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STRESSED OUT Daughters-In-Law and Daughters at Thanksgiving
I'd like to call for a huddle before we kick off the holiday seasons. Calling all the women in the family, please. Can we huddle up for a moment?Now, please don't call me coach. I'm really not in a position to be coaching anyone on these matters. So far, I only have...
The Crime of Birthdays
Thanks to Beyond Bathtime Blog, for publishing my story:“Mom, I need you to pray for me.” The serious look on Older’s face caused me to lean in with concern.“OK,” I said. “What is it?” Older took a deep breath and said, “Well, tomorrow is Younger’s birthday, and on my...
On the Back of a Larry Boy Coloring Sheet
One Sunday afternoon, I was shuffling through the stack of papers that had accumulated on my kitchen counter.One paper--obviously a letter--caught my eye. I glanced to see who it was from, but the ink at the bottom of the page had faded into oblivion. This was...
Am I Safe, Mom?
by: Michelle Loveless"Sing the drums go BOOM! Mom!" begs my two year old son at bedtime. Our rather unusual routine started a while ago, when I noticed that Henrik would cling to me in fear whenever I would begin singing my usual lullaby. It was his cue that I was...
“You stink, Bud.”
a retelling from October, 2010As I walked downstairs one Saturday morning, I saw Cade sitting at the breakfast bar. I told him that before he got busy playing, he needed to take a bath. As always, he tried to beg his way out of it, but I shook my head. “You stink,...
“I don’t know who to vote for!”
Four years ago, on the day of the presidential election, I walked out to my car after Bible study. There was a girl buckling her baby into the car beside me. I greeted her, then said, "I'm on my way to vote!"She sighed and said, "Me, too... but I'm just so confused. I...
Want to Hear My Secret?
by: Heidi VriesmanPsst… I have a secret.My secret has allowed me to have more time to play with my kids, enjoy them, teach them, train them,and show them patience. This secret helps me keep a clean house, get dinner on the table, and staycaught up on the laundry. My...
Fat Pumpkins
A repost from 2010--just because I love this story so much. :)Tonight, when I tucked Cade into bed, I could tell something was bothering him. It was his pumpkin. The one he made today, in first grade. "I tried to listen to the instructions, but I just didn't...
Halloween Classroom Party: Fillers & Extras!
When you're planning a classroom party, sometimes you want to have some Fillers & Extras ready to go, to fill any time gaps that you might have.I like to use 'Paragraphs with Holes'. You know--the stories with words missing that the kids fill in. It keeps all of...
My Gifted Student
I talked last time about a piano student who caused me some frustration.Today I'll talk about one who warms my teacherly heart. Lauren is much like I was at her age--very curious and enthusiastic and determined.She brought two songs she had written to her lesson this...
A Piano Lesson on Rests
I'm a piano teacher. Every Monday evening I am blessed with amazing children who warm my piano bench and my heart at the same time.But my most challenging student doesn't come to the bench on Monday nights. He comes whenever I think to call him between cooking dinner...
The Sky is Pink
by: Michelle Loveless"Look Mom, the sky is pink!" my three-year-old says in wonder.But I am too busy obsessing--almost frantic--studying the tail lights in front of me. Tail lights. Clock. Long line.I grope behind my seat. Where is her backpack? Impatiently, I ask my...
Not Everything in a Mayo Jar is Mayo
My daughter and her friend—both freshmen in high school--did this mayonnaise prank. They emptied a mayo jar, washed it out, and filled it with a mixture of vanilla pudding and cool whip. They created just the right combination so that it looked like mayonnaise.Then,...
Her One Tardy
When I was a teacher, I always started out parent-teacher conferences by asking the parents if they had any concerns that we needed to discuss. One such parent voiced one that I wasn't expecting:"I'm concerned about my daughter's tardy," she said."Her.... one tardy?"...
The Prodigal’s Sister
There's a story Jesus told about two brothers--one who disgraced his Father by running off with an early inheritance, and the other, who stayed behind dutifully slaving away, but was just as distant from his Father's heart. The story is about both sons being invited...
Halloween Classroom Mask Game!
The Mask Game: I've used this game for 1st- 5th grades, and it's always worked really well!Prep: Either bring in an assortment of masks, or have the kids make their own masks, using paper plates with holes for eyes and yarn stapled to the sides.Setup: Clear a large...
Full and Missing Thermoses
By: Shannon PopkinThis morning, when I went to wash out Cole's thermos, I found that it was full. He hadn't even eaten the healthy meat-and-potatoes lunch I packed yesterday, and now it had to be thrown out.So I lectured him about the price of beef these days. I went...
When Your Husband Walks Another Path
It's Yellow Ball Monday, and Christy has the ball:My husband, PJ, struggles with me spending time at church. Whether I'm there to fellowship, worship, learn, or volunteer, he doesn't understand why I’d want to go. He's a scientific thinker, and the story of God and...
How Doth He love Me? Let Me Count the Ways
By: Shanon PopkinWhen did I feel most loved by my husband this month?It wasn't when he gave me the gift card which came with his new credit card. (Though I'm really looking forward to using it.)It wasn't when he got up early to take our daughter to swim practice, and...
Gateway to Rest
by: Heidi Vriesman “I’m hungry!” whines my four-year-old.“Can I have oatmeal?” My eight-year-old gets out her bowl.“I have oatmeal too!” My precocious two-year-old starts making a mess in the cupboards by my legs. “Can I watch another show? Please, please!” My...
Tell Him to Stay Away from that Flirty Girl
My friend's son was a 9th grader when a girl suddenly began inserting herself into his life in a big way. She came to his games, invited herself over, sent him texts (lots of texts). She was everywhere. My friend became concerned by how much her son was enjoying the...
Welcoming Two New Writers!!
Dear Tiny Paragraph Reader,Can I talk to you a sec? I just wanted to say thanks. You--a reader with access to the world wide web-- obviously have a lot of other reading options. I’m happy to have you visit anytime, but if you’re someone who stops by regularly, I'm...
Hallway Display of Baby Pictures
In our new house (new to me two years ago, that is...) we had a big empty wall in the hallway. I also had a big bulging envelope of pictures taken by photographers of my babies. Plus, I had a big sagging box of old photo frames.Put it all together, and I here's what I...
She Was Completely Presumptuous
When Lindsay was a toddler, she would often climb up in Ken's lap while he was sitting in his recliner over in the corner. It didn't matter if he was taking a nap or talking on the phone. She would bring her little Good Night, Moon book, climb into his lap, then wait...
How did I get like this?
During our first year of marriage, I asked this question dozens of times. My new husband would hurt my feelings or make me angry, and I would fling myself on the bed, wailing and punching pillows. But it never made me feel better. I’d emerge feeling horrible and...
