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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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Because children are in the eye of the beholder

Thumbnail image for Because children are in the eye of the beholder November 2, 2011

He’s wearing nothing but the blue camo underroos when he comes running at me. I barely have time to brace before all that stocky, nearly-four-year-old life slams into my knees. Amazing, to be missed like this. Today he asks me to wave from the door while he chops down that oak tree in the front [...]

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Because parenting is an exercise in adapting to change

Thumbnail image for Because parenting is an exercise in adapting to change October 24, 2011

The boys know our block well and, like homing pigeons, once we hit it they fly the rest of the way. I see their new khaki pants patched etched against the sky – smudges of speed and delight at the sound of their own hammering feet and hearts and breath racing the sidewalk home. A [...]

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Maybe the best way to get over yourself

Thumbnail image for Maybe the best way to get over yourself October 12, 2011

I like sleep. I like spending hours reading books, alone, in perfect quiet, in a pool of sunlight on a late fall afternoon. I like a clean and tidy house. I like to eat food while it is still hot. I like clean clothes. I like to brush and style my hair in more than [...]

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For when the walls are closing in

Thumbnail image for For when the walls are closing in September 6, 2011

He comes to find me in the dark. Eyes squinted against my bedside lamp, he whispers, “Mama. Mama I gotta be by you.” Bad dreams and hot summer nights drive him out of his bed, down the hallway and into mine. And I, I who crave space like oxygen at the end of some days, [...]

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Balancing the happy ending

Thumbnail image for Balancing the happy ending September 5, 2011

The lovers in movies kiss in shades of intimate sunset. Wind and light and time stand still for them. Their moments are filled with space to breathe and exhale and savor. They hold hands. They look long and deep into the insides of each other’s eyes to interpret what lingers there. They read one another [...]

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How to love a mean kid

Thumbnail image for How to love a mean kid August 22, 2011

Jackson didn’t invite the mean boy in his class to his birthday party. He wanted to. He took the invitation to school. He put it in the boy’s cubby. But when I came to pick him up later the white envelope and “Come Kick with me at my Tae Kwon Do” party invitation were back [...]

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