Now that I have children, the thought of planning a wedding makes me want to curl up in a ball on the floor. Wedding? Who needs a wedding? Park me by a pool (in the shade of course) in a tropical location with a never-ending line of frozen beverages. How many nights at the Four Season Punta Mita and $17 daiquiris could I have bought with the bill from my wedding? Don't answer that. But there is a reason that we celebrate weddings with so much hoopla. Weddings are magical because they are the … [Read more...] about wedding advice you didn’t ask for
family life
i’m on board for summer
Today is the last day of school. I kind of went off about summer back in May about how much I dread it. But today, I'm feeling confident. Better. Like I might actually be able to have some fun. Like I might actually enjoy it. Like I might actually get into it. Where is this coming from? A month ago I was sarcastically listing off summer projects that will never happen, and now I think summer might have some magic in it after all? Well, I listened to a podcast this morning that really … [Read more...] about i’m on board for summer
why parents need to stop taking pictures from the audience
Last week I found myself at a classroom event for my first grade son, and it seemed that every parent was snapping away and/or video taping the performance. But not me. I don't take pictures at school events.* And I'm thinking. Who would want to watch this again with bad lighting and poor sound? Much less see some blurry pictures? Doesn't your arm hurt from holding your phone at that angle for 37 minutes? The performance was cute. And lovely. And completely enjoyable. But once is enough. And … [Read more...] about why parents need to stop taking pictures from the audience
the minimalists
On Tuesday night, I went to a book reading of Everything That Remains a memoir by The Minimalists - Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus. These best friends shared their experience of converting from a life filled with empty consumption to a life of value. Not like the value meal as in big portions or double coupons but to a simple deliberate life where every choice you make you're asking yourself, does this bring me value? Or joy? This idea, this philosophy, is something that has really … [Read more...] about the minimalists
you get what you get
...and you don't get upset. How many times do we remind our kids this? When we're doling out treats or they're getting picked for teams or things just don't go the way they want. You get what you get, and you don't get upset. I could have used that little reminder this weekend. It all started with the three day weekend and all of the potential that extra day provided. I didn't want to stay home. I wanted an adventure. A road trip. A road trip with camping. A road trip with camping AND a … [Read more...] about you get what you get
summer looms
Nine and a half months out of the year, with a few breaks for vacation here and there, I manage my own time. I put the boys on the bus at 8:25 and I have until 3:50 to do whatever the heck I want. Or more realistically, I do whatever needs to get done: exercise, write, work, run errands, do chores. All of this happens in my condensed work day. And then there's summer. I'm coming clean. I dread summer. Yep. I said it. I dread summer. Summer feels like something that has to be … [Read more...] about summer looms
being a mother and a child
I was walking by the small garden next to our church. It was one of those spring days that you still need a sweater even thought the air has a new sense of warmth that wasn't there a few weeks, even days, before. I had a few extra minutes, so I found a bench. It just happened to be across from a statue of Mary. I wasn't raised in the tradition of Mary, but recently I've had her on my mind. We are both mothers after all. I sat there for awhile. Mary stood across from me elevated, with … [Read more...] about being a mother and a child
that time i egged my own car #tbt
Here's a little throw back to when I had two kids under the age of three and stayed home with them full-time. If you're a mother that has ever had a very public meltdown and maybe tossed a few things, Happy Mother's Day. This one's for you. What is that smell? Every time we got in our minivan there was a horrible stench. My husband compulsively checked under the seats for lost sippy cups filled with rancid milk. He scoured every nook and cranny for the source of that smell. Only I … [Read more...] about that time i egged my own car #tbt