Though each generation of parents laments the fact that their children grow up too quickly, I doubt any can rival the warp speed at which the current crop of grade-schoolers is progressing. I remember specifically two separate elementary school events that serve as great examples. Parents thought a karaoke booth would be a hit (no [...]

Years ago, when north Texans experienced a summer cold snap—a break from typical July temperatures, my husband Bret suggested our family watch a movie outside on the trampoline to enjoy the crisp, night air.  Though it sounded good on paper, this was no simple undertaking. It took us nearly an hour to gather the requisite [...]

Welcome to Day 3 of our discussion about The 7 Stages of Parenting. We’ve already looked at Parts 1 and 2, so be sure and read about those, too. Today, we focus on ‘Tweens and Teens, Adulthood and Parents. See if you recognize yourself.  Stage 5: ‘Tweens and Teens Now unless you put a boulder [...]

Yesterday, we began our analysis of the 7 Stages of Parenting by discussing Pre-Stage 1: Pregnancy and Stage 1: Infancy. Let;s continue our discussion.  Stage 2: The Terrific Twos You might have heard people refer to this period in a child’s life as the Terrible Twos. That’s the real name. I was just trying to [...]

Some of you might not have begun the journey yet. Others of you have successfully entered Stage 7, which involves enjoying children as much as you like with none of the hard stuff (Read: grandparenting). No matter where you are in the journey of parenting, you’ll likely recognize yourself and your life in one or [...]

With generally inappropriate and/or pathetic offerings on TV, the Wilsons make Family Movie Night a regular occurrence. Bret and I are always on the lookout for good, clean releases everyone will enjoy. With a teenager and two elementary school kids, that challenge has become more difficult. The movies that command my husband and older son’s [...]

Dropping from its long-held position of second place, the mammogram has moved into third place as the most painful or embarrassing of annual events for women over 40. Still in first is the dreaded gynecological exam. Apparently, having to sit in a freezing cold room for an hour wearing nothing but a large paper towel [...]

It’s spring. Time to take a look at this baseball season’s lineup. Not players, their mothers. Here’s a beginner’s guide to Little League Moms. The Team Mom, usually the head coach’s wife, is the glue that holds the other moms together. Part cheerleader, part hand holder, part organizer, she spends baseball season with a phone [...]

Yesterday I told the story of getting my first car–an Oldsmobile Delta 88. Though more than ten years old–and not even registering on the Cool Meter–I fell in love with the Brown Bomber. That gigantic hulk of a car got me where I needed to go.  Like the rest of us, she had some quirks. [...]

I first heard about the Brown Bomber waiting for my turn in a beauty shoppe. Yes, that’s right—a beauty shoppe. This was no salon like you might find today. This shoppe, straight out of Steel Magnolias, reeked, er—smelled of nail polish and hair spray. The little old ladies still came in weekly for their bouffant [...]