My mom would have turned 67 today. This world got her for 52 years and for almost 26 of those, she was by my side. What a gift. In honor of the day she was born, within minutes of her twin brother Paul, I celebrate her life today and the legacy she left for us. I think … Continue reading Peggy Mama
Good Practices
Lowering My Standards
My job description could read: Spend all day putting things back where they started. Matchbox cars, pretend food, books. Wash, dry, fold, put back. Repeat. Maintain. Keep needs met, keep everybody alive. Most of the things I do get undone again before the day is through and I rarely feel like I'm making progress. I am not … Continue reading Lowering My Standards
The Good Yearning
Five bunches of peonies have made their way into my house over the past two weeks. And I've been really holding back. I've mentioned my vase-collecting-flower-loving habits before, but there are certain seasons where I go hog wild. Like when peonies show up. If I don't enjoy their tight little bundles (soon to be bursting blooms) … Continue reading The Good Yearning
In Good Company
Having guests in our home is a habit. A very natural and very intentional habit. I grew up in a family of social people and "having company" was a way of life. My parents valued and protected time just for our family of five, but they also maintained a culture of hosting and inviting others in. We lived a mile away … Continue reading In Good Company
Embrace THIS Season
The summer after I graduated from college, I attended 22 weddings. Twenty Two. There's only 14 weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day. I have been a bridesmaid 12 times and maybe sometimes during those wild wedding years, I felt left behind. I was anxious to walk through life with a true companion (a song we … Continue reading Embrace THIS Season
My Comfort is My #1 Priority
Our family dog is a pug named Chub. Pugs are known to be very smart but to have a low work ethic. It's true, I see him pretending he doesn't "get" the instructions. He likes creeks and hikes and walks, but he'll also feel free to find shade in the middle of the adventure and will not budge … Continue reading My Comfort is My #1 Priority
I See a White Butterfly
Last week my family and I joined 15 others for a 5 day trip into a village called Vista del Valle, east of Tijuana, Mexico to serve the people there. Together we mustered up all of our God-given gifts (that we weren't totally sure we had) and shared ourselves with this community. We painted and fixed things. … Continue reading I See a White Butterfly
Think Upon Such Things- part two
Think Upon Such Things-part one (in case you missed it) For the past few months, my kids have been wild about listening to The Jesus Storybook Bible in the car. It’s a paraphrase of scripture for kids by Sally Lloyd-Jones and is read on CD by British actor David Suche. We’ve listened to all 3 CDs at least … Continue reading Think Upon Such Things- part two
Think Upon Such Things- part one
Early in my childhood we had a quintessential 70s style wooden plaque on the wall near our kitchen table. It's edges were scalloped and wood burned and it had a couple of painted flowers on it. It said, "God is First, Friends are Second, We are Third." I have no idea what happened to it (probably sold … Continue reading Think Upon Such Things- part one
Above the Water
My house feels overwhelming today. Laundry, dog hair, toys, piles in the garage, piles on the desk, piles, piles, piles. Our house is teeming with life. Swarming. I am aware of the wonderfulness of it and I am grateful, but I still feel like I can't get my head above water. The rooms in our house haven't all … Continue reading Above the Water
Golden Threads 