The Best Weekend! I told my family that, for my BIG birthday, I wanted to wake up with my loves in a place we’d never adventured together before. We discussed the pros and cons of various locations and landed on: New York City. How does a nature-loving, bookish homebody—easily overwhelmed and edgy in crowded cities … Continue reading NYC, There’s Something About Ya’
Tag: family
Mexico, Here We Come
'Twas the week before the Mexico trip, and all through our house Every creature was stirring, including a mouse! Seriously, it's been a week... Guy has been leading house building trips to Mexico for at least 18 years and participating in them regularly since he was a high school student. But this will be the … Continue reading Mexico, Here We Come
Found It!
Most visitors to Año Nuevo State Park this time of year are looking for elephant seals. Our family went in search of a snake. The San Francisco Garter Snake, to be exact, an endangered species that makes its home in that area. C20 has been desperate to find one. We decided to make this President's … Continue reading Found It!
Surprise!
Parenting can be So Fun! For example, today, when I told Q14 I would pick him up mid-school day but didn't explain why. And he didn't remember or figure out that TODAY is the day he gets his braces off! And I got to surprise him with one of the best surprises an adolescent can … Continue reading Surprise!
Advent 2018 Wk3 – Faith
The year C20 had his first birthday, Guy and I both turned 30 a few weeks before and after. Our birthdays span November to January so Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's got wrapped up in the fun. We created a list of small celebrations we could enjoy each day during those eight weeks, simple activities … Continue reading Advent 2018 Wk3 – Faith
Advent 2018 Wk 2 – Joy
Lately I have been impressed with stories of joy: people enduring difficult circumstances with genuine smiles lighting their faces and claims of, "Laugh or cry, I choose to laugh," or "I was born a happy child," or "I choose to do something I enjoy every day." People who, in witness to others' difficult circumstances, decide … Continue reading Advent 2018 Wk 2 – Joy
Connect Guest Post: Dan Seifert
In real life, not all stories have happy endings. Some stories just end, and the best we can do is find peace. I'm glad my friend Dan has found some answers and some peace in this story's ending. This year, I saw my deceased grandmother for the first time. No, she wasn’t a ghost, but … Continue reading Connect Guest Post: Dan Seifert
Mom-ories
Facebook keeps tossing up pictures from when Q14 was little and, now that he's in high school, they prompt all the Big Feels. I can't even imagine what a mess I'll be three years from now when he's a high school senior - sheesh! Last Monday was a no-school day. In our family, no-school days … Continue reading Mom-ories
Holiday Sales
Today is Memorial Day, set aside for the good citizens of the United States of America to remember those who have died while protecting and serving our country. Our remembrance might also extend to anyone who has served in the Armed Forces and, even further, to those who have gone on before us. Like most … Continue reading Holiday Sales
Say the Words
Twice this week I’ve found myself in conversation with people who have recently and unexpectedly lost a parent, a woman whose father died and a man whose mother died, both from a stroke. Last night as I listened to my friend describe the events surrounding his mother’s last days, he said, “Tell the people you … Continue reading Say the Words