In Defense of Working Mamas

Today, I will return to work after about 10 weeks of maternity leave.  There are a lot of things about this parenting thing I don’t know, but one thing I am sure of is that I am not meant to be a stay-at-home Mom.  And that’s ok. Some people are, and that is a wonderful,

10 in ’17

I love New Years.  The chance to reflect on the last 365 days, start fresh, set goals…it’s the best. This year, I have decided to set 10 little goals for myself. {Initially, I was going to do 17, but I have two little people to keep alive, so let’s be real!}. I have other things

Word for 2016: Surprise

Oh, 2016.  You were full of surprises.  So when I sat down to write my traditional year end summery blog post, it was fairly easy to choose this year’s word.  Our biggest and most wonderful Surprise came in February when we learned that LL would be joining our little family.  As my friend Wade said,

Harper’s Birth Story

Here is the second Best of 2016 blog. This was originally posted on Figuring Out the Plot. I suppose Harper’s birth story really starts at our 36 week appointment where the nurse shockingly announced I was dilated to a 3 and 70% effaced. She was sure I’d have the baby by the next week. So,

Christmas 2016

Christmas came and went in a whirlwind. BB was old enough to understand the idea of opening presents, so watching him do that was a riot. We decided to just put up a tree this year and skip the rest of the decorations.  With two babies (way) under two, I just didn’t have the time

The People in Rural America

This is out first in the Best of 2016 series. This post was originally published on Figuring Out the Plot and was subsequently published in several newspapers. It is my most-read post ever. I grew up in rural America. And my husband and I have chosen to raise our family here. In town without stoplights

One of the Good Guys

Five years ago today, we lost my Uncle David.  This blog post turned into me giving my first eulogy.  Please say a little prayer for my Aunt Midge today. Time passes, but the pain of this day doesn’t get much easier. “To live in hearts you leave behind is not to die.” My Uncle David

Merry Christmas!

“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.” -Roy L.Smith May we store up the magic, joy, and promise of Christmas for the coming year.  Merry Christmas to you all!

Best of 2016

Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing my top 10 blog posts (from my prior blog) from 2016 with you.  It may feel like tv right now with all the re-runs for my regular readers…sorry about that! Here’s the official list: The People in Rural America LL’s Birth Story Go Home and Love

My Favorite Christmas Song: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

It was written during the Civil War. It’s hard to think of a worse time, one in which peace must have seemed so far away, so unlikely.  A country divided against itself.  Brothers fighting brothers.  Bloody battles on American soil. The author lost his wife and son.  And though the road he traveled was dark,