Category: Gratitude

Ritual: Cation House

One of my favorite weeks of the year is coming right up: our annual trip to the Cation House. I originally wrote this post for my friend Cara Meredith's blog during her 2015 guest post series on rituals (please go check out her blog - great stuff happening over there!). I can't wait for another week of beach-y rest, … Continue reading Ritual: Cation House

Thankful Thursday – Poke-Cation GO!

We had a long family conversation before we left on our Southern Oregon vacation. The kids wanted to bring computers and games to play during down-time. The parents wanted everyone unplugged, but mostly we wanted peace. Kids got their way this time with the caveat that they had to instantly put it away when asked. … Continue reading Thankful Thursday – Poke-Cation GO!

Thankful Thursday – Southern Oregon Summer

My gracious in-laws offered us the use of their home in Medford, Oregon while they're travelling (French & Italian Riviera). We had been planning a camping road-trip around college visits for Teen, but our kids gently pointed out that, ahem, as Scouts they camp all the time, and could we please not camp on vacation? Especially … Continue reading Thankful Thursday – Southern Oregon Summer

Thankful Thursday – Week of July 4th, 2016

Today didn't go as planned. I had to work through, pray through, a few unanticipated and frustrating speed bumps before I could return to gratitude. Yet my issues are annoyances, mere splinters compared with the unanticipated life-demolishing road blocks others have experienced today, this week. My reasons for gratitude remain huge, while others grieve. I don't have … Continue reading Thankful Thursday – Week of July 4th, 2016

Thankful Thursday – Kickin’ the Door Shut & a Happy Dance!

By 12:20pm tomorrow, both our boys will be done with this school year. Hallelujah! This has been a particularly rough year for a variety of reasons. Junior year for Teen, filled to the brim with cultural stress even when our immediate little family wasn't topped to our own stress limit. Unfortunately for all of us, his school … Continue reading Thankful Thursday – Kickin’ the Door Shut & a Happy Dance!

Pride & Joy

Parents often speak of their children as their Pride and Joy. My mom has often said that she can’t be proud of her children. Not that she doesn’t have reason to feel pride, but that she won’t take credit for our accomplishments. I hope it's not disrespectful, on Mother's Day of all days, to say: … Continue reading Pride & Joy

Thankful Thursday – Hufflepuff & Blooms

So uncharacteristic, I began running about six weeks ago. Once-twice a week became two-three times a week became daily. Huh, I'm running! Not a runner, but running no less. About four weeks in I felt a funny coldness in my throat. Then a cough developed, non-productive, just annoying. Then I couldn't breath deeply - butterflies fluttered … Continue reading Thankful Thursday – Hufflepuff & Blooms

Thankful Thursday – Burstin’ Blooms

SO much for which to be thankful! * A restful spring break. * 270+ church friends built 12 homes and one classroom in Mexico. * Teen stayed safe and had (occasionally ridiculous) fun playing rugby in Italy. * Great worship experiences over the last three weeks. * Tween has The Best Trumpet Teacher who makes … Continue reading Thankful Thursday – Burstin’ Blooms

Thankful Thursday – Spring Break 2016

Me: You know what day it is? Tween: No, what? Me: Thankful Thursday. Tween: Oh, awesome! Awesome indeed. Actually, everyday of this spring break staycation has been awesome. Tween and I have played and read, repeat repeat repeat. We are almost done with Shel Silverstein's Everything On It, and about halfway through Neil Gaiman's The … Continue reading Thankful Thursday – Spring Break 2016

Thankful (Maundy) Thursday

Maundy Thursday. Also known as Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Great and Holy Thursday, Sheer Thursday, and Thursday of Mysteries (loving this last one - because isn't God's love SUCH a mystery?). Maundy Thursday is the day on which we commemorate Jesus' last supper with His disciples before He was betrayed (later that night), crucified (Good Friday), and … Continue reading Thankful (Maundy) Thursday