Blessings

Today I watched my five year old splashing in the pool at the rec center. Since most of her siblings were scattered around in the various pools, I expected she would be chasing the big kids– she thrives on companionship and commotion. Instead she found a quiet end of one pool and played by...
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… of a tiring day last week was that when Eldest heard the frazzled tone in my email, she sent me FLOWERS! I have a kid old enough to send me flowers! How cool is that? Thanks, Eldest! As always, you light up my life.
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Lately when I look at my two year old my heart hurts. She’s turning 3 next month, and I am just wanting to cherish every last slipping-away second of her babyhood. I know it is a stretch to call a two year old a baby. But I’ve always done it with my little ones....
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A reader asked the following question: What do you think about what I’ll call the “trickle-down economics” of thrift and yard sale shopping? My meaning is this: should Mrs. Jones with 2 children and a 6-figure household income shop resale and thrift because she wants to be a good steward and a frugal homemaker?...
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I’m awash in produce this week- tomatoes and apples and peppers of every size and color and heat. SO far I’ve canned 92 quarts of tomatoes and 11 pints of salsa and enough pickles that there will probably leftovers a year from now. There’s a heap of tomatoes on the counter that will be...
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Last spring when John and I were talking about adopting again, one of the things we talked about was upcoming expenses. Our roof is old and we live in a windy area. After every wind storm John gets up on the roof and patches a few more places and says we really need a...
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… as much as I want to write something warm or witty or encouraging or insightful, the empty text box just seems to want to stay empty. This business of helping new kids settle in is hard work. The moods. The emotions. The ups and downs. I know it’s tough to BE the new...
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People. These children are amazing. Here are a few snapshots from an exceptionally lovely day. Our five year old finally has someone who shares her love of dressing up. The plums are ripe– the kids ate at least 5 plums each –every day for days. And I still had enough left to make a...
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