Remembering

Posted by on Sep 11, 2014 in Uncategorized

Today, as my son Ian prepared to depart for Deep / Young Academy with his brother Jacob and sister Allie, he took a moment to set into place in the flatbed of his truck a large American flag. And I’m remembering that, 13 years ago today, I was preparing to pull Ian and Jake in their little […]

Boundary Lines

Posted by on Aug 14, 2014 in Uncategorized

“The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance” (Ps. 16:6). Sometimes we don’t recognize a good thing until it knocks us – WHAM! – right off our feet! At least I don’t. Perhaps it’s because we can be slow learners. Perhaps it’s because we’re stubborn. My husband […]

SCARS

Posted by on Aug 14, 2014 in Uncategorized

The other day, Allie and I had a deep discussion in the car. (We often have our DEEPEST talks while she’s strapped in with no chance of escape!) She was asking about scars. She’d been picking at a scab on her knee, and I was (for the one millionth time) telling her to STOP! “It’ll […]

R-E-P-A-I-D

Posted by on Aug 7, 2014 in Uncategorized

Today my eldest child graduated from a “restricted” drivers license to an “unrestricted” one. I met him at the DMV to finalize the paperwork, and we left as we’d come — in separate vehicles. Me in my minivan, along with Jacob and Allie, and Ian in the truck — him turning right at the stop sign […]

Freedom!

Freedom!

Posted by on Jul 4, 2014 in Uncategorized

“… let your light shine…” (Matthew 5:16). As the last light of day lingers in the summer sky, Allie likely does one of two things before being tucked away to dream. Either she goes on a toad hunt — looking under and around all the possible hiding spots where “Sarah,” “Phoebe,” or “Chelsea” might be singing […]

Beautiful

Posted by on Jul 1, 2014 in Uncategorized

Today, Allie played “dress up” and asked (It’s a RULE!) if she could get into my jewelry box. I said yes.  Now, let me tell you — my jewelry box is not an orderly place. It’s more a lot of “This” and “That.” Much of what is in it belonged to my Grandma Helga “Betty” […]

Happy Birthday, Kristie!

Posted by on Jun 10, 2014 in Uncategorized

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, and who have been called according to His purposes” (Romans 8:28). The photo was tucked into a book, and unexpectedly, Allie discovered it. “Who’s this?” she asked, holding the photo up for me to see. For a moment, I […]

Good Will

Posted by on Jun 9, 2014 in Uncategorized

“Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground” (Theodore Roosevelt).  Ian came home today, after running a few errands, with a bag of flannel shirts and a story. Now, it’s my personal opinion that parents have done something right when they have taught a child to dream BIG, and yet, live […]

Heart-On Collision

Posted by on May 19, 2014 in Uncategorized

Sixteen years ago today, I was involved in a 3-way collision. I woke up tired but joy-filled — having slept (very little) next to our new baby girl, Devon Mara-Leigh. Though I’d not delivered her into this world, Baptist Hospital in Columbia, SC treated me, the adoptive momma, as though I had — giving us […]

Happy Birthday, Sweet Baby

Posted by on May 18, 2014 in Uncategorized

I haven’t seen her face since she was one day old, though I’ve thought of it often — wondering what she would look like. Would her smile be crooked? Would her eyes squint up like little half-moons when she laughs? Does she laugh in Heaven? I think she does. Today’s her birthday — Sweet 16. […]