When motherhood and I were just getting acquainted, I thought I could approach her like taking a test. If I prepared well and made few mistakes, I could ace this thing and therefore send my children into the wild blue yonder with nary a carry-on size bit of baggage. I assumed good parenting would fit nicely within my hard work ethic and efforts, ...
If you see a small creature scampering in the woods or along a path during winter, you can bet the little guy has weighed the pros and cons of being seen. In my own corner of the Colorado pines, I don’t often see chipmunks this time of year. Painted black stripe across his back, the chipmunk leans towards sleeping more to conserve energy so his ...
The other day, I told David if parenting is a marathon, then we’re at the twenty-third-ish mile, and sometimes I want to fall out, put my feet up, and chug a tall sweet tea. Parenting kids of any age is exhausting business, but what exhausts shifts and changes. For nineteen years, I’ve bent and moved through many different stages, often unsure of ...
As I readied myself for church on Sunday, I pulled a new pair of jeans from the closet — wide-legged jeans with a super high waist. They're on trend, people, and I am here for them in every way. As I zipped up this blessed piece of clothing all the way north of my belly button, I thought, Where have you been the last twenty years? They button up my ...
I invite a few close friends over for a grown-up tea party, and before they arrive, I rhythmically move around the table arranging cucumber sandwiches, lemon bars, scones, and cream. I set out my beloved Noritake gold rimmed plates, teacups and saucers — our wedding china. I smile remembering all the times I’ve used this china, and I think again ...
I swivel in my office chair, wrap my hands around my chai latte, and think to myself, "Now, if I could only wrap my head around this writing project due soon . . ." I move up to my desk and tap tap tap a couple sentences on my trusty laptop, then look up to stare outside the window. Tap, tap, tap, prop my chin up with my hand, and look outside ...
It was one of those moments when bad news shocked me to my core, and I had no clear course of action except to fall down on the well-worn carpet next to my bed, sob my eyes out in my white cotton comforter, and pray the only word that came to mind: help. Over the years, the Lord and I have met at that bedroom spot too many times to count. We met ...
The sidewalk around the fancy hotel bends and curves like a ribbon, and I cover every inch of it in search of something. This hotel offers a picturesque view, and I like to take it in while writing or simply walking around the grounds. But what I'd like to take in are stairs I've seen there before, uniquely-designed stairs adorned with ...
Not long ago, my husband's best friend retired from the United States Air Force, and I cried my eyes out during the ceremony. I can't even explain why I cried exactly. Partly because his words to his family were so warm and appreciative, but even more than that, I couldn't help but sense the winds of change in the air. Change and I have had a ...
As the sun slides behind the front range mountains of our Colorado town, my family of five slides into our seats for a late dinner at home. Over tasty Change Your Life Chicken, Ethan asks me to retell a story from his when-he-was-little years. I set my fork down, run my paper napkin across my mouth before placing it next to my dinner ...
