Aisle Two was not the place to be this morning. Today at WalMart, I heard a Dad completely lose his temper with his toddler. In the next aisle over, another shopper and I made eye contact, both thinking the same thing. "Holy cow..." After feeling sorry for the kid and some remorse for the father who was clearly at his end, I couldn't help but think, "But for the grace of God, there go I..." Growing up, the last thing anyone would have described me as was angry. I was a gregarious, 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
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
Grieving the Titanic
My kids really spoiled me for Mother's Day, and it made me take a pause to remember just how much of a blessing motherhood is. Yes, it has flipped my life upside down and shaken all of the change out of my pockets, but it has all been worth it. So very worth it. Last weekend during "quiet reading time" at home, Darcy cautiously came to my door and softly pushed the door open. She had tears in her eyes, so I let her come in and sit on my lap. Apparently she had been looking through 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
Mommy Angst (When Motherhood Feels Insignificant): Part 2 of 4
This week in honor of Mother's Day I want to post some more thoughts about motherhood. The last blog post I wrote I think hit some kind of nerve. Here is one message I received after writing it: Annie, Your blog post that you put up today was really good. I have to admit, that in my incredibly selfish mind....those very feelings are what make me afraid to have children. I feel like at my job I am needed, appreciated, valued, and productive. Even though I have never LOVED my job and have Read More
Mommy Angst: When Motherhood Feels Like Groundhog’s Day (Part 1 of 4)
My six year old was asked recently what she wanted to be when she grew up. After thinking for a moment, she gave a deep, agonizing sigh and cautiously answered, "Well...I want to be an astronaut. But, I keep wondering...what will my kids do when I'm in space? So, I don't really know how to answer your question." I tried to comfort daughter as she wrestled with the dilemma of whether or not to pursue a career outside the home and thought about how I had answered that same question when I was Read More
We Have an Announcement to Make….
I WOULD call it the immaculate conception, but my husband thinks that's both naive and sacrilegious...so I won't. Back in January, I decided to go to Urgent Care to get some antibiotics. I had been sick for weeks and assumed I had some kind of vicious bacteria growing inside of me. I thought I would stop by Rite Aid on my way and get a pregnancy test so that when the doctors asked if I was by any chance pregnant, I could confidently present to them my answer and get on the strongest Read More
GUILTY
In late March, I got pulled over for the first time in my life. I was on my way to a pediatric cardiologist appointment in Charlottesville and had even made a commitment that morning to NOT, under any circumstances, speed. That commitment apparently only lasted 20 minutes because on Route 3 a sheriff flagged me down and gave me a ticket. I felt distraught...ashamed...helpless. There was only one hope: a court date on May 3rd. Today I woke up and rushed the three girls out the door to the Read More