Category Archives: Seasons of Life
Morning by Morning
This past week while I was stuffing my pie hole with a loaded baked potato at our BSF Fellowship, our leader posed a question: “Looking back over this year’s study of Isaiah, what do you think the Lord’s been teaching … Continue reading
Posted in Faith, Following Jesus, God, Growing Pains, Heartbreak, Matters of the Heart, Prayer, Seasons of Life, Uncategorized
Tagged Asia, Bible, BSF, BSF Fellowship, Christian, God, Isaiah, Isaiah 50:4, Jesus, Religion and Spirituality, Scripture memory
6 Comments
Anatomy 101 with Zac Brown
It’s been interesting to watch my oldest child grow up. He’s slowly interjected his fashion sensibilities, voiced desires for new hair styles, and independently changed the radio station away from my channels to those he enjoys. Seeing a unique personality … Continue reading
Up on the Watershed
My head is cloudy. I’m realizing with sorrow and unwillingness that even the sweetest things in life evolve and change. Of course we’ve been heading toward this fork for some time now, however the prongs of decision continue to force … Continue reading
Posted in Faith, Family, Growing Pains, Heartbreak, Home, Kids, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Seasons of Life, Uncategorized
Tagged bittersweet, Bunk bed, Bunkbeds, Children, emotions, Indigo Girls, Storms, Watershed
4 Comments
Counting the Cost at Lent
My school year has been transformative for several reasons, but the most notable has been joining BSF, Bible Study Fellowship. This international Bible study brings over 200,000 students together over 38 countries each week; it’s truly mind-boggling to think that … Continue reading
Posted in Compassion, Discipline Issues, Faith, Family, Following Jesus, God, gratitude, Growing Pains, Heartbreak, Home, Matters of the Heart, Prayer, Seasons of Life
Tagged Africa, Bible Study Fellowship, God, Jesus, Lent, Pharisees, South America, West Michigan
3 Comments
What Are You Craving?
Today I’m tooting horns and celebrating with an acquaintance/church friend of mine awaiting the release of her first book, Craving Grace. I’m honored to have been given the opportunity to review this book in the next month or so…just in time … Continue reading
Posted in Book Lists, Faith, God, Growing Pains, Matters of the Heart, Seasons of Life, writing/work
Tagged Craving Grace, Lisa Velthouse, memoir, Tyndale Publishers
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Building Trust in the Small Things
When the lights fall and I’m lying motionless in a smudge of darkness, my prayers become loose and frayed and worry sets in. While many contend that worrying is “normal,” I know that many more would suggest it reveals my … Continue reading
Posted in CRAZY kids, Discipline Issues, Faith, Family, Following Jesus, God, Growing Pains, Home, Kids, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Prayer, Seasons of Life, Uncategorized
Tagged aluminum in deodorant, Christian, computers, God, hyperactivity, Jesus, Luke 16:10, Parent, Playboy, red meat, Television program, Trust, Worry
4 Comments
On Jobs and Polished Nails
I went to college at a time when I thought I had six job choices: nurse, lawyer, doctor, teacher, church-something-or-other, or the mysterious “business” person. It never occurred to me that there might be other fields outside the scope of my … Continue reading
Posted in Chores/Duties/Jobs, Decor/Organizing, Discoveries, Education, Family, Growing Pains, Home, Marriage, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Prayer, Seasons of Life, Uncategorized, writing/work
Tagged Bibhu Mohapatra, Business, careers, Church, decisions, doctor, dreams and fantasies, Fashion Group International, fork in the road, job changes, Kate Middleton, Lavender and Lilies, lawyer, Marc Jacobs, Michael Bastian, Nail polish, nurse, office spaces, offices, Peter Som, stay-at-home mom, teacher, working moms
3 Comments
Hearing Isaiah in a Painted Sky
“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales … Continue reading
Posted in Art/Beautiful Things, Faith, God, gratitude, Home, Matters of the Heart, Nature/Outdoors, Prayer, Seasons of Life, Things I Love!
