Archive for July 2012
Of Prayers and Spiderman: And Why We Need Heroes
It takes a midnight nightmare to let you know what verses you have on active file. Trying to comfort a frightened four year old, yet still maintain that last vestige of sleep cover, I started reciting the songs and verses that came without thought. “My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there’s…
Read MoreFive Seconds Away From Joy, Better Health, and Peace of Mind
“Mom, can you come get me?” Cocoa paint congealed in my orange plastic tray today, as my seventeen year old son’s sick voice continued huskily. “My fever is higher again and I just wanna be home.” “Oh bud, why don’t you sleep there tonight and I’ll come get you first thing tomorrow morning?” It was…
Read MoreOf Friendships and Peanut Butter
She was the friend who invited me over for peanut butter and jelly one day. Juggling our kids in the hallway after Thursday morning Bible study, she spontaneously invited my kids and I, and several other moms and kids, over for a spontaneous let’s-scrounge-up-and-share-whatever-food-is-available-lunch. Over peanut butter and grape jelly, we smoothed toddlers’ faces, nursed…
Read MoreRigor Mortis and Finding Your Place
The wind blows hard, swaying the towering greens, and awkwardly dancing the brown pine that’s in rigor mortis. Summer falls hot and heavy. From behind air-conditioned windows, I contemplate projects, dropping landscaping down to the bottom of the list. Paint trays stack in the laundry room, awaiting creamy Canyon Cloud. My daughter sits slack-jawed…
Read MoreThe Parenting Mistake We all Make and Need to Stop (Plus a Giveaway)
We all do it. We think we’re protecting them. We think it’s for their benefit. But we’ve all done it at some time, and it happens most often with toddlers or preschoolers. The setting is different for everyone, but it comes up. In the lull of a terse conversation, a child pipes in. Depending on…
Read MoreKeeping the Peace on Family Road Trips
Warm transparent lake water lapped over my shoulders, smelling of summer and snails. Sand slipped up my toes. Family camp at Camp Jim looked like red lifeguards on floating docks, life-jacketed preschoolers squealing from yellow water slides, Bible songs and stories ringing within wooden chapels, and families holding hands to pray around cafeteria tables. Our…
Read MoreSneezes, Chocolate, and Counting Gifts
Sneezes chase her into the house, the garage door shutting softer than her achoos. Sleepover energy-drains and allergies have left her red-eyed and dragging. She slinks away to her pink room, with my suggestion for a nap trailing after her. A weekend of painting, plumbing, and home repairs has left our home shining and our…
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