• Family

    The Changing of the Seasons

    As I am writing this, we are still experiencing blazing hot weather. But I am hopeful that as you are reading this, we are experiencing some cooler weatherโ€“a welcome reprieve from the brutal summer heat. Donโ€™t get me wrong; I…

  • Family

    Coasting

    My favorite part of riding a bike has always been coasting. After working up enough speed, and with the help of a slight downhill slope, you get the thrill of the wind in your face and the joy of riding…

  • Family

    The Dale Family

    A friend of mine from college recently lost her son to the horrible disease known as cancer. He had been battling it for about a year and a half, and he was just a few days shy of his sixth…

  • Faith,  Family

    Towel Hugs

    I donโ€™t remember how it started, but sometime after my firstborn learned to walk, the tradition of โ€œtowel hugsโ€ began at our house. Hereโ€™s how it works. After the toddler/preschooler gets out of the bath, they give their hooded towel…

  • Family

    On Retraining

    We recently received some new-to-us living room furniture from my in-laws. It is great furnitureโ€”an oversized couch and chair that can hold a lot of people and are perfect for napping. Unfortunately, my dogs think so, too. Once upon a timeโ€ฆwhen we…

  • Family

    Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

    Two of my children are just about to surpass me in height. Granted, this isnโ€™t an overwhelming achievement (Iโ€™m only 5โ€™ 3โ€.), but it is still a significant milestone in the life of a child. Theyโ€™ve been w-a-i-t-i-n-g for it…

  • Family

    Roll Film!

    During one of the ice days last month, when my children were home from school, we decided to watch some of our old home movies. Through the magic of video, we were able to relive so many wonderful momentsโ€“births, Christmas…

  • Family

    Wisdom (or Something) at 40

    I turn 40 years old this month. 40! I am really having a hard time believing it. No, I donโ€™t think that 40 is old; Iโ€™m just surprised to have gotten here so quickly. So now that Iโ€™m in my fifth decade…

  • Adoption,  Family

    Love at First Sight

    My water broke sometime between placing my order and actually receiving my chocolate milkshake at Sonic. I was with my sister Julie, who was visiting from out of town. We had been hoping that I might go into labor while…

  • Family

    Music Review: Slugs & Bugs

    Looking for music that will entertain and engage your young children but wonโ€™t drive you crazy at the same time? Iโ€™d like to introduce you to the entire Slugs & Bugs collection. Randall Goodgame and Andrew Peterson, both seasoned singer/songwriters,…