GENESIS: 32:22-28 22 That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. 24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the …

Here’s my new article in Parent.co on why nobody, and I mean nobody, tells mommy what to do. No One Bosses Mommy Around “No one bosses mommy around.” Ask any of my children, and they’ll quote you on this. They’re young yet…very much still feeling around in the sandbox for the untouchable acts that will get them in serious trouble. Having twin three-year-olds is like going into the pet store to pick out a fish …

You know the crazy workouts you see on Instagram and Facebook—The ones where tiny muscled humans are lifting dumbbells the size of themselves or bending in places you know should not be able to bend or sweating it out in “Hot Yoga”? If you’re a parent to young kids or a child with special needs, chances are you’re not jumping on the bandwagon. There are some trends in life you just have to wave to …

My mother was a school librarian. She was the cool librarian. She didn’t shush and the kids were always more important than the books. The little first and second graders wanted to march in and sit crisscross applesauce around her as she read the book of the week while they made a craft. I remember growing flowers in the windowsill while reading “The Lupine Lady” and stashing piles of books and fruit-shaped erasers next to her …

Coming at you today with my article in Scary Mommy on my lack of love for the baby stage. I know I’m a great mom, but you can keep months 0-12, thank you very much. Click the link below to read the article.   “You Don’t Have to Love Babies to Be a Good Mother”   Did you love the baby phase? What’s been your hardest phase to “love”? Save Save

Walk to Bring Infertility Awareness  This week, April 23-29, is National Infertility Awareness Week. Infertility affects over 7.3 million women in America, but many are too embarrassed to share their stories. Even in the Christian community, the prevalence of infertility and miscarriage remains a largely unspoken reality, leaving women to bear this burden alone. It doesn’t need to be this way. It shouldn’t. I’ve written many words on why we need to speak out against …

JOHN 14:25-27 25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. I always …

I don’t talk much about the darkest stuff while Charlie or the twins were in the NICU and so medically fragile. But I should. Because PTSD is a high risk for parents of children in the intensive care. Here is a bit of our story on Parent.co and some ways to get help if you are or know someone who is dealing with this. Have you ever found yourself experiencing the after-effects of a traumatic …

I’m thinking out loud today about how much I dread car rides now that I’m a grown up. I’m over I-Spy and the license plate game. I need some car games that I’m not bored with before we even start. Summer is around the corner and we have enough road trips planned that I’m already haunting Target for cheap distractions. If you’ve got a trip looming, here are 10 games to play in the car …

I love my husband…but. Marriage is hard. Parenting is harder. But…there are ways to make parenting with your opposite not just doable, but excellent. The two of you might actually be the dynamic duo you envisioned before the kids arrived. Click the picture and read how in my article on Parent.co. Save Save Save