Family

The 5 Biggest Mistakes Parents Make–and How To Correct (or Avoid) Them

0 Comments 10 April 2013

Let me start this post by saying I’ve had plenty of rough spots along the parenting road. I’m not a perfect parent. (Ask any of my children.) But I’ve learned a lot in 22 years–both in my own family and through observing others’ family dynamics. (Reading and studying the subject helped a lot, too.) So, [...]

Self

Appreciate the Mundane–Things Could Be Worse!

0 Comments 09 April 2013

The monotony of day-to-day chores and activities can sometimes get to me. I have no idea why.  The truth is, regular actions in our lives mean peace reigns. Brushing my teeth, making my bed, grocery shopping, getting my oil changed, folding laundry–none of these things signal excitement or cause me to break into song like [...]

Currents, Self

Rest in God’s Soothing Words

0 Comments 03 April 2013

I’m weary. Some of my weariness results from good–even great–stuff. My older son will marry his beautiful, wonderful, the-young-woman-I’ve-prayed-for fiance in just over three months. My daughter has been accepted and received enough financial aid for her to be able to attend Dallas Baptist University this fall. My younger son continues to amaze me with [...]

Communic8, Self

All Writers Need Regular Editing

0 Comments 14 March 2013

I’m blessed to be a part of an amazing fellowship of local authors. Rockwall Christian Writers Group has met monthly since October of 2001 at LakePointe Church in Rockwall, TX. You might recognize the names of some of our members: Mary DeMuth and Anne Mateer (formerly known as D’Ann). We three musketeers head up the [...]

Advice Column, Family

Baby Talk Begets Baby-ish Behavior

0 Comments 12 March 2013

Years before my son Charlie was even a twinkle in my eye, I taught middle school English and enjoyed being married without children. It wasn’t that I didn’t want children—I longed to have a family, someday—I was simply enjoying life just my husband and me. One evening, I shopped at a grocery store near my [...]

Currents, Midlife, Self

3 Comments 07 March 2013

Iron Man 3 comes out May 3. I know at least three people in my household who anxiously await its release. They’re not such fanatics that they’ve already bought tickets–at least I don’t think they have. But they do appreciate the genre. Want to know a secret? I do, too. Weird, I know, that a [...]

Currents, Self

Thrive in the Midst of Suffering

2 Comments 04 March 2013

I lead a group of high school juniors in a discipleship group. We’ve been together nearly 5 years now, and that hour and a half has become one of the highlights of my week. Brittany, Casey, Emily, Kailey, Savanna and I know each other intimately; we trust each other implicitly. Truly a picture of community [...]

Currents

What I Love about Spring

0 Comments 22 February 2013

Texas had the mildest of winters this year–few days barely reached freezing, much less long stretches of frigid temperatures, high humidity, chilling winds. Now, I’m not complaining about the lack of winter. (Though, I must admit, I do wonder what this will mean for the bug population around here come summer.) I prefer warmer temps. [...]

Advice Column, Self

Do You Need God to Makeover Your Life?

0 Comments 20 February 2013

I’ve been on a crazy kick lately—refinishing furniture. My journey started with a few little picture frames. I took plain dollar store frames and embellished them with bits of broken jewelry, lace, scrapbook elements and other antique-y (yes, it’s a word) items I unearthed at garage sales.  I quickly moved on to bigger and bulkier [...]

Currents, Marriage

Why I Don’t Celebrate Valentine’s Day

2 Comments 13 February 2013

You may think I’m weird, but I don’t really care if I don’t get flowers on Valentine’s Day. Or candy. Or diamonds. Or even a dinner out. Yes, I realize I’m taking a big risk in admitting this. After all, greeting card companies—and florists and restaurants and jewelers and chocolate factories (Sorry Willie Wonka) may [...]