Last night we sat on the deck under the stars chatting about our day. He told me about his morning at the local hospital where he’s an assistant chaplain. I shared the projects I’d been working on at home. We laughed about our early afternoon slow-ride road trip in the ’65 Chevy and how I…
When I was younger I thought I knew it all. I don’t mean that I was a know-it-all in a rude sort of way (though I probably was a few times). What I mean is that I had life pretty well figured out, or so I thought. Lord have mercy! Fast forward a few decades.…
When my son was still in diapers he would often reach up and pat my thighs with his soft, chubby little hands and say, “Hold you, Mommy.” He didn’t hesitate to ask for the love and undivided attention he needed. Now that my children are adults, I realize they need to feel loved, seen, and…
You’ve survived the terrible twos, middle school, and adolescent angst. Now all your babies are grown. Surely, parenting adult children is going to be a cakewalk! But new seasons of life always bring new challenges and the need for change! If you’re struggling in your relationship with your adult children or you just want to…
February, March, and April are fun-filled months for our family. We have five birthdays and an anniversary just in our immediate family! Since our nest is empty and our favorite adults have their own busy lives and schedules, getting everyone together to celebrate is a bit of a challenge. I’d be a happy momma if…
Hello, Lovely Friends! Today I want to share with you how we recently celebrated our 34th Anniversary. Whatever season of life you’re in I hope you’ll be inspired to see your life and the people you share it with as a gift worth celebrating! Big moments and small ones are opportunities for us to show…
Never underestimate the therapeutic power of driving and listening to very loud music. — Unknown Our bags were packed for Plan B Part 2 of our vacation. We were on our way to find Helen! (If you’re wondering why it was Plan B click here to read last week’s post.) The GPS was guiding us but our…
Life. It’s all about how you handle Plan B. My life’s been full of “Plan B’s”! How about you? Sometimes we tend to think of Plan B as Plan Bad—inferior to Plan A, the original plan we had in mind. But like so many experiences in life, it’s all about perspective and purpose. We were…
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway. –Willie Nelson The pickin’ has been good lately and I’ve found lots of treasures and pieces that needed some TLC. The house is a mess and the laundry’s behind which means I’ve been busy working on lots of projects! Good times! Back during the summer…
“I’m a writer, and everything I write is both a confession and a struggle to understand things about myself and this world in which I live. This is what everyone’s work should be—whether you dance or paint or sing. It is a confession, a baring of your soul, your faults, those things you simply cannot…
Simple, ordinary days are my favorite so when my sister suggested we spend Labor Day 2020 at her house hanging out with family, eating, and taking naps I was all in! She has a lovely home and a backyard pool, too! I even managed to get in a little thrifting, so it was a perfect…
I’m basking in the afterglow of a lovely Mother’s Day celebration yesterday. But Monday has come too quickly and too early. Even Eric said, “I need another Sunday,” this morning. We have a tendency to stay up far too late. At our age, you’d think we’d heed the advice of the experts to get more…
This pandemic has made togetherness weird and hard, am I right? One friend texted me a meme that said: “I’m about ready to call Jolene and beg her to take my man.” I almost spewed my coffee when I read it. I’m definitely not there yet but I won’t lie and tell you that staying…
“Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all…
My daughter, Maddie, is getting married in November and I want to share the advice I’ve given this sweet bride-to-be about her bridal showers. As an old married woman for 32+ years, I’ve learned a thing or two and I feel called to share it! Weddings are such fun even though they require lots of…
Lately, I’ve had lots of people comment with great excitement about some big things going on in our life. I’m certain my deer-in-the-headlights reaction isn’t quite what they expect. Stuttering and stumbling I utter a few statements that at their worst makes me seem ungrateful and at best make me feel like the world’s most…
One of my favorite childhood memories is the time I spent exploring in the woods around my house. I still think about it often. Even now spending time outdoors is one of my favorite, most life-giving activities, when I take time to do it. I vowed this year that I’d get back to spending time…
If you’re a parent, this post is for you. I know you really want to be the spiritual leader your children need! What a privilege and responsibility we’ve been given! Whether you share that role with your spouse, you’re going it alone as a single parent, or you have a spouse who’s an unbeliever, I pray…
I’m not a country music fan but I have season tickets to the Country Music Hall of Fame. I’ve been wooed across the state line twice in 5 months to wander the halls with fans from around the globe. In case you’re wondering what would compel such strange behavior I have a few words for…
Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. Psalm 55:22 NASB The past month was filled to overflowing. I’ve been neck deep in July and end of summer break stuff so it’s taken me a week to get this post finished. We’ve celebrated…