Catching Up

“I wish I could write, Dan. I want to write so badly. But I just haven’t got the words.” I’ve uttered these words on a few different occasions. Most recently, last night. Writing is often my outlet. But I haven’t had an outlet this year. This year has been tough. We’ve had other rough years, and we always make it through. But this year has been a special kind of tough. It started last May. I was having a pretty uncomfortable pregnancy, but unlike the first two, I hadn’t been put on bedrest. Not yet. But then I got sick. So sick that my baby and I almost died. But then, thank God for the…

Shiny Objects or My Undisciplined Lifestyle

Despite my best intentions, and even phases of prolonged attempts at habit forming, I am a failure at consistency. Particularly with blogging, exercising and organization. I seriously want to be more of a disciplined person. I really do. But some things just don’t stick. Not forever. It usually happens in clumps. Because I’m a clumpy kind of a girl, I guess. But I suppose that is life. Because I so love to write. I love to be creative. I love to be fit and organized. But life gets in the way. A rough patch sends me into survival mode. A particularly challenging or busy month/season leaves me holding more tightly to the things that make…

To Blog Or Not To Blog

My better half has instructed me to take up blogging again. I’ve thought about it several times, but I’m at the point where I just don’t know what to say. I never thought I’d be there, but I am. These past two years have been especially challenging for me as our community, collective family social life, schedules and basic way-of-thinking have been challenged and changed so dramatically. I realized recently that it all dates back to the miscarriage. It was at that point, that everything started changing for us. It wasn’t just the miscarriage that marked the change, but it was at that time that the changes started taking place that involved a whole host…

Touching Base

This picture was taken a few years ago at Easter in Roslyn. A lot has happened since then. A lot of growth and stretching has taken place. We are now in a different place and while I look back fondly,it’s ok. Dan, in this picture, is being overcome with his adorable assailants. But instead of getting overwhelmed by the swinging extremities and possible injuries that come with playing with the Littles, he is clearly enjoying it as you can see by the smile on his face and the very position he is in. Playing with children can be therapeutic. It’s been a really long time since I’ve been here. I had high hopes of keeping…

Catching up with pictures.

                          And most shocking of all, America’s most wanted fugitive was caught and put to death after searching for him for a decade. It’s been an exciting few weeks. I hope to settle more into a regular routine and find more time for myself and our family as we get accustomed to the busyness of the weeks’ work. Stay tuned, my good friends. It’s encouraging to know you care. Your comments, calls, texts, emails, and Facebook posts mean a lot to me.

Crazy Busy… Not an excuse. Just the Truth.

Since I started working full time, our lives have taken a turn for the… busier. I really never thought I would be a full time working mother of two. Actually, my life is nothing like I planned… or imagined. But really, whose is? Life never turns out like one plans. That’s what makes it so exciting. And unpredictable. And exciting. Eli said to me yesterday when I was waking them up to get ready for school. “Mommy, why do you have to work full time? Why can’t you just work part time?” Just rip my heart out and break it in two, why don’t ya? But when it comes down to it, Eli loves school….

Expect the Unexpected

Being that yesterday was my last day at work, I kinda thought it would go a little differently. Boy, was I wrong. It was a rainy morning. A glorious dreary rainy morning. Perfect for sleeping in and staying in your jammies a little longer. Maybe enjoying a nice stack of pancakes with the kids…. Of course, the rain is no respecter of agendas. It rains no matter what you have going on that day. This particular day, I had to get up and take the kids to preschool so that I could go to my last day of work before starting my new job. My morning routine was pretty typical: coffee, shower, coffee, get everyone dressed,…

AM I CRAZY?! (don’t you dare answer that)

I don’t think it’s any secret that we want another baby. Yes, after miscarrying last May, we came to the conclusion that it was by God’s grace that He took our sweet one earlier than expected not only for the growth that was to be had for us, but, due to the circumstances that followed, being pregnant and having a baby last year would have been a completely different set of trials. It is by God’s grace that He spared us that. However, the sorrow of losing is a trial in and of itself. One that God saw fit to see us through. While we are still tying up loose ends of the “unemployment chapter,” we…

The Edge of Wilderness

I remember last winter, sickness was rampant in our house. I was on the nebulizer a couple times. Eli, Gabe and I all had the flu at least once. I got tonsillitis 2-3 times within a few months. It was pretty rough. This year, however, by the grace of God, we haven’t been sick at all. We’ve watched how illness has run its ugly course through the homes of our family and friends. But somehow, we’ve managed to dodge the bullet. It’s been such a blessing, too, because we’ve been without health insurance. I’ve been convinced that if we’d had health insurance, we would have been just as sick as everyone else. Seeing as how the…

Awakened By Psalm 116

I love the Lord because he has heard my voice and my plea for mercy. Because he gave me an ear and listened to me, I will always turn to him as long as I live. Death encompassed me. I went through hell. I suffered depression and anxiety. Then I called on the name of the Lord… “Oh Lord! Please deliver me!” Our God is gracious. He is righteous and merciful. (My problems are minuscule compared to what they could be!) The Lord defends those with childlike faith. I was left vulnerable and weak, and he saved me. Return, my soul, to your rest. The Lord has been good to you. You have delivered me from despair;…