Wake. Feed. Dress. Transport. Bathe. Times five kiddos. I was a childcare machine, and I do mean machine. I was a cold, unfeeling, maternal robot programmed for quick response. Our home had become an institutional parenting operation with gaping holes where loving discipline and nurture should have been. While everyone was being fed and clothed, the lack of individual attention was showing up in constant behavioral “episodes.” I had been begging God for months to either change my … [Read more...]
When It’s April Fools Day More Than Once a Year
It’s kind of funny and weird that we have a day devoted to silly pranks. I admit, I don’t really like pulling pranks or having them pulled on me. But I do enjoy a good laugh. And sometimes that means I’m the “April Fool.” Funny that we recognize only it once a year though. Around here it seems like the like the movie Groundhog Day, only instead of February 2nd, it’s April 1, every day. Ok, not every day. But sometimes it seems that way. A few cases to prove my point: First, my … [Read more...]
Six Word Story
Several years ago, blogger Rachelle Gardner challenged readers to write a six word memoir. She gave her own example: "Too much coffee? No such thing." As someone who struggles with being brief, I thought it would be a good exercise. It was, and I finally landed on these six words: "Jesus used motherhood to change me." I wouldn't have always summed it up that way though. It began with a more unfortunate six word story. I'll serve you. You serve me. See, I am a recovering religious … [Read more...]
On Moving to a New Place
In 2012, about 100 blog posts ago, I set up a little blog called Permission to be Real. It was born out of unexpected inner conflict when my youngest started kindergarten. When I dropped him off for school the first day, I thought I might cry. Lots of my friends had cried. However, I’d dropped off my two older boys for kindergarten in previous years and did not cry. At all. I thought it might be different with my youngest. After I got him settled in his classroom, I returned to my … [Read more...]
An Unconventional Valentine
It was what you might call an unconventional valentine. Early and unexpected. The best kind. It didn’t come with doilies, construction paper, glue or conversation hearts. There were no chocolates or stuffed animals. It was delivered to me over a table full of Mexican food as we crammed in dinner between parent teacher conferences and basketball practice. As it often does, our dinner conversation turned sour, and we landed on the subject of halitosis--bad breath. I'm not sure … [Read more...]
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