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"I'm not good at that." It started with small, little snippets of self-doubt.  I should have noticed.  I should have stopped it sooner.  I'm her mother, after all….unfortunately, I'm also really gifted in the art of negative self-talk.  Maybe I missed it because what should have been a red flag has been given a space on my shelf, a narrative I frequently read and accept as normal.    It took flares of anger, where self-hate spewed out of my sweet girl like a volcano I assumed was dormant.  I was shocked.  I argued back--NOTHING you are saying about yourself is...

Often we head north and go camping one last time before summer on Mother’s Day weekend.   This morning we couldn’t help but overhear a super awkward interaction. Across the way, a mother and her three kids were trying to pack up. I had noticed them before and even admired her for tackling a camping trip by herself. They weren’t babies, the oldest was probably 12, but still, that’s a lot. Suddenly, she was mad and everybody knew it.   I don’t know their story, but I could make some assumptions. For whatever reason, she was a single mom, camping...

If you aren’t overwhelmed by the month of May, this post is for you.  There is a crisis situation, and volunteers are desperately needed. Parents are drowning. April showers now only bring May flowers wilted, and a day late for teacher appreciation week. May is now the month where you run from one school event to the next, end of the season parties and trophy ceremonies while juggling work and home responsibilities. Good luck. You race around with your hair on fire and no matter how hard you try, it still feels like you’re tossing disappointment and failed expectations around...

How do you freeze time without stifling growth? Isn't that every parent's question? How do you cling to every unique piece of their childhood yet avoid stunting the very thing you have invested your whole heart into nurturing? For me, it was just a room….and also, it was a fork in the road, and I knew what was at stake with my choice. I had some ideas, but they finally came together one afternoon while hanging out with my insanely talented photographer friend, Neely. We shared hopes and fears about how we felt our life, family, and businesses shifting. Her...

It's such a tiny space in the rafters of our patio roof--barely enough room to hide the smart plug and extension cord that light up my Mood Swing.  It was a boring stucco wall where I have my quiet time outside, so I grabbed a cheap canvas and painted my vision of what following Jesus looks like--and my favorite quote from Jill Brisco:  "All the Way Home."   I've written more about the painting here, but basically, it's a reminder to carry our cross all the way home, even when we're tired, even when we want a break, even when we...