You’ve probably had one of those days recently. If you haven’t, you figure you’re due. The tension in your body takes its toll, as does the constant slight holding of your breath, because you just know that other shoe is going to drop. It always does. And it’s going to hurt. “Mom! I told you I […]
Overwhelmed? 6 Steps to more peace-of-mind
August 20, 2012 By 69 Comments
The race is on again for a new week, and you and your mind are running at top speed, full out, and it’s not even 9:00am on Monday morning. Hubbie. House. Job. Laundry. Clean clothes. Ironed clothes. Lunches. Kids. Backpacks. Missing homework. Missing sports equipment. Get in the car. Let’s GO. We’re going to be […]
5 Secret Paths to the Heart of Your Family
August 13, 2012 By 24 Comments
Have you showered your family with expressions of your love, only to be left gasping in surprise after they’ve responded with an upended bucket of cold water? Welcome home, honey! I did the laundry, cleaned the house, and we’re having your favorite dinner. Go sit and relax for a bit, and I’ll hold the kids […]
Let go and allow them to grow
August 6, 2012 By 23 Comments
Your eyes glisten with tears as you grab for yet another tissue. You promised yourself and your family you wouldn’t cry, that you’d maintain your composure. After all, this is that moment when the baby you have cared for with such tenderness spreads their wings and begin to move forward into the wild, blue […]
10 Lessons from being wrecked
July 30, 2012 By 21 Comments
“Just a broken foot and two cracked ribs? That’s it?” I can remember quizzing the ER doctor following his diagnosis and instructions and feeling pretty darn lucky. Well, foolish, too, because if I hadn’t applied that imaginary brake in the front passenger seat when that driver crashed into us head on, I would […]
Hearts and homes made new
July 23, 2012 By 29 Comments
You just had the MOST. AMAZING. EXPERIENCE. EVER. And you just can’t wait to tell your friends and family about it, because you know they will want to join you next time, once they hear how AWESOME it was. As you enthusiastically explain, they look at you as though you are crazy, that there can’t […]
An important lesson from a toe-curling adventure
July 16, 2012 By 17 Comments
I could tell you our lives have been in minor upheaval for months and we are just beginning to see normal again. You might nod your head in understanding, as you’ve been through those seasons, too, where routines just fall by the wayside. As a consequence, we often find ourselves dealing with something more time-consuming after […]
When there’s a fork in the road, eat croissants
July 9, 2012 By 50 Comments
Don’t you just delight in the sweet, sweet taste of summer family vacations, where joy and laughter are generously slathered over every moment of the day and sprinkled with children playing happily together, their delightful voices adding perfectly delectable notes to each and every deeply satisfying day? What’s that? Are you saying that […]
“I saw the lake first!”
and other treasured family traditions
July 2, 2012 By 17 Comments
“I see the lake, I see the lake!” Every year, my six siblings and I would crowd and elbow one another as we jockeyed for the coveted spot in the Volkswagon bus so we would be the first to see Shadow Lake as we drove the final stretch of narrow, winding road to my grandparent’s summer […]
3 Simple changes to grow a happier family
June 25, 2012 By 36 Comments
You carefully prepare the soil and plant two identical gardens. In the first, the little seedlings are nurtured, fertilized, mulched and weeded with an abundance of love, patience and attention. The other plot gets nothing from you except for an occasional condemnation: “Why can’t you grow up big and strong like your sibling?” Oh, fine. […]
