For the first time in the history of our family of six, we are a little ahead of schedule this year on holiday business. It was cold and rainy on Friday night, a perfect time to put up the Christmas tree. Or so I thought. It was Friday night after all, and everyone is...

A couple of weeks ago, the weather changed in Georgia from burning HOT to CHILLY overnight.  Halloween night to be exact.  For grownups, a change in wardrobe is usually kind of welcome!  You may have a whole section of "fall or winter" clothes that haven't been used in...

She stood in the yard.  Her tiny 4 year body with her grown-up size lungs and voice, screaming furry at me.  She'd said she was going around to the garage to get her shoes, so Daisy, our dog, and I took off slowly for our morning walk. She always runs to get her shoes...

When we were out to dinner last Friday night, Lilly asked, "Mom. Are you okay?"  

Yeah. I'm fine.

No, you're not.

Is that tears in your eyes?

No. I'm fine.  

Are you sure you're okay, mom? You don't look okay. 

Honestly Lilly, I feel a little sad.  I'm worried about som...

"Carly, it's your turn!" 

"No, thank you." she said.  

Sometimes when they tell me "no, thank you" to praying, I'll just say, "That's okay, you get a pass."

Today I changed my mind. 

"You know Carly, when we don't want to pray, usually because we are too tired, too busy, o...

Last Monday morning, Carly, who is 9, woke up so excited that she could not stand it!  It was the day that she was going to find out if she made the school drama club. 

She was pretty much certain that the video that she had recorded of herself was going to make th...

"Dude, you had better settle down.  I know that you are bored, and tired and that sitting in the van all day is NO fun, but we've gotta find dad a new car or truck.  Your dad sacrifices all the time so that we can have everything that we need, and today is our day to s...

Early yesterday morning before church, Lilly was going to take Daisy, our Havanese puppy out for a walk.  I said, "Why don't you have Carly (her 9 year old sister) go along?" to which she replied, "I'd rather just go alone."

To which I got so annoyed.  I have this...

School is back in session here in Georgia.  I am equal parts thrilled and sad.  I love the routine and structure that school provides.  I love seeing my babies at the end of their school day.  I love hearing all of their stories.  I love the earlier bedtime.  New goals...

*** I wrote this last year and never published it.  It's too long.  It's probably all common sense. But I think it matters tremendously. 

I find that I'm constantly introducing my kids to new people.  New neighbors.  New teachers.  Movers. New people are every...