Family and Parenting – Choosing This Moment

On the Road: Perfect Imperfection

Posted: June 08, 2021 Under: Family and Parenting

By Jenn 2 Comments

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"

On the Road: Whirlwind Photo Tour Edition

Posted: June 04, 2021 Under: Family and Parenting

By Jenn 10 Comments

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"

Choosing This Moment: On the Road Edition (and an Important Announcement!)

Posted: May 16, 2021 Under: Family and Parenting

By Jenn 20 Comments

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!)"

Miles’s Guide to a Successful Walk

Posted: February 02, 2021 Under: Family and Parenting

By Jenn 15 Comments

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"

Toddler Steps and the End of the World

Posted: August 25, 2020 Under: Family and Parenting

By Jenn 3 Comments

Things have an apocalyptic (in the world-ending sense of the word) feel to them these days. A massive explosion in Lebanon. Wildfires and rolling blackouts here at home. A derecho storm taking out swaths of the Midwest. Back-to-back hurricanes threatening the southern US. Shady governmental dealings in Belarus and Russia and China (okay, so, nothing … Continue reading "Toddler Steps and the End of the World"

Stories from Lockdown

Posted: May 08, 2020 Under: Family and Parenting

By Jenn 10 Comments

Eight weeks ago, when the term “social distancing” was just beginning to infiltrate our national vocabulary, when the first wave of events was being cancelled out of an “abundance of caution,” when toilet paper memes were starting to make their way around social media, the two small girls of this house decided to play one … Continue reading "Stories from Lockdown"

How to Use This Time Well

Posted: March 26, 2020 Under: Family and Parenting

By Jenn 3 Comments

Confession: we have not done much that resembles “school” around here the last few days. This, despite the fact that we have nowhere to go, no place to be except home. This, despite the fact that we are used to this homeschooling gig and have not been thrust into it involuntarily like so many others. … Continue reading "How to Use This Time Well"

I’m Not Enough

Posted: March 10, 2020 Under: Family and Parenting

By Jenn No Comments

You are enough. It’s a popular statement these days, offered to young parents lost in the doldrums of self-doubt, of worry, of guilt. You are enough. Whoever you are, no matter your failings and weaknesses, whatever your personality and strengths, you are enough. Your child needs you, as you are, and no other. You are … Continue reading "I’m Not Enough"

We Have a Good Life

Posted: January 31, 2020 Under: Family and Parenting

By Jenn 3 Comments

Jonathan and I sat together on the couch a few nights back, paging through the photo book I had compiled for our family for 2019. He paused to smile at a shot of Abby giving a lopsided grin to the camera, and then at Miles sacked out in my arms. When he got to his … Continue reading "We Have a Good Life"

I'm Showing You So Much Grace Right Now

Posted: January 24, 2020 Under: Family and Parenting

By Jenn 2 Comments

The girls had a tussle the other day, one that I could hear building in the dining room as I was making dinner in the kitchen. Katie, ever the big sister, was attempting to get Abby to go along with her game, giving commands with increasing urgency and frustration. Abby, the quintessential little sister, was … Continue reading "I'm Showing You So Much Grace Right Now"

Choosing This Moment

Finding the beauty in the everyday

Category: Family and Parenting

On the Road: Perfect Imperfection

On the Road: Whirlwind Photo Tour Edition

Choosing This Moment: On the Road Edition (and an Important Announcement!)

Miles’s Guide to a Successful Walk

Toddler Steps and the End of the World

Stories from Lockdown

How to Use This Time Well

I’m Not Enough

We Have a Good Life

I'm Showing You So Much Grace Right Now