Tagged beauty, Faith, God, Great power, Holy Spirit, Isaiah, Isaiah 40, Jesus, Nature, Religion and Spirituality, Sunsets
6 Comments
Valentine’s Day Part 2: Hunting for Treasure
It’s probably the hibernating teacher within that brings me round to setting up riddles and scavenger hunts for my kids. Yes, after all these years of standing in slippers wiping butts and noses, there are moments when that alter-ego is … Continue reading
Posted in Contest, CRAZY kids, Education, Faith, Family, Following Jesus, Gifts, God, Holidays, Home, Kids, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Play, Random Fun, Seasons of Life, Silly Lists, Things I Love!, Uncategorized
Tagged alter-ego, Bible, Bible verses, bingo, Classroom, Genesis, gift, Holiday, Home, John 3:16, Kids, look up 3:16, Opinions, Religion and Spirituality, Riddle, scavenger hunt, Spiritual Development, spiritual formation, teacher, the story of St. Valentine, valentine day
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Valentine’s Day Part 1: Spread Some Love
Don’t we all wish there was a fool-proof recipe or some sort of silicon mold that promised to shape our children into the caring, generous, love-filled humans we want them to be? Or perhaps some magic powder we could sprinkle … Continue reading
Posted in Compassion, CRAZY kids, Decor/Organizing, Discipline Issues, Education, Faith, Family, Following Jesus, Food, God, gratitude, Holidays, Home, Kids, Kitchen/Culinary Woes, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Neighbors, Play, Random Fun, Recipe/Kitchen Success!, Seasons of Life, Things I Love!
Tagged Awana, character education, compassion, cookies, Family Fun, Family Time, generosity, Home, kindness, Love Wins, sharing love, Spreading Love, teaching your kids, Valentine's Day
2 Comments
Family Friday: Compassion Project
I don’t know about where you live, but the past few weeks have blasted West Michigan with painfully icy wind and record-breaking snowfall. I wish I could say that I’m loving it, but in truth, I’m counting the days until … Continue reading
Posted in Compassion, CRAZY kids, Education, Faith, Family, Family Friday, Following Jesus, Gifts, gratitude, Home, Kids, Marriage, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Neighbors, Random Fun, Seasons of Life, Social Justice, Things I Love!
Tagged blankets, donations, faith training, Florida, God, Homeless, homeless shelter, Homelessness, Jesus, Love, Mel Trotter, Michigan, projects, quilts, sharing love, Spiritual Development, spiritual formation, United States, West Michigan
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Peanuts in the Morning
Do you remember the sound of Charlie Brown‘s teacher on The Peanuts? She had that muffled “whaa-whaa-whaa” of an expertly muted trumpet combined with some sort of nasally resonance never before heard on earth–much less in a classroom. How Linus ever … Continue reading
Posted in CRAZY kids, Discipline Issues, Family, Home, Kids, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Random Fun, Rants, Seasons of Life, Silly Lists, Uncategorized
Tagged Arts, Charles M. Schulz, Charlie Brown, Christmas, crazy mornings, Kids, miss the bus, Peanuts, Peppermint Patty, school, shopping, Snoopy
4 Comments
Take Care of Your ‘Neighbs With Some Simple Compassion
Today, one of our local news reporters delivered his thoughts on this record-breaking weather while stationed up to his thighs in snow on a fake deck. Nice touch, I thought. One leg was in a “normal” section of the snow … Continue reading
Posted in Art/Beautiful Things, Book Review, Compassion, Contest, Faith, Family, Following Jesus, FREE BOOK, Friends, Gifts, Giveaway!, God, gratitude, Home, Kids, Literature/Books, Matters of the Heart, Prayer, Seasons of Life, Things I Love!, writing/work
Tagged Blog Giveaway, Book Giveaway, Book review, Contests, Faith, Family, FREE BOOK, Giving/Sharing/Generosity, God, Seasons of Life, Spiritual Development, spiritual formation, Zondervan Publishers
3 Comments
More Exciting Than A Blizzard? A FREE BOOK!
