• Family

    The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

    I was born at 5:05 pm on March 5, 1975, which was my Granddaddyโ€™s 50th birthday. I love the month of Marchโ€ฆand the number 5! I also love that I was named after my Granddaddyโ€™s mother, Carrie Elizabeth. In turn,…

  • Family

    All-Skate

    My husband and I recently took our three children, plus some extra girls, to the roller skating rink. We had been skating once or twice before, but it had been a while since our last venture. Callie, my 12-year-old, took…

  • Family

    Now Available: Unlimited Fresh Starts

    Fresh starts. New beginnings. Second chances. I donโ€™t know anyone who doesnโ€™t like these ideas. And thereโ€™s something about a brand new year that gets us all excited about โ€œstarting overโ€ and making changes and improvements in our lives. Undoubtedly,…

  • Family

    It’s Always Time to Be Thankful

    November causes many of us to be particularly mindful of counting our blessings. I wish we didnโ€™t need a reminder, but Iโ€™m glad we have it. I have found personally that when I am focused on being thankful, my perspective…

  • Family

    Testing 1, 2, 3

    Iโ€™ve taken several pregnancy tests in my 14 years of marriage. And Iโ€™ve had a range of reactions to the results. Surprise, disappointment, shock, disbelief, and (of course) joy! Iโ€™m not going to tell you which reactions go with which…

  • Family

    Moving. Ugh.

    My family and I are currently in the midst of a move. Here are some things I am learning through the process: A. B. C. D. E. F. G. Itโ€™s true. I like my nest. My family and I have…

  • Family

    (On Fatherhood This Time)

    Each month I write about motherhood and what Iโ€™m learning through it. Well, this month Iโ€™d like to write about fatherhood. Kevin Partridge and I exchanged vows publicly on June 20, 1998. Fourteen years ago! Our love and marriage continue…