The first week of your baby's life is perhaps the most amazing and awe-inspiring as you watch them slowing begin to awaken to the world they have arrived in. But let's be real - those first 7 days are perhaps the most intimidating, terrifying and ultimately the hardest you've ever experienced to date! And instead of getting easier things tend to get harder, at least for a time. Although my husband and I both came from big families and had lots of experience with babies, when we brought our firstborn home from the hospital, many nights I would begin crying as the sun went down, so dreading the long night ahead. True story. And, no matter what you do or don't do, transitioning into life with a newborn is as painful as growing a limb. Or so I can imagine.
The Diaries
To the Mom Who Feels Alone
It's the lie we all believe: No one understands. No one really cares. Sure, we have friends... but at the end of the day, we are an island. I'm not entirely sure why we fall for this every time. Do we cower in fear to the idea that there is no one in our corner because we are afraid to let anyone in? Or is it that we secretly hope it's true because we feel so painfully isolated, our only comfort in the lonliness is believing that perhaps there is no one to comfort us. Regardless of why we believe it, the reality is that we do. It is a lie that the enemy has spun around mothers for centuries, and this Mother's Day I want to set the record straight.
When You’re Not Needed {finding peace and purpose in the unseen seasons of life}
I found myself holding back tears during our worship service at church this week. The music was wonderful, but that's not why I had to work to push down the lump in my throat. Looking around, I couldn't help but wonder what I was bringing to our fellowship to help bring growth. What do I do to contribute to the local outreach, our discipleship ministries, or the day in and day out functions of the church? For someone like me who has been involved in ministries for most of my life, the answer to those questions shook me to the core: Nothing. You're not needed.
Enough {Truly Embracing Motherhood}
I attended a wedding this weekend. It was beautiful. The ceremony was short but so very sweet, colors were superb, and the coordination discreet but obviously working like a well-oiled machine. I love weddings. The Bride glowed in the way all brides should: the gleam of health and happiness, the beauty of a woman in love. She and her sweet bridesmaids around her shone with the vitality, excitement and beauty that is common to all of us in that time of life. As I watched with a smile I found within myself that quiet little tinge of something I didn't think I liked. It wasn't jealousy - no, nothing nearly that ugly. But it was a nagging, consistent, chiding voice that continued to question me right through the days following the celebration: Are you still enough?
My Wedding: 10 Things I’d Do Differently
It's the day you've waited for all your life. It's exciting and scary, adrenaline and apprehension mixing like rich espresso and cream. The most important part is sharing the experience with the love of your life, with those most important to you there to witness the event. But somewhere between "She said yes!" and "You may kiss the bride", there's thousands of choices (not to mentioned thousands of dollars) to deliberate over. If I had to do it again, there are a few things I'd do differently - and before you ask, no, the groom would not be one of them!
Deployment Goals {CHEAT SHEET}
Deployment Goals {CHEAT SHEET}
All I Want For Christmas {To the Hearts Left Behind}
The icy air burst through the door as we pulled in the tree; one last heave as the prickly branches poked at our cold fingers. Green sprills poured all over the entry floor - my toddler clapped her hands with glee. It was a ‘big twee in the house’; her childhood wonder pulled at my heart. He should be here to see this. The thought that ran through my head a hundred times a day once again brought emotion welling up at the back of my throat. I pushed it down and put on a smile.
Broken Glass {An Advent Lesson From the Wilderness}
As we begin this year's countdown to Christmas, my family and I started an Advent reading calendar to prepare our hearts and help keep our focus on the important parts of Christmas through the holiday mayhem. We've never done it before, as our kids have been too little to really understand, but as we sat down today with the lights twinkling and the fire roaring, it really started to feel like Christmas. As we cozied up, the storm raged outside (the RAIN storm, mind you, in 39 degree weather on the FIRST DAY OF DECEMBER - oh so festive!) and the Christmas music was playing softly in the background when our 6 year old asked, "What is 'Advent'?" I answered without really thinking, "It's the time leading up to Christmas that we use to prepare our hearts and remember what Christ did for us." And in that moment, a lifetime of Scriptures and Christmas cliches culminated in a newfound revelation that brings me to where I am now, sitting at my computer, and writing to you.
This Mom’s Open Letter to Target: The Real Reason We’re Boycotting {It’s Not What You Think}
Dear Target, From the beginning of your business venture, your CEO's, executives, marketing teams - everyone down to my local branch manager - have dreamed up and executed a brilliant strategy. You realized that in order to secure yourselves a place next to Walmart you would need to hone in on a very specific consumer, one … Continue reading This Mom’s Open Letter to Target: The Real Reason We’re Boycotting {It’s Not What You Think}
Your First Reunion: How To Survive Reintegration
I will never in my life forget the incredible thrill of adrenaline that rushed through my veins as I, at long last, made the 2 hour drive on that glorious day to pick up my husband after a long 10 months. Excitement doesn't even begin to describe it: I was electric - my blood was on fire. It's a miracle I made the trip in one piece! The nervous jitters, excited way-too-loud laughter, hot-cold sweat as I tried to push away that walking-down-the-aisle urge to go to the bathroom that every bride has.... it was nearly too much. I clung to my toddler for dear life, and tried to keep myself from visibly shaking.
JOY FOR MOM 