Archives for: Blended family

The Art of Celebration

Newton stood tall, taller than me, leaning up against his new Trek as the other boys stacked wads of bills into his open palm. After handing over the cash, each one grabbed the tiny orange notebook to record their requests. Early on in his delivery service, he realized that written, signed orders were the best way to avoid problems. When the flurry ceased, he read the itemized list out loud and then stuffed it along with the bills into his … Read more »

Plus Size

Amy Schumer’s objections to the plus-size label received a lot of attention lately. As I turned the words over in my mind, I suddenly had a new framework for my life. Because if anything describes our family, it is certainly Plus Size.

Labeling can be damaging or restrictive; but it can also empower and provide context. This one is dead on for us. Rarely can we eat in a restaurant or book a hotel without a reminder that we are … Read more »

Aerial View

Breakthrough.

We use this word a lot in our prayers. For ourselves and people we love – for finances, for marriages, for ministries, for healing, and for direction. These prayers often ring out as drops in a cup; seemingly repetitive, with no tangible result – until that final drop fills the cup to overflowing. But sometimes the day to day drop, drop, drop can get tiring. The waiting. The persevering faith.

In the waiting, both time and perspective are absolutely … Read more »

Dancing to a Different Drummer

I stood beaming near the tree, now freshly peppered with shiny gifts. The boys rushed in the door and made a mad dash to the gift pile – looking, shaking and squeezing with their child-like wonder. I see Sullivan mouthing something as he handles his presents one by one, then finally he turns to me and says,

There are only 4 presents for me.

At Dad’s house, I have 8.

Ouch.

This was last Christmas. But the scene still tries … Read more »

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree

My Christmas highlight thus far was yesterday when my fav version of Go Tell It On the Mountain blasted through our speakers, and we just couldn’t help ourselves! Suddenly Eliot and Curie were leading a dance train, Sullivan and Magellan partnered up twirling about the room together, while Newton and Wesley rocked some uniquely ‘inspired’ creative dance moves! I happily jumped from one dance group to another, as they all bubbled over with smiles and laughter.

There is nothing that … Read more »

More Than Enough

We had great fun simply enjoying our family this weekend. In the middle of the recent events and all the holiday madness – we just closed out the rest of the world for a day and enjoyed each other. The highlight of the weekend was definitely gingerbread house fun. Many hours went into making these magnificent works of sugary art. And in the end – we had a whole gingerbread subdivision. Ikea provided the basic sheets of gingerbread, we found … Read more »

Family Day!

Team Red and Team Brown attend different schools. This often makes things tricky – and tiring! We do a lot of driving around, and doubles (double conferences, double concerts, double end-of-the-year shows). This year the two schools seemed to have almost completely mismatched calendars. Start dates, end dates, spring breaks, days off .. on and on. Last Friday, Veterans Day, was the third Friday that Team Red was home while Team Brown was scheduled for a full day of studies. … Read more »

Giving Thanks

We have so much to be thankful for, and our annual Thanksgiving Tree seems to agree! I stayed up so late cutting out little leaves the night before, and still the pile quickly dissipated. As the ideas began to flow, and we all scribbled out our gratitude – they begged me to cut more and more leaves! I think we could have stayed there all afternoon.

Once the leaves are all marked, I read them out loud to the family … Read more »