“Mama, I wish I was in eighth grade,” my sweet first-grader said to me as she sat at the kitchen counter one day after school at the beginning of the year. “Why’s that?” “Because then I would almost be done with reading,” she stated matter-of-factly. “Mama, I don’t like reading. It’s so hard.” My mama’s … Continue reading Your Child Can Do Big Things Even if School is Tough
Sweet Mama, I know you’re discouraged and feeling defeated. You feel like you don’t measure up and that you never will. Time and time again, you feel like you screw up, and you wish you could just do something right. Doubt creeps into your mind, and your insecurities rise as you look around at everyone … Continue reading Mama, Your Presence Is Enough
Have you ever wondered about your family history? Are you looking for a book to share with your students about family history, the uniqueness of different cultures, and the connection we share with people from around the world? Be sure to check out Finding Family Treasure. I have partnered with The Children's Book Review to … Continue reading Interview with the Authors of Finding Family Treasure
Are you a classroom teacher, art teacher, or librarian? I have partnered with The Children's Book Review and author Jeanne Walker Harvey to bring you a chance to win an entire classroom set (30 copies) of Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas. Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas Written … Continue reading Book Giveaway – Ablaze with Color
There’s something about when your kiddos can load the dishwasher, mop the floor, and start a load of laundry. There’s something about when they can put their own clothes away and style their hair without any help. There's something about when they can put their own clothes away and style their hair without any help. … Continue reading There’s Beauty in Having Big Kids, Too
Holidays can be super stressful, can’t they? When do you get together with family? Do you alternate holidays with your side and your husband’s side? Do you try to cram both sides in the same day, the same weekend, the same week? It’s exhausting! A few years ago, my husband and I started our favorite … Continue reading Our Favorite Christmas Tradition
I have partnered with The Children's Book Review and author Lori Adams to bring you a special book giveaway of Lori's latest book, Avalina Jones and the Eye of the Storm. Avalina Jones and the Eye of the StormWritten by Lori Adams Publisher’s Synopsis: When a young girl learns she is the Last Heir of … Continue reading Book Giveaway – Avalina Jones and the Eye of the Storm
I have partnered with The Children's Book Review, Krueger Wallace Press, and Riven Rock Projects to bring you a special book giveaway for Adam Wallace's newest book, Merry Christmas, Eve! EDIT: THE GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED Merry Christmas, Eve!Written by Adam WallaceIllustrated by Lena Bardy Ages 4+ | 36 PagesPublisher: Krueger Wallace Press & Riven Rock … Continue reading Book Giveaway – Merry Christmas, Eve!
Mama, Take the picture, no matter what’s in the background. I was searching through old photos on the computer to find one in particular (to no avail), but the longer I looked, the more my heart filled with joy as I saw smile after smile of my kids in their childhood messes. I went past … Continue reading Leave the Mess and Take the Picture
I have partnered with The Children's Book Review and authors Blossom Children's Media Group, LLC for a special author interview with Caroline and Katherine Brickley, authors of The Friendly Bookshelf. Be sure to check out the book giveaway at the end of the interview. Publisher’s Synopsis: Meet Bibli, a brave little library bookshelf in search … Continue reading Interview with the Authors of The Friendly Bookshelf
We sat in a circle at the end of Bible study, everyone taking a turn to pray for something that had been shared earlier. I could feel the panic rise within me. I wanted to get up and run away. Maybe I could escape to the bathroom, but that would be obvious, wouldn’t it? I … Continue reading Our Prayers Don’t Have to be Perfect
We’re in the middle of this beautiful time where the leaves are changing. The colors around us pop, and there’s beauty everywhere. But we wouldn’t have that beauty without change. I have been someone to shy away from change. I usually want things to stay the same. I want things to be constant and predictable. … Continue reading The Beauty of Change
Sweet friend, Slow down. I see you rushing around, trying to get everything done, but all it’s doing is causing you more stress and anxiety. I know you think that as you cross more off your list, you’ll feel better, but I see you adding even more to it. You constantly find another thing that … Continue reading Sweet Friend, Slow Down
Sweet friend, I don’t know what hard thing you’re facing right now, but I know something is staring you in the face, trying to get you to back down. It continually shows up, making you feel discouraged and defeated. Your eyes are heavy, and your feet are tired. The weight on your shoulders pulls you … Continue reading Our Hope and Refuge
Dear Friend, I know you are ashamed of your past. You’re ashamed of the mistakes you’ve made. You’re ashamed of the struggles you’ve dealt with. You’re ashamed of what somebody did to you. You try to hide it from the rest of the world, hoping it will disappear into the shadows, but it keeps coming back … Continue reading You Don’t Need to Hide Your Past
Heart to Heart 