A week before Brady Shae and Brooks were born, my dad traveled to Florida to help prepare their nurseries. He shopped for supplies, painted walls, hung shelves, and installed chair rails. Then he stayed long enough to meet his new grand babies. I remember the goodbyes feeling extra hard after those special visits. Maybe because of hormones or sleep deprivation, but probably because of love. Fast forward two years, and we were pregnant with baby number three. And sure enough, baby number three needed a nursery too. My heart knew exactly who I wanted to call upon for help, but flights from Heaven simply were not available. My dad passed…
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Light in the Darkness
A couple of months ago, as I tucked our first grader into bed, her soft heart posed a hard question — “Are there really bad guys with guns who shoot people?” As those heavy words hung in the air, I felt her innocence hanging there too. Our little girl, clutching her kangaroo and blankie, sought big truth about her world. I had to get this one right. So we talked about good guys. I assured her we are surrounded by good guys — people who help and protect and love. Mommy and daddy are good guys. Our family and friends and neighbors are good guys. Police officers are good guys.…
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Love Is All We Need
I recently created this sign during my best friend’s 40th birthday party. “If you want to bring happiness to the whole world, go home and love your family.” I’m a quote junkie. Meaningful words nudge me. Going through a tough time? Embarking on a new adventure? Feeling ______? You can bet your bottom dollar I will toss you a famous quote… and the trajectory of your existence will be exponentially inspired. Something like that. Anyway, I made this sign. I chose this quote. The best part? I carried the darn thing onto an airplane. Hello delightful flight attendant, I am [quite literally] going home to love my family, and according…
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Want-Need-Wear-Read
Want. Need. Wear. Read. Maybe you are familiar with this Christmas gift-giving philosophy. Its popularity seems to be gaining speed. Something they want. Something they need. Something to wear. Something to read. Four gifts. THE END. While I consider it brilliant, I acknowledge that some of you are cringing at the thought. The ground ‘neath the Douglas fir void of a sea of presents on Christmas morning??? “You serious Clark?” Or maybe you think four gifts is one too many. After all, the wise men only brought three. Whatever the case may be, can we all agree that our culture seems to start decking the halls WAY before it’s even…
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Water Warriors
Survival swim lessons. I haven’t always known they existed. But from the moment I did, I have always been an advocate for these lessons. ALWAYS. Even when my children were just twinkles in my eyes, I knew that I knew that I knew… one day these lessons would train them, empower them, rescue them. According to the USA Swimming Foundation, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death in children ages 1-4 nationwide. Last summer, at least 163 children under the age of fifteen fatally drowned in swimming pools or spas. And the state with the highest number of drownings last year — Florida. Those statistics hurt my heart. The…
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All I Need to Know I Learned From a Child
The lessons we teach our children are loud and purposeful; the lessons children teach us are quiet and powerful. Little hearts, beating with simple joy. Little eyes, twinkling at the magical mundane. The smallest among us, imparting the biggest wisdom. Without any effort or expectation. Time and time again. They live and grow; we watch and grow. It’s a beautiful exchange. Our baby girl — she recently spent two nights in the local children’s hospital. Reactive airway disease (baby asthma) coupled with viral pneumonia generated the perfect storm inside her tiny body. It took all she had to gather precious oxygen. Wires entangled her. Machines beeped. Medical staff hustled. And…
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The Good Old Days
“Someday soon, your whole life’s gonna change. You’ll miss the magic of these good old days.” Thank you Macklemore and Kesha, for giving this heart something to ponder. The good old days. They become sentimentally vivid when we peer at them through hindsight. The word “old” inferring they happened once upon a lovely time. And what we wouldn’t give to be momentarily back there — fully present, fully aware. So we think about them. Our good old days. Yours. Mine. And with beautiful clarity, we remember how really, really GOOD they really, really were. But… what if? What if on this day, right here and right now, you are actually…
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Who Are Your People?
Who are your people? In a world of seven billion — they are yours, and you are theirs. Aligned perfectly by space and time and design. Nothing, not one thing, more valuable. Who? Be near to them, in every way. Put down your phone; look at them. Laugh with them, be silly with them, wrap them in your arms. Give them YOU, every single drop. (They’re thirsty for that.) And while you’re at it… Savor your new people; miss your old people. Say “I love you.” Show “I love you.” Make each moment count, because that’s what life is — an accumulation of moments. And at the heart of it…
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The Love is Equal
I’m guessing most parents do it. Probably teachers too. We call our children by every wrong name — our brains aimlessly flipping through the Rolodex — before landing on the child’s actual name. You know, the name they were given at birth, by which they have been addressed… I dunno… since always! “Stacy…… Keith….. Lesley….. Whoever You Are….. NATALIE!” Why does this happen? Are we THAT tired?!?! Once upon a time I heard a perfectly perfect explanation for this common slip of the tongue, and whether or not it’s supported by actual psychological research… who cares. I like it. We erroneously spew a string of incorrect names prior to [ding,…
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Happy Mother’s Day
We can read books. We can solicit advice. We can pray. Each is helpful. All are wonderful. Yet – for me – one of the most valuable tools in learning to become a loving, devoted, and passionate mom is… being in the presence of a loving, devoted, and passionate mom. Even as wide-eyed children, we may not see it until hindsight is 20/20. I see it now. Good gracious was my mom good and gracious!! Her name is Momma. She is mine. Well, not entirely. I share her with three of my best friends. Her KAOTIC4. We were her sunshines, her only sunshines… her top priority… the pleasure of her…