Recently, we had some friends over for dinner. They came with their clan that mixed with our clan and a glorious time was had by all…until one of the boys decided to send a chair down the stairs with our little angel on it. She survived without being battered or bruised, and his parents took him to task for his …
What I Didn’t Know by Rhonda Shrock
I always knew I wanted to be a mother. As a girl, I played house with my dollies, shushing them when they cried and kissing their plastic heads. Looking back at that girl, I realize now that there was a lot she didn’t know. This morning over my fresh-ground coffee, this mother of 22-1/2 years scratched out a list of …
He Will Walk With You by Carey Bailey
As a little girl, I loved baby dolls. Loved them! I played school, adoption agency, daycare operator and babysitter all day. I felt like I was born to be a mama. Therefore, I was a bit anxious when the ages, 22, 25, 28 and 32 came and went and there were no babies. Have you ever desired something so much …
What I Am Not by Tricia Goyer
Becoming a mother is a complicated thing. Not only am I trying to negotiate a relationship with my child, I am trying to negotiate a relationship with myself as I attempt to determine how I mother, how I feel about mothering, how I want to mother and how I wish I was mothered. —?Andrea J. Buchanan, in Mother Shock3 Sometimes …
She’s…My Everything by Suzanne Woods Fisher
“A mother is one who can take the place of all others, but whose place no one else can take.” –Cardinal Mermillod Just a few more months. My mother was hoping Dad would hang on long enough so they could celebrate their sixtieth wedding anniversary in April. But on January 1st, as the sun rose on the new year, my …
How would my parenting change?
On Friday I wrote about how I wondered about my legacy after the death of a young man from our church. The other direction my thoughts spiraled was to his parents. There was no warning that Saturday would be his last. No chance to say good-bye. My heart broke for them — not for the young man. And I began …
Teaching friendship
Me and my longest running friend Joanna Friendship is hard work. Distance can get in the way. A busy schedule. Simple drifting apart. I’ve been reminded of that this week as I’ve tried to help my oldest navigate a tricky situation. What a a challenge. I’ve been trying to remember what it was like as a tween or early teen. …
Bible Literacy
This year the kids and I have been starting each morning with devotions. First, we read the day’s devotional from Jesus Calling for Kids. We are really enjoying those and talking about the challenges the author gives in how to live a life that lives with an ear attuned to Christ. Then we turn to the Bible. Last week we …
Happy Labor Day to the Dads
Happy Labor Day to the dads? I know, I know. They aren’t the only ones among us who labor. We all do. This weekend, I’m particularly grateful for my husband…who got Dad of the Year kudos on Saturday for organizing a “Top Shot” style Nerf Dart gun event for our 7 year old son and his friends. I think my …
Mommy Brain anyone?
Several years ago, after my youngest daughter was born, I remember reading an article in USA Today about Mommy Brain. Before you laugh too hard, there is science supporting the reality that mothers of infants and toddlers have a condition called Mommy Brain. It is the absence of long term memory. Some days I think my short term memory has …