• Reading with the Kids & a Great Resource

    Reading books aloud to our children has always been something that I’ve enjoyed.  Thankfully, they have each grown to love it as well.  Sitting on the floor with all four of them crowded around is one of the best parts of my day. Isabella (5) and Mallory (4) have gotten to the point now where they love chapter books.  I…

  • Five Years

    “Thou shalt not murder,” the Pastor read as he began his sermon. I sort of grunted under my breath, “Oh, good grief.”  And Bradley kindly put his arm around me. I didn’t want to hear an entire sermon about murder.  I know how awful it is.  I know it’s wrong.  And five years can’t erase the sting of that very…

  • Nutella Bars

    Right after graduating from college I moved to Jordan.  I was on my own for the first time, in a new country, learning how to cook, grocery shop, ride in taxis, communicate in a foreign language.  I loved it.  I loved finding my way around town and discovering new shops.  I loved watching people interact in a new culture.  I…

  • Emotions I Didn’t Anticipate

    Tomorrow is the big day.  Kindergarten begins and Isabella will sit in a classroom with 27 other students, learning and experiencing things that I’ll only know about from what she shares with me at the end of the day. Sending my oldest child to school has stirred emotions in me that I didn’t anticipate.  The sadness about her growing up,…

  • A Great Date Night

    Date nights since having kids have been few and far between.  We’ve never had the privilege of living near family, so we’ve relied either upon the generosity of offers from friends or the occasional hired babysitter. I could probably count on both hands the number of times we’ve gone out on a date since Isabella was born, almost six years…

  • Snack for School :: Cheese Crackers

    I remember my Mom making these things we called ‘cheese straws’ when I was a little girl.  I don’t know how often we had them, not regularly for sure, but I distinctly remember always eating them while drinking Coke.   And maybe during football season?  There were certain snack foods for specific occasions:  teenie weenie hot dogs and nacho cheese…

  • Our Education Choice, for Now

    Last summer we found out that we would be moving to Florida for Bradley to attend a six month long training.  We knew that this move would take place right before school started for Isabella, and that we would be moving again halfway through her Kindergarten year.  All year we would talk off and on about what to do for…

  • Snack for School :: Chewy Granola Bars

    Breakfast has never been my favorite meal.  Growing up we had cereal almost everyday, and there wasn’t a lot of variety in the types we had in the house at one time.  Soggy cereal grossed me out, so if I couldn’t eat it quick enough I would be gagging by the end of the bowl. As an adult I have…

  • Re-Learning through the changing seasons of life

    On Sunday my husband gave me one of the greatest gifts:  time.  To myself.  I basically walked into the house after getting home from church, mumbled something like, “Don’t ask me, I’m not in charge,” to my four year old’s question, changed out of my dress and headed back out the door. I was elated to finally have some alone…

  • Snack for School :: Baked Granola Bars{Nut and Dairy Free}

    Back in April we had the privilege of meeting some dear friends for a trip to the zoo.  When Bradley and I were first married and living in PA, we were blessed to be part of a small group of young couples.  I’m forever grateful for this group of friends!  One of the couples is now working with a church…