I never expected to turn into a couch potato. I’m one of those women who loves checking things off a to-do list. My days tend to spin by in a flurry of activity, as I complete task after task. I’m on my feet. Hustling. Moving. Getting things done! But at the end of the… View more
I have a love-hate relationship with the early morning hours in my home. The hate part comes the moment my alarm jolts me from sleep. It’s set to a soothing, soft melody, but it somehow feels like a marching band pounding into my eardrums every morning. I hit the “off” button, stumble out of bed, and… View more
go (This post is part of the Practice Makes Imperfect series. Click here to learn more.) Let’s start with a vending machine. It stood in an alcove at a hotel. I popped my quarters into the slot and surveyed the variety of high-calorie treats, then pressed the button for a Three Musketeers. (The only rational… View more
(This is part of the Practice Makes Imperfect series. Click here to learn more.) At least there was chocolate. Those words summed up my feelings as I settled into bed after an evening with friends last fall. It wasn’t that my friends were boring or unkind. Quite the opposite actually. We shared plenty of laughs… View more
I’m the daughter of an engineer. Many people find this hard to guess, since I lean more toward creativity and emotion than the rational, ordered pursuits of science. But there’s one sure way I’m confident that engineering blood flows somewhere through my veins: I love to assemble furniture. I know, some people sigh in… View more
“Mom, can I get this?” My daughter holds a cheap, unicorn-shaped purse in her hands—a little treasure she’s discovered at the craft store, where I’m trying to find supplies for a classroom party. “Nope,” I reply with a quick glance at the price. “Did you bring $10 along to pay for it?” I know she… View more
Does anyone else have a Bible stashed with random papers? Handouts from old Bible studies, encouraging notes from friends, thought-provoking quotes scribbled on index cards–these are just a few of the items that have been tucked into the back of my Bible over the years. Over the years, many different items have rotated their… View more
On a recent trip to Washington DC, I spent an afternoon taking in the sights of our nation’s capital. As I walked the streets, I thought about the power players at work all around me. Congressional leaders hashing out legislative deals. Lobbyists strategizing their agendas. Countless bureaucrats working in the federal agencies that keep our government machinery… View more
Today I’m sharing a free printable for all my fellow bibliophiles: A set of 4 beautiful bookmarks featuring lovely watercolor flowers. (I know, I know. You’re so shocked I used flowers again, right? I just can’t help myself, friends.) These pretty designs were inspired by the “You Are” series of notebook journals I recently added… View more
I’m going to start this post with a picture today. Not the kind I paint with pretty words and heartwarming metaphors. Just an actual photograph I took recently. And when it comes to summing up my life, this one’s really worth a thousand words. Are you ready for it? I grabbed this snapshot recently while… View more
