We live in a fairly large house with a lot of people.  Several years ago, in the midst of a debilitating pregnancy, my husband and I came up with a system to help us keep our house clean.  It has been pretty incredible and worked well for us. At the time, we had 4 older … Continue reading Cleaning Systems →

We've been on vacation the last few days, staying with my sister who has a pool in her backyard.  My little 6 year old has been practicing swimming without her "floaties" for about a year.  She first started learning to do that in the same pool she is swimming in this week.  She was so … Continue reading A Desire to Learn →

My husband and I went to counseling earlier this year.  We wanted to know how to resolve hurt feelings more quickly, and I also wanted to feel a greater sense of emotional connection in our marriage.  It was hard at first to even articulate why we were going in because there wasn't anything catastrophic going … Continue reading Relationship Check →

Lately I've been thinking about the idea of inviting people to do things rather than commanding or trying to force them.  I'm sure I listened to some book or podcast that inspired these thoughts, but I don't remember which one. For quite some time, I've been trying to get my two youngest girls to be … Continue reading Invite Rather Than Command →

I'm not exactly sure how to write this post because I want to protect another person's privacy.  I was supposed to pick someone up for a counseling appointment.  This person is striving to heal in so many areas of their life, and they are just at the beginning of seeking help.  This person had contacted … Continue reading Doing it for Themselves →

It feels appropriate that I'm listening to the Lion King and the title of this post is "Be Prepared." My daughter played Scar in her school play a few years ago and got to sing that song. Today we went to the zoo. It was about 30 degrees outside. Why would we go to the … Continue reading Be Prepared →

Yesterday my daughter came home from school and told me that her friend's brother had committed suicide.  I don't know her or him, but it breaks my heart just the same.  I talked with her and asked her if she wanted to get some things at the store and write her a note.  I asked … Continue reading Small Things with Great Love →

I was having babies and getting up in the night with them for so many years.  I couldn't even fathom why women would get up real early in the morning.  I honestly thought they were crazy.  But my baby is now four and life looks a little different.  I'm not getting up in the night, … Continue reading The Early Morning →

Last year, I decided that I never wanted to think about what I was going to make for dinner again.  I never wanted to sit down to make a grocery list and have the mental anguish trying to brainstorm what meals I was going to make for the next couple of weeks.  So I created … Continue reading Meal System →

This past weekend, our church held a conference.  There were 5 five sessions, 2 hours in length, and we were able to watch it at home.  Leaders of the church gave talks and there was beautiful music.  Many members of the church watch the sessions with family or friends. The women's session especially, for girls … Continue reading Waiting for an Invitation →