I’ve never understood the appeal of a Stairmaster. For one thing, it’s exhausting. For another, it doesn’t take you anywhere. I prefer my climbing to occur in the pursuit of a destination. (Oddly, the treadmill doesn’t bother me as much. Probably because the ratio of discomfort to boredom is lower.) Of course, I’m speaking theoretically. [...]

[Read more →]

Charlie and I talk a lot about seasons of life. It probably comes from the age we’re at. We have enough life experience to look back and see the seasons that came before this one. Those times when it felt like things would never change, like when the kids were little. I never thought I’d [...]

[Read more →]

On a search for Memorial Day images, I came across this one taken at Arlington Cemetery. And it longer I look at it, the more it breaks my heart. Military service is a part of our family history; two of my grandparents and Charlie’s dad served in World War II. (Yes, his parents were the [...]

[Read more →]

Colors fade and birdsong dies out. The sun has gone down, and darkness slowly overtakes light. Across the yard, I see flashes of pale skin, Abby’s long legs skipping down the hill to the treehouse. LC and Hannah wave to her from above as they spread out their sleeping bags. My kids are spending the [...]

[Read more →]

I sit up straight at my little round table at Starbucks, listening to the latest alt-folk songstress as she emotes about love, or angst, or maybe love and angst. At the next table, a pastor meets with a couple to discuss their wedding ceremony. Another couple across the aisle is chatting quietly in either Portuguese… [...]

[Read more →]

Waiting. I hate it. I hope you had a lovely Christmas. Ours was full of unwrapping and eating and extricating toys from human-proof packaging and playing on the Xbox and eating and Facetime talking with my parents and sister and family. And eating. I also spent most of the day waiting. Every weather forecast for [...]

[Read more →]

I’m not feeling very thankful tonight. It’s not that I’m grumpy or ungrateful, exactly. More like I’m too busy. We’re all home for Thanksgiving break, and today has been a day of boredom. And whining. That, in spite of yesterday’s outing to see Megamind, I “never spend any time with” the kids. What is it [...]

[Read more →]

I don’t like the topic that I’m about to write about. Seriously, I have some pretty strong feelings about this subject. What is it? Condemnation (i.e. disapproval or judgment). I know, right? Who has positive feelings about THAT? Maybe the members of the Inquisition… (“NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition!”) Now. Setting aside the (lamer than [...]

[Read more →]

I can feel it: Fall is here. Leaves have been changing for a couple weeks. The grass has virtually stopped growing (which makes my son, aka Lawnmower Boy, very happy). But until last week, the WEATHER here in Atlanta was not very autumnal. Ah, but last week, the temperatures dropped. And the Southern humidity FINALLY [...]

[Read more →]

Mary Beth Chapman tells a story in her new book, Choosing to See, about a family ceremony that didn’t turn out as planned. Months after the death of their daughter Maria, Mary Beth brought home a simple white pitcher. She sealed it tightly in a zipper bag. Then that evening, the remaining members of the [...]

[Read more →]