The Gypsy Mama — Snapshots of life lived between countries, callings, and kids.

Nothing is ever as easy as it seems, especially not that

March 21, 2012

Sometimes we rage against where we are in life. Especially compared to her. Her – over there – with the easily strung together words or the pretty blog or the stylish shoes or the way with making sense of motherhood. We see the 4×6 snapshot and call it life. That tiny printout. We don’t look [...]

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The one where I get all the presents on my daughter’s first birthday

March 20, 2012

I unwrap a gift today. Tenderly. There is crisp, pink tissue paper and tiny fingers. A small foot. A pair of dimples. Cherry blossom love kisses the sky and my daughter’s cheeks. My daughter. There you are. One full year of memories. All those midnight hours and aching bones and swaying shoulders and desperate prayers [...]

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This is so weird, but I’m just gonna get over myself and ask anyway…

March 19, 2012

So, have you heard of the website, Simple Mom? It’s fabulous. My friend Tsh is the awesome sauce behind it. And as part of Simple Mom she hosts a podcast called Home Fries. Tomorrow she’s interviewing me. And she said we should see if there’s anything in particular folks would like to know, about, well, [...]

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Five Minute Friday: Brave

March 16, 2012

Around here we write for five minutes flat on Fridays. We finger paint with words. We try to remember what it was like to just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. Where your words are welcome, just as they are! (<–-Tweet this!) 1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no [...]

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What women moms want

March 14, 2012

When I’m reeealllly tired and my brain starts to wonder far, far away from our Cheerio-encrusted floor, these are the things I day-dream about: To go to the bathroom without an audience A hot meal Not to have to cut up any food but their own Make up that hasn’t been repurposed as face paint [...]

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Why it’s worth sharing our messy stories

March 12, 2012

They asked me to speak at our church’s monthly women’s breakfast. I had no idea what to say or where to begin. All I could think of is my long list of things I get wrong. On repeat. I’m not afraid of this list. I’m not embarrassed by it. I don’t feel the need to [...]

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Five Minute Friday: Empty

March 9, 2012

Around here we write for five minutes flat on Fridays. We lie down in our words and make snow angels.We try to remember what it was like to just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. Be brave, come & join #FiveMinuteFriday. Your words are necessary! (<—Tweet this!) 1. Write for 5 minutes [...]

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On surviving the crush of the morning rush

March 7, 2012

It occurs to me how much I miss on the days when I’m frustrated. On the days when I hurry them through brushing teeth and climbing bunk bed ladders and demands for just one more sip of water. On evenings when I rush and mutter and long for the solace of bed and laptop and [...]

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Why you should never take your ordinary for granted

March 5, 2012

It’s easy for life to start to feel small. To feel caught on a hamster wheel of wake up, breakfasts and packed lunches, a load of laundry, the dishes from last night, vacuum, work, write, tweet, connect, call, walk to Kindergarten to pick up kids, panic about dinner, serve it, wipe down counters, wrestle pajamas [...]

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Let’s still be friends {despite Google Connect}

March 3, 2012

So, the Internets tell me that Google Friend Connect went bye-bye for non-WordPress blogs. Sad. Especially if that’s how you were tuning in here. Do let’s keep in touch. I love having you over. What are stories without friends to share them with? We can stay in touch so many sweet and delicious ways: – [...]