It seems that nothing has the power to transform meteorologists into giddy children like a rollicking storm. Weathermen and women posted outdoors in the bluster seem thrilled to be at the center of such epic developments, their stern admonitions to skedaddle … Continue reading
Posted in Book Review, Contest, Discoveries, Faith, Family, FREE BOOK, Gifts, Giveaway!, God, Growing Pains, Heartbreak, Holidays, Home, Kids, Matters of the Heart, Seasons of Life, Things I Love!, Uncategorized, writing/work
Tagged blizzard of 2011, Blog Giveaway, Book Giveaway, Book review, Contest, facebook, FREE BOOK, Grocery store, Mary DeMuth, Meteorology, Online Communities, school closings, Snow Day, snow storm, storm, Thin Places, Twitter, Zondervan, Zondervan Publishers
11 Comments
Family Friday: Indoor Skeet Shooting
I have to give major props to my husband for this one–it’s totally his brain and creativity that adds so much color and life to our home. What can I say–he has a PhD. I guess you have to be … Continue reading
Posted in CRAZY kids, Discoveries, Family, Family Friday, Holidays, Kids, Marriage, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Play, Random Fun, Seasons of Life, Things I Love!, Uncategorized
Tagged Balloon, chew, Christmas, Claire-Modern Family, cowboy, Family Fun, games, Guns, Kentucky, Luke-Modern Family, Modern Family, Nerf, Nerf Guns, Recreation, skeet shoot, Skeet shooting, Toy
7 Comments
Family Friday: Spiritual Formation
I’ve been thinking about posting this for awhile now, and thanks to the encouragement of a friend am finally getting around to it. This Friday I thought I’d share an idea I had for bringing Scripture into the kitchen–which we … Continue reading
Posted in Art/Beautiful Things, crafts, CRAZY kids, Decor/Organizing, Discoveries, Faith, Family, Family Friday, Following Jesus, God, gratitude, Growing Pains, Home, Kids, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Prayer, Recipe/Kitchen Success!, Seasons of Life, Uncategorized
Tagged Bible, Candice Olsen, Christian, Divine Design, Family, Genevieve Gorder, God, Holland, Home, Home and Company, Kids, MI, Mothers, Parents, prayer, Scripture, spiritual formation, teaching your kids
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What Women Tell Me: Finding Freedom From The Secrets We Keep, by Anita Lustrea
“As a girl and young woman, I memorized hundreds of Scripture verses in vacation Bible school and in Sunday school. I grew up memorizing the hymn book. I didn’t, however, grow up understanding much about God’s grace and freedom.” [pg. … Continue reading
Posted in Chores/Duties/Jobs, Discipline Issues, Discoveries, Faith, Family, Following Jesus, Food, Friends, God, gratitude, Growing Pains, Heartbreak, Holidays, Home, Kids, Kitchen/Culinary Woes, Literature/Books, Marriage, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Music, Nature/Outdoors, Neighbors, Play, Prayer, Seasons of Life, Social Justice, Summer, Travel, Uncategorized, writing/work
Tagged Anita Lustrea, Bible, Christianity, Divine grace, God, Moody Bible Institute, Moody Radio, Religion and Spirituality, secrets, Sunday school, theology, United States
3 Comments
Dare I Put It In Print??
