A few weeks ago, Katie baked chocolate muffins to take to church potluck. After she’d pulled them from the oven and set them on the stove to cool, she hopped up onto the counter and rummaged through our junk cabinet. A moment later, she emerged, triumphantly clutching a place card holder, a relic leftover from … Continue reading "On Giving Generously, Without Control"
Read MoreTag: Katie
When God’s Help Looks Like a Post-It Note
Last week, I was catching up with a friend over text. (A theme, it seems: though I much prefer to chat in person–on a walk, perhaps, or with something warm to drink–texting is more manageable these days. I’m working on doing what I can, when I can.) We shared some of what was happening in … Continue reading "When God’s Help Looks Like a Post-It Note"
Read MoreOn Riding Bikes and Modeling Love
Sometime in August or September of last year, Katie and Abby were riding their bikes in the front yard while I tidied up inside. I peeked out at them from time to time, and it was clear they were doing more than just riding. They were playing some sort of game. One of them would … Continue reading "On Riding Bikes and Modeling Love"
Read MoreOn Casting Votes and Raising Kids and Living Life
Late last week, Katie picked up a campaign flyer that hadn’t yet made it to the recycle bin. “This guy has ‘the energy and skill to get the job done,'” she read, then narrowed her eyes. “Wait a second. Who sent this, anyway? Are they just saying that because they want you to vote for … Continue reading "On Casting Votes and Raising Kids and Living Life"
Read MoreIt Seems Like God Would Have Wanted to Answer That Prayer
A few weeks ago, at the end of our bedtime routine, I put an arm around Katie’s shoulders and pulled her close. “Want to talk about anything, kiddo?” It had been a tough day. We’d intended to leave for a much-anticipated camping trip that morning but had needed to make a sudden change in plans … Continue reading "It Seems Like God Would Have Wanted to Answer That Prayer"
Read MoreWhat I’m Teaching My Kids
At a recent meeting at our charter school, Abby was admiring the keyboard skin on our ES’s* laptop. Abby has long had a fascination with technology. (Her running birthday request for the last three years has been a phone, and she was legitimately disappointed not to receive one when she turned five.) The skin was … Continue reading "What I’m Teaching My Kids"
Read MoreOn Making Lists and Not Wasting My Life
A few months ago, I implemented something new in our homeschool: I started giving Katie a list. It always has the same things at the top. Get dressed. Tidy your room. Brush your hair. Practice the piano. And then, checkboxes for whatever she needs to accomplish that day. Math pages. Copy work. Spelling. Addition practice. … Continue reading "On Making Lists and Not Wasting My Life"
Read MoreOn Pink Sunglasses and Growing Pains, or, Joy in Every Stage
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"
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 MoreWhat I Lose, What I Gain
This past weekend, Jonathan sent me away. That is, he booked three nights in a secluded cottage in the woods. He ordered meals for me from HelloFresh (which, by the way, is a genius way of feeding yourself in a vacation rental). He took Friday afternoon and all day Monday off, and gave me a … Continue reading "What I Lose, What I Gain"
Read More