Paula Sands & Me I've never cared about being the center of attention. The mere thought of public speaking makes my hands sweat and heart race. In fact, I’m perfectly content spending time alone with my thoughts in my nice, peaceful office. There. I've said it. I...
Gotta love that smile! Snow days. Funny how those words sound very different to me as a mom compared to when I was a kid. Before I begin, let me give you a warning. Some portions of today’s blog may make me sound old. Okay, I’m ready now....
After eight years of marriage, I thought my husband knew me better. I was wrong. It all began when our pastor asked everyone in our small congregation to participate in the annual Christmas program. Not being one who enjoys the spotlight, I cringed. Maybe I could just...
Yes, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. But as many of you know, it’s also a difficult time of year to lose a loved one. I was reminded of this last Tuesday morning when my 92-year-old grandpa passed away.Now I know what you’re thinking. Ninety-two years! And...
"Maybe Grace scrutinized the newsletter with a critical eye, but she always looked for the best in me." Today on the blog I'm sharing my story about a very special (yet unexpected) friendship. This story was recently published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Just Us...
Watch out! I'm coming in for a landing! “Hey, do you have time to listen to a story?” I can’t imagine how many times I’ve asked my mom that question. I remember coming home from junior high and reading her my stories. Even now, when I struggle with writer’s block,...
Thankfully, this is not the house I grew up in! As a young girl growing up in a big old farmhouse, there were certain places in my home I’d learned to avoid. I’m not sure when it began, but I know who’s to blame. My brother. His favorite pastime was to tease and...
Grocery shopping with kids. It’s one of those unavoidable joys of motherhood that ranks right up there with diaper changing and helping with algebra homework. I try to avoid it whenever possible. The fun usually begins in aisle two. “Chocolate doughnuts! Please Mom?”...
Gotta love that cape! I looked over our schedule. As usual, all three girls had after school activities. But after some quick calculations, I realized that for once, the timing of their activities worked out perfectly. 4 PM - Take Madison to gymnastics. 5 PM - Pick...
The crowd goes nuts. I glance up from my book and watch the excitement on the TV. Crazy football fans with painted faces leap out of their seats, cheering and high-fiving anyone within reach. The announcer hollers and throws his hands in the air. “What an amazing...
I held my phone out and pointed to a picture. “Tell me about this bike.” “What?” My dad looked up from reading the paper. “I posted this picture of you and Mom on Facebook and a bunch of people liked it. I need something to blog about, so if there’s a story here, I...
Multiple sclerosis can do strange things to a girl’s brain. Like, for example, mess with her sense of balance. I often feel dizzy. I frequently stumble and trip or sway and stagger (especially when I’m tired). I accidentally bump into people when I walk through a...
On the evening of December 24, 2014 my cell phone rang. Two seconds later Curt’s phone buzzed in his pocket. Across the room, our home phone joined in. I checked the screen and turned my phone on speaker. Curt and the girls leaned in, listening to the voice of our...