Every year, without fail, I write down my New Year’s Resolution, “Organize House.” Maybe I should just create a template that I can use every year instead of having to expend energy in writing out those two words. It’s not that I don’t try. I do. I sort through endless school papers, give away boxes […]
Glorious, Not Tidy Read More »
Sometimes we don’t quite know where we stand as a cook. Other times, it’s crystal clear. Tonight, I set out plates of whitefish, quinoa, and broccoli and smile to myself. “What a truly wonderful mother I am, serving yet another healthy, delicious dinner to my family.” I light a candle and sit down, drinking in
The Sober Reality of my Cooking Read More »
Since so many people have been clamoring, begging to know the secret behind the origin of my first blog title (It Goes Without Saying), I thought I would finally reveal it to my reading audience (my husband, my mother-in-law, and you). It’s one of those things that has been hiding here in my fingers, just itching
The Secret Origin Revealed Read More »
Last weekend my family planned to go camping in the Smokies for fall break. Five days, four boys, 30 degree nights, two adventurous parents and one tent. Dangerous, I know, with the potential for crazy-boy injuries and visiting bears. But I loved camping as a kid and am determined to give the same kind of creek-wading,
Flirting is Dangerous Read More »
“I have something to tell you, and I already know you are going to roll your eyes,” my husband says. After the very long nightly process of Peter Rabbit stories and prayers for Africa and last-minute gulps of water with our four boys, my husband Brian and I had finally sunk into the couch to debrief our
My 3-year old son and I took a walk together the other morning, headed to one of our favorite spots under a bridge to throw rocks in the creek. As we passed another mom and her son at the park, he yelled out in typical fashion, “What’s your name?” The mom replied, and then my son yelled
Ripples in the Water Read More »
A few weeks ago, a friend invited us out to spend the day on the lake. Brian and the boys were in blissful boy-land, taking hair-pin turns on a jet ski, hanging onto a flinging tube behind a boat for dear life, you know, those peaceful kinds of things us women dream of doing on
The Jet Ski Ride of Marriage Read More »
It goes without saying that kids are funny. As we were driving down the highway the other day, my son turned around to look behind us and asked, “Mommy! Why are all those cars chasing us?” I have four boys. I realize that may make you shudder, not laugh. But my kids make me laugh!
The dream courageously tiptoes into the light… Read More »
I love New Year’s Resolutions. Writing down my wide-eyed dreams for the next 365 days gives me great hope. But then, I hate New Year’s Resolutions. Because around the middle of April I realize just how pie-in-the-sky they really were. Take my recurring annual goal, “Get Organized.” I’ve learned it’s about as easy to accomplish as shoveling snow in the middle of a blizzard. At some
11 Upside-Down New Year’s Resolutions Read More »
“Would anyone like to role play a tough conversation?” I ask. By their response, it looks like I’ve asked if anyone would like their hair pulled out one strand at a time. They look down at the table, then sneak wide-eyed looks at each other. I had just finished teaching my 7 Steps to Tough
Finding Courage for the Scariest Step in Tough Conversations Read More »