Archive for the ‘Motherhood’ Category

The Bean Bowl

Some things discovered on accident just have to be shared… especially if you’re parenting little ones and you discover an indoor activity that keeps the kiddos busy during these cold winter days.  I found just such a treasure, totally on accident.
My mom has laid claim to one full side of my parents’ finished basement for [...]

Motherhood Compromises

I’m incredibly selfish- and putting aside some of my own wishes for the betterment of my family and kiddos has been no small feat in these 3.5 years that I’ve been a mommy. What I’ve learned- is that sometimes it’s all about compromise, mommy-style:
- sleeping in has become 7am instead of 9:30
- “privacy” for me [...]

Busted!

Here’s a conversation that happened a few days ago- that keeps replaying in my head and making me chuckle…
Abbie (5) to Silas (3): Wow- do you have new shoes?
Silas: Nope
Abbie to Me: Silas’ shoes look really new, but he says they’re not new.
Me to Abbie: They aren’t new, I just washed them.
Silas to everyone around: [...]

Learning about Love

My kiddos teach me so much about love- it’s actually hard for this wordy girl to begin putting these lessons into words.  Like how love is never earned, it’s always given.  How love is never withheld, it’s abundant.  How love isn’t contingent on anything- it just is.
The last week or so, Ellie has discovered her [...]

My Ceiling, Their Floor

In recent months, a specific idea has been a driving force behind my parenting:  I want the ceiling of my life- the highest heights of my inward and outward journey- to be my children’s proverbial floor.  To parent Silas and Ellie in such a way that the things I’m learning (about spirituality, character, authenticity, etc.) [...]

Last Book

My heart is proud: I’m Silas’ last book of the day.  Yep, in mom’s terms this is the equivalent of being a last call.  You know- being that connection, that person, that you want to share your final moments of the day with before drifting off to sleep.
So, we have a new routine at bed [...]

Genuine.

Starting Silas in preschool here in South Africa was a little bit terrifying for me.  In addition to the normal hurdles that come along with this early and initial step of fostering independence… I knew that Silas would face some unique obstacles.  He’s the only American.  His accent is different and he struggles at times [...]