How can we cultivate sibling friendships in our children as they begin learning about conflicting desires?“You—–!! ” Jeff screamed at his brother. Taking her son aside, Jeff’s mom, said,“Son you know those words aren’t allowed, You will have to go to your room.““But Will made me say it," wailed the furious child. "And you’re punishing me, not Will and it’s all his fault. Why aren’t you punishing him?”“Nobody makes you talk like that. You are responsible for what comes out ... continue reading...
15 Christian Wedding Gift Ideas That Will Delight The New Couple
Being the hopeless romantic that I am, I love finding a wedding gift for the new couple that is special and meaningful. Not that there's anything wrong with picking something out from their registry....it's just that sometimes I want to give something more than a basic set of bath towels, if you know what I mean?Something beautiful. Something thoughtful. Something inspirational.But those kinds of gifts are harder to find in my experience. So with that in mind, I've done some intentional ... continue reading...
How to Find Hope in Changing Seasons
At the helm of a new season, I find myself giddy with new hope. The activities change. The pace, schedule and climate change. I’m hungry for new structure, a little less chaos and the weight of that anticipation hangs heavy on the calendar boxes ahead. Seasons In fall I feel desperate for routine, at the New Year I’m eager to pin down goals and vision, in spring I want life in dead places and in summer, I beg for reprieve.Yet the deeper I get into this, the more years I spend with growing ... continue reading...
3 Ways to Live Simpler
There is something powerful in me that wants to hang onto the memories of my husband and I pinching pennies, taking turns with the one car we owned, and trying to pay all the bills.Maybe it's because part of me wants to remember how far we've come since then, not take things for granted today, maintain that attitude of gratitude. Maybe it's because I want to remember how challenging things were so we don't make the same mistakes again (always a real possibility!). Or maybe it's because our ... continue reading...
Loving a Child Who’s Not Your Own
I was a nervous wreck.Unsure about the choice that was in front of me.As a single mom, you don't get to make important decisions on a whim. You have to think about what's best for you. And then you have to think again -- one more time for each of your children.I so desperately wanted to get it right. The last time I had this choice to make, I got it wrong and my poor children paid a heavy price. At the same time, I didn't want to miss out on something wonderful simply because I was ... continue reading...
Would It Be Easier To Serve God If I Had Less Stuff?
Last week my son and I flew to Colorado for his hand surgery.Instead of staying in a hotel, we decided to try an Airbnb. It was our first time.After we arrived, I sat on the couch and read the guest binder. The owner stated that she lived in the house whenever it wasn’t rented out to travelers.But...Every closet was empty.The refrigerator was empty.All the surfaces were clear and clutter free.Besides the pantry having food in it, there wasn't much evidence that ... continue reading...
10 Truths I Speak to Myself as a Mom of a Toddler and Baby
Last fall, we welcomed my second daughter to our family. Those first few weeks were a beautiful blend of exhaustion and baby cuddles. Since my daughters are almost exactly two years apart, watching their close relationship has been a joy.But.As anyone with small children knows, this season has challenges. My second recently started solids, sprouted two teeth (and is growing a few more, judging by sleep patterns), and is sitting up. My toddler and I are in the throes of potty training. ... continue reading...
Five Ways to Agonize Well for Your People
I could have let it slide, when he casually walked by and did something mean to his classmate, but I’ve been praying for my students by name all year and have been trying to influence each one to grow in character. So this seemingly small act was a big deal to me.At 4:00 the next morning, the question of what to do woke me up. I agonized. Prayed. Let tears drop for the soul of this student. It was a morning when I was tired and had a lot to do, but accomplishing chores were put on hold while ... continue reading...
How to Get Past That I-Really-Messed-Up Feeling
I honestly don't know how it happened.I look back now and wonder how I could have even missed it.But I did miss it. And it was a terrible, awful mistake.The issue didn't come to light until my daughter was about 16. I'll spare you the details, but the conversation ended with her saying straight out: "Mom, you weren't there when I needed you. I was only 13, a young girl, and I needed my mom. And you weren't there."I thought I was going to throw up.How could I have "not been ... continue reading...
How Fleas Helped Me Look More Intently at God
When is the last time you looked intently at God? What could that look like and how might it change you?We brought our dog home after being away for the weekend. She usually stays with Grandpa and Grandma but they were out of town this time so our dog stayed with some friends. The day after we brought her home we noticed that she was scratching a lot; more than normal. Sometimes, baring her teeth and biting herself frantically. Could she have fleas? We started looking closer. We looked ... continue reading...
9 Clean Fiction Reads for Teen Girls
We've compiled a list of wonderful, clean fiction reading for your teen girls.As a teen, I read two or three books a week. I could not get enough of traveling through time to places I’d never been, settings I’d never seen, having adventures and meeting characters so like me and yet so different. I learned a lot about being a woman, about being a Christ-follower, about being human within the pages of those books I devoured. Do you have a teen girl in your life who is also a voracious ... continue reading...
There Has to Be a Young Man Somewhere Praying for a Girl Like Me
You are just like your grandma.I can’t tell you how many times he has chuckled that phrase to me in person and over the phone for the last 21 years and I never get tired of hearing it.If I’m just like grandma? That means he knows just how to handle me and my fiery temper and he understands me in a way that few people do.He is my grandpa and my hero, and I've had the privilege of listening to his wisdom all my life.He and dad taught me how to fish and hunt and cook over an open ... continue reading...
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