How would she have known- that mom at the store? How would she have known that her red headed boy pushing that cart reminded me of my own. Memories of grocery shopping trips flood my mind. The time I knocked over a whole display of Queso? What's up with those flimsy, cardboard displays anyway? How can you maneuver 5 kids, a cart and myself through the store, around those displays? I think of the time I almost left the cart and took the kids out. . . Oh, wait, I did do that. Left the whole cart and apologized to the cashier. I loaded those kids into the car and sat behind the steering ... View Post
Mama’s With Those Young Ones, 30 Days of Thankfulness, Day 9
Mama's with those young ones. I see you. I hear you. I watch you. It's a tricky time these days. Kids in school. Kids at home. Some at both. Mama's with those young ones. I see you. I hear you. I watch you. I, and many others, have been there before you. Not in a Pandemic. Not in these times. Know you are prayed for. Know you are doing a great job. Know that parenting is hard. It is work. It is exhausting. Mama's with those young ones. Laugh more. Let things go. Give thanks through the journey. The hard days when you're over-tired and feel worn to the core; dig ... View Post
She Did A Thing
She did a thing. All by herself. Though, strangely enough, she asked me to be with her. A big decision. A big purchase. What a joy it's been watching her as she has wrestled: How do I make Godly choices? How do I be responsible and make an educated purchase? What do I really need? And this process can be agonizing and produce desires to eat chocolate and other unhealthy things. How new of a car does one really need? Do I really need a new car now? Can I get through the winter? I'll just get through the winter. Decision making is crippling! These discussions rage on (and ... View Post
30 Days of Thankfulness Day#6 Teach Them Well
I am trying to pray more than speak; listen more than share. The youngest a Freshman in High School. Her first school experience. She's advocating for herself. She's witty like her oldest brother. She has a zest for life that is unquenchable. Adventure: she's up for it. Driving an excavator or any equipment; she excels. I love watching her grow. Yet, with each step it's the last. The last freshman year. . . The last kid to learn to drive. I don't want to miss any of it. As a new born I held her longer. I tried hard to imprint on my mind that moment. Knowing ... View Post
I’m Not Sure I’m Supposed to Understand
We're home from Parris Island. Our second farm boy graduated from Marine Boot Camp. He is living our Oldest Farm Boy's dream. You see our two boys were so different. Each with a heart to serve; just in different ways. And there's just so much I don't understand. I'm not sure I'm supposed to understand. Why does a handsome, hard working red head hit a telephone pole in the middle of the night and never come home? Why did his hopes and dreams to serve our country die with him? I'm not sure I'm supposed to understand. Why would the youngest farm boy start his own career and suddenly ... View Post
It’s Just a Lacrosse Net. Really.
It's just a Lacrosse net. Really. 12 years of a net. Here in the yard. Evenings of tossing, throwing, yelling, fighting. . . . A game introduced to us by the oldest farm girls High School flame. A man now -whom we love and adore. He brought Lacrosse to our family. He purchased tiny lacrosse sticks and tossed balls with those two farm boys. A love grew. Both boys played. So did the college girl. The High School flame brought over his net when he was finished with his High School lacrosse career. Such a great gift! That oldest farm boy bought a new net. He ... View Post
