-
How decorating a room taught me to quiet my heart
I was 22, fresh out of college, and living in Jordan when I set up my first apartment. I arrived in the country with two suitcases’ worth of belongings for a year’s stay. Most of that was clothing, but I managed to squeeze in three small items to make my place feel homey: good smelling hand soap, a little throw…
-
When small things become BIG
It’s been three years ago to the day that the words Down Syndrome were first spoken to us in regard to our son Mason. He was just a little over 12 hours old when the Doctor brought him into my room and told me his suspicions. I held my boy close, kissing his cheeks, as I cried and tried to make sense of…
-
Signs of Spring
Spring is one of my favorite times of year. I love the signs of new life that erupt from the trees, the flower beds, and the birds that I hear chirping in the wee hours of the morning. Spring is the season for being outdoors, going around barefoot, and preparing the front porch for late night visits with friends. Bradley’s…
-
What I Learned in March
Can you believe today is April 1?? We’ve been having little spurs of spring here and there, teasing us with the warm weather, and then we have a day of freezing temperatures! We’re still getting used to the weather here in Virginia. But I think we’re going to like being near the ocean once the warm weather is here to…
-
On Hiding in the Bathroom and Vulnerability
I hid in a public restroom last week. You see, we think we’ve found a church. A wonderful thing for which I’m incredibly thankful! But with that comes new people, relationships, talking to strangers, and a whole lot of insecurity. After seven moves in a little over 8 years, you’d think I would have this down by now. Nope. I…
-
Discovering the Purpose for Our Home
Yesterday, I shared the above photo on Instagram and Facebook, and said something like: “This is the only spot in our home that is ‘finished’. And by finished I mean that the pictures are current, the frames have been painted, and I even printed something out from Aliza Latta that I love…” (click here for the free printable she designed)…”…
-
The day my perspective changed
Mason was about eight months old when I met someone who changed my perspective on Down syndrome. I have relived this story countless times since, and have been waiting for the perfect moment to share it in writing. There are some things that I want to cling to in my heart, tuck away as secrets in my soul somehow; those things…
-
There is only One Sustainer
The other morning I started my day like I do most days. Woke up, made my coffee, and settled into my chair to read my Bible and write in my journal. I’m slowly working my way through the Psalms right now, paying close attention to the verses that speak specifically about God: His character and His behavior. That morning I read Psalm…
-
The Story and Gift of our Home
We found out in October that we would be moving to the Virginia Beach area, stationed there probably for three years. Immediately we began a search for the perfect place to live. We spent hours on the internet looking at houses. My brother-in-law connected us with a realtor in the area and we started receiving updates as new homes went…
-
Lessons from my Spanx
I’ve been writing off and on over the past month about Spanx. Why I wanted to lose weight, how I cut back on my calories and made exercise a habit, and shared some practical tips that I learned on my pregnancy weight loss journey. Now, the more challenging part is putting into words some of the inner struggles I faced…