Throwback Thursday: Mom Fail

Last week I volunteered in my son’s class for the first time this year. I had signed up to lead the class for the afternoon during a teacher planning day, and I was really excited to get in there. That is a lie. I was terrified. You guys, Owen is in third grade. Third graders are so

Throwback Thursday: And now you know.

As of next week, I will have two children in elementary school. That is ALL OF MY CHILDREN. As in, THERE WILL BE NO CHILDREN AT MY HOUSE ALL DAY. Part of me (okay, a LOT of me) is just trying to keep my excitement at a civilized level. Another part of me is simply stunned at

Did you know… (One thing your child needs to hear today.)

I have this thing I do every so often as I tuck in each kid at night – and Owen’s reaction has become the funniest. I snuggle him close and say (with great dramatic flair, as if I’ve never said this to him before), “Did you know… if God had lined up allllllllll the baby boys in the

Mom Fail: The time I lied to my kid’s teacher’s face.

Need a self-esteem boost? Allow me to help. I have lots of mom fails. But this time? I lied to my kid’s teacher. And you won’t believe why. (I still can’t.) Every other week or so, I go to Owen’s school to volunteer. Covering lunch duty is one way I help, and my first time

Throwback Thursday: Kitchen Stitchin’

For some reason, this is one of the most popular posts on my blog. Also, coincidentally, the first TV episode of Little House on the Prairie aired forty years ago today. (That will feel relevant later, I promise.) Without further ado… (Originally published January 16, 2014.) I didn’t see him fall. But I heard it. Then,

Throwback Thursday: Scissornado

My kids just about sent me to crazyland tonight. So, for Throwback Thursday, I decided to remember it could be worse. In fact, it HAS been worse. Like the day they chopped each other’s hair off. Ah, yes. Gather ’round and let’s re-live it together. (Originally published December 10, 2013.) It’s 3:00 pm. Rest time is

A Dose of Hope for the Weary

The end of the first week of school draws near, and Owen is sent to his room. Again. (For hitting his sister.) (Again.) I open his bedroom door, compelled to scoop him up into my lap. He struggles at first, but I hold tight and whisper in his ear. As I speak, he relaxes into my embrace, and

The blessed ache: And now you know.

I cried the Ugly Cry today.  My firstborn, my baby boy, that sweet boy who made me a mama, that bundle of life who waited so long and then came so fast I hardly knew what hit me… He starts school in one week. One week from today, I will drive him to a sweet old

That time Molly shouted PENIS in the hardware store.

We’re in the local hardware store. You know that old school kind – part hardware, part hoarders episode. Matt is trolling the aisles looking for a wrench. Owen and Molly are oohing and aahing like they’re in a museum. So many little treasures! Suddenly: “MOMMY! You have GOT to see this.” I look toward Owen and

All Shall Be Done

Owen got some bad news this morning. We awoke to his shouts: “DADDY! I have FOUR DOLLARS! I only need one more dollar and then I’ll have FIVE DOLLARS! Then I can buy the golf thing from Dick’s!” “Wait, what?” “You said it was five dollars! I almost have five dollars!” “Oh, buddy. FIFTY dollars. It’s fifty dollars.”