Last year we stopped praying together as a family before meals — an impetuous decision born out of my rebellious heart. Prayer at meals had become so perfunctory and rote, just going through the motions and seemingly dead. That was the problem. Our mealtime prayers felt dead. My kids said the same words every prayer, and […]
For the Mom Who Feels Overwhelmed
About seven years ago I found myself surrounded by my four small children, overwhelmed by the daily tasks of life and just trying to survive each day. I loved being a mom, but the lack of sleep (and adult conversation) was catching up with me. I felt really alone and I was pretty sure I […]
How to Control Your Emotions Better (and Confess When You Don’t Quite Get It Right)
Like most moms, I have a plan in my mind about how things should go. When I clean my house, it should stay clean. When I tell my kids it’s time to leave, they should put on their shoes and get in the car. When I sit down to help my children with homework, they […]
Experiencing the Wonder in Every Motherhood Milestone
A few weeks ago, I dropped him off for his first day of his last year of preschool. I’m still wrapping my mind around this reality. My fourth child, William, is now five. He’s losing his baby face and becoming a young boy. After picking him up, we made macaroni and peaches for lunch. We […]
Nourishing Your Children’s Souls
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” —MATTHEW 4:4 As the years march by, our kids are not the only ones growing—so is our food budget. All four of our kids love to eat. Keeping a pantry well-stocked is nearly impossible, especially with two teenagers! […]