parenting
-
8 Years
At this point, it’s just a part of who I am. I’m a person who doesn’t drink. It’s normal. I don’t really think about alcohol as an option. They days tick by and I do the dishes, the laundry, make meals, walk the dog, run kids to things and all the other routine life stuff.… Continue reading
-
Maybe We are the Weird Ones: Thoughts on Parenthood
“Mom, I think we are weird. Like we are a weird family,” my daughter declared to me in the car on the way home from school. Laughing, I asked for clarification. She went on to explain that her friends’ anecdotes of their life at home and relationships with their parents were not the same as… Continue reading
-
Sports – A Love Letter
Ahhh, sports. Athletics hasn’t been a huge thing for us as a family. Our son dabbled in little league for a couple of years. He was more interested in picking dandelions in the outfield than watching for pop fly balls. (Later we learned that his right eye is blind and of course that impacts his… Continue reading
-
Code Red
The school had had an active shooter practice drill a couple of weeks ago. My daughter was in class, but students were working in groups and didn’t hear the announcement that it was just a drill. She thought it was real and texted me. She was upset the rest of the day. We talked about… Continue reading
-
Hair…and more
I was listening to Glennon Doyle’s podcast and in one episode they were discussing all things recovery and rules and the parameters we set for ourselves, as well as those set for us by cultural norms and practices. They discussed wanting to do, or not do a thing, such as dyeing one’s hair, buying a… Continue reading
-
Time
14 years ago today we welcomed our first child and it feels like 1000 years ago and yesterday all at once. Time is elusive and crafty, bending and warping depending on perspective and hindsight. In just 4 years, my tiny chubby-cheeked baby will be a legal adult. (Seriously?!) My brain sees the little baby, the… Continue reading
-
Yellow Orbs
Settling into our new home, we’ve been taking the dogs on early morning and later evening walks. The sun of course bakes the asphalt during the heat of the day, so walking at cooler times works best. (I love that yellow orb in the sky! So delightfully warm compared to the PNW, and not the… Continue reading
-
What a Year!
The kids have the same English teacher at our school. All year long they have a weekly contest called “Giggles”. This contest involves writing a sentence and correctly placing all commas. First one done wins for that week. At the end of the year, the student with the most wins becomes a “Comma Master” and… Continue reading
-
Rejuvenation
“There is magic in the presence of trees,” I mused, inhaling the damp freshness surrounding us. Walking in our rain boots through the lush forest, my daughter happily chatting to her art teacher, I took as many mental images as my senses could hold. I left my phone back in the car when we pulled… Continue reading
-
When Dad Buys You Lemons…
“Can I go with you to the grocery store? I have a list.” “Uhhh, okay,” I responded from the shower. “What did you need to buy?” I asked. “Lemons, sugar, a pitcher, cups, and straws. PLEASE Mom! Please! I have always wanted to do this. It’s summer….” She’d been asking to do a lemonade stand… Continue reading
Life and Other Stuff 