Living From a Dad’s Affirmation
My dad is my hero. I wish I could spend this entire post telling you about him. I’ve often joked that my ultimate goal in life is to be my dad with more hair (I’ll admit that joke lands a lot better, if you have seen my dad). But all teasing aside, I will consider...
Love On Display
Growing up, I had one of those old blue rectangular Kodak cameras with the orange “point and shoot” button. It came everywhere with me—including a trip my family took to Disney World. While there, I captured an image I still have a copy of. At the end of a long day as...
Choosing Yourself is Not Neglecting Your Family
Sometimes it’s a struggle to really learn that just because we choose ourselves, doesn’t mean we are neglecting our family. In fact, it places us in a position to offer an even greater love because the place from which we are pouring is full and not depleted.
The Power of “First Words”
Words have power and it’s not just the words we say out loud. Sometimes, the most powerful words we say are the ones we say inside to ourselves.
Your One Best Thing
It’s that time of year. The stale leftover cookies are in the trash and I’m eyeing the tree, wishing it would pack up and walk itself to the basement. I’m ready to make a clean sweep of the holidays. Christmas is over. This means a brand new year ahead and I’m...
This Is a Weird Parenting Goal, But . . .
Why is it easier to have goals at work than it is at home? Have you ever thought about that before? Most corporate jobs are jam-packed with goals. You have weekly goals, monthly goals, quarterly goals and even annual goals. When you meet with your manager, you talk...
The Rewarding Work of Remembering
Call me sentimental, but I’m a big believer in making memories. I’m also a big believer in capturing those memories for later.
It’s not that I don’t enjoy living in the moment. But I’m a classic introvert in the sense that I’m an observer. I process information (and even emotion) over time. Often the moment doesn’t fully “hit me” until weeks, months, or even years down the road.
I also love a good project, so a couple of years ago I started something that ended up being one of the most rewarding parenting decisions I’ve ever made:
I catalogued our family photos.
Empathy is Tonic
Spooked My daughter spends most of her free time at the stables where she rides horses. She will happily muck stalls (aka shovel poop), wash horses, and hand pick fungus off their legs. Now, will she clean her bathroom, hang up a wet towel, or care to not leave trash...
Joy in the Chaos
Yes, joy is gratitude. We can be grateful that regardless of how we feel over the coming weeks, the unshakable reality is God showed up 2,000 years ago.
Bring the Family: The Value of Serving Together
Be honest. How do you feel when you hear the word “service”? Does it fire you up? Or does it make you feel a little guilty? Maybe it’s a little of both.
I imagine most of us have a nagging feeling inside that we should be doing more to serve others. Typically, during the holidays, we feel especially motivated to put those good intentions to work. But most of the time, it’s tough to put that motivation into action.
Why is that?
Fighting for the Heart of Our (Adopted Son) Family
The fight this season isn’t just for our adopted son, it is also for our biological children and our family. It is the fight that shows that love rules everything and we cannot accomplish change or healing without it.
Skin in the Game Changes Everything
It’s fun to surprise your kids with gifts and luxury experiences like a 13-year-old getting a manicure. But it’s equally important to give them the gift of working for a dollar, saving that dollar and only spending it on things they really care about.