There Was Smoke Coming Out of His Ears
As my friend, Wendy, and I were waiting with the rest of the choir to go on stage, I noticed something. Her choir dress was black and mine was burgundy. And our folders were just the opposite--hers was burgundy and mine was black. "Let's switch!" I said. So we could...
Neighborly Worm Slinging
Here's a conversation I had one summer morning, with my nine-year-old son: Me: Honey, did you open the side door in the garage this morning? Him: Yeah, I went outside this morning while you guys were still sleeping. Me: What??! What were you doing outside? Him: I was...
Lambeau Field: Hold Up Your Card!
If you know me well, you're wondering why I'm doing a post that is in any remote way related to football. Just to clarify, I'm the football fan, who, at last week's HS game said to the guy next to me, "Now, what do you mean by the chain gang?" He was so nice. He...
Our Back-to-School Verse Tradition
TRADITION: Each year, Ken and I choose a verse-of-the-year for each of our kids. We think through the individual challenges or struggles he/she is facing and try to find a fitting verse. Doing so reminds us to periodically evaluate where our kids are in their walk of...
Funny, Mad/Sad, New & Review
To help my kids tell me about their day at school, I made up "Funny, Mad/Sad, New & Review'. They have to tell me something from each category.So, for instance, here are the things I learned about today:Funny: In Cole's math class, a kid walked in absently and sat...
A 3×5 Card Covered in Tally Marks
On Sunday afternoon in a shallow area of Lake Michigan, I called my family in for a huddle. I challenged them all to a contest. For the next day and a half--the last moments of our summer vacation--we would only speak positive words. Any negatively spoken message...
Squeezing the Last Precious Moments out of Summer
It's Yellow Ball Thursday (just 'cause I don't have another Monday left in summer), and Michelle Loveless has the ball:I've loved the pace of this summer. Basically we check the weather in the morning and I say, "what are you in the mood for today guys?" Then we pack...
Shaking Sobs and Choking Snorts
Last year, we left our church. Not the Church, mind you. But still, it was our church. And while we felt the Lord leading us to do so (despite our strong convictions against ‘church-hopping’), it was still really hard to leave. And hard to begin somewhere else.One of...
My Husband Doesn’t Bubble Wrap Our Kids
Once when Cole was about three, we had him in a church service with us. He had to go to the bathroom, so Daddy (Ken) took him out. From my seat near the front, I watched as they re-entered the sanctuary a few minutes later. Ken started walking down the side aisle, and...
A Lesson From a Little Girl in a Store
Yesterday, I had my arms loaded up with good deals, and was headed up to the check out when a hanger slipped off one of the shirts I was carrying. Before I could bend down to get it, a little girl--probably about four years old--skipped over to that spot and picked it...
Baby Shower Game: Possible Parenting Advice
Here's a fun game for a Baby Shower called "Possible Parenting Advice".Supplies:1 package of 3x5 cards2 baskets, labeled "Questions" and "Advice"Give everyone two cards. On the first card, ask everyone to write a question a new mom might have about caring for her...
The Day Older Bought Younger a Pop
Thanks to Beyond Bath Time for publishing the following story: In the car, Younger grumbled about several things in a row. So, as I often do, I asked him to name ten things he was thankful for. He mentioned Older in at least half of his thanksgivings. “I’m thankful...
“I don’t know about that…”
When Cade was seven, my friend Karee told me about a conversation she had with him while waiting in line at church. Probably feeling quite grown up, compared to Karee's little toddler, he turned to her and said, "So, how's everything with your kids?"Karee said, "Oh,...
This Round Hunk of Glass is Holding Me Back
For Cole's fifth birthday, we bought him a fish, which he named Goldfish. Goldfish has become legendary at our house, and we love to tell her 'fish tales' over and over. Though the story I'm going to tell today is the last story of Goldfish's long and eventful life,...
It Seems A Little Backward
Thanks to Mom Colored Glasses for publishing this story:My husband, Ken, didn’t have a lot of experience with babies before our firstborn, Lindsay, arrived. During her first year, as she discovered and learned new things, he was learning right alongside her.When...
A Magic Eraser Lotion
This lotion was like a magic eraser! When my friend spread it on her daughter's horrible Eczema, the scales and blisters amazingly disappeared! Jen was so thrilled to be able to give her little girl relief.But within a short time, Jen noticed little bumps popping up...
BFF: My daughter’s definition Vs. Mine
My latest post on Beyond Bath Time:A few years ago, my daughter went through the BFF stage. She said it stood for Best Friends Forever. I said it stood for Big Fear Fixer. What's the big fear? That we won't have a friend. In kindergarten, we believe that everyone...
He Couldn’t Put it Back
I stood back a couple of feet from the window, watching my husband, Ken, talk to our very unhappy looking neighbor. The man kept pointing to a strip of grass between our two houses. As the neighbor's motions swept wider and his face got redder, my anxiety spiked. This...
He’s Tighter Than My High School Jeans
My husband is incredibly tight. Tighter-than-my-high-school-jeans-tight. (Not that I still have them. I'm not nearly as tight as he is.) This morning, he crawled into bed beside where I was propped up with pillows, doing email. He said, "Whachawanna do today?" He was...
3 Questions for Parents
Recently, my friend and I were talking about getting to the root (heart) issue, when we discipline our kids. I shared with her my 3 Questions (which I got from another friend!), which I have found to be helpful with my own kids. She asked me to write them down for...
A Stiff Necked Mama
My first waking thought this morning was, "Oh no. Was that my popping sound from my shoulder?" Sharp pain pinned me to the bed and I struggled to find a way to maneuver my body toward relief. As I got myself into a standing position, my upper body was trembling and I...
Asleep in the Chair
I peeked around the corner into the living room, and shook my head in irritation.Just as I suspected, my husband was asleep in the chair.I turned back into the kitchen to finish making dinner. As I banged the pans around, the thoughts banging around in my mind went...
He Kept Propping his Blueberry Bucket Next to Mine
Here are the blueberries we picked yesterday. And this is only the half that my mom didn't take home! Over 85 pounds in two hours--definitely a record for us!Our success was due, in part, to one particular picker. In years past, he filled his tummy more than his...
My Arms Aren’t Long Enough
Read my article in the latest MOMSnext E-zine (produced by MOPS):The more roller coasters my 8-year-old rode during our day at an amusement park, the more he wanted to ride. (Just the opposite was true of me.) On our last ride of the day, he even offered to be the one...
“Positive Signs”–my article in Family Fun Magazine
Recently, as I pulled up to an intersection, I noticed a stop sign that hadn't been there before. It caught my attention, and I was careful to come to a complete stop before proceeding. The stop sign gave me an idea. If stop signs can help grown ups remember to do...
