Sometimes being the mom you want to be comes down to saying yes even when it is hard. It's saying yes when all you really want to do is say no, but you are able to look beyond the reasons and give in anyway. It's 50 degrees outside with not a stitch of sunlight as far as the eye can see. It's warmer than it's been the past 3 months, no doubt. But it's certainly not bathing ...
from the heart
Dear Dad…What Your Daughter Needs To Hear From You
As a mom to two daughters, I've learned that what a daughter needs from her dad is ever evolving. But in some ways, it never really changes. The basics always stay the same. If my girls could pen a letter to their dad in a few years, I am certain it would read something like this: Dear Dad, It's me, your daughter. The same little girl you snuggled up to so ...
When Jealousy Knocks…
Jealousy in parenthood is hard. So many things to compare...so many people to do it with. Can we ever find happiness? My friends, jealousy is a really hard thing. It's hard to deal with, hard to admit you feel it, hard to try and get over. It's just hard. It shows up when you least expect it with the people you would like to think ...
The Empty Seat At The Dinner Table
The empty seat at the table...the reminder that someone who usually is here, isn't. The sting of missing your brother, your sister, your mom, your dad. That ache is all too real for families past and present who have members serving in our nation's military... Wednesday Nights My daughter, Hannah, participates in a Wednesday night youth program at our church. Every ...
Halloween Traditions For Young Children
In our home, we use these 5 Halloween traditions for young children to light up the faces of my 3 and 6 year old each year. They aren't elaborate or expensive but in the eyes of a young child, they are all magical. Growing up, despite most of those years being at or below the poverty level, my mom always put a special emphasis on each holiday and making it feel ...
Parenting the Brave Child
I kept asking her why she wasn't smiling, why she wasn't excited but I had forgotten...for a moment I forgot that I was parenting the brave child. The answers aren't on the surface...it's never that straightforward. Our children are each so beautiful and unique in their own ways. The color of their hair, their temperament, their likes, their dislikes...each and everyone is different and ...
When Kindergarten Feels Like The Beginning Of The End
Despite all the promises that sending her to school would get easier, that I would love all the free time, for me all I could think was "when Kindergarten feels like the beginning of the end." One year under our belt and the twinge of sadness remains... This was it. This was really it. I mean, I had known this day was coming for over 5 years now. So many moments I had thought I couldn't ...
Easy Way To Strengthen Your Marriage
I attended a couple’s marriage event at our church a couple weeks ago and came away with an easy way to strengthen your marriage! It was so simple I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of it before! For those that have been together or married for awhile, we know it’s easy to fall into a rut with your husband. Being married is an amazing journey to take with that person you love ...
To The Veteran Who Has Been Forever Changed…
Dear Dad, I want to say thank you to the veteran I barely know. I mean, I KNOW you and the man you are. I know how you met my mom in church, how you loved her probably from the time you first saw her. I know about your family - your sisters and parents. I know about your wedding day and your marriage. I know about how you have always been there for me. How ...
Why Parents Really Have More Than One Child
The decision to have another baby is one that all parents face and the reasons are as varied as the colors in the rainbow. "to complete our family" "trying for a boy/girl" "always wanted a big family" and on and on. But I believe that there is an undercurrent to these reasons that influences many parents, whether or not they acknowledge it. I saw a cute little meme going around ...
