• From the Bookshelf: 18 Books on Parenting

        “What kinds of books do you read, Lauren?”   We were sitting in the living room of a group of people from church and everyone was going around sharing the latest book they had read.  Books were being rattled off that I had never heard of but everyone else was not only familiar with them, but had either read them or knew enough to engage in a discussion.  I nodded and was intrigued by their conversation, but was secretly hoping that no one would ask me to divulge my reading habits.   Sure enough, someone turned to me, and asked me the dreaded question.  I sort of gulped back and shyly responded, “Um,…

  • Weekend Links for the New Year

        There is what the weather folks are referring to as a BLIZZARD happening outside right now.  We braved the cold and I think lasted all of 25 minutes.  The clothes are drying and the kids are warming up for another round at some point today.  Like all unseasoned snow people, we have milk and bread, plenty of toilet paper, and we rushed to the library the other night so everyone could stock up on books.  But mostly I have supplies for baking–homemade pizza, cinnamon rolls, chocolate chip cookies–and a box of Starbucks hot chocolate that I’ve been hoarding for such an occasion.  Some might say I have a romanticized…

  • Five Things on Monday

      1. Thanksgiving is in 10 days.  What?!  How did this happen, friends?  It feels like just yesterday that we were spending our days at the beach, and now the heat is on, we’re planning our turkey dinners, and Christmas ideas are stirring in my mind.   2. My house goal for October was to finish decorating the girls’ bedroom.  It’s now the middle of November and we still aren’t done.  But I’m okay with that; we’ve made progress.  Sometimes slow is good and it will make me that much more excited when it actually is completed.   3. Our kids are a long way from the teenage years, but this post Launching…

  • For Your Weekend: Thoughtful Reads

    Saturday mornings have become some of my favorite times, especially ones like today when all the children are still sleeping at 6:45 and the house is quiet.  Saturday is the only day of the week that I don’t set an alarm, but my internal clock still gets me up by about 5:15.  My coffee in hand, I nestle into my favorite chair in the den and read, reflect, and pray that God would open my eyes to see what He has in store for me today. I  want my heart to be soft and teachable.  I want to be willing to serve and love without expecting anything in return.  I want…

  • For Your Weekend: Podcasts & Series

    Good morning from our little home in Virginia.  We’re due to get heavy rain today, our portion of Hurricane Matthew, and the sun’s later appearance in the sky has the kids sleeping later than normal, a gift for sure.  With the busyness that comes from the beginning of a new school year, weekends are a nice break.  Not always restful, because my regular responsibilities as Mom to five never change.  But I’m learning to find moments of rest, planning a bit more carefully so that there are spaces of time for enjoying my family instead of bustling around to meet their needs.  Both are necessary, but I tend toward the…

  • Reading Lately – July and August Edition

    My summer reading list became a bit excessive towards the end of the summer and I found myself checking out tons of books from the library, starting a few, and then ending up with overdue fines because I couldn’t find the time to finish the ones I had checked out.  My normal bent is toward non-fiction, so this year I’ve been trying to branch back into fiction.  However, this summer I was so tired that it would take me weeks to get through one novel.  Several pages in at the end of the day and I would be sound asleep.  Also, my monthly lists are becoming smaller as the year…

  • For Your Weekend

      Although it may not always feel like it, life is a gift that we have the privilege to receive with hands wide open.  As we unwrap the gift of today, may we slow down our souls, savor moments that might otherwise derail us, and look for the wonder of God within the ordinary.   Some little bits for you this weekend….   For your soul: When the Road Feels Long, Run a Marathon — Kendra Adachi, for The Lazy Genius Collective Roots Before Branches — Kaitlyn bouchillon A Tree in the Field  — Kristen Strong Just One Important Thing — Glenna Marshall When You Feel Like There’s Not Enough   —  Greer Oharah…

  • Weekend Inspiration

      At the end of our second week of school I find myself enjoying a new routine but floundering to figure out our new rhythm.  This is what I love about weekends.  There is a chance to somewhat catch my breath, evaluate what worked and didn’t, reconnect with my children, and hopefully re-work the issues that need to be rearranged or removed in order for us to function better next week. So, this weekend, I’m trying to hit the reset button, both in our home and in my heart. Maybe you need this too? And while I want to make sure and iron out the trouble spots to make things run…

  • 2016 Reader Survey

      Blogging has been a fulfilling journey for me over the past 5.5 years.  It’s not a job and I wouldn’t label it a hobby.  For me, writing is something I need.  And if it somehow encourages or helps others, then it has fulfilled two purposes.   It is my desire that this blog would be a place that will truly serve you, my reader.  There are posts that I have brewing and ideas of where I’d love to see my writing take me, but in order to best fulfill the two-fold purpose of this blog, I need your help. Would you be willing to take a few minutes and…

  • For Your Weekend

    Some of you have already gone back to school, others are gearing up for a new beginning this coming week.  Here in Norfolk, we still have three weeks left of summer, so I’m clinging on to these lazy days, praying for endurance in the midst of our summer rhythm, and hoping to squeeze in a few more beach days despite the intense heat.   Here are some links for you as you enjoy your weekend. For those Olympic fans out there, this post by Amanda Bacon, is an excellent comparison between Olympic athletes and believers in Christ.  Praise the Lord our destiny in Christ is sure! For the ones who…