So, I am often asked, "What do we do about our boys and dating?" And I'm like, "What!? They're all still three, what are you talking about?" (So, one of my three year-olds is taller than me, what's your point?)But really. I guess I'm pretty lucky/blessed/super relieved to say that so far we haven't had to do much of anything. My oldest is fifteen, and so far it's been pretty smooth sailing. It may not always be that way, but so far the girl-thing just hasn't been much of a
Parenting and Family
What Preschoolers Need Most from Their Parents (and a few things they don’t need.)
Since I first shared my "What a Teenage Boy Needs Most from his Mom" post, I began receiving requests for all of the other ages/stages of a kid's life. I've done my best with middle school and elementary kids, and then last week I took a break to cover what us Moms need most...But I've put off the one age group that might be requested more than any other: Preschoolers.And I admit that part of the reason I have put it off is because my current preschooler...Levi...the fourth one I've
Levi and the Christmas boxes {Perspective for the Holidays}
Christmas is...Ummmm-- One week away!Though I had a lot of ideas about giveaways and advent thoughts, and filling this blog with beautiful things this season, I ended up instead with a lot of guests, and busy days, and exciting things (and then that nasty cold.) S0 I made some choices to let a few of my plans go.This has turned out to be good for me after all, and I've spent some time thinking about this season and how I want to spend it. I plan to come back in a day or two to talk
Kids and Porn: The Slippery Slope
Post-publish note (3/15): I have made some changes to my original post to narrow in on the most important information here. The topic of pornography and the potential for kids to stumble upon porn is on my mind more than ever now that I have two teenage boys in the house. (and two more coming up behind them.) I hope to write more in a future post about this issue as my passion for the subject has only grown since I originally published this post last fall. I wrote this post specifically to
“She is Mine” A War Orphan’s Incredible Journey of Survival. The Story of my Mentor, Stephanie Fast.
I am honored today to share about a book that is absolutely dear to my heart. Before I talk bout the book (and giveaway!) I am taking a minute to share about the amazing author of the book, and the story of our friendship. (hop to the bottom to get to the review and giveaway!)It was seventeen years ago this month that I first met Stephanie Fast. I was at a women’s retreat in beautiful Cannon Beach, Oregon. Just a year into my marriage, I was struggling to figure things out, and wrestling
Take Home Lessons from an 80th Birthday Celebration
Greetings from somewhere high in the sky over the Pacific Ocean. If you're following on Facebook and Instagram, you might know that Dave and I just spent a whirlwind 36 hours in Oregon, to be a part of an 80th birthday celebration for both of his parents. We’re on our way back now, and naturally, I am reflecting on so much that happened, in such a short time.I have concluded that as a parent, there are actually two types of “get aways” from your kids. The practical kind where you go to
Five Ways You Can Help When Your Kids Are Feeling Down.
I am super excited to be guest posting today over at the Kids Activities Blog. (You may know of their site, (or recognize their Facebook page, Quirkymomma.com, which is such a fabulous resource that they currently have nearly one million LIKES!)I chose to do my guest post on a subject that I've never written about here at my blog before. It is something that all families will eventually face, and one I think we all should be equipped to handle. I hope you'll hop over to read it after
When You Feel Like You’re Drowning (Motherhood.)
I might make it all sound like fun and games around here. And many days, it truly is. I love this family of mine, and I wouldn't trade this life for anything.But this life of boys and noise and schedules that always (always!) change, and teenage testosterone, and toddler tantrums...it can get crazy. My boys are always around, and sometimes my head just spins as they go in and out in around me... Sometimes I just stop and take in my environment...and I can hardly believe it myself.And