“Mom, I need you.” I startled awake and spied my 12-year-old daughter standing in my bedroom doorway, silhouetted against the dim hall light. I couldn’t see her face, but I heard it in her voice. Panic. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” “I just need you. Come now.” I glanced at the clock—only 10 p.m. What could’ve possibly gone awry in the last half hour since I drifted off to sleep? These days my kids often stay up past their dad and me, but we know it’s because they’re either reading or finishing homework or FaceTiming friends before lights out. Nothing too scandalous happens in our house at the ..read more

Have you told your teens to wait before they date? I’m the first to raise my hand. When I was growing up, most of my friends were coupling up in middle school, and several were sleeping with their boyfriends by the time we entered high school. That is NOT what I want for my kids, and it’s certainly not the culture we’ve built in our household. Waiting to date is a wise rule. But how long should the wait last, exactly? ‘Til our kids are 16? 18? 30? How many arbitrary rules have we parents created for our children, in an effort to protect them and to uphold biblical values? Have we truly though ..read more

She got a fresh haircut for school pictures. Yesterday, before sophomore orientation, I helped her straighten her wavy locks—the same ginger hair I used to wrestle into ponytails when she was small—and I beheld a young adult smiling back at me in the mirror. Flash back to this post from a day the calendar says is so many years ago, yet I swear it feels like just last week in my heart. Back when kindergarten was “a big green ugly monster” and I fretted over handing my girl to the traditional school schedule, to a teacher who didn’t know how she liked her bologna sandwiches. I feel the pangs of ..read more

I learn a lot about God—from my dogs. Last Saturday I took our Morkie for a walk. He’s 12 pounds of stubborn, fearless, and a little bit stupid. This dog runs toward cars, barking and baring his teeth, as if those motor vehicles are a threat to my safety rather than his own. What can I say, my dog would take a bullet for me. He’s just that dumb. So, knowing his tendency to put himself in precarious situations, I protect him, like any good dog owner would. I hook him to a retractable leash, which I allow to go slack when no dangers are in sight. He enjoys the freedom to run and wander, sniffin ..read more

It’s not much to look at now. A pile of wood, faded beams and planks, rusted bolts sticking out in all directions. Our back yard playset. We took it down last weekend. And I couldn’t hold back tears. Because that playset was once a glorious thing. I remember so clearly the day it arrived—when my three-year-old firstborn sat watching, mesmerized, as Daddy and Grandpa built magic from a palette of freshly stained lumber and some whirring power tools. From her first step up the clubhouse ladder, that play set was our home. I pushed my baby in the bucket swing, I taught my growing girls how to pu ..read more

Hi, friends. This time of year I like to reflect on new life. Spring flowers poking through the brown earth, fresh breezes finally free of snow {or so we hope, here in Wisconsin}, and a risen Savior not confined to the grave but alive and reigning at the right hand of the Father. In honor of last weekend’s Easter celebration, I thought I’d pull an old favorite from the archives, first posted here in 2012 when my girls were little. Some truths are timeless, even if our children aren’t. I went way overboard on the Easter candy this year. Saturday night, I filled my daughters’ baskets with ..read more

My husband and I drive vehicles built in 2004. We’re still living in our 5-year starter home… 18 years and counting. We work hard and dream big and pay our bills on time. But those bills have never included brand new cars or Paris vacations or an inground pool. {I really want an inground pool.} Let’s just say between the Dollar Tree and Saks Fifth Ave, we’re more of a Target kind of family. Yet I have never felt richer. This morning I drove my 14-year-old daughter to school after an orthodontist appointment. She flashed her sparkly new, no-braces smile, and I caught a glimpse of this same bea ..read more

She begged. Prayed. Fixated for months over a singular heart’s desire—a new puppy. My daughter was certain a puppy would bring her joy. Fix her loneliness and boredom. Her therapy dog, we joked. Love in the time of COVID. Okay, we agreed. We’ll get another dog. But YOU—we told her—will be in charge of training it. Of course, yes, I’ll do everything, she said. And for the most part, God bless her, she has. From the moment Bodie the mini Goldendoodle entered our family three weeks ago, my 14-year-old has taken the lead on all potty training, crate training, behavior training, and puppy acclimat ..read more

Online courses are rocking the world these days, especially as the pandemic has forced people to work and learn remotely. There’s no shortage of courses available in every field and interest imaginable, and the market is wide open for more. Creating a virtual course can be a smart way to share what you know AND earn a significant income from your efforts, which is why many writers and speakers are turning to this medium. But is it right for you? Here are three factors to consider in determining if you’re ready to create an online course. 1. You have a great idea for a topic and you’re passion ..read more

I was mad. Hurt. Fed up. Over what? Oh, the usual. My husband—can’t he see I need some attention? My kids—why are they acting so entitled? Did I raise them to be this ungrateful?? My job—deadlines, expectations, stress, stress and more stress. WHEN CAN I CATCH MY BREATH?? It’s nothing new, right? We all have our list of occasional irritations, underlying heartaches, relationship challenges, insecurities and grievances against life. Every once in a while, mine reaches a tipping point. And I know what I need to do. Reach out for accountability and reason. So I sent an SOS text to a trusted frie ..read more