Family and Parenting – Page 2 – Choosing This Moment

Three Sixteen

Posted: March 18, 2022 Under: Family and Parenting

By Jenn No Comments

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"

The Romantic and the Mundane

Posted: February 19, 2022 Under: Family and Parenting

By Jenn 3 Comments

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"

Am I Doing This Thing Right?

Posted: February 11, 2022 Under: Family and Parenting

By Jenn 3 Comments

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?"

On Grout and Wooden Trains and Things That Last

Posted: February 03, 2022 Under: Family and Parenting

By Jenn 1 Comment

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"

Great Expectations, or, On Having Time

Posted: January 21, 2022 Under: Family and Parenting

By Jenn 9 Comments

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"

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"

Choosing This Moment

Finding the beauty in the everyday

Category: Family and Parenting

Three Sixteen

The Romantic and the Mundane

Am I Doing This Thing Right?

On Grout and Wooden Trains and Things That Last

Great Expectations, or, On Having Time

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