“The Joy of Cooking” is not a Book I Own
For this story to have full effect, you must understand that my mom is a fantastic cook. I am not exaggerating when I say that complete strangers have walked to me up and asked, "Are you Judie Berry's daughter? She makes the best rolls in the world."And she does! She...
A free book from my friend!
My friend, Jocelyn Green, has done a phenomenal job of rallying military wives and offered spiritual support and encouragement with her book Faith Deployed and its website.Now, in her debut fiction piece, Jocelyn turns the page back 150 years and writes about another...
Taking the ‘Blind’ out of Blind Date
"Do you know Ken Popkin?" I asked my friend, Chris. Since Chris was the youth pastor, I figured he might know the guy from our church whom I was being set up on a blind date with.Chris did know Ken, but not well. He promised that if he had a Ken sighting the next...
A Gift Card My Tween Didn’t Want to Give
There’s this store in the mall that I’ve been known to grumble about. It’s dark in there, the music is blaring, and the smell trails behind me when I leave. Plus, it’s selling more than just clothes. When you shop there, you’re bombarded with the not-so-subtle message...
The Man Who Chased me Down on the Highway
When I was expecting our first baby, I had driven to see my parents in Michigan for a few days over spring break. I was on my way back to Milwaukee--about an hour into the trip--when a car beside me started honking its horn.I glanced over to see a man waving. It was...
“Well, that’s not happening.”
"When would you like them to come? And do you need to be present when our guys get there?" she asked me over the phone. I had already paid for one service call, but the problem had only resolved momentarily. Now it was back."Well, the sooner the better," I replied....
A Story behind my Story in P31 Magazine…
If you are a subscriber to P31 Woman Magazine--a publication of P31 Ministries, check out my June 2012 article, on p.6, entitled "Beauty Hinges on Hope". (Or click here to order your copy.)It's a great story about how God waited until I was done trying to control my...
My Ugly Old Sofas
I wanted to buy some new sofas. Ours are at least ten years old, and the leather is all cracked and worn. I'm embarrassed every time we usher company into that room, but when I started pointing out new sofas in catalogs, Ken said, "Ours are fine! Who cares what they...
Circled and Starred and Stickered and Stamped
Last week I asked my son who is favorite elementary school teacher was. He named several, but our conversation gravitated toward Mrs. DeKam--an exceptionally special teacher, when we especially needed one.The year before had been so difficult. My son had entered first...
Do You Hear a Buzzing in the Wall?
The kids had been complaining about bees in the basement. From their lego territory, they would call out, "Mom, there's another bee flying around down here!"But I just never took the time to go down and check it out. I would say, "Ok... just leave it alone." Was I...
She Doesn’t Get to Graduate
Lindsay told me that the saddest ending to a school year for her was first grade. Not because she was sad to leave that particular classroom. She was sad that there was no graduation! She had loved her kindergarten graduation so much, and was so disappointed to learn...
“I wasn’t wicked,” he said.
My eight-year-old said, "I remember before I was a Christian and I wasn't wicked."I had just been reading him Psalm 36's description of the wicked. I said that all of us were wicked before God saved us. But my son disagreed. "I wasn't wicked," he said.The thing is--I...
Shan Pahkin’s Pizza and a Thirsty Little Girl
When we lived in Milwaukee, I absolutely adored my friends' little girl, Allie. And she liked me, too, but she really liked Ken. She called him 'Pen' and she called me 'Shan Pahkin' and we had great times with her. She was cutest little flower girl in our wedding, and...
A Lay-Off/Promotion
Just a week before my friend, Angela, was to give birth to twins, her husband got a call before work. They told him not to bother coming in that day. They were laying him off. Without saying anything about it, he left the house as if he were going to work. Instead he...
My Mom’s Serving Hands
Once when I was a new teacher, my mom gave me a perm. (It was stylish in those days to frizz your hair out like a big brillo pad.) When I went to school the next day, one of the other teachers said, "Oh, I love your perm! I wish I had enough money to get a perm..." We...
Go Sing Happy Birthday into the Mailbox. NOW!
After you read this, go tell your child to do something that sounds absolutely ridiculous. Like, "Put a pair of socks on your ears." Or, "Sing 'Happy Birthday' into the mailbox." Or, "Go turn all of the door knobs in the entire house."If he asks you, "Why?", don't...
Beyond Bath Time…
Check out my first post on Beyond Bath Time, a blog that supports motherhood as a sacred role. This blog is a follow up to Erin Davis' new book with the same title, just released in April.I haven't met Erin in person, but I feel like I have! She was kind enough to...
The Value of a Trinket Ring
"Is this yours?" my friend asked. She had just pulled a tiny plastic ring from her purse.I smiled and said, "Oh! I'm not sure. But if it is, you may keep it." Her daughter had enjoyed playing at our house with some of Lindsay's old dress up clothes--a tangled heap of...
It had seat warmers and a DVD.
I was angry this morning. Very angry.For almost a week I've been without a vehicle, and whenever I find a nice one online, I show my husband and he says, "That's too much." But that's not why I was angry. I was angry because there was finally a vehicle that my husband...
What’s in Your Lunch?
"I think you should share your peanut butter & jelly," I told her. (I didn't really say 'peanut butter & jelly'--but for the sake of this post, we'll call it that.)"But I don't want to share my peanut butter & jelly," she said. "I don't think people like...
Patting Faces in the Dark
It's Yellow Ball Monday, and Karee Mouw has the ball...Last week, my little guy, Sawyer, padded into our bedroom in the middle of the night looking for some comfort. This isn’t entirely uncommon. (Please note that he comes to my side of the bed, not my husband’s. Not...
He had a picture of his dad in his wallet.
I went out with a guy in college, named Dean*, who carried a picture in his wallet of his dad. It wasn't a recent picture. It had been taken back when his father was about Dean's age--maybe 19 or 20 years old.Dean was always pulling the picture out to show friends. He...
But, the sign said, “Come on in!”…
Our doorbell wasn't working.It hadn't been for about two months, but I just hadn't figured out how to get it fixed (which involved calling my dad...). When you pressed the button it made a low humming sound, but nothing near loud enough to be heard over the dull roar...
But God said, “No.”
It's Yellow Ball Monday, and Heidi has the ball...When I was in high school, I was convinced I’d marry a certain brown haired, attractively rebellious guy. I prayed and prayed that he would want me as his girlfriend, but God said, “No”. Instead God blessed me with a...
Easter Story Eggs–To use with your children, or family or friends!
I've expanded on the idea of the Resurrection Eggs, using a longer version of the Easter Story. We plan to use this tomorrow with our extended family, but I thought others might enjoy using it, too.Using the 'key' below, fill the eggs accordingly and hide them along...
