As a child, I had awful recurring nightmares. Over the years a few different “plots” played on repeat in my head, some of which I can still remember. All of them ended the same way, though: me waking up in terror, summoning my courage to run to my parents’ room through the...
When I went through childbirth classes, our instructor admonished us not to tense up during contractions. She encouraged us to relax instead so they could do what they were intended to do. Tensing up and fighting the pain only prevents the contractions from accomplishing their purpose. The less...
A few years ago, I was immensely blessed to be on the launch team for a book by Jen Hatmaker. The women I met on that team continue to be an amazing group of friends, and one of the dearest is Kelly Johnson. Last year, Kelly’s first book, Being Brave, was released–and if you...
My youngest child is what we call an escape artist. Joey is eight and has Down syndrome. He also has limited impulse control and virtually no fear of strangers, wandering away from his parents (or teachers or other caretakers). Add to that a limited vocabulary and difficulty answering...
“I just want to be shallow and happy!” I cried. I was sitting at dinner with friends, a much-needed break in a hard season. I was still struggling with my son’s Down syndrome diagnosis, still stumbling through depression. Overwhelmed by the seemingly insurmountable...
We preach kindness to our children. We seek to show love, compassion, and respect to the people around us. Too often, though, we’re unkind and neglectful to one of God’s cherished creations: the woman we see in the mirror every day.
I’m not talking about manicures and massages...
“Mommy, come walk the plank with me!” Splashes, squeals, and laughter surrounded us as Matt tugged pleadingly on my arm. We spent Spring Break this year on a cruise, welcoming the heat and sun as we escaped from snowy Ohio. And on this particular day, while the ship was moored in...
Although I originally posted this article here about two years ago, it came to mind as I was listening to the most recent podcast on The Worthy Walk. The story of Joseph (the guy in Genesis, not the earthly father of Jesus) is one of my very favorites. I couldn’t help but share...
Several months ago, my family went to war. Okay, maybe “war” is a little dramatic, but that’s what it felt like. Over the course of about three weeks, we went from being the happiest and healthiest we had been in a long time to fighting battles on every front. All five of us...
We are six weeks into 2018, and can I say, “HALLELUJAH!”??? I mean, I can’t say 2017 was all bad. After all, 2017 brought us this:
And this:
And especially this:
Oh! And the release of my first book…!
That was a highlight for...
