As I pen words, it is a dreary, soaking-wet, rain-drenched evening outside my sitting room window. We are all drying ourselves out after a torrential down-pour just moments ago, occurring just as we made a run for it from the van to the front steps. This onslaught also occurring after we all had walked through …
My Jumping Jellybean settled in for the evening inside her bedroom, I lie down on the double bed that serves as center piece, for evening stories and prayers. Tonight’s Bible verse is this: “…always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else (I Thess. 5:18b).” That pretty much sums it up. At …
Happy Hour at the Gard residence is officially beginning. It is that time of the night when mama bear can let her hair down, exhale a whole lot of hot air and cut loose on the computer while the little cubs hibernate in their little dens. There are no thankfully no audible sounds coming from …
It is about a million degrees in the house right now, this summer solstice evening. I have just come downstairs for the umpteenth time, floating on heat waves as I ride the banister. The last trip was to tuck my youngest daughter in bed with throw pillows and blankets all in place along with every …
I broke a fourth tooth in less than a year, all while eating a bagged lunch the other day. A lunch that my husband had prepared for me, nonetheless. I was eating alphabet pretzels when the tooth crumbled, in case you are wondering- creating a taste sensation of unparalleled proportions as it mixed in with …
Library day for Kindergarten A. I, for one, am stoked. Library day is every third Monday, and it is a twenty minute interlude from the hectic pace of life in the zoo. It is the gift that keeps on giving. When library day comes, we all get to escape the confines of the classroom, head …
I am in my closet, hiding from the child crying on the other side of the bedroom door. Instead of telling her to go away and allow me a moment’s peace whilst I stand here in my birthday suit, I ask her what (in the name of tarnation) is wrong. She informs me that her …
Can’t think, brain’s numb: inspiration won’t come. Children cried; I’m fried. Friday’s glow already died. Poop on boots; bike helmet like a noose Think I’ve got a few screws loose. Kids in bed, legs feel like lead. Can’t even read what I just said. Husband- T.V. That’s just groovy. Facebook- your just like a movie. …
Ever had one of those days when you think you have all the time in the world, and then you discover you’ve forgotten something particularly significant? As in, picking up a child attending an after- school program? Yeah, me neither. But, let’s just say that “were” this to happen, it might go down like this: …
I am. An accident waiting for it to happen. I also am a magnet for any kind of weird and crazy happenstance. Take yesterday, for instance. We were driving to Husband’s parent’s house, and as it was a beautiful day, I had my arm out the window. For about two seconds, mind you. And all …
Reminded today that our children love us as we are: unconditionally, uninhibited, unequivocally. Children see in us beauty, strength, patience and understanding, things we often do not give ourselves credit for. They make us the hero- champions of all things wise and wonderful: beautiful princesses, brave knights, diverse and varied role models and mythic magicians. …
While the birds and bees are busy buzzing around the countryside reminding us all of springtime flings hither and yon, I am drawn to listen carefully to conversations about kissing and puberty and other such exciting topics for mothers to eavesdrop in on. Nature is not the only expression of growing up and falling in …