An Organized Christian Cool Guy with a Motorcycle
Cade (straightening his desk): When I'm grown up, I'm gonna have a desk and put my phone and my computer on it.Me: Oh... Are you going to be a business man, like Daddy?Cade: No, I'm gonna be a cool guy. I'm gonna have a rich house and a motorcycle.Me: Well, how will...
Hunger Games: What I Found Disturbing (A Christian Mom’s Review)
Last time, I talked about what I liked--and there's a lot to like in the Hunger Games. But this time, I'd like to tell you what I found disturbing. I suppose it's obvious: Rollicking festivities that include the crowd collectively leaning in to watch children hacking...
Hunger Games: What I Liked (A Christian Mom’s Review)
When considering movies, we teach our kids to ask: Does this movie celebrate God's good intention for his creation? Or does it celebrate the Fall?Hunger Games is tricky. It portrays a void of God's good intentions--a world where merrymaking crowds are entertained by...
My Reasons for Staying Home on Spring Break This Year
These are not necessarily in the order of importance and are meant strictly to entertain you:1. It takes me longer to prepare for the week of vacation than the actual week itself. I've never clocked it, but I'm the type of person who wants to see every single rental...
My Husband’s Strategy for Clothes Shopping
Most mannequins either have no feet (their legs end mid-thigh), or their feet have no shoes. And that's fine. What does a mannequin need shoes for?But when you exclusively shop off of mannequins, this creates a challenge.Before my husband had me, he would enter a...
“Good Job, God!”
It's Yellow Ball Monday, and Elaine Gavette has the ball:A ride in the back of a tiny compact car is not always pleasant for a two-and-a-half-year-old. However this Sunday morning, Allie was in a happy mood. Sitting in her carseat next to her eighteen-month-old...
Beauty Tips from Brown Peeling Paint
Yesterday, after I spoke to a ladies' group about true beauty, someone brought up the time and money we spend on improving our appearance. How much is too much? Should we worry about it at all?I remember saying that there's nothing wrong with wearing makeup or finding...
Hold Your Frogs Loosely
It's Yellow Ball Monday, and the Farmer's Wife has the ball!Work-from-home moms tend to use rather unconventional methods of keeping their children quiet while making business calls. I'm not proud of it, but I used a frog and a bathtub with my three year old. My...
Through the Parking Lot and Across the Mushy Field
I emailed my friend, Phrene, to see if she could take a couple of pictures of me after Bible study. I needed a shot of just me, and told her I could bring my camera; it would only take a few minutes. She emailed back and said sure, but she'd prefer to just use her...
“I’ll get you, my Pretty….”
Last night, at a coffee shop, five moms and their middle school daughters discussed the crazy lengths girls go to for beauty. It's ludicrous, when you consider how few of us ever achieve (and much less maintain) today's stick figure standards. (We're discussing Erin...
And Yet Its Sides Are Two
It's Yellow Ball Monday, and Fae has the ball:I went down to get something out of the garage today. My son followed me in, but when I went back into the house, he stayed in the garage. I stood in the doorway calling, "Come on! Come with Mommy." But he just stood...
My Sneaky, Pilfering Sister
Once, when I brought Ken (who was then, my boyfriend) home with me, he stayed in my sister's room. Mandee moved to a different bedroom and gave him her private little basement suite for the weekend. Periodically, if she needed something from her room, she would go in...
Spelunking In Stores
There's this store in the mall that is so dark, I feel like I should really get a spelunking hat before I go in again. I have the hardest time reading the price tags. The regular prices are stamped in grayish ink, but when you get to the clearance section (which is...
A True Veggie Tale
It's Yellow Ball Monday, and Missy Hartwell has the ball:From age two, my son Michael has been mesmerized by Veggie Tales. When his autism made it difficult for us to capture Mikey’s attention or eye contact, the sharp-witted characters, zany songs, and up-beat...
Fire, Smoke Damage, and Hysterical Yelling
Last week, I put a stick of butter in a pan, turned on the burner, and reached for the milk. Only a few drops left.I thought, “If I leave now, I can stop at the store before I have to pick up Lindsay.” So that’s what I did. Only I forgot to turn off the burner.Thirty...
“I thought you said you were athletic!”
It's 'Yellow Ball Monday' and Miriam Walsh has the ball:It was a ski-lover's dream. Snow laden hill. Tiny puffs of snow falling from a January sky. Athletes gliding down the hill. Hot cocoa sippers watching from the nearby lodge.Enter the Walsh family. Freshly...
You Give Me Hope
The other day, Cade (age 8) said to me, "Mom, I really love it when you tell me that you love me. You know, like when you give me a kiss at night and say you love me? It makes me feel all warm when you say that. It gives me hope."Then yesterday, when he hopped out of...
Singin’ “No way, no way, no way!”
It's Yellow Ball Monday, and Alice Daniels has the ball:A number of years ago, I was in that worn-down part of the day of getting the children ready for bed. I had given my 18-month-old, Elaine, her bath, tucked her up in her crib, and was now trying to corral my...
What Humiliation Does and Doesn’t Accomplish
When I was in high school, I loved piano. My choir director asked me to accompany the choir on a a couple of our songs. I said sure, I'd be happy to, though I had never accompanied before.I practiced the songs, which were easy enough, at home, but I guess I didn't...
What My Daughter Wants Me to Tell You
Lindsay remembers the day in first grade that she couldn't play with Abby at recess. She wanted to, but I had told her she couldn't. I said that Abby wasn't a good influence, and Lindsay needed to have more than just one friend. "So tomorrow," I told her, "I don't...
A Treat by Any Other Name…
It's Yellow Ball Monday, and Karen Lehr has the ball: Somewhere along the line, I have taught my kids that there are 'healthy snacks and 'unhealthy' ones. Most likely it was after Valentines Day or Halloween, when they are begging for candy every ten minutes. I've...
My First Date with Ken
My friend recently went on a first date. She said the guy was nice, but the way he paid for her coffee was a little awkward. It didn't bother her that he wanted to pay. That was nice. Maybe he was just a little too emphatic about it. "No, no! I insist!!" he said, when...
Who’s camping in your yard?
It's Yellow Ball Monday and Chris Brauns has the ball:A number of years ago, my wife and I talked at dinner with our four young children, about whether or not we ought to let angels camp on our deck. I ought to explain that one. Our kids knew that the Bible says...
Screaming in the Car with the Windows Up
"What?!?"I slammed on the breaks and pulled into someone's driveway so I could turn back toward our house.With ever increasing decimal and agitation, I yelled, "How could you have forgotten your shin guards? I reminded you five times!! Do you realize this is going to...
Classroom Valentine’s Party Games!
