Towel Hugs
I don’t remember how it started, but sometime after my firstborn learned to walk, the tradition of “towel hugs” began at our house. Here’s how it works. After the toddler/preschooler gets out of the bath, they give their hooded towel…
On Retraining
We recently received some new-to-us living room furniture from my in-laws. It is great furniture—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 time…when we…
Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
Two of my children are just about to surpass me in height. Granted, this isn’t an overwhelming achievement (I’m only 5’ 3”.), but it is still a significant milestone in the life of a child. They’ve been w-a-i-t-i-n-g for it…
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 moments–births, Christmas…
Wisdom (or Something) at 40
I turn 40 years old this month. 40! I am really having a hard time believing it. No, I don’t think that 40 is old; I’m just surprised to have gotten here so quickly. So now that I’m in my fifth decade…
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…
Firsts
On a cold January afternoon back in 2001, at a hospital in Texas, my husband and I looked at each other with a mixture of fear and uncertainty in our eyes. Are they really going to let us take her home?…
For Love of the Game(s)
I played softball in second through twelfth grades, basketball in third through eighth grades, and volleyball in seventh through twelfth grades. (I ran track in seventh grade, too, but that was a terrible experience. I hate running but somehow got…
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…
