Do your kids ever fight? Of course not, right? Your kids are perfect. You would never, for instance, awaken to …
The Problem Is Ours
So many times now I’ve sat in front of my little personal blog and tried to organize thoughts about current …
Unexpected Baptism
We are never spontaneous. Planners we are. Our plans have plans, and we like it that way. But this weekend …
I Love You to Africa and Back
One day you wake up and realize you have a middle schooler. About two seconds ago you were in a …
Give Your Child the World
It all started when I woke up in bed with a stranger. Late at night I felt her crawl in …
Melanie Dale: Cheer Mom
I am the world’s worst soccer mom. I hate grass. I hate sports. I hate being outside and sweating. I …
How to Take Communion With Your Kids
I’ve never attended a church for which Communion was a regularly-occurring thing. Or the Eucharist or the Lord’s Supper. Whatever …
The Shoot Hit the Fan
This is a story from last summer that I happened to run across in my archives that made me laugh. Apparently …
New Study Finds Savoring Every Moment Makes Kids Smarter
A new study finds that savoring every moment makes kids smarter. Scientists have collected data and the results are in. …
Our Family Values…Besides Flatulance
Approximately one million years ago when we dedicated Elliott at church, they asked us to put something together about how …
When Your Life Is a Training Montage from Ant-Man
I love superhero movies, with their origin stories and training montages, and this year I’ve enjoyed introducing my kids to …
When Parenting Is Different Than You Thought It Would Be
Yesterday I had a big appointment with someone about my child. I’d been antsy with anticipation and dreading it all …
Coffee+Crumbs: Moms Don’t Get Sick Days
Have you ever been sick as a mom? You feel like you’re going to die and exactly zero people care. …
“Please Discuss at Home”
Three more days of this ridiculous fiction excursion. (Fiction excursion, fiction excursion. That’s right up there with “unique New York.”) …
I No Longer Serve as a Floatation Device
Poor JPEG. What is he saying in this picture? “Help me, Mom, I’m wearing hair extensions.” Well, we have four …
The Shoot Hit the Fan
Does this look like the face of an Evil Pooping Monster? How could such a villain appear so innocent and …
The Mundane and the Magic
Okay, before I give you today’s installment of my summer short story, we need to talk about mystery girl’s name. …
Back to School Can Back the Freak Off
He pulled in quietly and she crawled into the passenger side and sank down into the seat where no one …
Waterboarded by the God of Fun
Sitting on the edge of the porch, she dialed the numbers on the borrowed cell phone. “Pick up,” she pleaded …
Fear sharks! Fear germs! Fear chips!
Fear and relief coursed through her body in equal parts. She silently begged the door to open as she was …
Christmas in July Box o’ Love Giveaway
Making her way up to the house, she stumbled to the door, grabbing the knob before she fell. She took …
We’ve Gone Full Lord of the Flies
Through the trees she could just make out the twinkle of porch lights and she made her way towards them, …
Fun Mom Can Eat It
Suddenly, the car burst into flames and she crawled away, fire licking her shoes. She rolled into the ditch, splashing …
The Family Road Trip: A Rite of Passage
The family road trip. A rite of passage for all kids and parents for as long as we’ve had roads. …