For Room Moms, Party Planners, and Sunday School Teachers, and anyone else planning a Valentine's Party: Here are a couple of game ideas, using Conversation Hearts.Candy Heart Seven UpThis works for first graders all the way up. It's just like 'Seven Up', only instead...
Who Wants the Yellow Ball Next?
When I was a summer camp counselor, our director kept this yellow playground ball in the room where the counselors met--it was a therapy ball of sorts. You could call for the Yellow Ball when you had a story to share or just wanted to rant for a while. You'd hold the...
Life After Birth
I really liked this. We don't think of ourselves as having an umbilical cord attached to God... but where does our food and water and oxygen and everything else we need come from? I look at these babies with such tenderness. If I could, I would tell them, "Very, very...
Why am I doing this stay-at-home thing again?
I'm stooped over, washing green marker off the wall. I have a bucket of water at my side and the phone up to my ear. I'm discussing carpool arrangements, but I have to keep excusing myself so I can tell my kindergartner to stop tormenting the girls upstairs. At the...
You had me at hell.
I know it's old fashioned to talk about hell. But since Jesus did, I think we should at least mention it to our kids. I mean, we tell them about the danger of hot stoves and electrical sockets and busy roads; shouldn't we also tell them about the one who can kill both...
A Second Grade Skeptic (Tooth Tale #1)
My friend's son lost a tooth at school last week. His teacher overheard him telling all of his second grade friends that he wasn't going to tell his parents about the tooth. He was going to sneak it under his pillow without them knowing and then prove, once and for...
Holey Underwear
My friend was out with her two preschool boys, and decided to stop in a store. Not thinking about the privacy she usually maintains at home, she took the boys with her into a dressing room to try on some skirts.Watching her carefully, her four-year-old said, "Mommy!...
Being Hospitable with Little (Or Much)
When we were first married, we were in a really fun 'young marrieds' group at church. Our leaders were very generous and very wealthy. They had a huge home with an indoor swimming pool, and they opened it to our group on a weekly basis. We had Bible studies, New...
What NOT To Do if You Flip Your Car on the Highway
Ken and Lindsay 2011A few years ago, my husband flipped his Honda Accord. The highway was dry that day, but his left tire ventured just far enough over the line to find some ice, causing his right tires to grab the car and toss it over into the ditch on the...
The Best Christmas Game!
Last week, I asked for your best classroom Christmas games, and promised to post my favorite.The one that I loved most was a blog post, entitled "Not So Silent Night". (And I have to agree-- this family party looked anything but quiet!) The author, Nicole, posted a...
Mixed-Up-And-Confused Mama
This morning, I told Cade, "You get to wear your pj's to school! It's Polar Express day!"He said, "Oh! But, mom are you sure it's today? What if it's another Monday and you have it mixed up?" I assured him that it was today--next Monday he won't have school because it...
NEEDED: Classroom Christmas Party Games!
I do have one game. Christmas Bingo is ready to go for Cade's second grade class. (The link takes you to the printable game, created by yours truly.) But I'll bet there are some better games out there. And in my opinion, a party hinges on the games.So, while you...
Makenna’s Jingle Bell
At the end of our Bible study Christmas brunch yesterday, the little ones came in with their jingle bells. They had darling costumes and had practiced their lines and songs. But the best part of the show was cute, little about-to-turn-three Makenna.As the kids were...
Book Ideas for Your Kids
My Christmas gift to you, dear reader, is a list of books. Lately, I've had several requests from other moms, looking for some gift ideas (of the readable variety) for their kids. So I took the time to put together a 'favorites' list with links to Amazon. I figure...
Baby Jesus at the Zoo
When Lindsay was two, she had a little Bible story book. She could easily find the page about Jesus' birth, and loved to point to Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus in the picture.One day I heard her say, "One, two... A savior has been born!" (I think the 'one, two' part...
My Old Year’s Resolution
This morning, my daughter couldn't find her other shoe, and it was almost time for the bus. I stood in the doorway of the mudroom, shrugging my shoulders while she frantically searched. (I spent the first six years of her life doing this scramble; I figured it was her...
Grounded
After weeks of saying, 'You better watch out! You better not cry! You better not pout!", I finally did more than tell my kids why. I made good on a my plethora of nagging threats.No, I didn't cancel Santa. But I did ground someone. I sent her* to her room without a...
Checking my Watch for the Next 50 Years
Yesterday, during a sermon about Zechariah's visit from the angel (Luke 1), Cade asked me what the pastor was talking about.I whispered, "He's saying that God did answer Zechariah's prayer for a baby, but not right away. Not for a long, long time.""Why not?" asked...
No Thanks?
I was driving in the car with Lindsay one November day, when she was in kindergarten. Suddenly, she caught her breath in alarm, as if she had just remembered something."What is it?" I asked.She said, "Mommy! In our kindergarten class, we never... I mean never pray and...
My Daughter’s Hero
In eighth grade Language Arts, Lindsay was asked to write about her Michigan Hero. I'll let her surprise you...When someone asks me who my Michigan Hero is I think of an experience I had in fourth grade....In Math class, I was bent over, squinting at my work. A sigh...
Mask Day
When I was a young teacher, my principal called me into his office a few minutes before the school day was to begin. He wanted to talk to me about James. But the thing was, we had just talked about James. The day before. We had exhausted the subject. And so I nodded...
Trying to Figure Out My Last Name at Age 23
When I was twenty-three, I sensed God leading me to accept a job offer in Milwaukee. Before making the decision, I had visited a Milwaukee church, and being the single girl that I was, I scanned the pews for any interesting looking guys. Zilch. I didn’t see even one...
Jolly Roger Bound for Glory?
When he was about four, Cade asked me if there will be pirates in heaven. He really loved pirates and wanted to be sure that his mateys would be walking next to him on the streets o' gold. Since pirates are fundamentally people who greedily steal from others, I told...
Get over here and blow.
When Cade was a preschooler, Ken told him, "Come here and let me help you wipe your nose." But Cade responded, "Oh, that's ok, Dad. Because, look... I know how to get it all back up in there." And he gave a giant sniff.Do you suppose we bragged to all of our...
Know Thyself… Early On
They say your earliest childhood memories reveal something about your personality. Whatever was first to burn an impression deep enough onto your brain to stick is usually something that you intensely like or dislike.I believe my first memory happened around age...
When You Want to Punch Your Child’s Classmate
"I want to go punch that little boy in the nose!" I punched the air with my free hand for emphasis, and almost dropped the phone. My friend on the other line commiserated with my story. She understood how my heart hurts for my own child, and how I long to march into...
A Halloween Hand
I always forget how busy Halloween is. A man at our school's parade told me that his girls deliberate over carefully scrutinized costume catalogs several months prior, and have their costumes lined up in a closet at the beginning of October. That sounds so serene,...
