Returning to joy

With a fresh eye for the grace that's daily extended to me, I've been more able to laugh at the absurdity of preschooler behavior, more able to enjoy my kids even on tantrum-y days.

My favorite Mom resources

Every Tuesday morning, there's a moment when I think it's Wednesday and eagerly open my podcast app, looking for the latest Risen Motherhood episode. Seriously, every Tuesday. You'd think I'd learn to keep my days straight. Fortunately, I have a few other go-to resources that stir my affections for Jesus and lift my gaze to him …

Mommy blogs are not my gospel.

It's four o'clock. On an ideal day, I've read my Bible over nap time, but that's an ideal day. Now a few hours later, I'm checking my email, my Facebook page, my Instagram account, scrolling through for a boost to get me through the last few hours til bedtime. The mom-centered messages abound: -Just a …

I am an ambassador

There was nothing remarkable about the way I was shepherding them through the store; we were having a nice chill shopping trip, but it had less to do with me and more to do with the snacks I was dealing.

My kids are not my source of joy.

When so much of motherhood is a fight to love well and keep on serving when you just want to put yourself first, the knowledge that everything that matters in eternity has already been accomplished for me by One who loves me can change everything about my heart attitude.

Grace for future patience

As much as I'd love to just get perfect in time for Baby Boy, that's not happening. Some of the challenges I dread will change me and refine me into a better mother, wife, friend, and most important, a better worshipper of Jesus.

These twos are anything but terrible

  Before you pat me on the head and think, "That's so cute, just wait til the twos really get started," be assured we have our double share of tantrums, screaming matches, poop on the floor, running into streets, random sudden fears, and hair-pulling. They intensified just around two with a force that was definitely terrible, …

Fight the itch, save a life

All pregnant women get itchy, right? It's normal. Your belly is stretching, stretch marks inevitably make their appearance, and you're generally uncomfortable. But what if it's not normal? What if it's actually a life-threatening itch? With Lucy and Catalina, I had a rare condition called Intrahepatic Cholestastis of Pregnancy, a liver condition that can be …

Taking back the [very] end of the day

When I finally subscribed to the Risen Motherhood podcast after several recommendations, my first listen was their recent podcast on taking back last hours of the day-- the dreaded "witching hour." It was a great podcast and I recommend it. But the idea of taking back the end of the day caught my attention because the very end of my …

Treasuring Christ: a book I can’t stop re-reading

There are a few books that have forever changed how I live, view the world, and think about God: The Weight of Glory by C.S. Lewis, Man Alive and Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton, A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken. And I've just added a new one to the list: Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full, …