Padraig. Maire. Mairead. Sinead. Siobhan. Luisne. Nora. Deborah. Tony. Traolach. Donal. These are just a few of the names of folks we know around here. I’ve noticed since we’ve been here people always greet me using my first name. This has both made me smile, and unnerved me. It made me smile because I felt special; the fact that they …
Grace Is…
I sit at your feet pouring my heart out. I’ve given up. Again. I’m starting over. Again. Grace is listening to me cry and hurt and moan. Grace is lifting my eyes to see You again. Grace is taking my hand in Your’s and taking the first step with me. Again. Grace is loving me the same today as You …
When Beauty Hurts
It’s a tricky thing, beauty. We chase it. We praise it. We protect, nurture and tend it with such precision and care. The world loves a thing of beauty. To look at you brings such joy to my heart. Pride inexplicable. Fear undeniable. The beauty within you is stunning. A sight to behold. Not just beauty of skin; face; hair; smile …
The Empty Arms of A Mother
Right now my arms are full. Full of pudgy cheeks, dimpled fingers, hair needing brushed, blankies, and sippy cups. Full of lap sitters, bedtime snugglers, and slow-to-wake-uppers. It’s a funny thing, motherhood. Every mother begins her journey with empty arms. Once that precious baby (then the next, and the next) fills up our arms, our entire role as mother is …
Dancing the Night Away – THANK YOU!
I just have to start this post by saying a ginormous THANK YOU to everyone who supported me during the time leading up to the Strictly Come Dancing Fundraiser/Competition! First and foremost, to my awesome, amazing, supportive hubs – Seth. You are an amazing man and you did such a great job holding down the fort during all the late …
Brushing Dreams
Caramel-colored strands of hair cascade down a back clothed in pink. With long, smooth strokes I brush. The tangles are long gone, but she is engrossed in her book and I can’t will myself to move, so still I brush. Breathing in the fresh scent of strawberry shampoo and reveling in this quiet moment together. Well, it would be quiet …
The Rock in My Garden
Our house has several distinctive features. The bright red door contrasted against the white exterior to name one. The biggest sign you’ve found our house however is this: A giant rock boulder smack in the middle of our front garden. There are many things I love about that rock. It provides an easy landmark when giving directions to our house …
Praying With Our Kids
One of the things I have spent a large portion of my time with Lord on my face begging for wisdom about is how to teach our kids to really love Him deeply, to follow hard after Him because of that love, and enter into an intimate, personal relationship with Him. I don’t want them to do things out of …
To My Pink Princess
I look at you today in your checked dress, big pink flower in your hair, lovely, huge smile on your face. Today, you are 5. In so many ways it seems as though you have been in our family from the beginning, and yet I can’t believe it’s already been 5 years since you made your grand appearance! You were …
There Is a Love For You
To the young girl waiting for a daddy who’ll never come home. To the old man sitting alone in his living room, surrounded by the trappings of the woman he spent his life caring for. To the twenty-something full of the warm “elixir of life”, laughing with friends, but doubting on the inside. To the woman watching him walk out …