Kelli from Generation Cedar wrote about gratitude no matter what, and inspired me to work on that virtue myself, and with my children.  One great way to be more grateful for what we have is to notice what others don’t have. I’ve read enough from my friend Carrien to know she is my soul...
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We started our summer schedule for school.  The kids will still be reading an hour a day.  Some kids will be doing math as needed, and some will be finishing up science.  BUT instead of getting up at 7:30 or so, we can sleep in til 9.  Yeah for summer! We went to the...
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Whether they’re burying each other in the sand or using oodles of paint to decorate a cardboard barn that they built themselves, our little girls know how to find fun.  And they usually find the best fun when they’re playing together. I love that they get along so well!  (Click on the pictures to...
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What a fun weekend we had celebrating Jared’s graduation! The homeschool ceremony on Saturday was lovely. This year there were 54 kids involved. There were the usual caps and gowns, the usual crowd of proud families and yelling friends, with the occasional air horn tossed in for maximal impact on ear-drums. The diploma presentation...
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Our oldest son is graduating from high school tomorrow, and we’ve got a party planned to celebrate! For a kid who appreciates good food as much as my son does, I wanted to do just a bit more than cake and punch. Here’s what we’re cooking up: Bacon-wrapped jalapenos Tortilla pinwheels Best Guacamole Ever...
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Activities planned for the next 5 weeks: Wedding dress shopping Wedding reception food planning Youth group game day at my house (this weekend) Mother’s Day get-together at my sister’s (also this weekend) Oldest son’s graduation May 22nd Oldest son’s graduation party at my house May 23rd Son’s 12th birthday at my house May 28th...
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It was 1993.  She was three years old, blonde-haired, brown-eyed.  Typically she went about her days with a cheerful, thoughtful energy.   But now she was sick, limp, pale-faced.  Everyone in the family had recovered from the flu except her.  We took her to the ER on Saturday afternoon, fear winning over my usual faith...
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My mom has 8 kids born to her, and 3 more that she welcomed as adults when she married Ron after my first dad died. We don’t all end up in the same place at the same time too often. But on holidays when all her kids manage to come home, my mother has...
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I joined a women’s community choir in January and am absolutely loving it.  It is taught by the awesome Linda Walker, who taught our kids choir for several years, and who also has an adult women’s group.  We are learning some gorgeous music, and I am learning lots more about singing, which makes me...
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Every once in awhile I imagine what it will be like to have my youngest children, my babies, all grown up, and have huge pangs of grief. I love my little kids. The feel of their hands in mine. The funny things that come out of their mouths. Their small selves climbing into bed...
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