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, [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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. [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]