I knew I was supposed to appreciate my blessings on Thanksgiving, but as we pulled into my grandparents’ driveway, I had mixed feelings. I was thankful to still have my grandparents. I was glad my girls could know their great-grandparents. But lately, visiting them...
“I'll take a half-pound of honey ham, please.”The skinny kid behind the counter gave me a nod and grabbed a plastic glove. “Ma'am, do you think you're in a rut?” What did he say? I looked up from my grocery list. “Excuse me?” “Um … it’s just that uh … you always get...
Three things always happen at our house during this time of year. Sunday afternoons become all about football. Our oldest daughter starts reminding us that her birthday is only a month away. And my thoughts drift back to a difficult time many years ago. This year...
Sometimes farm kids have to make their own fun. That’s what I did one time when my parents left me alone with a bunch of cows. But you’ll never guess what I did to pass the time and entertain myself … Every cow was in the corral – except one – and I knew what that...
I tried to enjoy my new-found freedom after my third and final daughter started kindergarten. Instead, I felt lost. Mundane days drifted into weeks. Of course I was still a mom, but my job had changed drastically. One day I shared my frustrations with my husband. ...
Hi everyone!I've had a fun (and somewhat frightening) week. Do you remember my post from last week on the Quad City Moms Blog? It was called, How to be a Better Wife: Five Great Reminders from My Three Little Girls. Well, the day after it was published I was asked to...
Every day it’s the same thing. I pick up Emily from volleyball; she hops in the van, unzips her backpack and pulls out her iPhone. “How was your day?” She doesn't look up. “Fine.” Her thumbs are already flying, responding to a text. I try to think of another question...
Normally I don’t notice real estate signs. After all, I’m not in the market for a new house. But the other day on my way home from the store a sign caught my eye. Actually, it was the smaller sign on top of the sign. It said, “I’m gorgeous inside.” My first thought?...
My husband smiled and shook the landlord’s hand. “We’ll take it.” I couldn't even fake a smile. I just hoped the next few months would fly by quickly. “It’s not that bad,” Curt said during the car ride home. “Not that bad? Didn't you notice that weird smell in the...
“My shoes are tight and they’re getting worn out.” I vaguely remember Madison telling me this one morning before school. But honestly, I didn't give it much thought. The school year was almost over. Her typical summertime footwear consisted of flip flops and softball...
Today my mind is swirling in fifty different directions. It’s a feeling I’ve experienced many times before. It happens every time I write a story. It’s my least favorite part of writing: starting. Writing doesn’t often come easily for me. I hate staring at a blank...
We all have things we’d rather avoid in life. My list includes such things as snakes, public speaking, scary movies, and black olives. Also on my list … airplane bathrooms. I hate airplane bathrooms and I’ll tell you why.First, I’ve heard the research about all those...
I think we’ve all had “those” parenting moments. You know the kind. They’re the moments we reflect back on and say to ourselves, “Gee, we probably should’ve handled that differently.” I suppose it’s bound to happen. After all, parenting is a stressful endeavor.And so...