This One’s For ALL the Daughters
I spent some time in DC this past week for my oldest daughter's basketball tournament. Let me tell you, it was both enlightening and also quite difficult to be in our nation's capitol during this election year. I spent a lot of time listening and not a lot of time...
A Note on World Events and Taking Things That Don’t Belong To You
When I was a little girl (little enough that I have no personal recollection of this story), I apparently stole a Weeble from a local store. I don't know what was going through my head at that time. I don't know if I asked for it and, after hearing "no," took it...
PRESENCE: My 2016 Word of the Year
There are few growth processes I enjoy as much as I enjoy picking out a word for the year. This was a tradition I started in 2008 and every year I go a little deeper and think a bit broader. Resolutions come and go (and most go unfulfilled)—these words become part of...
How I Dealt With a Personal Maelstrom—and You Can, Too
You guys, I haven't had a good, old-fashioned vulnerability post in a while, so here it is. Please read on and know that whatever you are going through at the moment—you can make it to the other side. I believe in you. I was writing this morning, as I have every day...
Helping Faith Grow Bigger and Fears Grow Smaller: Notes From the Studio
I taught an after-school class yesterday, as I do on a regular basis. In this class sat 13 fabulous girls in a small suburb outside of one of the most well-known cities in a mid-sized state in the northeastern part of the country. This time around, these girls range...
Some Quick Thoughts on Teenage Drinking and Parental Responsibility
I want to spend a few minutes today talking about teenagers, and maybe a little bit about parents. This post has been on my mind since last Friday, when we hosted approximately 24 freshmen boys and girls at our house. Honestly, I am going at this from a...
When Interior Design Makes You Feel All the Feels
If you know me, or have been following me on social media, you know that our house was ravaged by ice dams last winter and the majority of our time between May—September was spent repairing and renovating our home. It was a really trying time for all of us. Our house...
A Note on the “Glimpse Mentality” and Its Toxicity
I had a beach day with a few people earlier this summer and something happened that has been on my mind ever since. I want to talk to you about it because it is so relevant and so important. My hope is that it makes a difference in how you go about your days and how...
A Tale of Two Kiddies: Parenting Through Faith vs. Fear
My children are in the process of saving their own money so they can make a couple bigger-ticket purchases. In order to reach that goal, my oldest daughter thought it would be a great idea to caddy at a local country club for the summer. We agreed. She immediately...
‘Life Leaves Clues’ and Other Lessons From Physical Therapy
I am going to ease into this story with a bit of background info, because it is important for you to get the context. But, the story holds an important message (important enough for me to break my lengthy blog silence) so I want you to hang in there with me, okay? I...
The Importance of Character as a Measurement Tool
If you are a subscriber to my newsletter, you may have already seen this. If you aren't a subscriber, I hope you will become one and then read this post in its entirety, because it is really important. Last week, we were invited to my daughter's school for a...
My Husband’s New Business
I eluded to this last week on my Facebook page, and this is the post some of you have been waiting for. My husband and his business partner, Alan, have launched a new business. He has spent countless hours over the past six months doing market analysis, networking,...