The Wink

Banking Calm

Last night I stayed downstairs after everyone went to bed. The day had been a exercise in time management—dueling drop offs, office, store, early release, fundraiser purchases pick up, drop off at Nana’s, parent teacher conference, decorate the shop, finish emails, back to Nana’s, home, dinner, homework, laundry, more store prep. It felt like the [...]

Years go by

A little over a year ago we slipped out of town for a long weekend. Thanksgiving weekend, it was, and our intent was to have the distance from deadlines and ought-tos to be able to really breathe. Packing up for an event that sort of revolves around home isn’t the easiest, but with the desire [...]

Time for Love

I’ve had many people I respect tell me that date nights are vital to a marriage. I like the idea in concept, but in practice it can be tough. Sitters, schedules, money, stamina—the list of excuses can go on and on. We’ve long had what we call Toddler Tuesday, when Nana and Jeannie take the [...]

Monday Ever After

I saw a tweet quoting Marion C. Garretty: “A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost.” It comes as Grandma and Papa are visiting, which of course makes me think of my sister. The truth of that quote shimmers before me, as just hearing her name uttered, whether it is, “Abbie” or “Ab” [...]

Protecting Hope

My life today is so vastly different than I expected it to be and yet, there cannot have been another life for me. These girls, this man, these moments. It isn’t always easy, but we have fun with one another and try to focus on how we improve, rather than how we fail. Right now [...]

Wordless Wednesday

Who’s that girl?

Ever since a boy in Avery’s pre-k class destroyed, or at least put a major chink, in her love of navy blue and superheroes, I’ve been incredibly mindful of how I manage self. How exactly does one raise daughters without letting the pendulum of self swing too far to one side or the other? I [...]

Durable Ribbons

Every once in a while I hesitate about a post. I learned a long time ago that some things, even though they are a part of my life, are not mine to tell. Still,  I’m pretty honest here, though there is an increasing awareness of how proprietary some of this is getting as the girls [...]

Live for this moment

We have to live for this moment. Bad hair. Pudgy tummy. Not-there-yet on whatever task or goal. It’s this moment, not some moment up ahead. You can aspire, reach and pursue whatever the heck you want, but as you do it you have to realize that this moment is incredible. And a gift. I’ve met Susan twice in person, but I [...]

Handprint

This morning, after orchestrating a torrent of activities for the girls, I was putting away the inflatable pool and slide our friends gave to us. My hands pressed upon the soft, blue walls and slid into the water. Swirls of childhood tickled my face as I looked toward the upstairs of our house to see [...]