“Wa- tootie!!” my two-year-old yelled. I cringed as I imagined the sideways glances and raised eyebrows of my friends.
Our “Mom’s group” met for coffee and Bible study every other Friday. When the kids came up from the basement playroom to join us for snacks, I listened closely and took mental notes.
Another two-year-old politely asked: “May I have a cookie, please?”
Read MoreWe were beginning to feel like someone was trying to tell us we were NOT supposed to enjoy a spring break day in Chicago. We were trapped in a fortress of cement and steel, two stories underground, with the glorious sights and sounds of Michigan Avenue on the surface above us, and out of reach.
There was only one thing left to do.
Read MoreI’ve heard it said that routines are good, especially healthy ones like getting to bed on time, meditating, eating breakfast, and exercising. But there’s also something to be said for shaking up the routine, adding a little spice to your life, and trying new things.
Read MoreI put on several layers, a wool headband and a hat, a huge scarf around my neck and face, and two pairs of socks under my snow boots. It was 6:45 a.m. and I just had to go outside. After all, it's not everyday one gets to experience what 20 below feels like…
Read MoreWe pass through the hills and valleys surrounding the Chohocton River as we head home from Corning, New York. Tom is driving, while I look out the window. Our son Seth and his wife Maddie sit quietly in the back seat. It’s hard to bring ourselves to talk after saying our final goodbyes to Morgan, knowing we will never see him again.
Read MoreI must have hit the grocery store right after "stock-up" day last week. As I walked through the aisles I noticed shelves filled to the edges with rows and rows of food and other necessities. Choices, choices, choices. And plenty of everything. I thought to myself how blessed we are to have such abundance. In stark contrast,
Read MoreLast year at this time, I was a bit apprehensive about saying good-bye to my youngest, and beginning our new journey of empty-nesting...of living together in the quiet spaces of this big, hollow home. Turns out, with all of our flitting about (i.e. traveling) and feathering our nest (i.e. decluttering and a little redecorating), I'm amazed at how quickly the year has passed.
Read MoreDoes anyone else get to that last day of vacation, and try to squeeze everything in, and run around trying to do it all, while you know in your heart you really just want to spend your last day relaxing but now it's too late because you spent the whole day trying to squeeze everything in and trying to do it all, and so when it's all over with you just end up feeling disappointed? Yep. That was me. That was us.
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