Dear friends and marginally-invested visitors, It’s time to own up to the truth. I must remove the mask and costume and be honest: I am a blue-ribbon slacker. You wouldn’t know it to look at me, but I kick butt and … Continue reading
Posted in Chores/Duties/Jobs, Discipline Issues, Growing Pains, Kids, Music, Nature/Outdoors, Seasons of Life, Silly Lists, Uncategorized, writing/work
Tagged 10, 10 K Run, Fifth-Third River Bank Run, Gold Digger, Holidays, Home, John Mayer, Kanye West, Los Angeles, Mother's Day, new year, New Year's Eve
6 Comments
New Year’s Eve Traditions
Contrary to the throngs of Time-Square-pounding, diamond-clad, smoky-eyed, horn-blowing ladies waving their champagne flutes to the thumping beat of the Black Eyed Peas, I was at home this New Year’s Eve wearing hoops and yoga pants, sporting mascara-free lashes and … Continue reading
Posted in Faith, Family, Food, Friends, Gifts, gratitude, Holidays, Home, Kitchen/Culinary Woes, Marriage, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Neighbors, Recipe/Kitchen Success!, Seasons of Life, Thngs I Love!, Uncategorized
Tagged Black Eyed Peas, China Dinnerware, Crystal Glasses, Dick Clark, Family Traditions, Grape juice, Michigan, new year, New Year's Eve, Ryan Seacrest, Time-Square
2 Comments
Settling for Reflections
Last week wasn’t the first time that I’ve learned something new–or remembered something old–because of the words or actions of a child. Usually it’s my own kids convicting me of something, perfectly reciting words I wish I never would have … Continue reading
Posted in Faith, Family, Following Jesus, God, Kids, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Seasons of Life
Tagged Advent, Child Jesus, Christ, Christmas, Christmas Tree, God, Holidays, I Corinthians 13, Jesus, Love, Paul
1 Comment
A Slow Unraveling
This fall my kitchen windows have seen more than just leaves changing color outside; they have stood witness to exhausting and unwelcome changes happening within our walls, around our table, in our kitchen. It’s taken me a more than a … Continue reading
Posted in Chores/Duties/Jobs, CRAZY kids, Family, Following Jesus, God, Growing Pains, Heartbreak, Home, Marriage, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Nature/Outdoors, Neighbors, Play, Rants, Seasons of Life
Tagged BSF, BUSY FAMILY, calendars/schedules, College and University, College football, Help!, parisian tourist, preschool, rocket football, school, subway, Time
7 Comments
Bittersweet, by Shauna Niequist
What a delight to have been offered the opportunity to review Shauna Niequist’s latest book, Bittersweet, released last month by Zondervan. Stitched together with threads of the poetic and honest writing we devoured in Cold Tangerines, Shauna’s voice again rings … Continue reading
Balance Beams at Summer’s End
A Confession: Lately I feel as though I’ve been walking a balance beam–clumsily and epically unsuccessfully. Locked between walls of my own architecture and construction, I find myself scurrying from thing 1 to thing 2, trying to fit it all … Continue reading
Stefanich Stepping Stones
Tonight is one of the many times I’ve sat in my home, buoyant and basking in a deep pool of gratitude. My good friend Kamarah [Best Neighbor Ever] recently sent me an email sharing the journey of a wonderful woman … Continue reading
Posted in adoption, Education, Faith, Family, Following Jesus, God, Home, Kids, Marriage, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Seasons of Life, Things I Love!, Travel
Tagged adoption costs/fees, Ethiopia, online auction, Stefanich
1 Comment
Birds in Cleveland
Sitting alone in the terminal, windows revealed thin, glinting silver tubes slicing through July’s muggy atmosphere. I hovered over carry-on bags while the revolt in my stomach was slowly being quelled by the lunch spread across paper on my lap. … Continue reading
Posted in Family, God, gratitude, Literature/Books, Seasons of Life, Travel, writing/work
Tagged banquet, baskets, birds, cleveland airport, Columbus, convention, Gifts, God, Ohio, Provision, sparrows, Tami Longaberger, The Bee, Weaving Dreams, writing
