Sometime when Katie was in preschool or kindergarten, my mom gave her a magnetic calendar. It had bright, colorful tiles, with places to note the weather and the season and the user’s current mood. It was the perfect addition to our nascent homeschool, and I was diligent to use it as a part of our … Continue reading "It Seems Like They Change Every Year: Some Thoughts on Routines and Striving for Perfection"
Read MoreAuthor: Jenn
On Pink Sunglasses and Growing Pains, or, Joy in Every Stage
Posted:
March 27, 2022
Under:
Family and Parenting
I was recently chatting with someone about young kids and their development. I told her how amazed I am whenever I think about how much is happening in their brains and bodies from birth to age three. She nodded, then grinned at Emmeline, who was busy being adorable in my lap. “Is it hard being … Continue reading "On Pink Sunglasses and Growing Pains, or, Joy in Every Stage"
Read MoreThree Sixteen
Posted:
March 18, 2022
Under:
Family and Parenting
Three sixteen. If you grew up in the church (and maybe even if you didn’t), there’s a good chance those numbers bring to mind the best-known verse in the Bible, the Gospel in a nutshell. Here’s John 3:16, from The Message: This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one … Continue reading "Three Sixteen"
Read MoreOn Lenten Commitments, or, Lessons in Failure
Posted:
March 10, 2022
Under:
Loving God
For Lent this year, I made three commitments: to read Journey to the Cross by Paul David Tripp each morning; to use my phone for messages, phone calls, bible reading, and my daily Wordle and crossword puzzles, and nothing more; and to be intentional about practicing gentleness with my kids, even when I’m at my … Continue reading "On Lenten Commitments, or, Lessons in Failure"
Read MoreOn Being a Neighbor
Posted:
March 06, 2022
Under:
Loving Others
On the night of December 26th, we were hit by the Snowpocalypse. Or maybe it was Snowmageddon. Or, perhaps, Snowzilla. Take your pick of weather-related doomsday names. Whatever you call it, we got about 16 inches of heavy, wet snow that night, followed by another 6-8 inches over the next few days. True locals–that is, … Continue reading "On Being a Neighbor"
Read MoreWhen Words Are Not Enough
Posted:
February 27, 2022
Under:
Loving Others
After dinner Friday night, Katie brought me the small globe from her room. “Mama,” she said, handing the blue and green ball out to me. “Can you show me where to find Ukraine?” Since Thursday morning, I’ve tried–and failed–to start this blog post multiple times. I’ve typed in sentences, paragraphs, full sections, only to erase … Continue reading "When Words Are Not Enough"
Read MoreThe Romantic and the Mundane
Posted:
February 19, 2022
Under:
Family and Parenting
Gifts in padlocked boxes notwithstanding, we’ve never paid much attention to Valentine’s Day around here, so when we had the opportunity to see friends from out of town on February 14th, it was an easy decision. We had a not-in-the-least romantic but thoroughly enjoyable evening of conversation and toddler wrangling. After a few minutes of … Continue reading "The Romantic and the Mundane"
Read MoreAm I Doing This Thing Right?
Posted:
February 11, 2022
Under:
Family and Parenting
Once, when Katie was three and having a hard time obeying, I told her, “When Mama or Daddy asks you to do something, you need to listen.” Her response? “I don’t believe that.” The incident is clear in my mind because that was the moment I knew I was totally and completely in over my … Continue reading "Am I Doing This Thing Right?"
Read MoreOn Grout and Wooden Trains and Things That Last
Posted:
February 03, 2022
Under:
Family and Parenting
A few weeks ago, entirely by accident, I learned something about my steam mop. (How’s that for a riveting lede? I bet you’re on the edge of your seat.) There was a stubborn bit of something stuck to the floor, so I removed the mop head and used the scrub brush at the bottom of … Continue reading "On Grout and Wooden Trains and Things That Last"
Read MoreOn Waiting Well
Posted:
January 28, 2022
Under:
This Thing Called Life
Ages ago, when Jonathan and I were not yet married and were drudging our way through a year of long-distance relationship, he sent me a Valentine’s Day gift in an opaque plastic box. (Before I say more, I should explain: at this point in my life, gifts were not a strong suit for me. Oh, … Continue reading "On Waiting Well"
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