Author Archives: admin

I think a lot of the reason that Christmas tends to turn into a consumer-driven mess for so many of us is that so many of our Christmas traditions are centered around gifts, gifts, gifts. And so this year, I’ve … Continue reading →

It seems like everyone is seeking simplicity these days. In fact, as I write this, I’m sitting in a coffee shop eavesdropping on (I mean, overhearing) the two women next to me discussing how they are going to simplify Christmas … Continue reading →

My five-year-old son just sent me to my room. Let’s just say it’s been a long morning. It all started with the juice. Apparently my juice-pouring skills aren’t up to par because as soon as I set down my daughter’s … Continue reading →

How I even begin to wrap my mind around an unhappy ending? In my life, I’ve almost come to expect happiness. I serve a God who works in big and powerful ways. And daily, He performs miracles—big and small—that not … Continue reading →

Sometimes when I pray, I let life’s worries stand in the way of just having a conversation with God. But not my daughter. Here’s the prayer she prayed before dinner last night: Dear Jesus. I love you. I love the … Continue reading →

Since having kids, I’ve found it a teensy bit hard to make my marriage a priority. It’s not that I don’t want to spend time with my husband—I do. It’s just that my kids are so much more, let’s say, … Continue reading →

I just had an altercation at the park with a random stranger. And I don’t altercate well. I’m still shaking and fuming and getting teary just thinking about. And the reason I’m sharing this with you (aside from making you … Continue reading →

In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve been MIA for a while. Not blogging. Not checking blogs. Not doing anything other than hunkering down behind my computer and working, working, working. Of course, I have a great excuse. I’m working on … Continue reading →

Summer is (finally) here. And I am so, so (did I mention so?) excited to not be driving back and forth between every corner of Austin, Texas, with the baby in the car seat. We can finally stay home. Of … Continue reading →

We used to tease my sister, Alisa, and her husband, Peter, that they were going to end up like the Duggers. They wanted lots of kids. And when they got pregnant and had their daughter Haddie in 2008, we had … Continue reading →