My three-year-old is the queen of messes. She is an experience-every-little-part-of-the-moment child. She doesn’t care if she spills stuff all over the floor or if she ruins an outfit. It’s all about fully experiencing everything in front of her. I love that about her, but it also drives me nuts sometimes. My girls were painting … Continue reading The Beauty in a Mess
Happy New Year! Another beginning. Another fresh start. I don’t know what this year has in store, but I’m looking forward to the new things it brings. I know there will be highs and lows. I know there will be laughter and sorrow. No matter what this year holds, I’m thankful I don’t have to … Continue reading A Prayer for a New Year
I’m the type of person who is always looking forward to the next thing. I want one season to be finished because I’m ready for the next. That goes for actual seasons and life seasons alike. In the summer, I’m ready for cooler weather. But once that snow starts falling, I’m ready for warm summer … Continue reading Don’t Waste the Wait
We all need rest. It’s not an option. We can’t continue doing what we do without taking a moment to breathe. But when you’re a mom of small children, sometimes it’s hard to catch your breath. That’s how I feel. My life is filled with so many things, so many demands, and it’s easy to … Continue reading Praying for Rest
After we got the kids in bed Friday night, Michael and I sat down on the couch for a couple minutes. In complete silence. And it was wonderful. It was so rare that my attention was actually drawn to the fact that I didn’t hear anything but the ticking of the clock. It was in … Continue reading Removing the Noise
I love watching my children explore and be creative, but sometimes I just want them out of my hair. It’s usually when I’m cooking or cleaning up that I need them to be elsewhere. The time between lunch and nap is usually when I prep supper and clean up the kitchen. There always seems … Continue reading The Joy of Unplugging
I am not an open person by nature. I like to keep things to myself. I like to stay protected, so in the past I would do my best to shy away from vulnerable situations, because I didn’t want people to know the truth. I didn’t want them to see the flaws I worked so … Continue reading Opening Your Heart to Others
I have struggled with contentment ever since I can remember. It’s so easy to fall into wanting something else, wanting something more, wanting something just out of your reach. If only I could have… If only I could be… The world is constantly screaming at us that we need to have this … Continue reading When a Dream Come True Doesn’t Feel Like Happily Ever After
As I was washing dishes one day this week, my four-year-old came up and said, “Mom, you can go do something else. I’ll take care of the dishes for you.” That little one, oh my! It made my heart melt. There was absolutely no prompting. She just wanted to be helpful. This … Continue reading Encouraging Children to Have a Servant’s Heart
"I'm not the right person. You have to choose someone else." My girls have been watching the movie Moana over and over again. I think I have most of the lines memorized by now. As we were watching it for the umpteenth time, the above quote stood out to me. Moana is feeling … Continue reading When You Want God to Call Someone Else
I’ve never wanted to be a dance mom. Nothing about it sounds enjoyable. Maybe it’s because of the way the media has portrayed that world. I swore I would never sign my kids up for it, but my four-year-old is starting a dance class in the morning. Yikes! I’m sitting here biting my nails. … Continue reading Something I Never Thought I’d Allow My Kids to Do
I have always been a writer. Ever since I can remember, I’ve scribbled on paper and created stories out of nothing. I don’t fully understand why, but I’ve always been drawn to the written word. But for the longest time I never wanted to share my writing with other people because it was … Continue reading Being Intentional About Using Your Gift
Do you have a word to guide you throughout 2018? It seems to be the new trend. Instead of New Year’s Resolutions, people are finding words to focus on throughout the year. This is the first year I’m doing it. My word is simplify. Seems simple, right? Ha! I realize … Continue reading #OneWord2018
The sound of a dishwasher is relaxing. Strange, right? I didn't grow up with one. We had a dishwasher, but it was only used for big holiday meals. My hubby's family, on the other hand, used theirs regularly. Whenever we spent the night, the dishwasher ran as we all relaxed in front … Continue reading Relaxation from an Unlikely Source
Last weekend my family and I got away to the mountains. I was fairly caught up on work (which never happens), so we decided to take the opportunity to get away for a couple days. I love getting away to the mountains, but it can be stressful because there’s no internet or cell service at … Continue reading When We Need a Solitary Place
Heart to Heart 