reflection – Choosing This Moment

On Giving Generously, Without Control

Posted: October 25, 2023 Under: This Thing Called Life

By Jenn 1 Comment

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"

Eighteen Summers: Some Thoughts on Doing Enough

Posted: October 03, 2023 Under: Family and Parenting

By Jenn 3 Comments

Why, hello. It’s been far too long, hasn’t it? I have an excuse. (I always have an excuse.) This time, the excuse is a 25-pound firecracker who, until recently, believed sleep was for babies. But I may have already mentioned this once or twice. Or three times. Fine, four. It was kind of a big … Continue reading "Eighteen Summers: Some Thoughts on Doing Enough"

When God’s Help Looks Like a Post-It Note

Posted: October 26, 2022 Under: Family and Parenting

By Jenn 5 Comments

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"

This Post is Not About Sleep, or, Lessons in Community

Posted: October 20, 2022 Under: Loving Others

By Jenn 6 Comments

A few months ago, a friend asked how we were doing. I shrugged. “Another rough night last night.” She commiserated, and I shook my head, rallying myself out of my own self-pity. “I’m sorry!” I told her. “I’m sorry I’m always talking about how little we’re sleeping.” She smiled. “It’s ok,” she said. “It’s your … Continue reading "This Post is Not About Sleep, or, Lessons in Community"

I Do, Still

Posted: July 14, 2022 Under: Family and Parenting

By Jenn No Comments

In recent (and, if I’m honest, not so recent) months, Katie and Abby have had frequent conversations about the people in their lives whom they deem to be marriageable material. (I have no idea where this came from.) Abby’s young enough still that her list often includes such people as her dad or her brother … Continue reading "I Do, Still"

On Sleeping (or Lack Thereof) and Sickness and Sanctification

Posted: June 23, 2022 Under: Loving God

By Jenn 1 Comment

When it comes to sleeping, Emmeline is the worst. I mean this quite literally; of the five babies we’ve had, she is, hands down, the one who has woken me the most at night. And don’t even get me started on naps. She’s adorable, of course. She’s a snuggly love-bug who has a smile that … Continue reading "On Sleeping (or Lack Thereof) and Sickness and Sanctification"

On Casting Votes and Raising Kids and Living Life

Posted: June 09, 2022 Under: Family and Parenting

By Jenn No Comments

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"

It Seems Like God Would Have Wanted to Answer That Prayer

Posted: May 30, 2022 Under: Loving God

By Jenn 1 Comment

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"

What I’m Teaching My Kids

Posted: May 14, 2022 Under: Family and Parenting

By Jenn No Comments

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"

There Will be Time for the Other Stuff Later

Posted: May 07, 2022 Under: Family and Parenting

By Jenn 1 Comment

I’ve read a lot about abortion over the past week. News articles. Legal analyses. Fact-checking pieces. Personal essays. Opinions. Twitter threads. (Confession: I tend to do this when a big issue catches my attention. I take a deep dive, become consumed by everything there is to read about it. I don’t necessarily recommend this approach … Continue reading "There Will be Time for the Other Stuff Later"

Choosing This Moment

Finding the beauty in the everyday

Tag: reflection

On Giving Generously, Without Control

Eighteen Summers: Some Thoughts on Doing Enough

When God’s Help Looks Like a Post-It Note

This Post is Not About Sleep, or, Lessons in Community

I Do, Still

On Sleeping (or Lack Thereof) and Sickness and Sanctification

On Casting Votes and Raising Kids and Living Life

It Seems Like God Would Have Wanted to Answer That Prayer

What I’m Teaching My Kids

There Will be Time for the Other Stuff Later