by Shannon Popkin | Sep 24, 2012 | Compassion, Father, Humility, Kids' Perspective
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...
by Shannon Popkin | Sep 20, 2012 | Marriage, Parenting, Sin, Speaking
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...
by Shannon Popkin | Sep 17, 2012 | Compassion, Food, Funny, Kids' Perspective
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:...
by Shannon Popkin | Sep 12, 2012 | Faith, Parenting
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...
by Shannon Popkin | Sep 6, 2012 | Communication, Funny, Kids' Perspective, Parenting
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...
by Shannon Popkin | Sep 5, 2012 | Christian Growth, Communication, Family, Humility, Leadership, seasons
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...