There is something about the first day of school that makes me so giddy. I just love fresh starts. I think that's what it is. Newly sharpened pencils and fresh crayons. All of your attempts at organization get another chance. Something that feels dead gets resuscitated. Atleast that's how it feels for me. There was a little wrench thrown into my "fresh start" this year, however. When we went out to buy NEW things for a NEW school year, my ten-year-old refused to participate. Her Read More
I hate blogging
I really don’t like writing. There I said it. It’s not that I don’t like writing per se…maybe it’s the pressure I feel surrounding writing that I don’t like. I start to feel dread rising up from the tips of my toes through my stomach whenever I think of the writing deadlines I have for the blogs I contribute to. What can I possibly say that hasn’t been said before? I have no new insights, nothing that would make anyone think. I don’t have a profound bone in my body. All I know is I’m a Read More
Meet Gelisa
Those of you who know me know that I love a good story. I love reading stories, telling stories...but most of all, discovering God stories...you know...stories that make you stand in awe of God's personal involvement and power. Recently I asked Jesus to send me some God stories that I could document and share on this blog. I'm so thankful that God brought Gelisa to our church three years ago. It's really quite the story, and I'm thankful that she's willing to share it. So, make sure you're Read More
The Mother’s Day Gift I Didn’t Ask For
Today is Mother’s Day and I woke up feeling like I’d been hit by a truck. After using all my energy to sit up, I asked Darcy if she’d be willing to bring me cereal in bed because it was--after all--Mother’s Day. “Mother’s DAY?!” She had apparently forgotten. I reminded her that she had made me a card earlier in the week that was waiting—unopened—on my dresser. Her panicking subsided, and she brought me Rice Chex and a card. We made it to church and I settled into the Kindergarten-2nd grade Read More
Fluorescent Urine
I'm curling my hair upstairs, getting ready to meet our new Ethiopian church planters when I hear a scream--two screams, actually--so convincing that I'm sure someone's life is about to end. I sprint downstairs, banging into the wall on my way down, only to find a stark-naked Gracie standing in a puddle of bright yellow urine. "I couldn't hode it ANY LONGERW...and the toilet was bwo-ken!" I sigh and walk over to the toilet which is dismantled, but in the 3.47 seconds that I'm away, Penelope Read More
Unravel
The day after I deep clean has historically been a very rough one. I cringe (on a good day, worse on a bad day) as I stand watching my hard, sweaty work completely UNRAVEL before my very eyes. In most cases I have to step outside and practice deep-breathing techniques as a coping mechanism. Today I stood by Penelope’s high chair literally trying to catch her crumbs as her windmill arms swung and flung...my upper back starting to ache as I envisioned myself cleaning the floor for a third time Read More
Growth Hormones
It’s been awhile since I’ve given a report on our current status…so…well….let’s just sum it up this way: At this exact moment, I am hiding in my garage. The footsteps that I hear above me sound like mice on artificial growth hormones, but this is literally the best I can do today. I have locked myself in my van in the garage in an attempt to get a few minutes of uninterrupted solitude. There are only 13 minutes of battery life left on my laptop, but if you think I’m going to risk it Read More
Laundry, Dishes, and Everything Else We’ll Do in Heaven
Last night I was carrying a laundry basket weighing approximately twenty-one pounds up the stairs, dramatically heaving it onto each step ahead of me. I said it to myself, but loud enough that my husband could hear: "I can not WAIT until I don't have to do this anymore." Colby, who was following behind me carrying his kindle, looked up and responded, "Do what?" (He had just gone grocery shopping, so let's not be too hard on him for the obvious here). "You know...laundry, Read More
Mommy Angst (Part 4 of 4)
Jerry Falwell died before I was able to ask him my question. It really is unfortunate since there's a part of me that still is slightly perturbed at him. It wasn't just his flippant statements post 9-11 or his rash opinions of the TeleTubbies, or even the fact that his reputation made me feel uncomfortable whenever someone asked me where I went to college. It's the fact that every Wednesday for my entire college career Jerry spoke at our convocation, compelling us to Go A Little Farther AND Read More
To Stay Home or NOT to Stay Home: Mommy Angst (Part 3 of 4)
Again, in keeping with the Mother's Day Week theme, here is another message I received after publishing this blog post: Annie, I love the thoughts you shared about being a stay at home mom. It's scary how much I can relate to you! I have mom friends on both sides…some have dreamed of being a stay at home mom and others work full time & seem to manage it effortlessly. When I was younger I NEVER, ever, ever thought that being a mom would be my career. I studied hard to be an architect, and Read More