It’s time for a reset. 2021 has been–well, a whirlwind. The long, choking oppression of the pandemic is lifting, and we’re busier than ever: soccer, baseball, color guard, 4H, scouts, marching band, concerts (hallelujah!), even church choir. Committee meetings. Oh, and there was that minor detail of a book release this spring. Pitching, promotion, recording…
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Time for a Reset
Parenthood is all about “Pantsing”
Once, I was talking to a favorite uncle about life and all deep things. Because that’s what we do. (He’s a great uncle.) I said, “You know, when I was a kid, and something was bothering me, I’d think it through and make up my mind what to do about it, and that was it.…
Read MoreWhat I Learned About Myself While Traveling
I learned something about myself in traveling these past two weeks. When I’m in charge of travel, I’m susceptible to some pretty strong anxiety. I like traveling. I like experiencing the world, seeing new places. I like it a lot, in fact. But until last weekend, I didn’t realize how stressful I would find it…
Read MoreIf You’re Not Outraged…
We’ve been angry a lot this calendar year. Last calendar year, too, truth be told. The world seems made for making us angry right now. But it came to a head in the last week, and in one of those convergences that can only be a sign of the Holy Spirit at work, for three…
Read MoreYou say Self”ish”, I Say Self”less”
I’ll admit it: I totally blew it last summer. I tried to extend my “work-year” to ten months by putting kids in summer school, promising myself that it would be enough to do weekly field trips during July and August. But the first ten days of July were taken up with our triple-duty trip to…
Read MoreThe Power Of Laughter
Last night, while I was singing at church, my husband caught my eye from the pew where he was sitting and cracked a silent joke. Without ever saying a word, with nothing more than a look and a simple gesture, he made me laugh. I really love being married to someone who can make me laugh.…
Read MoreSmall Things, Great Love (Reblog)
The past two weeks. It has almost been too much to bear, all the heartache. All the hatred and the hurting and brokenness everywhere we turn. It is too much. I am tempted to shut it out: turn off the news, avoid the rapid-fire of social media politicking. Sink into my own comfortable life, where…
Read MoreThe Deep, Dark Underbelly of Parenting (and how my attitude is still my own problem)
I was driving home last night from Julianna’s last horseback riding lesson of the year, and pondering what to write for a blog post today, when I realized Julianna and Michael were in the back seat, fighting over… …wait for it… …a dirty paper plate. This was not the first fight of the afternoon, either.…
Read MoreSuffering Isn’t Sexy, But It’s Been Good For Me
I was twenty-five when I got married, and I thought I was coming into it really late. By modern standards, of course, twenty-five is early, if anything, but I didn’t know that. In point of fact, I didn’t know much of anything when I got married. About, well, anything. I thought I was a pretty…
Read MoreUnrecognized Blessings
It was fifteen minutes until Mass started, and we couldn’t find Julianna’s shoes. Or more accurately, one of her shoes. Now, to understand the full significance of this, you have to realize, first, that Alex was serving and he was supposed to be at church fifteen minutes ahead of time—and second, that Julianna only owns…
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