I was recently chatting with someone about young kids and their development. I told her how amazed I am whenever I think about how much is happening in their brains and bodies from birth to age three. She nodded, then grinned at Emmeline, who was busy being adorable in my lap. “Is it hard being … Continue reading "On Pink Sunglasses and Growing Pains, or, Joy in Every Stage"
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Three Sixteen
Three sixteen. If you grew up in the church (and maybe even if you didn’t), there’s a good chance those numbers bring to mind the best-known verse in the Bible, the Gospel in a nutshell. Here’s John 3:16, from The Message: This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one … Continue reading "Three Sixteen"
Read MoreThe Romantic and the Mundane
Gifts in padlocked boxes notwithstanding, we’ve never paid much attention to Valentine’s Day around here, so when we had the opportunity to see friends from out of town on February 14th, it was an easy decision. We had a not-in-the-least romantic but thoroughly enjoyable evening of conversation and toddler wrangling. After a few minutes of … Continue reading "The Romantic and the Mundane"
Read MoreAm I Doing This Thing Right?
Once, when Katie was three and having a hard time obeying, I told her, “When Mama or Daddy asks you to do something, you need to listen.” Her response? “I don’t believe that.” The incident is clear in my mind because that was the moment I knew I was totally and completely in over my … Continue reading "Am I Doing This Thing Right?"
Read MoreOn Grout and Wooden Trains and Things That Last
A few weeks ago, entirely by accident, I learned something about my steam mop. (How’s that for a riveting lede? I bet you’re on the edge of your seat.) There was a stubborn bit of something stuck to the floor, so I removed the mop head and used the scrub brush at the bottom of … Continue reading "On Grout and Wooden Trains and Things That Last"
Read MoreGreat Expectations, or, On Having Time
Once upon a time, I had the best of intentions. I was going to revitalize my blog by writing from the road. Freed from our normal daily routine, I was sure I would have so much more time. I would use that time to share charming family photos, sweet anecdotes, and poignant observations while also … Continue reading "Great Expectations, or, On Having Time"
Read MoreOn the Road: Perfect Imperfection
The Mesa Top Loop Road in Mesa Verde National Park is a six-mile driving tour of Ancient Puebloan culture and history. There are some 10-12 stops along the way, each of which provides a window into the lives of the people who once called the mesa their home. Somewhere around stop four or five, a … Continue reading "On the Road: Perfect Imperfection"
Read MoreOn the Road: Whirlwind Photo Tour Edition
We’re two three [I, ahem, started writing this last week … ] and a half weeks into this adventure, and I haven’t posted nearly as often as I had envisioned. To be honest, I haven’t done many of the things I had planned to do. Helping the girls keep a travel journal? Fail. Keeping detailed … Continue reading "On the Road: Whirlwind Photo Tour Edition"
Read MoreChoosing This Moment: On the Road Edition (and an Important Announcement!)
Seven days ago, Jonathan and I did something that either makes us adventurous or crazy or both, depending on how you see things: We loaded our three small children into our not-as-big-as-it-once-seemed SUV, hitched up our 145-square-foot travel trailer, and set off on a six-week cross-country journey. I’m inclined to say we’re adventurous, and fun-loving, … Continue reading "Choosing This Moment: On the Road Edition (and an Important Announcement!)"
Read MoreMiles’s Guide to a Successful Walk
Last night, I typed the final words of a first draft of a novel. It’s scary to tell you this, because I know how terrible it is right now. The writing is bad. The plot is convoluted. It has more clichés than a politician, more contradictions than my two girls’ versions of why they were … Continue reading "Miles’s Guide to a Successful Walk"
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