at school today. She made me jewelry. So sweet. Lorens, I also got to see. His mama walked into town into the school and waited there to meet me. First of all, to me, that’s incredible. That she [...]
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1.29.13 Caleb asked me, or rather just mentioned to me that we should sit down and brainstorm a marketing plan for Hosean. Oh, if he only knew me better! My brain now will not shut off. I have all of these ideas and no clue if he’ll like any of them. I did talk w/ [...]
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1.27.2013 It was fun to have Caleb show me College de la Grace and a little bit of the Camp. To see what he has built over 20 years is amazing. He states things so matter of fact, because it all is fact – but never boastful. So much has been accomplished and so much [...]
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I’ve had a lot of people tell me since I got home that they were excited to hear all about my trip. My goodness, so much to tell. I wasn’t sure where to start. So I thought that perhaps a good starting point would be to share excerpts from the journal I kept. I didn’t [...]
Read moreThere are times, a moment, that must be captured and written down so that it is remembered for much longer than I can do on my own. I am so thankful and praise God for the daughter I’ve been given. Even through the rough moments right now as she is trying to establish independence and [...]
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In exactly one week I’ll be in the air on the first leg of my journey to Haiti. On my way to fulfilling something I have dreamed about since I was a little girl. I am sitting here this morning feeling so blessed, so excited, and so nervous to leave my family. It’s probably that [...]
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Praying Circles Around Your Children. I’ll admit I started this book quite awhile ago. But me being me, and needing to start at the beginning. It really bothered me that I hadn’t read Mark Batterson‘s first book (the semi prequel to this one), Circle Makers. So, I had to go buy that and read it [...]
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At our house there is never just one conversation happening. When someone has something to say it is like a green light for someone else to jump in with something on their mind. Does it happen at your house too? This is just a preview, and quite a mild one since I was keeping silent [...]
Read moreI woke up this morning a bit, not discontent with my life, but with the moment. With the fact that words aren’t coming as easily right now. With the fact that if I’m honest with myself either my ears aren’t as open as I want them to be, or I’m not as quiet as I [...]
Read moreI love my daughter. I know it’s kind of assumed, but I really really really love my daughter Prayse. She is a handful, she has more energy than six of me combined. I am often less patient than I should be and often more patient than I should be and I’m sure it is confusing [...]
Read moreI love this time of the year. Without a doubt this time right here, even while it’s cold and I hate being cold. These are my absolute favorite moments. I love our church’s series about Christmas, no matter what year it is it breaks it down for me the reality of why we are celebrating. [...]
Read moreI’m giving myself permission to be normal. I’m giving myself permission to be done. This weekend as I ran around upstairs getting pajamas, diapers, filling humidifiers, making sure blankets were back in cribs/beds to avoid meltdowns later in the evening, getting hair stuff all together to do twists and detangles as my family played and [...]
Read moreOkay I am so excited for this blog post for a couple of reasons. 1. I didn’t write it 2. My awesome brother-in-law did and I love to support him 3. It combines some of my favorite topics: my niece, Christmas, finances, teaching our kids to be servants and helping others, changing our family tree. [...]
Read moreSo I’ve been reading a new book (I know, what’s new right?). This book I first heard about quite awhile ago. Then about a month ago three friends, who are all over the country, who do not know each other, brought this book up in different conversations with me. I figured that was a pretty [...]
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This has been a wonderful and humbling experience. I’m sitting here tonight thinking about this morning and last night and just, not even sure where my thoughts will go. I almost screwed it all up. When I emailed my address to where the boxes of this beautiful, unique jewelry would go – I gave my [...]
Read moreThere are some moments in life where words can never enhance the moments captured on film. This was one of them.
Read moreThis is so stinkin cool. I am so serious. You know what I love about Haiti? The people. Their resilience. Their driving desire for their nation and people to become something great. You know what I hate about Haiti? The non-Haitians who feel throwing money as a handout solves a problem – with no long [...]
Read moreDo you see that right over there to the left? See the beautiful bowl and the interesting gourds. See it? Enjoy. It’s about as much creative fall decorating as you will see from me. I read this blog yesterday that a couple of friends had shared on Facebook. It was really good, very insightful, written [...]
Read moreEat your heart out Christina Aguilera, I have my very own superstar right here at home. Just kidding, Prayse would totally pick you as her coach, as she reminds me every time we watch The Voice either live or DVR’d over and over and over…. This. This is why I love being a Mom, because [...]
Read moreYesterday was one of those days that seemed to move in slow motion. Lost in thought I kept trying to pull it all together and accomplish something at work and it seemed just beyond my grasp. I had received a text from a very close and dear friend, asking if I had heard about a [...]
Read moreI need some help in the Mom arena. I am finding myself more and more convicted by the way I speak to Prayse. We’re in this stage where she is fiercely independent (even more than she was before which I didn’t even know was possible). And in this, it’s like she doesn’t even hear me. [...]
Read moreToday was a memorable day. Way too funny to me and a great life lesson not to share b/c it’s really what life is all about right? Maybe, maybe not. Sometimes stuff is just funny. Sometimes it’s funny and embarrassing. And sometimes there are subtle (or not so subtle reminders) that while there may be [...]
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I feel like I've entered a whole new realm of parenting. One where my most absol…
One of my friends replied to my last post on twitter with this statement. "It re…
Never would I have thought those words would come from my mouth. I'm the kind of…
You apparently start to get a little deprived...
I have been bothered lately by how Prayse has been responding to me. It's such a…
I've been on a different journey than in the past. I've found myself a bit more …
2.3.2013 Heading home! What a journey. I have learned a lot as I think back t…
2.1.2013 Today was full of ups and definite moments of tears as well. Angelin…
1.29.13 Caleb asked me, or rather just mentioned to me that we should sit dow…
1.27.2013 It was fun to have Caleb show me College de la Grace and a little b…
I've had a lot of people tell me since I got home that they were excited to hear…
Praying Circles Around Your Children. I'll admit I started this book quite awhil…
At our house there is never just one conversation happening. When someone has so…
I woke up this morning a bit, not discontent with my life, but with the moment. …
I love my daughter. I know it's kind of assumed, but I really really really love…
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