Hard Conversations
Hard conversations are part of life. And for those of us who really don’t like confrontation, these conversations can be extremely taxing. The easy way out would be just to avoid them altogether–to “keep the peace”–, but we all know…
Now Entering the Teen Years
It’s official. I am now the parent of a teenager. My daughter Callie turns 13 this month, and I can hardly believe it. Just like every other parent in the world, I find myself wondering where the time went. I…
A Tough Break
“Mama, come quick! Callie hurt her arm!,” Katie ran to tell me. Our family was attending an M-Braves game with another family, and the kids had gone off to play in the grass behind center field. Since I was in…
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
I was born at 5:05 pm on March 5, 1975, which was my Granddaddy’s 50th birthday. I love the month of March…and the number 5! I also love that I was named after my Granddaddy’s mother, Carrie Elizabeth. In turn,…
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…
Now Available: Unlimited Fresh Starts
Fresh starts. New beginnings. Second chances. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like these ideas. And there’s something about a brand new year that gets us all excited about “starting over” and making changes and improvements in our lives. Undoubtedly,…
It’s Always Time to Be Thankful
November causes many of us to be particularly mindful of counting our blessings. I wish we didn’t need a reminder, but I’m glad we have it. I have found personally that when I am focused on being thankful, my perspective…
Testing 1, 2, 3
I’ve taken several pregnancy tests in my 14 years of marriage. And I’ve had a range of reactions to the results. Surprise, disappointment, shock, disbelief, and (of course) joy! I’m not going to tell you which reactions go with which…
Happy Camper
Last summer I sent my firstborn to an overnight camp for the first time. This was a big step of faith for me. I really don’t think I’m a “helicopter mom,” but I think we can all agree that dropping…
The Pot and the Kettle
Do as I say, not as I do. I wish this statement were less descriptive of me. I’ve been a mother for only nine years, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to apologize to my children…
