Mind

I’m writing this post to give hope to you moms who have that one child that you think just might be the death of you! You know the one … they make you question your ability to be a good parent along with your sanity!! Here’s what I learned from my “Tigger” (because he had boundless energy!) After 6 years of parenting our oldest child, our daughter, my husband and I were pretty impressed with ourselves. She was easy as a baby and we could take her anywhere–she was more like an additional accessory than a child. Easy to travel with, to engage with as she grew, put to bed, obedient – boy, we had this parenting thing all figured out. It took close to three years to conceive our second child, so we were thrilled and excited to be welcoming this little guy to our family of three. This

I’m an avid reader. Started as a pre-teen and my first “job” (volunteering) was at our little public library in the summertime where I would put away books that people returned. I thought it was the best place ever and my dream to become a librarian was born. As an adolescent who lived in the country, far away from friends and a neighborhood setting, I had all the time in the world to read. Now granted, there wasn’t a whole lot of beneficial content to what I read—mostly novels, although early American history was my favorite setting so I did learn quite a bit about the American Revolution and the Civil War eras. My blissful reading days continued for the next dozen years until … kids arrived, along with juggling a profitable, but time-consuming business. No. More. Books. For. Fun. I did read great business and personal growth books but

So I’m not one who struggles with this too often – thank goodness! But there are days … like when I’m not feeling well (I have chronic migraines), after my daughter and grandson leave our house from a weekend visit, and oh yes, when a virus turns the world upside-down! I thought I’d share with you a few ideas that have been helpful to me. Take the focus off myself. These are the times when my melancholy side seems to reign. I find it helpful if I intentionally think about others – there are people living in so much more significant pain than I am; my grandbaby could be states or even countries away rather than 2 hours; for the most part my day-to-day life hasn’t changed too much since this quarantine and at this point, all my family are still doing okay. Then I ask God to bring to

There is something to be said for gray hair (even when it’s been dyed blonde!) Perspective from years of living is a gift, but only if that gift is shared. The singing group, Mercy Me, has a beautiful, insightful song called “Dear Younger Me.” The title and the words of the song inspired me to write this letter to my younger self. Oh, what I would give to be able to go back and hear these words for myself, from the one who knows me best, decades earlier. Wouldn’t you? So here’s what I would like to say to my younger self, and I encourage you think about writing your younger self a similar letter – whether for your own benefit or to possibly share with others in the future. I hope you will share this with your Teen… Dear Younger Me, There is so much I wish you knew

November 18, 2019 will be a day I never forget … the day my first grandchild was born to my first-born daughter. Little Liam Noah arrived four weeks early but he was healthy and just over 6 lbs. I had no idea what I was in for … Over the last decade, I had observed many of my friends becoming grandparents. They seemed to go crazy over their grandchildren … and I didn’t quite get it. I thought, “Sure, it will be fun. But if it happens fine, and if not, I’m okay with that too.” For me, raising children was mostly stressful. As a full-on introvert, I found the constant noise (my two boys!!), chaos, mess, and neediness wore on my soul. Don’t get me wrong—I loved and love my children with all my heart and would literally die for them, but I can’t say I especially loved the