“Because words can build a bridge” or “Why I blog and why you should too”

Thumbnail image for “Because words can build a bridge” or “Why I blog and why you should too” January 31, 2012

Two years and one job ago.
I sat across from the man I love on the bed we’ve loved in since we were first married ten years before. I sat and smacked fist into palm and said it again and again and again, “But this can’t be what I’m supposed to do with my life.”
And there [...]

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Sometimes Walmart is as good a place as any for a love story

Thumbnail image for Sometimes Walmart is as good a place as any for a love story January 30, 2012

It’s a Walmart love story.
Unlikely and wonderful. She has that pink ribbon just barely clinging to her few whispy baby hairs and still smells of the parmesan chicken she smeared all over the place during lunch.
Baggers and shoppers, grandmas and tired looking dads all smile at her.
She gums back at them, flashing two bottom teeth [...]

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On seeing our {kids’} mistakes in perspective

Thumbnail image for On seeing our {kids’} mistakes in perspective January 23, 2012

My first born, he’s just like me.
Starts the day out with a gold ribbon ceremony for showing honor, courage, responsibility at school and all he can think about is the reprimand that ended his school day.

All praise clouded out by a finger shaken in his direction. His breath fogs up the glasses that hide his [...]

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Sometimes the only way to read our kids is by braille

January 18, 2012

She breathes through her nose when she’s having a strong emotion. Short, sharp exclamation points that punctuate her just ten months of life.
Her brother yells, “Wa-hoo!” with accompanying right-hand fist pump when a surprise unfolds, there’s ice cream in a cone for dessert, or we agree to let him watch Pingu.
His brother at the age [...]

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What a mother needs to keep running so that she doesn’t end up running away

January 11, 2012

I’m a mini van-driving mom. And I love it. Both being a mom and my sky blue mini van with enough room for another parent, my three kids, a couple of their friends and all the random collection of back packs, soccer balls, swords and snacks that inevitably make the journey with us.
This week I’m [...]

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And then after 18 years I rediscovered my mom

January 9, 2012

Eighteen years isn’t enough.
Not by a long shot.
Because she won’t remember. She won’t remember the first one when I rocked her through every night and ached from the tired and how much my heart wanted to eat her whole.  She won’t feel the knitted blanket I wrapped around her and the giraffe lovie I tucked [...]

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When God moves into the neighborhood

Thumbnail image for When God moves into the neighborhood December 12, 2011

It hasn’t snowed here yet. It’s been unseasonably warm. When Zoe and I walk to pick Jackson up from Kindergarten the sun warms us in ways unexpected for December. I’ve been able to say more yes to the playground than no.

But the radio sings of winter. It plays song after song of worship that sounds [...]

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Five Minute Friday: Color

Thumbnail image for Five Minute Friday: Color December 9, 2011

It’s Friday.
Let’s do it. Let’s just write without worrying if it’s just right or not.
For only five short, bold, beautiful minutes. Won’t you join me?
1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Most importantly: leave a comment for the person [...]

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The hard work of liking our kids, not just loving them

Thumbnail image for The hard work of liking our kids, not just loving them November 21, 2011

There are frayed edges of motherhood that aren’t often talked about. Those places where we’re holding onto our temper with one hand and the belief that things have got to get better eventually with the other.
One night that place rocks me hard as I rock my baby girl in one arm and cell phone cradled [...]

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Because somedays everyone feels covered in ick

Thumbnail image for Because somedays everyone feels covered in ick November 17, 2011

Don’t worry, this post isn’t about potty training. Or about gastro intestinal bugs. You don’t have to be a mom to relate to this post.
Because some days, I think, we all feel covered in ick.

There’s the slimy goopy ick of worry that I feel my feet squishing around in.
There’s the impossible-to-scrape-off ick of constantly being [...]

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