4 Comments
A Lovely and Thankful Wreck
I’ve been a wreck lately. My emotions on have been arching between profound gratitude to God and utter disbelief and, on the far spectrum, sadness that our kids are growing up so fast. It seems I’ve been waiting for years … Continue reading
Found Art, by Leeana Tankersley
“Because such art is essentially redemptive, found art is also deeply spiritual, predating even urinal-man in its origins. In God’s hands, spit and mud become sight. Dust and rib become humanity. Darkness and void become world. Fishermen become followers. Virgin … Continue reading
Posted in Discoveries, Faith, Family, Following Jesus, God, Growing Pains, Heartbreak, Home, Literature/Books, Marriage, Matters of the Heart, Nature/Outdoors, Seasons of Life, Travel
Tagged Bahrain, essays, Found Art, Leeana Tankersley, memoir, Middle East, Navy SEAL, San Diego, The Blog Tour Spot, Zondervan Publishers
2 Comments
Practicing Silence
“Sometimes we need silence. Not always, but definitely sometimes. If we will comply, if we will receive the moments of quiet contemplation and rest, we might be surprised by what emerges. As much as I didn’t want to engage in … Continue reading
Posted in Chores/Duties/Jobs, CRAZY kids, Discipline Issues, Faith, Following Jesus, Gifts, God, gratitude, Growing Pains, Literature/Books, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Nature/Outdoors, Seasons of Life
Tagged Found Art, Leeana Tankersley, quiet, silence, solitude, unplug, Zondervan Publishers
10 Comments
Thin Places: a memoir, by Mary DeMuth
“The Celts define a thin place as a place where heaven and the physical world collide, one of those serendipitous territories where eternity and the mundane meet. Thin describes the membrane between the two worlds, like a piece of vellum, … Continue reading
Living with Prepositions
It seems this blog has become my own private confessional. Be warned: you are all priests and I expect absolution at the end of this post. I regret to inform you, as I’ve regretted admitting to myself, that I’m living … Continue reading
Posted in Chores/Duties/Jobs, Decor/Organizing, Discipline Issues, Faith, Family, Fitness, Following Jesus, Friends, God, Growing Pains, Home, Literature/Books, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Rants, Seasons of Life
Tagged "Make It work!", 5K, absolution, bulletin board, cleaning toilets, confessional, goals, high thread count sheets, Nate Berkus, People Magazine, prayer, prepositions, priests, reading, Richard Simmons, Running, verbs
4 Comments
An Apple At Dawn
It is before 5 am as I sit here with my apple. People who know me will realize that something is strangely amiss that I would be pulled from the warmth of the bed I love to descend to a … Continue reading
Posted in Discipline Issues, Faith, Fitness, Following Jesus, Food, Gifts, God, gratitude, Home, Kitchen/Culinary Woes, Literature/Books, Matters of the Heart, Seasons of Life, Social Justice
Tagged "Pure Pleasure", addiction, clean water, dawn, detox, diet, FREE BOOK, Gary Thomas, gluttony, Haiti, hungry, rice, sleeplessness, submission, sugar, world hunger
7 Comments
From “Pure Pleasure”
This coming February I will be taking part in a blog tour for Gary Thomas’ latest book, the phenomenal Pure Pleasure. When I was invited to do the review, the title intrigued me [subtitled: Why Do Christians Feel So Bad About … Continue reading
Posted in Discoveries, Faith, Family, Finances, Fitness, Following Jesus, Food, Friends, Gifts, God, gratitude, Home, Literature/Books, Marriage, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Music, Nature/Outdoors, Neighbors, Play, Seasons of Life
Tagged "Pure Pleasure", Book, Christmas, FREE BOOK, Gary Thomas, James 1:17, piety, pleasure, sex, Zondervan Publishers
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Struggle Bus
One of the many lovely things about Christmas and the New Year is the way families and friends come together around the table for a meal. The dimly lit dining room aglow with reflections of the Christmas tree and Percy … Continue reading
