The day was particularly grueling. Breakfast was a scrambled mess with a fresh side of irritation, our homeschool morning ended in eye rolls and defeat (me), and the day spiraled into a discouraging rage of tears and meltdowns. Being one to keep her cool, I usually could keep my peace, patience, and poise to move …
“This is for you,” my small group leader handed me a verse card, eyeing me tenderly. Through tears, I looked at the verse she had given me. I had seen this verse so many times before, even sang the song from time to time. But that day, the words seemed new to me. Although scripture …
**Warning: This post contains sensitive and triggering topics. Please be mindful of reading or sending this post as this writing contains graphic imagery of postpartum depression and suicide ideation. Severe depression robbed me the joy of my second son’s first year of life. I feel a complicated guilt as I look back at photos of …
I love how toddler stories morph into life lessons that relate to God’s work in my own life. I see the correlation between what my kids’ are facing and what I’m facing. There are parallels that, as a writer, I can see more clearly than some. And maybe the correct word is not just see …
“Mom, it’s too cold to go outside!” yells my 4 year old. I never thought I’d see the day when he actually preferred to be inside. He is usually the first one running, pants-less, shirt-less, and shoes-less, out the door. Go figure. My 3 year old, in these colder months, just wants Blippi monster trucks …
I watch two boys gleefully chase each other around the bedroom. I sit on the floor, smiling amusedly with them—although slightly irritated that this is bedtime and no one is actually listening to mommy. I watch their faces as eyes light up and lips curl upward as they look toward one another for their next …
“This says ‘not pregnant’,” I noted uncertainly. I glanced again, my eyes widening as the faintest pink line formed next to the control line. I hoped my eyes deceived me. No way we were pregnant. Jonathan came into the bathroom and looked wide-eyed at me. “I hope there are no false positives, right?” Oh shoot. …
As we found our way to our seats, nervous energy wound its way around in my stomach. What songs would we sing? What would I hear in the message preached? Ultimately, I wondered if my heart would welcome this new experience in church after such a long hiatus. The pastor asked that we stand and …
“Mommy sad,” my two year old looked earnestly at me; his long, dark eyelashes framed inquisitive but caring hazel eyes. Noticing the tears brimming in my eyes and splashing down my cheeks, my sweet son reached a small palm to my arm and drew me in for a hug. Knowing what I had promised myself …
The waning sunlight splashed a beautiful golden hue on green leaves. The trees peacefully swayed in the light breeze. Walking the asphalt path beside our neighborhood pond, my husband held my hand in one and our dog’s leash in his other. I wore one little baby son, and my other toddler son diligently pushed his …
