I watched her from across the room. Her long brown hair half covered her face but I could still see the dark shadow of anxiety in her eyes. I know her too well. The way she furrows her brows and sucks in her bottom lip tells the story over her otherwise calm, 15 year old…
The Feline Fiasco
We have, without a doubt, the worlds most worthless cat. If there were a contest for that sort of thing I wouldn't even bother to enter him in it because he would absolutely lose, even in that venue. The only reason that he still lives at our house is because of the interceding's of a…
No, You Won’t Enjoy Every Parenting Moment. And That’s Ok.
Some time back, I found myself at Target. Alone! Although I wanted to run through the aisles yelling, "FREEDOM" William Wallace style, I managed to get control of myself. Instead, I found myself slowly meandering through the store, inhaling the smells of popcorn and Starbucks, and reveling in the ability to silently walk whatever aisles…
Raising Slow Cooker Kids In a Microwave Generation
“Hey, so how do you handle chores with your kids? How much do you pay them and what do you have them do? She casually asked. We had met in the cleaning aisle of Wal-Mart and began chatting when I philosophically asked if Mr. Clean’s pants were white because he was always cleaning or was he always cleaning because…
Tips to Road Trip with Kids – For Real People
Thinking about taking a road trip across country with the kids and looking for some tips? Are you hoping to connect and bond with those adorable offspring as well as cross some items off of your bucket list? Well, you have come to the right place! I'm pretty much an expert in this field (self-described)…
A Letter to My Birthday Girl
My Darling Girl, Thirteen years ago, when you were placed on my chest, warm, wet, and full of life I did not see this moment. I only saw my first born baby girl with perfect bow-shaped lips and tiny fingers and toes. I felt the intense rush of motherly love burn fierce and hot in…
When Heaven Remains Silent
I’ve been trying to avoid social media and the news for months now but it’s like a train wreck that you can’t seem to avert your eyes from. I find myself opening up Facebook and news sites with feelings of dread and trepidation. Even reading blog posts is hazardous to one’s emotional state these days.…
Lessons Learned by a Black Thumbed Gardener
I love plants and gardening and dirt. I love the feel and smell of damp roots and mulch. Really I do. In my imagination I see myself growing delicious and healthy food to feed my family. Sweet patches of strawberries just waiting to be harvested and canned to make homemade jam for my friends. Grapevines…
The Coconut Chronicles and MORE Lessons from Kids Camp
The bags have been unpacked, the stinky laundry has been washed (who knew my kids could smell like a football locker room and dead fish?) and the sleeping bags have been put away. Kids Camp 2017 is over, living on now only in a few blackmail pictures posted on social media, crazy stories (my son…
Coconut Travels and Noodle Soup
“There is no secret ingredient,” said the wise goose to his adopted panda son of his infamous noodle soup in Kung Fu Panda. Those words came back to my mind at the end of our annual summer trip this year in such a mighty way. Every year we take our kids on a long road trip.…