Posted in Discoveries, Faith, Following Jesus, Friends, God, gratitude, Growing Pains, Heartbreak, Holidays, Home, Illness, Kids, Matters of the Heart, Seasons of Life, Uncategorized
Tagged 2 Cor. 12:7-10, challenge, conditional love, Jesus, Mark 14:36, Paul, struggle, thorn in the flesh
2 Comments
What I Can’t Carry
Today I just needed a little time. Some space to breathe and room to think. Looking outside, the gray ceiling of clouds promised a harsh cold, but I didn’t care. I found my running shoes, clicked my dog to his … Continue reading
Posted in Faith, Family, Following Jesus, God, Growing Pains, Heartbreak, Matters of the Heart, Nature/Outdoors, Seasons of Life, Uncategorized
Tagged "Black River", Amos Lee, Bible, Christ, Church, Ephesians 4:26, Ghost, God, I Peter 4:8, Indigo Girls, iPod, Jesus, measuring sticks, Reuben, space to breathe, validation, winter walk
1 Comment
It Must Be Raindrops…
I grew up listening to Oldies, and to this day I still enjoy a sugary doo-wop song or something that emerged from Motown at the height of its glory. I love The Platters, The Fleetwoods, Martha & the Vandellas…pretty much … Continue reading
Posted in Faith, Family, Following Jesus, Food, Gifts, God, gratitude, Growing Pains, Heartbreak, Holidays, Home, Kids, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Seasons of Life, Uncategorized
Tagged "Making a Difference", "R.A.M.P", American Graffiti, Angel Tree, Appalachia, Appalachian Mountains, Bob Vila, Brian Williams, Chevy Suburban, Christmas, Country Music, Dee Clark, Doo-wop, guacamole, Hershey's kiss, Lowe's, Martha & the Vandellas, menopause, Motown, NBC News, rain, Raindrops, Salvation Army, Skype, soundtrack, Thanksgiving, The Fleetwoods, The Platters
1 Comment
Firstborn
I remember wrapping him in swaddling clothes and lying him in a crib. The midnight feedings, his first steps, our rocking chair. I remember the joy and chaos of life with an infant. The schedule changes, his tiny smile, our … Continue reading
Posted in Family, Growing Pains, Home, Kids, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Seasons of Life
Tagged dirt bikes, Firstborn Son, helmet, J. Crew, landscape, little boy, retrospective, snowboarder, sweatshirts, ulcer
4 Comments
Soul Care & Simplicity
Today [November 18] I listened to another perfectly-timed radio broadcast on Midday Connection [Moody Radio]. The guest speaker was Mindy Caliguire, an author and speaker from Chicago who was discussing soul care & simplicity. This got my attention. As a … Continue reading
Posted in Chores/Duties/Jobs, CRAZY kids, Decor/Organizing, Discoveries, Faith, Family, Following Jesus, Friends, God, Growing Pains, Home, Kids, Literature/Books, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Seasons of Life
Tagged "Soul Care", author, Chicago, disorder, I Corinthians 14:33, Isaiah 30:15, Midday Connection, Mindy Caliguire, Moody Radio, peace, Shalom, simplicity, social networking, solitude, speaker, volunteering
2 Comments
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
BOO! I know, these pictures are scary, but I wanted to share in the festivities tonight by going 80’s punk: my own tribute to Cyndi Lauper. ‘Cause, haven’t you heard? Moms in the ‘burbs just wanna have fun! fishnets + … Continue reading
Posted in Family, Holidays, Kids, Play, Random Fun, Seasons of Life
Tagged 1980's music, Boo, cozy, Cyndi Lauper, Halloween, harvest, pumpkins, punk, Reformation Day
4 Comments
Vacation from my Vacation
If you’ve read any of my previous posts from this week [thank you, dear faithful 7: your checks are in the mail], you already know that I was blessed with a few days away with my husband. I tagged along … Continue reading
Posted in Chores/Duties/Jobs, Discipline Issues, Family, Food, Growing Pains, Kids, Marriage, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Neighbors, Random Fun, Rants, Seasons of Life, Vacation
Tagged Aldi, Apollo 13, cavity, charades, chiropractic, Christmas, Dark side of the moon, Great White, Pacific Ocean, Shauna Niequist, Swanson's broth, Sweet Baby Ray's, Tom Colicchio
3 Comments
Things I Don’t Understand Thursday: Slow Drivers in the Passing Lane.
