• 07.27.2009 Durango 2009
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    Our family spent three days in Durango, Colorado last week, celebrating our 11 year anniversary with the kids. Unlike last year, when I was very pregnant over our anniversary, I was unencumbered in my sushi consumption this time–a highlight of our trip to Durango (that was disastrous the last time we took the kids.) To our surprise, three days with four children jeeping, shopping, hiking, swimming, eating out, and staying up late turned out to be a true blessing. And as my sweet husband and I celebrated over lunch alone when we returned home, we gave thanks for a blessed 11 years, and set goals for the years to come.

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  • 07.21.2009 Linked
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    My friend, Tara, and I have been dear friends for 15 years. Linked continually through the many seasons of life, our friendship is a testament to unity in the Spirit. And so, fittingly, for the birthday girl this year…some pretty links.

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  • 07.19.2009 Bobbing for Cheerios
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    Attempting to keep the baby happy during a heartfelt conversation with friends, I allowed the baby to crawl (supervised) onto our glass kitchen table… …in pursuit of Cheerios… …unsuccessfully… …but with great determination. Yay! He got one! Immediately followed by another one of Number 4′s favorite pastimes:

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  • 07.18.2009 Handle with Care.
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    Children come in all shapes, sizes, temperments, and demands on energy. If only training up a child were as simple as reading the special care instruction label affixed to their backside. Instead, everyday motherhood is one of discernment, prayer, trial and error, and great patience. Number 3 is the child in the family that requires an abundance of “special care”–at least currently. Our newly turned three-year old is loud, energetic, whiny, stubborn, clumsy, disobedient, and all-around challenging. And yet, he is equally hilarious, sweet, playful, communicative, brave, and full of life. In addition to the arduous task of training this kind of child with consistent heart-oriented discipline, I’ve been searching for creative ways to encourage and positively reinforce. In a home full of tasks and privileges for older brothers, Number 3 has finally discovered his job. His special calling. His contribution. His place to fit in. Yup. He is a […]

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  • 07.15.2009 Number 2 Turns 5
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    Five years ago yesterday, my husband delivered Number 2 at the hospital with no help from medical staff. We barely made it as this was my shortest labor to date! This boy entered the world swiftly, and with gusto–a characteristic which continues to mark his burgeoning personality. We opted for keeping the festivities low key yesterday, celebrating with family, and with an afternoon at the pool. His dad, brothers, and I took him out to breakfast, and while unconventional, the birthday boy had a fun time blowing out the candle we lit in his bowl of cream of wheat. 5 of our favorite things about this wonderful boy… 1. His infectious laugh. 2. His love for all things artistic and beautiful. 3. His mad skills in the kitchen. 4. His ability to tell a good joke. 5. He is an all or nothing boy…everything he does, he does with passion! […]

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  • 07.12.2009 Climbing Stone, Part 2
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    I know you fine people have better things to do than to follow my baby’s cute littleonesiedbottom up the stairs…again…but as this is my present reality 10 times a day, I offer it for your amusement. Thanks for indulging me.

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  • 07.11.2009 It has begun. Or not.
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    Caleb: “Mama, Caitlyn and I were just walking around together tonight and I all of a sudden looked up and said, ‘You’re pretty!’” Mama: “Oh…you did, huh?” Caleb: “Yeah, she’s really pretty!” Mama: (silently) What kind of pretty is she!?!–like your mother, pretty, or like a Barbie pretty…? (out loud) “Yeah, Caleb, she is, isn’t she.” Caleb: “I told her how glad I am that we are friends.” Mama: “Mmmhmm. Um, so, what do you think makes Caitlyn so pretty?” Caleb: “Well…most of the time it’s her attitude.” Mama: (sigh.) “Good answer.”

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  • 07.08.2009 Climbing Stone
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