So, I sent my baby to full-time big school this week for the first time. For the first time in thirteen years, I am home without a little person. For the first time in thirteen years, I do not have to be at home during nap time. It is weird. I tried to spend some…
Tag: Motherhood
My Notes for Talking to My Kids
Watching the Olympics with my family this past weekend, you can’t escape it. Athlete after athlete after athlete has overcome some amazing challenge or hurdle or disability or life-change to train and prepare for being an Olympian. The have a goal, they make a plan, they pursue it with diligence, and then they revel in…
What I Do When I Don’t Like Change
The last week of school was a dizzying whirlwind as our family had field trips, field days, dance parties, hang out parties, water parties, teacher farewells, school farewells, band concerts, thank you gifts to give, birthday gifts to give, meals to deliver, and I’m sure I’m still forgetting something. The coming of summer is a…
Jesus and His Mama: I laugh, I melt, I kneel
I don’t think too much about what kind of a son Jesus was to Mary. We hear a lot about how Jesus is the Father’s Son, how he came to be about his Father’s business, how he was sure of his identity as God-made-flesh. But I think it’s important to also remember that he was…
Moms, Mentors, and Blueberry Pie
I recently delivered a meal to a dear friend who is currently fostering a two-week-old baby. Holding said baby in my arms made me remember my own baby days, and the women in my church who delivered meals to me when I was a young mama. I’m still not a cook like they are—chicken piccata…
Lent, Love, and Preschool
My youngest came home from preschool yesterday with a story. His class was making craft hearts with tissue paper, and he was running out of supplies. His friend across the table said, “Here’s some of my paper!” and freely gave it away. During the retelling, my son said thoughtfully, “I didn’t even ask for it,…
Reflections on Bravery and Turtles
My daughter entered an art competition last year where she had to explore the concept of imagination. She chose to dance to a song about bravery because she felt if someone wants to soar away with their imagination, it takes guts. I agree. Many people try to muster the courage for new beginnings or try…
Muppets, Motherhood, and God’s Best Ways
My kids don’t watch a lot of television—practically none during school weeks, and rarely ever at night. But the other night, I sat down with my kids to watch the first episode of a new show about the Muppets. I told them that I hadn’t previewed it, so we were going to watch it together…
My House is Super Quiet Now
For twelve years, I have had a baby or a toddler in tow with me all the day long. My youngest started preschool this year, and now I have nine hours a week to myself. Many mothers would jump and cheer about this, but as having a child on my hip is truly my sweet…
A Teacher Prayer
My seven-year-old said a convicting thing to me yesterday. “Whenever I am at school and I get nervous about anything, I just pray. And Jesus helps me. I pray all the time at school.” I smiled and encouraged and swelled in my heart with love for God who has made Himself so very real to…
Open Letter to Parents of College Freshmen
(from the wife of a residence life professional) A new world of parents shall send their children to college for the first time in a few short days. Right now, they are checking lists of what to bring to the residence halls, scoping out their children’s future roommates, and probably stressing out a little bit….
The Heart of Art
I was the little girl who got a bloody nose during her first dance recital, slipping in her tap shoes. My daughters, who are much more talented than I was, recently participated in their annual dance recital, an end to which they’ve worked the entire year. The taps, the kicks, the twirls…our house is full…
A Picture of What 