People, it’s called the passing lane for a reason. I know it’s tempting to drive with an entire lane spread out wide across your windshield. I understand your desire for control, and your desire to be a separate entity from … Continue reading
Posted in Seasons of Life, Travel, Vehicles
Tagged driving, fast lane, law-abiding, license plate, passing lane, slow drivers in the fast lane, speeding, traffic, windshield
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Four More Days
One of the great joys, and simultaneous “pinch-me’s” of my days, is a more fervent awareness of the slipping away. Time slipping away. Childhood…slipping. Days, seasons…slipping. It sounds depressing, I know, but actually I feel joyful that God has given … Continue reading
Posted in Family, gratitude, Growing Pains, Heartbreak, Home, Kids, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Play, Seasons of Life
Tagged Berenstein Bears, boys, Changes, Children, Chocolate Milk, Family, God, Kids, kisses, Love, Motherhood, Seasons of Life, snuggling
7 Comments
Lessons from the Orchard, Part 1
Sometimes I feel like I’m overly emotional. I mean, yes, I am a woman enduring cyclical hormones, but still, I don’t know how many people tear up at the sight of a lovely old tree or because painfully beautiful harmonies … Continue reading
Posted in Faith, Family, Food, gratitude, Kids, Nature/Outdoors, Random Fun, Seasons of Life
Tagged Apples, Autumn, brothels, Crane's Apple Orchard, Creation, Fall, gift, gout, Grace, gratitude, Hormones, Indian Summer, Monkeys, Orchard, Pies, slums, starfish, tears, Thankfulness, tides
4 Comments
Chasing Pavements
Before anyone gets all “copyright lawyer” on me, I will admit the obvious: I’m “using/borrowing/adapting” Adele’s song title for my own use and express benefit. I was going to say, “So sue me,” but actually, no. Please don’t. I just … Continue reading
Posted in Faith, Heartbreak, Nature/Outdoors, Seasons of Life
Tagged Adele, Chasing Pavements, Church, Disappointment, Faith, God, Hope, Jesus, Longing, Love, Nature, Photography, Running, Spiritual Development, Urban Dictionary
4 Comments
You’ve Got a Friend
Our youngest doesn’t see being 3 as a handicap, but truth be told, at his young age he has already experienced age discrimination. I know. The Law Offices of Sam Bernstein are about to be put on speed dial, trust … Continue reading
Posted in Family, Friends, Heartbreak, Home, Kids, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Neighbors, Play, Random Fun, Seasons of Life
Tagged age discrimination, American Girl, Carole King, dirt bike, handicap, preschool, quad, Sam Bernstein, Tony Hawk, TurboTears, vocabulary
5 Comments
Come On Over!
