I enjoy watching the seasons change. I love the order the seasons give our lives, the biblical truths of which they remind us, and the way each transition from one to the next feels like a new beginning. Though I’m typically excited when we change seasons, I’m often extra enthusiastic when we transition to fall. Maybe this is because I … [Read more...] about The Most Wonderful Things About Autumn
Reflecting on Life
5 Things I’ve Learned from Watching My Parents Interact with My Kids
We recently had the pleasure of having my parents visit for a little over a week. My kids adore their Grandma and Mebop (their name for grandpa), so it’s always special when we can all be together. As I watched my parents interact with my kids during this last visit, I realized that there are a number of life lessons that I can learn … [Read more...] about 5 Things I’ve Learned from Watching My Parents Interact with My Kids
Why Don’t We Help Ourselves?
A couple of weeks ago, my middle daughter (who is nearly three years old) was curled up in a ball on the kitchen floor complaining that she was cold. I felt her to make sure she didn’t have a fever. She didn’t, so I’m pretty sure she felt cold because the air conditioning had just kicked on and she was directly beneath a vent. She was also on … [Read more...] about Why Don’t We Help Ourselves?
4 Wonderful Things About Interracial Families
I’ve heard a few mixed-race adults discuss the race-related challenges they experienced while growing up. For example, some struggled with identity, feeling like they didn’t really belong. Others were teased or felt misunderstood. I’m hopeful that my own children (who are mixed) will never feel this way. There are several reasons why I … [Read more...] about 4 Wonderful Things About Interracial Families
Keep Short Lists
I don’t typically think about my mortality on a daily basis. However, throughout this past year, my husband and I have been reminded of the fragility and brevity of life on numerous occasions. Early in the year, we had a young cousin nearly die in a car accident. In the fall, I experienced two rare and serious complications while having … [Read more...] about Keep Short Lists
Our Hearts Are So Full!
My hands and my heart have been so full these last two weeks as we’ve been adjusting to life as a family of five! We welcomed our third child, Gilana Brielle, on September 20th. Gilana means “joy” and Brielle (a diminutive of Gabrielle) means “strength of God” or “heroine of God.” She weighed 7 lbs. 15 oz. and was 19 in. long. Her … [Read more...] about Our Hearts Are So Full!
Christmas in July: Christmas Songs that Are Great for Year-Round Listening
It’s no secret that I enjoy Christmas music. In fact, I enjoy it so much that sometimes I’ll listen to it in the middle of the summer. I haven’t done that yet this year, but when I was listening to it last winter I noticed that there are a number of Christmas songs that aren’t all that Christmassy. What I mean by this is that the lyrics aren’t … [Read more...] about Christmas in July: Christmas Songs that Are Great for Year-Round Listening
Avoiding Discouragement in Our Volatile Political Climate
We get so carried away with red, white, and blue desserts, parades, picnics, and fireworks that it’s easy to forget that the 4th of July isn’t just a day for relaxing. It’s Independence Day—a day for celebrating our nation’s history, namely our independence from the British Empire. When I look at the political section of the news these … [Read more...] about Avoiding Discouragement in Our Volatile Political Climate