Celebrations

Birth - 5 years | Celebrations | Imagine The End

What Your Preschooler Really Needs for Christmas

My “baby” is now 20-years-old. I consider myself to be a fairly good gift-giver, but his 20th birthday had me stumped. He is living in an apartment at college, semi-independent, cooking his own food and cleaning his own bathroom. He doesn’t need “things” from me, and he is... Read More

Celebrations | Character and Values | Imagine The End

Christmas and the G Word

Hi. My name is Carey, and I’m greedy. (This is the point where you all say, “Hi Carey.”) Gosh, I hate to say it. I mean no one goes around and says they’re greedy, right? We might think other people are greedy (it’s just so easy to spot... Read More

Celebrations | Create A Rhythm | Imagine The End

Low Expectations: A Key to Christmas Happiness

Expectations rarely run higher than they do at Christmas. From what to give to what to serve to the pressure to host well, expectations hover just beyond reach of achievability for most of us. A few years ago I was listening to a speaker who was talking about... Read More

Celebrations | Create A Rhythm | Faith | Family Activities

Don’t Miss the True Story of Christmas

There are certain times in the year that just go by faster than others. Christmas is one of them. There is so much going on from the time we clean up the turkey to when we take down the tree that if we’re not intentional, the big day... Read More

Celebrations | Fight For The Heart

4 Tips to Surviving Family Holiday Gatherings

This time of year really is my favorite. Starting with football and Thanksgiving dinner, then watching kids as the magic of Christmas begins to invade every bit of space in their world, it’s easy to fall in the love with the wonder of the holiday season. But as adults, we know... Read More

Celebrations | Create A Rhythm | Family Life

How to Make Good Memories Without Grumpy Side Effects

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. We’re on the cusp of all things holiday and fun. The festivals. The fairs. The pumpkin patches. And the promise for more parties and holiday spectaculars just around the corner. It’s the kick off to a magical—if not insane—season, made... Read More

Celebrations | Imagine The End

The Freedom We Celebrate

I grew up in Northern Virginia. It’s important to note the “northern” part. Because Northern Virginia is a different world from the rest of the state. We consider ourselves an extension of Washington DC. The pace where life is faster, the obsession over politics is greater, appreciation of government... Read More

Celebrations | Fight For The Heart

When Making a Big Deal Out of Little Things Is a Good Idea

Okay, I admit it. I sometimes often overdo things. If I find a shirt I love that fits well, I’ve been known to buy it in two colors. If it’s on sale? … I mean, how many colors are there? Is there a price break for buying in... Read More

Celebrations | Make It Personal

Mother’s Day Gets Complicated

Mother’s Day is over 100 years old. Although Anna Jarvis created the holiday in 1908, it wasn’t an official holiday until six years later when Woodrow Wilson signed it into law. It was a day created out of a prayer Anna overheard from her mom, that there be... Read More

Celebrations | Create A Rhythm

What Do You Want Your Kids to Remember Most About Easter?

We moved into a new house about six months ago, which means we’ve been unpacking boxes for oh … about six months. The unmarked boxes are my favorite because it’s like Christmas wondering what will be inside when we open them. Now that we’re finally feeling more settled... Read More