The Worst Year Ever: 4 Ways to Save Christmas
I have had the worst year ever. I don’t mean compared to other peoples’ years. I’m not so ignorant as to think that I have a particularly hard life when compared to so many others. However. In my world, 2016 has been one heck-of-a roller coaster. But not... Read More
How to Find the Perfect Gift
Right before Thanksgiving, I sat down with my granddaughters, ages six and three, with a Christmas toy catalog. As we turned the pages the oldest circled and put our initials by the toys we each said we’d like for Christmas. The girls picked out dolls and princess dresses,... Read More
Why We Tell Our Family Stories Over and Over Again
The Story of the Ugliest Christmas Tree In our first year of marriage, I was still finishing up my education degree while my husband worked for a church as a youth pastor. We were poor. Even when we dug under the couch cushions for loose change (which we... Read More
3 Simple Time Hacks for Parents
So you probably think you would be a much better parent if you had more hours in the day, don’t you? Bummer that life doesn’t work that way. When you have another child, it’s not like someone shows up and magically hands you another 4 hours a day.... Read More
Parent Hack: Carry Homeless Bags
Want a great way to help your kids focus less on themselves see the needs of others this season? Carlos Whittaker shares a great tip to help instill the value of serving, empathy, generosity, and compassion in your kids. Read More
A Year of New Days
We spent a lot of time with my grandparents growing up. We rode four-wheelers through the woods, cooked biscuits from scratch, and watched the same movies over and over again. One of those movies featured a favorite character of mine, Anne (with an ‘e’) Shirley. There’s a quote... Read More
5 New Year’s Resolutions Every Parent Can Keep
If you’re like many parents, you’re busy making resolutions this week. I think that’s a great idea. But have you any made any resolutions related to your family? I’m a big fan of goals. Michael Hyatt outlines a number of compelling reasons you should actually write down your... Read More
Have Yourself a Rustic Little Christmas
My 15-year-old daughter has leadership gifts. While I recognize this is a God-given talent—and He has plans for her that will incorporate these amazing skills—I also confess I am the father to that gifted teenage girl, and sometimes we don’t exactly see things the same way. (Insert plea for... Read More
Fight for the Heart, Not Your Traditions
One night last December, I found myself sitting at the kitchen table making Christmas cookies…by myself. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, it just wasn’t the plan. That was not our tradition. Now that my kids are teenagers with busy schedules of their own, no one else... Read More