The Bat Stuck in Our Door
One evening, we saw a bat, stuck between our screen door and the glass sliding door. The bat's face was right up against the glass and his wings spread out. With his mouth open, it looked like he was hissing curses at us. And by the looks of him, I was convinced he...
What happens when you leave a phone in the rain?
Yesterday afternoon, I called and asked Ken if he could pick up some decaf coffee. We were having company over that night, and I wanted to make sure we had some on hand.He said, "Sure. Is there any particular kind you want?"I said, "Well, I like hazelnut, but you can...
Keep Looking
My friend was volunteering in her daughter's class recently, when a little boy came to her for help. He was trying to complete a word search puzzle with his spelling words. He said, "Mine doesn't have any spelling words in here."My friend tried to encourage him, and...
Breathe-ing a Word of Respect
Today, I ate lunch with the most accomplished writer I've ever personally met. In the past thirty years, she's written twenty-five books and over a thousand magazine articles. (Can you accomplish that and still squeeze in the traditional practices of eating and...
Local Soccer Mom Forgets Treats
Here is the note that I emailed to the other parents of Cade's soccer team this weekend:Dear Fellow Parents,I'm sort of glad that I had to miss the boys' game on Saturday, because I would have experienced first-hand my worst nightmare: forgetting treats. This way, I...
Doodle Blessings
I looked down at Cade in the pew beside me, busy at work decorating his bulletin. I thought, "Well, at least he's not distracting anyone." But when I looked closer, I realized that he was worshipping God in his own way:Yes, we do! All of us...(If you can't read it, it...
Knocking on Daddy’s Locked Door
My husband is selflessly available to our kids, and they know it. If he's in the room, they're constantly saying, "Hey, Dad... Hey, Dad..." If he's somewhere else in the house, but they know he's home, they will find him. Even if he has the door locked; they don't...
I Hun-gy
I was talking to a young mom at church, when a little boy came up and tugged on her skirt. He said, "I hun-gy." She picked him up and continued to talk to me. A few moments later, he said again, "I hun-gy." She bounced him on her hip a little and tried to finish her...
Is Your Minivan Zig Zagging, too?
David was a little boy, who enjoyed playing music while he was out with the sheep. I'm sure David never picked up his lyre, saying, "I'm going to practice every day so maybe someday, I'll gain audience with the king. Then, if I play my cards just right, I'll get to BE...
Half Smiles and Whole Ones
Here in Grand Rapids, we're hosting our annual Art Prize event, which always reminds me of this story, which occurred the first time our family attended:We were gazing at some of the outdoor sculptures when we bumped into some old family friends, the Smiths*, whom I...
Teams Work
Our team is having a pretty good season. We've been together for quite a while now. We have practice almost every single night. In the summer we practice days, too. Most of the time, we enjoy practice, but for a while, there it was a real drag.We realized that we had...
Detective Wife
I opened the refrigerator one day to put away the 16 yogurts I had just purchased--the regular two-a-day for Ken, and a couple extra for me. But when I went to put them on the top shelf, I saw that it was already full. Of yogurt. There was yogurt on the second shelf,...
Homeschool Blind Spots
Occasionally, when I'm around my homeschool friends, one of their kids will do something charmingly naive. Like, they'll assume that the dog on top is hugging his friend. Or they'll suppose that the man meant to say 'You pitch!" and look around for the...
The King
When Lindsay was two, we were at the beach one day and she tipped her little head back to peer up at a teenager on his lifeguard chair. With great veneration, she announced in reverent tones, “That’s the king, isn’t it, Daddy?” She had gathered all the information...
“She makes such nice words about people.”
Cade finished his first week of second grade. Riding in the car with me last night, he said, "I really like Mrs. Kuiper. She's just so nice!"I smiled and asked, "What does she do that's really nice?"He thought for a moment, then said, "She makes such nice words about...
Staycation Rules
We've had a busy summer. The kids each did different camps, and we hosted a lot of friends here at our house. We decided the perfect way to recharge our batteries before school starts will be a four day Staycation--a vacation that requires no packing or traveling,...
He’s fat and lazy. But what am I?
As I walked my friend to the door, she glanced over in the living room and saw him lying there, snoring, with his protruding belly unashamedly hanging out all over the place.She said, "Oh my goodness! He's gotten so fat!" I rolled my eyes and said, "I know. All he...
Why we like perfect role models at the gym, but not at church.
This is the question I asked last time, and I loved all of the delightful responses. First, about non-sweaty work-out instructors: One woman said, “Seeing a skinny, toned person working out is believable because you DO get skinny and toned if you work out...” But even...
Why do we like perfect role models at the gym, but not at church?
From her comfy spot on the couch, my three-year-old daughter observed my workout in front of the TV. She saw me huffing and groaning and dripping sweat. And the ladies on the screen were doing none of the above. She said, "Mommy, doze wadies are all skinny." I grunted...
Ugly Duckling-Ish Parenting (with Tweens)
Last time, I posted about feeling rather 'Ugly Duckling-ish', as a parent. When my kids were little, I honestly didn't worry all that much about being different from other parents. I figured I was doing what was best for my child, and trying to follow the Lord, and...
An Ugly Duckling-ish Parent
My kids were three and one, the year we joined a neighborhood play group. The moms in the group would alternate hosting, and I looked forward to the weekly social interaction for both my kids and me.One week, however, my kids weren't interacting. They were...
The Power of a Good Story
I first tested my storytelling skills in the second grade, when I convinced a group of children that they’d better leave our playground ‘tree fort’ alone, or the Martians in the woods might carry them off. The calls from parents of frightened children caused my...
Melanie’s Love Story
My friend, Melanie, stopped by last night to show me her new engagement ring that Jonathan gave her. Great guy. Beautiful ring. Happy girl.I remember talking to her a year or so ago about the guy that she had been dating. He had a promising career, sent flowers on a...
Is Your Wardrobe Filled with Dignity?
Yesterday at Costco, my friend Holly called down the snack aisle, “Hey, Shannon!” I had secretly slid around two corners without her noticing, back when I spotted her in produce. But now, turning toward her sheepishly, I told her, “I said goodbye to all my pride when...
Give Me Your Eyes
On vacation a couple of years ago, while I was checking into our hotel, five-year-old Cade wandered over to the lounge area. I could see him talking to an older man sitting there. If you had surveyed all of the men in Chicago, searching for the one who least wanted...
“What kind of turkey?”
At the meat counter, my friend, Angela, heard an elderly woman say to the deli attendant, “I would like some turkey, please.” The young man said, “Ok…. What kind of turkey? Smoked? Honey? Roasted?”She replied, “Oh… Well, I don’t know. I just need some turkey.”He said,...
