The Planning Habit

Yesterday was a busy day. My resolve to post every day in January took a back seat to other things. They were good things, but I’ve discovered that, while it’s easy enough to write a post a day, it’s hard to write something worthwhile every day. Shouldn’t my entire life be about something worthwhile, every day? Since we moved last summer, I’ve felt... Read More

From Mom: Psalm 46 Revisited

Mom sent me this by email, and it was so encouraging that I asked her if I could post it. It’s a helpful meditation when things seem out of control and I’m tempted to scramble frantically. Thanks, Mom! A (Very) Loose Paraphrase of Psalm 46 We can depend on God to be real close when we’re having trouble. Even if the physical earth seems like it’s out of... Read More

On My Mind Today

I was surrounded by young kids (all mine, of course) a couple days ago. They were climbing on me, crowding me, asking me repeated questions, with one request piling on another before I had a chance to respond even to the first one. This wasn’t how I imagined parenting to be. Some days I’m a walking sermon on child spacing. In the middle of this, my husband called. He... Read More

Self Control

I started my New Year’s diet by finishing off a jumbo pack of peanut M&Ms. I needed to have them out of the house, so I ate them! Sigh. I’m taping this to the back of my hand: For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 Today is a new day and a fresh start. Happy Sunday!  Read More

A Favorite Quote

One of my favorite quotes: Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. – Leo Buscaglia  Read More

First Father-Son "Construction" Project

In the aftermath of the Christmas chaos, I found my oldest boy sitting on a chair, cheeks wet with tears. “I wanted Daddy to build something with me,” he moaned. This kid has been mechanically inclined ever since he was a baby at nap time, when he removed most of the screws from his crib. Like a high-energy dog who eats shoes (Click here to read more or leave a comment... Read More

New Year's Resolution

I’m writing this on the fly this morning, breaking my own rule to let a post sit at least a day before launching it into the blogisphere. Happy New Year to you! The holidays are over, and a month of nothingness lies before us. There is no soil to be planted, no (Click here to read more or leave a comment on New Year's Resolution)  Read More

Christmas Tree Decorating Party with the Kids

Our family has borrowed traditions from both sides of the extended family. Each year in my family, my parents have a Christmas tree decorating party, just for the family. There’s spiced fruit tea, popcorn, music, and lots of boxes of ornaments. This borrowed tradition works really well for our little family because we can plan the party any time – no worries about any... Read More

5 Love Languages

Have you ever taken the 5 Love Languages test? Which one was your top language? Do you find these things helpful? My husband and I learned about the five love languages early in our marriage, and we figured we knew each other pretty well. Recently, I ran across the assessment online, and we both took it. Although there wasn’t anything totally unexpected, we were a little surprised... Read More

Pumpkin Muffins and the Power of Listening

This has been a busy week – no time for cooking adventures. I did make some pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, though. A new friend made these when I went to her house to meet her for the first time recently. We sat on her comfortable sofas and had a refreshing polysyllabic conversation that did not involve her asking me to fill a sippy cup with milk. Not even once. (Click... Read More