Both/And…keeping it real

We can do hard things. Acknowledging both the good and hard in everyday life.

  • October 16 or “someday.”

    Have you ever had a someday? What I mean is, have you ever said to yourself, “someday, I will be ready for that role. Someday, I will pursue that dream or be prepared enough to take on that challenge. Someday, my _______ will be right, and then I will be happy. Someday, when I meet______…

  • Saturated…(part 1)

    Though we had been planning for well over a year, our recent vacation to Washington DC snuck up on us because, well, September is September. Maybe it’s just me, but September seems to be right up there with May and December, the two busiest months of the year, at least in our house: purchasing school…

  • “Thank you for giving me my life.”

    When I met her, I noticed first that she had a brand-new beautiful baby. She expertly carried the car seat on one arm and I was jealous of how at ease she was. Our eyes met, across a couple rows at church and I rose to introduce myself. That Sunday and many following, I couldn’t…

  • “Mama, Jesus is smiling!”

    (For SHM) The sun was shining, I had the day off work. After I was blessed with a good workout and some quality time with my hubby, my youngest daughter (in her last year before turning 13,) asked if I would take her to 3 stores: a local consignment shop, 5 below (undoubtedly to spend…

  • 143

    It was a snowy afternoon, one of those where we as a family had a clear Sunday on the calendar, a truly miraculous thing. Even more shocking to me, as a mom of teens, was the fact that after lunch had been cleaned up, I wandered into the main area of our house and found…

  • Becoming 50

    Tomorrow is a big birthday. You know how you hear, “age 50” advice throughout your life? Some is well-meaning and sage, some definitely is NOT. Everything from, “tomorrow, it’s all over, Stacy. Your body starts to break down, you feel 80 from the minute you turn 50,” to “enjoy every moment, it all goes fast.”…

  • Two golf carts…two very different experiences.

    (For my EGM) Spending time with my darling daughter is like getting my cup filled up over and over when it has been significantly hard to find a drink for weeks.  One of our favorite activities together is to go to local craft fairs. We love the creative endeavors, finding so many ideas for her endlessly…