Piy-cee
I brought my friend's little boy, Matthew, to the bathroom while his mom was occupied. After I got him settled on the potty, he said, "I need piy-cee."I said, "You need a potty seat?"He said, "No. I need piy-cee."I said, "You need Percy?"He said, "No. I need piy-cee."...
CASINO
When Lindsay was little, we lived in Mount Pleasant, MI. All around town, there were green signs directing you toward one of our largest employers: the casino. One Sunday, Lindsay was drawing in a notebook during church. She was four, and just learning her letters...
Folded into the Cloak of my Rescuer
Here's an excerpt from the Bible study I wrote on the life of Sarah: "God intends for our families to be the place that we feel most safe. He designed marriage to be a cloak of love, trust, and security wrapped around two people. And he designed children to be...
Toss PIllows and Throws are not to be Tossed and Thrown
You know that saying about how the fingerprints on the wall that get higher and higher, and then disappear? Well, I'm ready for that to happen. I don't want the kids to disappear; just the evidence that they didn't wash their hands.I'm also tired of picking up the...
“Mom, are you just trying to hurt me?”
I noticed that one of my kids, in particular, has been very defensive. I ask him to pick up his socks and he says, "I'm sorry, all right?!!" I tell him he can't whack his brother, and he says, "Fine, then! I wasn't even hurting him!"So, I had a talk with him. I said,...
Cade’s Pledge
When Cade was 2 1/2, I had him in the grocery cart at Costco when I noticed something familiar about what he was saying. He talked constantly, and you rarely could understand all of what he said, but I listened carefully and this is what I heard... PS. Thanks Mrs....
Get me a Bagel… From San Diego!
We don't play a lot of dance music at our house. It's just not what we usually listen to. But it's what Cade absolutely loves to listen to. As a seven-year-old, his options are limited, so he does a lot of second hand listening. You know--he tunes in to the songs that...
Sorry for Dumping on You
My friend, Angela, visited for a few days this week. At one point, while we were discussing parenting challenges, I began to cry. Words toppled out of my mouth, as if they were trying to keep up with my tears. I explained my frustrations and my fears for the future....
My Dad and the Jelly Shoe
Once, when I was about ten, my dad jumped into a river and swam among sharp rocks and white water rapids (at least that’s the way I remember it) to rescue… not me, but my beloved jelly shoe. The comfy plastic shoes were a beautiful red color, and I was quite proud of...
Tween Book Suggestions from A Christian Mom and Daughter
It's officially the second day of summer and we've already made an emergency run to the library. Does anyone else have a book worm at their house? Mine is a tween, which makes book finding that much more difficult. Twilight? Pretties and Uglies? There's got to be...
A Christian Tween’s Book Reviews
If you have a girl who loves books the way mine does, these middle school years can be tricky. I don't want to let her loose amidst the blood sucking, twisted romance novels that line the shelves of the library's teen section. And I don't have the time to stay a page...
Beautiful Black Eyes
Last year, I spoke at a moms group on the topic of ‘beauty’. While I planned to speak mostly about inner beauty, I didn’t want to seem disqualified to present the topic! So, I tried to muster all the beauty I could, as I got ready that morning. I tried on several...
Chickens That See Red
My friend, Heidi, tells about her adventures in raising chickens this year..."I can still see the sun shining, the ladies and their children casually chatting and playing in my backyard. I can see myself standing by the chicken tractor with a friend, proudly sharing...
The Girl in the Purple Shirt
I met my friend, yesterday, for a spin class at the YMCA. It's much more fun to sweat with a friend at your side, don't you think?As the class got spinning, my friend and I were chatting and comparing notes on how sore we were from the last class. Then, the girl in...
“If I were a mother I would…” by Cade, age 7
"If I were a mother I would..." Cade wrote: "First go live in penslvania. Then sine up to be a civl war nurs. Then get a house. And a very nice house. Then get an ipod. Then be a sailer. Then take a brake. Then become a polic officer."I suppose I seem like a rather...
A Quality Student
Cade asked if I would sharpen his pencil for school this morning, and I said, "Sure!"As I sharpened, I noticed that the pencil said, "Caught Bein' a Quality Student". I said, "Cade! Is this your special pencil?"He nodded yes, looking pleasantly surprised that I was so...
Sitting in the Dark
One day, when our daughter was three, Ken noticed her sitting on the potty in the dark. He said, "Why didn't you turn the light on, Honey?"She sighed and said, "Well, dis way I won't fowget to tuwn it off." Ken talks about turning lights off quite a bit, so our little...
A Springy Table Top
On Easter Sunday, I was trotting behind my grocery cart, all panicky because the Easter flowers were completely picked over and I had nothing to put on my table to pretty it up. So, at a brunch this week, when my friend Rachel Heagle shared her bountiful supply of...
To K or Not to K? That is the Question!
Everybody said our third child was ready to start kindergarten when he was (just-turned) five. But ready for kindergarten does not mean ready for every subsequent year. We learned that with child number two. For him, Kindergarten was a blast. But first grade? Not so...
Cole’s New Rule
One day, sitting on bar stools for lunch, Lindsay snuck a pretzel from five-year-old Cole's plate. If you had known Cole at this point, you would have admired Lindsay for her bravery. But your admiration would have quickly converted to sympathy, as the...
Cade’s Parenting Advice
After the waiter seated our party, I realized we were missing someone--Cade. I glanced back to the waiting area and saw him animatedly conversing with a woman, holding a newborn. Escorting him to our table, I asked what he'd been talking to her about. He said, "Oh, I...
I’m having our baby and you’re leaving me??
The road ahead of us was completely dark, illuminated only by our headlights. "Well, I'll try and get a few hours of sleep and then, go in to work tomorrow, I guess," he said, staring straight ahead.But I looked directly at him, my chin quivering. "You're going to...
Our Do’s, Don’ts, Didn’ts, and Won’ts
We do send our kids to a public school.We don't attend Sunday Evening services.We do dress up for Halloween.We don't let our kids read Harry Potter.We did immunize our babies. We didn't pick them up whenever they cried. We do use birth control.We don't have more...
Scary Nose Blowing
I thought this video was so cute! Little 5 month old Emerson has a look of terror when he hears Mommy blowing her nose. But each time she stops, he bursts into giggles!Along with babies, we Mommies love a good scare, too. But only when it's safe! Why else would we...
Tax Time Tears
Seven-year-old Cade (with tears in his eyes): “Daddy, I really, really, really want to buy a lego Ninja warrior.”Ken: “Oh… those are $10. But you spent all your money, right?”Cade (crying harder): “I know, I know, I know. I thought that I was spending my money on what...
Treasure Chest of Trains
For about three years, Cade was obsessed with Thomas the Tank Engine. And I'm not using the word loosely.obsess: to dominate or preoccupy the thoughts, feelings, or desires of a personCade thought about Thomas all the time. He played with his trains whenever...
