what my toddler's tantrum taught me

“Mommy, I NEED chocolate milk! Right now!” I placed the baby in her swing and made my way to the kitchen. “Can you ask nicely, buddy?” “Chocolate milk, pleeeeeease?” He asked as he ran to the fridge, swinging open the doors and standing on his tip-toes to reach the chocolate syrup bottle. “I get it, […]

seeing our children for who they'll become

When we’re running late and the clock is ticking to get out of the house, a certain five-year-old suddenly feels it necessary to move in slow motion. As I’m throwing wipes in the diaper bag and corralling children, he’s taking it easy, kicking his feet up, and then remembering now would certainly be the best time […]

31 days of living free: heart, home, and hospitality

In the quiet of the morning, I’m sneaking into the dark corners of the living room, an old mug brimming with coffee as my only companion. As I sit here and I look at this place we get to call home, I wonder how my heart can be free when it comes to true, life-giving […]

31 days of living free: make room for grace

As I mentioned yesterday, this week I’m exploring what it looks like to live free at home. I want our home to be a deep exhale on a cold winter’s day. I want it to be the type of space where you can hang your scarf on the homemade coat rack, shake off snowy boots next […]

31 days of living free: tune my heart

I can now add “awesome-husband-who-will-write-for-me-on-a-deadline” on my list of things I’m thankful for today. On a crazy Monday where I burned the chili and spilled a drink all over our chair, his words were definitely what I needed to read. I think you’ll be encouraged by his guest post below, too. — Come thou fount […]

even so, it is well with my soul

Lately, I feel like I’ve been peeking into the windows of so many who are hurting. Sometimes those windows are wide open, other times I just catch a glimpse. But it’s all the same: Heavy hearts beating faster and slower, trying to pump through pain from all directions. I’ll pray for you. It seems so…small. In my […]