Being a brave mama means stepping into the hard things. It finally happened. The thing I feared from the very first day I became a mom - something went wrong while I was in the shower. I clearly remember the day, fifteen years earlier, when I had a new baby on my hip and a younger woman with a growing belly of her own, asked me point blank, “What do you do with the baby when you need to take a shower?” It’s a little funny now, because we all seem to figure these things out. But still, this ... continue reading...
When God Calls You Out of Your Comfort Zone
We like our comfort. It's just a fact. How can we trust God enough to step out of that comfort zone when He calls us to? It started off as a regular trip to the post office. It had become part of our weekly routine. After a visit to the chiropractor, I made sure to check the PO Box. I ran in the side door, grabbed our package, and headed back to the van. But something caught my eye as I closed the van door. I saw him when we pulled into the parking lot. Honestly, I paid him very little ... continue reading...
For All Who Are Worn Out with The COVID Thing
What do you do when you're just worn out from COVID and how it's complicated life? Yesterday Governor Bullock broke my heart. We’ve been moving toward greater freedom here in Montana, as far as things opening and everyone enjoying fairly normal life again. Then Montana got some new cases of the virus and he issued a “masks everywhere” mandate. Boo. I went to the chiropractor yesterday and had to put on a mask, and it made me feel discouraged and a little hopeless and a lot ... continue reading...
How to Restore Your Soul When You Feel Like You’re Losing Your Mind
To this day, I don’t know just how it happened. She was the most adorable baby girl you’ve ever seen, and I was beside myself with gratefulness for her. First, there was her big brother who was very busy and all of 18 months old. Then there was this tiny pink thing. My very own sweetheart. She was beautiful alright, but not the greatest sleeper. She wanted to nurse all night long, and it took some of the fun out of it if you know what I mean? So I’d been doing this all-night ... continue reading...
Homemaking 101: Twelve Daily Disciplines For The Beginning Homemaker
This is for all the women out there who are just starting out as a beginning homemaker and needing practical help with a cleaning routine. Maybe you’re soon to be married or newly married, or maybe you’re single, and you’ve just paid your first mortgage payment. Will you take some advice from someone who has taken a quarter of a century to figure out a solid daily routine? I say “figure out” loosely, but I’m feeling just confident enough to turn around and say, “Hey girls, ... continue reading...
How to Rekindle Romance When Your Marriage Is in a Rough Season
Wish you could rekindle the romance in your marriage? There is hope! She wasn't sure how it even happened. It's not what either of them had ever intended. There was a time when she felt close to him, but now . . . somehow . . . they seemed so far away from each other. I suppose they could blame it on the kids. I mean, it's a lot of time and work to raise children. Maybe it was her health issues and all that she'd gone through as of late. Or maybe it was his job. It seemed to ... continue reading...
Are You Done With the “New Normal”? Here’s Help!
Our “new” normal isn’t new anymore. It keeps changing and it’s getting very old. Parents are exhausted. Especially if you are cooped up with toddlers. Teenagers are just mad and can make a parent feel like it’s “their fault.” Graduation ceremonies are canceled, wedding receptions postponed, camps halted. Some can’t see extended family, some are sick. Some have lost jobs. And some are trying to work from home with kids interrupting throughout the day. We are tired of each other. Cranky. And we ... continue reading...
5 Books to Read Before You Adopt
Do you feel called to adopt? There are some wonderful resources to help answer your questions and help you navigate this new terrain. Hello, friend! If you opened this post it’s possible you’re thinking about adoption. Perhaps you’re praying about it? Maybe in the process? Maybe just curious? Whichever way, I’m so excited to share with you. Adoption is incredibly close to my heart. It is through adoption a lot of my extended family has been built and it is adoption that ... continue reading...
What You Need to Know – and Bring – If You’re Camping with Kids {& Free Printable Checklist}
Camping with kids requires a little planning ahead, but it can be oh so fun! I know. You're a little surprised. Because you're having trouble imagining why I - of all people! - would be writing about camping with kids. As I don't exactly have the reputation of being a happy camper. And it's true. I'm not very enthusiastic about camping. Of course, I have good reasons for this. Here, I'll list a few of them for you. I don't like dirt. I like to sleep in a soft, cozy bed ... continue reading...
How to Get Rid of the Root of Bitterness
I never would've guessed it could happen. Not only did I consider her a good friend, but she was a sister in Christ. So when I learned what she'd said? What she'd done? The shock was staggering, and the wound went deep. And I doubted I could ever recover. I cried over it for several days. Okay, make that several weeks. Then eventually, as the tears came less readily, I began to think about what had actually occurred. I just couldn't help wondering why and how? It was an honest ... continue reading...
Helping Young People Navigate the New Future
With the uncertainty of a new future on the horizon, how can we help our young people navigate what lies ahead? She started tearing up, as she shared the pain of trying to help her daughter decide whether to return to college this fall or take a gap year. Her girl had been thriving in a city school on the west coast until the world shut down and college became a wilting online experience back in her parents’ home in Montana. What if Covid-19 flares and college turns into remote learning ... continue reading...
7 Things to Prepare A Son to be a Wonderful Husband
I was minding my own business. Sitting happily on the front porch swing with my thoughts pleasantly lost in a good book. When a small missile flew out of nowhere. A small parcel came hurling toward me and plopped down into my lap. Curious, I gently picked it up, and with two fingers, opened it slowly. The contents were somewhat surprising. A handful of brightly-colored M&M's - mostly chipped and melted - but M&M's all the same. Then I saw his sweet face popping up from ... continue reading...