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Stride
I’m not a runner. But I try to get outside and pretend to be one every now and again. If you’ve had the misfortune of seeing me out there, you know I don’t exactly look like a runner. (More like a sweaty-toothed madman.) But today I actually had a moment. While I was running. Not my standard why-am-I-doing-this type of…
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Letter Number Four (4)
Dear Otto’s Nursery Worker, I don’t know why I do not know your name. I am sorry for that. But I do know something about you. You make me happy. Every. Single. Tuesday. You are a blessing – and here’s what funny. You are a stranger to me. To my ten-month-old son. But every week when you see me enter…
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This Weekend
When you turn sixteen at our house the day might begin normally with a gift or two. But the day picks up momentum quickly. Add a dozen or more friends. An unfortunate parking job. (NOT to the right guys. Not to the right!) Throw in a summer staffer or two (or six or so), who are there specifically for the…
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You Say It’s Your Birthday?
Sixteen. Pretty sure that number must be wrong. Seriously. There is no way that our oldest daughter could be turning sixteen (16) today. Is it possible to just ban a birthday altogether? Oh Riley. Beautiful. Affectionate. Optimistic. Dramatic. Master of Hyperbole. Friendly. Extroverted. Lover of Laughter, Cell Phones and Music. A Diligent Student. A Capable Chef. A Positive Spirit. What…
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Baking Day
I’ve been pursuing schedule around here – you know? Chasing shalom and striving for order. Conquering chaos and choosing structure. (I have to keep working so hard at it because I keep struggling so mightily.) I made a list of topics/ideas/subjects that I want to teach the kids and I divided those ideas up and picked one or two to…
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Dear Control: You Have Never Really Belonged To Me
It is possible that the experiences of the past several years of my life have been occurring primarily to lead me to one conclusion – to point me to one truth. I’m not in control. (I don’t think I ever really thought I was. But I have been infatuated with pretending as if I was.) It’s like this is the…
Keep Reading . . .
parenting advice: for you & me
Lake Jocassee with the Boys
back to the grind . . .
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Virtual
I never really thought you could develop community without meeting someone in person. I didn’t think you could share your life with people virtually. I was wrong. It’s never a replacement for living life with the real people surrounding me, but I have been amazed and honored to begin experiencing a taste of online community through reading and commenting and…
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Receiving Good Gifts: Part II
Rain. It’s not that I really mind it. But some days, when I have to run errands in it, tote kids in and out of cars in it and drive sloshing around town in it, well . . . I like it a little less then. And some days, when I am already on a slope down, sitting on that…
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Truce
The relationship between Piper Finn and Beckett has been turbulent since their first meeting. Their two years together have been filled with highs and lows. The highs – sweet photos, short hugs, occasional sharing. The lows – pushing, smacking, hitting, general lack of kindness. This weekend, a new level of understanding was reached between these young friends. While enjoying a…
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How We Roll
Recently Mosely asked if she could dress Piper Finn for our day’s outing. I said yes. Not only because I like to encourage sisterly love and older sibling helping, but because it was a busy morning. Kevin was out of town. Breakfast had not been served. (Or, more accurately, breakfast had not been passed out in cellophane wrapped squares. Hey,…
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Friday Morning
Friday morning. Remember our breakfast schedule? Now our muffins are dinsoaur-shaped. And this morning, London made them. (Almost) entirely by herself.
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Receiving Good Gifts: Part I
It’s fun to do things for other people. Mosely and I made my mom’s Snickerdoodle recipe this week. (The recipe card is actually in her handwriting. I like using that card.) And when we were done baking, Mosely wanted to give all of our cookies away. To Mandy and Jody and Nate and Lanier and Greg Boone and the guys…
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Do Numbers Lie?
5: Dentist appointments yesterday. 7: Stops on yesterday’s outing. 3: Outfits Fox wore before 11 a.m. 1:50 a.m.: Numbers on my digital watch when I laid my weary head to rest the previous evening. 6:30 a.m.: Time the alarm went off yesterday morning. 8:30 a.m.: Time I actually got out of bed. 3: Minutes I spent in the shower because…
