A year ago, almost exactly, a dear friend of mine gave me an orchid. I have managed not to kill the beautiful plant and it is rewarding me by blooming again. And not just in one, but two places on the elegant stem.   7 weeks old and more precious to me each day.  Life is grand when you have your best buddy to...Read More

It hails.  Not what you were thinking, I know. Oh, it pours, too. But more than that.  I can almost be assured these past few days that if there is rain, then there is hail. This is a new phenomenon for me. And not one I'm comfortable with.  Just moments ago, a storm rumbled past bringing with it - you guessed it! -...Read More

 April 8, 2011Dorien is actually awake for a change!  My two boys. Dorien and August.  Starting to smile!!! April 12, 2011Back to his normal position: asleep.  August's attempt to hang up his shirt. At least he tried!   Dorien and Daddy. Dorien was 6 weeks old the day this picture was taken.  Ah yes...the first great storm of April 2011 hit Goshen with a...Read More

I was sitting upstairs on my bed nursing Dorien while August played at my vanity. He was sitting on the stool, wearing my flipflops on his little feet, talking to himself. He said, "Hey Mommy! Look at me! I winned!" Attempting to teach him proper grammar, I said, "You won." Affronted, he looked up at me and said, "Mommy, I'm TWO!" ...Read More

Just to update you, my friends, Kyle and I did take our family to the Summit Church last night. We were a little late,  but apparently, that was no problem. We pulled in the extremely packed parking lot at 8:30 (doors opened at 7) and found a seat in the back with our kids.  I was wearing Dorien in his sling and had...Read More

Two Sundays ago, at a local church, The Summit Church, the Holy Spirit started moving in a mighty way.  I happened to be at a wedding shower with many people who attend Summit. I got a call later from one of my best friends asking if I'd heard what was going on.  Apparently, the pastor stopped mid-sermon and said he was basically prompted...Read More

This may sound crazy, but there is a goblin living in our house that steals things.  I kid you not. Things mysteriously disappear from around here on an increasingly regular basis. I'd think mouse if a mouse could feasibly sneak off with the things that have been disappearing.  Things like... A stack of papers stapled together containing a knitting project.  A doll sent...Read More

I had the pleasure this afternoon of hearing Ree Drummond (aka the Pioneer Woman) speak at our local library as part of its 2011 Literary Festival. I assumed that the place would be packed with people and arrived about 30 minutes early, fully expecting the line to be miles long. I had already prepared myself to turn around at the site of such...Read More

Oh there are both. And I have had both. But yesterday and the night that followed it were bad. Oh so bad. I felt very much like Alexander (and his terrible, horrible no good very bad day (or night as the case may be). I wanted to move to Australia. Except that I'm sure it wouldn't help anything. Yesterday started out innocently enough...Read More

August (sauntering down the stairs while he's supposed to be upstairs taking a nap): Mommy! I need my kindoffer...(unintelligible)! Me (looking confused): Your what? August (cocking his head to the side, raising his hand palm up as if to say, well, mom...you know..): The kindoffer...(unintelligible)... Me: I have no idea what you're saying. Come show me. August strides purposefully into the library, but...Read More

A few years back, I discovered an author I absolutely adore. Her name is Maeve Binchy. Just say that a few times out loud. It's addictive. Around here, she's a household name for several reasons. One is that her name is just fun to say and Kyle and I like to toss it around. "oh, that Binchy..." "Nothing better than a Binchy" Two,...Read More

This may be too much information for you, and if so, then just bypass this post. But for those comfortable with the nitty gritty reality of life, read on. Although, as far as reality goes, this is pretty tame. Approximately 4 years ago, when I was still breastfeeding Brooklyn and she was able to talk a little, when she was hungry, she would...Read More