This week has been tough. My emotions are running just below the surface and range from unspeakable gratitude to nigh unspeakable sorrow. Christmas here is always a bittersweet time for our family, since we are home and yet away from home. We are soaking up the time together, reveling in the joy that comes from reflecting upon the miracle and …
Alone in the Dark
It’s the middle of December. The sun rises after 8am and sets fully by 4:30pm. It’s cold, rainy and dark. When I get up each morning and look out my windows, I see black. Pitch. Black. Not another soul seems to be awake at the same time, and I feel utterly alone. The darkness overwhelmed me last week as I …
The Magic of Christmas
Eyes sparkle with anticipation held wide so as not to miss a thing during a blink. Voices chatter constantly, pointing out this and that, here and there. Every bulb a delight, every twinkle a miracle. Cheeks ever rosy, noses frosty and red. Fingers tucked safely away inside mittens fidget and dance in anticipation. Marshmallows dance delicately in warm, smooth chocolate. …
What A Woman is Worth
I have always struggled with my self esteem. Despite having grown up in a wonderful, warm, loving home with parents who spoke love, value and grace into my life daily, I stuggled to feel valuable. Tormented by bullies and rejected by peers throughout my childhood, I found myself doubting and questioning my true value as a person, but more so …
Truth in the Tinsel {Review}
I can’t tell you how excited I am about this review! I have been wanting to incorporate some Advent traditions/activities/conversations into our family’s Christmas celebrations for awhile now. Last year I tried a set of devotionals a friend gave me. The ideas and everything presented in it were great and sound and based in Scripture (which is the most important …
Happy Birthday to You
The chill of night still hangs in the air as I bury myself in the blissful warmth of the bedding and nestle my head further into the pillows. Willing my eyes to open; failing miserably. A sliver of light forms on the wall and suddenly the room is bright. Two groggy voices begin singing. I open my eyes and see …
When The Milk Won’t Come Out Of Your Nose
We’ve all either been there, heard about it, or had it happen to us. Children are sitting around a cafeteria table; or maybe it’s a group of college roommates hanging out on a Friday night. The time, place, and ages vary, but the outcome is the same. Someone takes a drink; at that exact same moment in time, something funny …
Working Without a Net
As I write this, I’m babysitting my friends’ children. Now, before you send me heated emails or comments about how irresponsible I’m being, it’s late and the kids are all asleep. 😉 As I sit in the quiet, sipping my nice hot cuppa tea, I can’t help but reflect on how much life without a safety net can wear you …
The Mirrors in My House
We have a few mirrors strategically placed throughout the house. Bathroom, bedrooms, even the living room. However, there are two mirrors that I have been particularly aware of recently. They’re smaller; I have to stoop down to see in them fully, in fact. When I stop and look, I see my eyes, my smile, my slightly furrowed brow even though …
Manic Monday – The Routine
One thing that makes my week run more smoothly is some element of routine and predictability. While our lifestyle warrants days full of fluidity (because flexible isn’t flexible enough), I (and particularly Flower Girl) thrive on routine. So, we have routines for all kinds of areas of our life. But today I want to focus on health/fitness. It seems my …