“Yet even now,” says the Lord, “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments” (Joel 2: 12-13, RSV).   Recently, I felt God calling me to a fast. There are so many benefits to fasting, from spiritual to physical, that I find…

Yes, you read that title correctly! 🤣 2020 has brought a rollercoaster of emotions, along with a beautiful gift of pregnancy. My little guy is due to arrive December 31st, which means I’ve entered the enormous phase of pregnancy and can barely see my toes! But with immense effort, I was able to paint them a…

It started early for me. I was young, merely 16 years old. On the day of my driving test, I couldn’t wait for the freedom that would come after just a short 20 minute test. I’ll pass with flying colors, I thought. My crinkly hair was on point (because it was trendy back then to…

Earlier last week it was raining. The air was chilly and the sun had already set. Everyone in our home was a bit crabby and looking for reasons to be annoyed with one another. But we realized if we wanted to get our Christmas tree before mid-December it had to be that night. So we…

My son and his wife asked my husband and I to stay at their house this summer and watch their chickens. They live on 30 acres nestled back in the woods, north of the cities. It’s quiet and peaceful.   But those chickens! Let me tell you, they are independent yet dependent! And their personalities…

I used to think Advent was just a time to punch out little cardboard calendars in hopes of finding stale brown chocolate. But later I discovered it’s SO much more than that…and it will be starting soon!!!!!     The word Advent is derived from the Latin word adventus, which means “arrival” or “appearance”. It’s…

November 3rd is National Housewives Day! This calls for a mega celebration! But let’s be real for a minute. Did any of you even know this day existed?   The term housewife was coined in the 13th century and was derived from the German word huswif which means, a married woman in charge of a…

It’s nearly November now. November of 2020, the longest year in the history of mothering, except for the year 536 AD, which is widely acknowledged by historians to be the worst year of all time.    But now, in addition to covid-schooling our dear, sweet children, plus that Minnesotan October snowstorm, how does our country…

Take it from me, toilet seat covers should not be bought at Gordmans. Maybe at Menards or Home Depot, but not at Gordmans. Did the one I buy have an embroidered flower on it? Yes. Was it light as air and cushy like my grandma’s? Also yes. However, it did NOT match our brown toilet…

Before children, I was quite the traveler. I raced to catch airplanes, spontaneously jumped off cliffs, and slept in dozens of airports…all by the ripe age of 22! I was unbridled yet adaptable and loved the thrill of the unknown.   I assumed motherhood would feel a lot like international travel; and in many ways,…