Friends! I’m excited to announce that I’ve been asked to do some blogging for West Michigan’s own kids’ TV show, Come On Over! Supported by the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, this show has already won numerous Michigan Emmy Awards and … Continue reading
Posted in Education, Family, Friends, Home, Kids, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Nature/Outdoors, Neighbors, Play, Seasons of Life, Summer, Uncategorized
Tagged Come On Over, critics, Emmy Awards, Fun!, Grand Rapids Children's Museum, imagination, Neighbors, team, West Michigan
3 Comments
Moments With Love
Ever since I was little I’ve had a nudging–gentle, but there–prompting me to act of behalf of those with small voices. Or no voices. I remember vividly lying in bed one night when I was probably 11, drawing a picture … Continue reading
Posted in Faith, Family, Friends, Heartbreak, Home, Kids, Marriage, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Seasons of Life
Tagged adoption, capitalism, Children, Faith, Family, Giving/Sharing/Generosity, God, Hope, Jesus, Kids, Longing, Love, mission trips, mission work, Motherhood, Seasons of Life, Spiritual Development, Uganda
2 Comments
Arctic Dog Mushing On Labor Day
Leave it up to the neighborhood kids, my own included, to create a game that is so wonderfully ridiculous I can’t help but document it for you. Yesterday’s game had me laughing so hard the residual giggles followed me indoors … Continue reading
Posted in Family, Friends, Home, Kids, Nature/Outdoors, Neighbors, Play, Random Fun, Seasons of Life, Summer, Uncategorized, Vehicles
Tagged Beef Chunks, Children, Family, Friends, Friendship, Fun!, Indian Summer, Jerky, Kids, Labor Day, Mushing, Neighbors, Nome, Salmon, Sled-dog racing, snow
1 Comment
Teaching Kids About Friends
When I was in grade school I was teased mercilessly. I remember, shortly after having moved to a new school in the 5th grade, crying in bed at night and having to confess to my mom that I just didn’t … Continue reading
Posted in Education, Faith, Family, Friends, Home, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Play, Seasons of Life, Uncategorized
Tagged betrayal, bullies, Changes, Children, Disappointment, Faith, Family, Friends, Friendship, God, Jesus, Kids, Seasons of Life, Spiritual Development
3 Comments
My Quarterly Bonus
Being a stay-at-home mom is something that I love and worry about in equal measure. I love it because I get to have a front-row seat to the lives of my children. It’s messy, both in literal and figurative terms, … Continue reading
Posted in Chores/Duties/Jobs, Faith, Family, Home, Kids, Marriage, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Seasons of Life
Tagged Africa, babysitter, business lunch, Children, Deuteronomy, Faith, Family, God, Hallmark, Hope, Jesus, jobs, Kids, Love, Lunch, manners, Messy House, Mother Teresa, Motherhood, quarterly bonus, recognition, Serving, Spiritual Development, stay-at-home mom, success, Sunday, white-glove
11 Comments
Mall Wrestlers
I don’t know if I wish I would’ve had my camera or not. In the moment I might have gone a little Russell Crowe on the situation, so perhaps not having it was a good thing. Then again, right now, … Continue reading
Posted in Discipline Issues, Family, Kids, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Seasons of Life
Tagged bikes, boys, Brokeback, camel, camera, changing room, chaos, jeans, L.A., Liz Claiborne, mall, movies, paparazzi, punishments, rewards, Russell Crowe, Sacajawea, shopping, Tim Gunn, wrestling
4 Comments
Eleven Years and Counting…
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US! There we were, all shiny and new, fresh from our trip down the aisle, where, on thee hottest and most humid day in the history of the universe, we said our vows and unwrapped a life … Continue reading
Posted in Seasons of Life, Travel
Tagged Anniversary, Colorado, Husband + Wife, Special Occasions, Wedding
2 Comments
“Things I Don’t Understand” Thursdays: Indoor Baseball?!
Well, this really got my goat. After withstanding numerous accidents in the house ranging from family photos being knocked off the wall [that was dad modeling great behavior] to lamps crashing to the floor, we have banned indoor throwing/pitching/catching/baseball/homerun derby. … Continue reading
Posted in Decor/Organizing, Discipline Issues, Family, Home, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Random Fun, Seasons of Life
Tagged baseball, Family, Fun!, household accidents, Kids, Messy House, wrestling
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Bye Bye, Baby
My five-year old daughter is captivated at the thought of a new cousin in the family. Each time we ride out to my sister’s house she asks me, “Mom, how big do you think Aunt Cindy’s belly will be?” “Probably … Continue reading
Posted in Family, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Seasons of Life
Tagged Changes, Children, Family, Motherhood, Seasons of Life
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Admissions of a Suburban Philosopher 