I realized, after looking through all my 2018 posts, that I never "officially" shared on the blog that I'm writing a book. #badblogger So, yes, it's actually happening. I could not be more thrilled or more terrified. At first it sounded so cool to share the deepest recesses of my heart and then I panicked. What if people hate it? What if *I* hate it? What if, what if, what if. I knew, deep down, that it's what God wanted, so I did it anyway. <<deep breaths>> I have had an AMAZING team at Ave Maria Press, my publisher. Y'all, I know other authors gush about their publishers, but Ave is legit, legit. You'll hear more about that whole back story soon. In the meantime, … [Read more...]
Happy 15th aka “Almost Street Legal”
John Paul is 15 which means the insurance rates just went up, again. That's okay, he's cute so we'll let it pass. It's time for the first birthday letter of the year. Let's get to it, shall we? Dear John Paul (the Great), You're halfway through with your freshman year and already I'm thinking, 'where did the time go?' I wish it was possible for me to adequately convey what a bright spot you are in our home. You are the funniest person in the house. I love how you grab a sparkling water from the fridge, pop the top and wait for me to look up and make sure you aren't drinking one of my Dr Peppers. That never gets old, does it? It's totally awesome how you work ahead on … [Read more...]
2019 Word of the Year
Resolutions and words of the year are my spirit animals. But, truthfully, they don't mean much unless you actually take the time to implement them. Every year, about mid-January, we hear about folks falling off the wagon, so to speak, with all those good intentions. But you know, we never hear about those that get back on it, even though they fail. January gets a lot of press for being the "goal-making" month, but you can set a goal anytime. Achieve it anytime. Get serious about it anytime. So, what are you waiting for? Last year, my word was "possibility." I had no idea what God was going to do with it, so I just tried to be open to the Holy Spirit. It turned out to be a … [Read more...]
Let’s Get Something Straight About Christmas Trees
Every December 26 I see it. And, I'm pretty sure you do, too. Friends and neighbors put their Christmas trees out for recycling. How dare they, right? Don't they know that the Christmas season lasts twelve full days? Don't they know they should leave their trees up until at least Epiphany? Oh gracious, y'all. Let me just state this up front: the decor of your house does not dictate the state of your heart. Should I say that a little louder for the people in the back? I grew up Protestant in a whole host of churches. Every Christmas season, the decorations came out right after we cleaned up from Thanksgiving dinner and then promptly were put back up after we hit all the sales … [Read more...]
2018 Gift Guide
Last year, I did my first-ever gift guide and y'all loved it so much (and so did I) that I decided to do it again! On Thanksgiving Day, as I scrolled through my Instagram feed I was so tempted to fall prey to all the sales! and the deals! and the really, really good things on the interwebs! Because, truly, there are so many wonderful creators out there making some fabulous things for our homes, our families and our lives. The key that I have to remind myself every year is simple: Is it something useful and purposeful and will it bring joy to my life? If it causes me stress trying to figure out how to pay for it or if it's an impulse buy that I will later regret (hangs head in … [Read more...]
