Parenthood

One of my parenting intentions is to help cultivate an attitude of gratitude in AE. I don't want her to just say the words "thank you." It's my hope and prayer that those words would flow not from obligation, but from a genuine feeling of thankfulness. So, much to some generous givers' disappointment, I try not to tell her to say thank you. Instead, I work to help her identify the feeling of gratitude. If a playmate shares a toy with her, for example, first, I say thank you to them. Then I…Read more

{this moment} - A Friday ritual, inspired by Soule Mama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.Read more

For the first six years of my marriage to Derek, the desire to have children was on the back burner. We wanted kids someday, but we were focused on other dreams. For 364 days a year, I was largely unaware of any ticking biological clock. But, March 19th was a different story. On my birthday every year, I could hear it loud and clear. And, my biological clock never said “tick tock.” It was much more ominous with its "what if” questions. “What if you can’t get pregnant?” “What if you wait too…Read more

{this moment} - A Friday ritual, inspired by Soule Mama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.Read more

I spent a hefty portion of Sunday doing a task I dread - sorting through AE’s clothes to remove those items she’s outgrown. I don’t dread the work, I dread the sadness I feel as I do the work. AE was a big baby. She was wearing the 24 month clothes at 12 months. But, around the time she started walking, her weight gain slowed. So, I am just now packing up the 24 month clothes. In the past, I’ve justified the tears that flow as I sort by saying, “She hardly even…Read more