A Lecture Melted By a Little Boy’s Love
Do you think of God as a lecturing, scolding Father? I wouldn't have said so, but a recent conversation with my kids has me wondering—both about how I see God, and the picture I've painted of Him for them. We were driving in the car one morning, when I turned off the...
Checking Out
A repost... I love this story. At the check-out, there was a man in line behind us, holding a bunch of snack bags in his hands. This sparked the curiosity of my four-year-old, Cade."You got some snacks?" Cade asked, looking up into the man’s face. The man looked...
Under-Cover For My Brother
Thanks to MOMSense, a former publication of MOPS for giving me the chance to tell this story—one of my first published articles— back in 2011. I have been known to do underwear checks at breakfast. I always thought that adding undies was a pretty standard part of...
A Morning Without Begging/Coaxing/Demanding!!
Last week, I sent Cade to the bus in tears. The previous five minutes had been filled with panic (lost mittens), frustration (unfinished homework), and lecturing (he still hadn't remembered to bring his thermos home). You'd think I could do the morning...
A Contact Lens in a Huddled Heap
I had all three kids with me in a huddled heap on the couch, watching a you tube video on my laptop. (We thought this video, of Taylor Mason was hilarious, by the way.)Suddenly, I realized that my contact had popped out while I was rubbing my eye. With overlapping...
Let the Little Children…
On Sunday, after church, Ken pulled me aside and said, "Honey, I have some serious concerns about our Children's Ministry Department."Alarmed, I asked, "Why?""Well..." he held my suspense. "Look what Cade brought home from Sunday School." He handed me this:...and then...
“I think we’be established that.”
A repost...This morning I was kissing Cade's sweet, sleepy little warm face, saying, "Good morning, Buddy! I love you, love you, love you, love you, love you!!"Without even opening either of his eyes, he said, "Mom. Mom. I think we've established that."But precisely...
Thriving Family is now FREE!
I just received word that Thriving Family will be changing from a subscription-based magazine to a free publication, at least for a time--depending on funding. Thriving Family is a relatively new publication of Focus on the Family, and I think it's their best...
Cookie Contest
The following is a conversation that Cade and I had on the way home from church this Sunday:Cade: Why doesn’t God just kill Satan?Me: Well, pretend Satan was standing in front of you with a plate of cookies and he said, “take one.” But you said, “No, I don't want your...
Double Poke
When Cole was five, he talked for weeks about his impending immunization shots, and then the dreaded day arrived. Since Cole needed shots in both of his arms, the nurse suggested that we do both pokes simultaneously. Sounded good to me.I held Cole on my lap, hugging...
I Interviewed My 12 Year Old Re:Texting
Some responses to my last post (which detailed my daughter's failed attempt at talking us into a texting plan) made me want to hear more from an actual twelve year old. What's it like out there, walking the halls of your middle school with no text message buzzing in...
“My friend wishes I had text.”
We were eating birthday cake. I'm sure my daughter felt like it was a relatively good time to launch an attack. I mean, I was smiling, eating sugar, chatting with family. So she went for it. "My friend wishes I had text." "Okay...." I said. We've already had this...
Cathletic
Cole told me that his new friend from third grade was 'cathletic'. I said, "Oh. Can you remind me what 'cathletic' means?" He said, "You know, they do that thing where they draw a cross on themselves." Ahhhh. Yes, now I understood. Cole said, "I told him that...
The Good Pastor On Skis
A re-post... one of my favorite stories from middle school.When I was in middle school, my youth group went skiing. Pastor Austin, who loved all things fast, was our slope mentor, darting from one new skier to another. If you happened to be lying on your back with...
Much More Than a Basketball
When I was a second grade teacher, I found out I was expecting my first baby just before school started. My principal, not wanting to needlessly alarm parents over the way this would affect my classroom, asked me not to say anything to the children. As the school year...
The Blue Cup or the Green Cup
I used to say of my son Cole, when he was a toddler: “Whatever Cole wants—whether it be the blue cup or the green cup, the grape or the strawberry, the matchbox car or the motorcycle—whatever it is that he wants, he wants it with all of his heart!” In the blink of an...
Bad Stuff on Christmas
Cade (looking very distraught): Mommy, I just didn’t want to tell you that I did that on Christmas. You’re not supposed to do bad stuff on Christmas!Me: I know, Buddy. I always want Christmas to be a perfect day, and then my sin messes it up, too. Did...
A Laverne & Shirley Rerun
Here's a re-post with a post script that really made me laugh:A couple years ago, there was a new administrative assistant in my husband's area at work. Ken had been introduced to her several times, but he's not always great with names.He stopped by her desk and...
Do you think I should tell her?
It was Christmas Eve, and eight-year-old Cole was down in Papaw's office with my adult cousins, Mara and Nicole. They were using Papaw's computer to look at a website which tracks Santa on his sleigh. The site predicted the approximate time that Santa might be...
Salt Blasted Tacos
I can still taste the tiny bite that I took. I was defensive at first, when Ken mentioned that the taco meat hadn't tasted quite right. I was feeling proud that I'd even thought ahead, and put meat in the crock pot for him and the boys. But that meat was nothing to...
Want to meet my mom?
Recently, my mom (Judie) and two of her close friends--women that Mom has mentored--sat in on a recording session for Nancy Leigh DeMoss's Revive Our Hearts. Yesterday, at the beginning of the broadcast, they played a clip of Nancy interviewing my mom and her friends....
A Boy with an Un-Blackened Heart
Yesterday, Mrs. Gavette (Cade's Sunday School teacher) told me that Cade had announced, "I have something important to tell the class." She said Cade's announcement had been a great addition to the lesson, and pointed to a little figure on the white board with a black...
Very Wet Eyes During the Holidays
When Cade was in school, I sent him to school—the Tuesday before Thanksgiving—with a backpack full of turkey plates and brown bags cut into 'vests' for the day's festivities. We had an argument about whether his lunch also belonged in his backpack, since there was to...
Look Before You Lean
A favorite post from last fall...When we were downtown yesterday, we bumped into some old family friends, the Smiths*, whom I hadn't seen since I was in high school. As I was introducing my family members one by one, Cade burst into our circle with his arms flung...
He Still Wants to Marry Me
This was posted over a year ago. It makes me sad to think that the title is no longer true... Cade still wants to marry me. He's five now. If anyone objects, he starts crying, so I just say, "We'll talk about it when you're old enough." "But when will I be old...
Welcome!
Yay!! You're here!! Thanks for finding me at my new blog spot. Since we couldn't transfer email subscribers to this blog (don't ask... we tried!!), please consider resubscribing to receive email updates from Tiny Paragraphs. In the column to the right, click at the...