Ever since my crying heap of a mess on the first day of school, I've slowly been adjusting to life at home with just one. It's like a weird out-of-body experience. The last time I just had one at home with no one in preschool or any kind of Mother's Day Out was 14 years ago. Our days consist of ... just whatever. The mornings are laid back, since Gianna doesn't wake up until 8:30 or 8:45. I know. I'm ...

I forgot how much September kicks my butt. Hooray for all this client work ('tis the season for annual reports!), but boo on the blogging front. Here's a quick five on what's been going on in our world. Birthdays. Oh yeah. Luke's sixth birthday (what?!) is happening in two weeks and he asked for a Shark/Beach party. Fins and chum it is. I'm having a ridiculously good time planning it. I promise to share pictorial proof of that glee on ...

I would say this post has been brewing in my mind for many weeks. I've stopped and started it a half dozen times, unable to find the right words to say. Should I lean on the trials and obstacles of the past few months or focus on their lessons? I ultimately decided to pray, then write, and see what the Holy Spirit had to say. Drink a cold Dos Equis. It's true, I swear I heard him say that. And ...

School started last week and the initial report? It is kicking our butt. In mostly good ways. The beauty of the school year is that it brings about consistency, routine and a rhythm which we all so desperately crave. The dogs days of summer and its carefree nature are lovely, but come the end of August I'm all "give me a schedule, people." While breaking my knee wasn't high on the priority list - hell, it wasn't even on the ...

One of the best weeks of the summer? Week long camp in Arkansas. Oh, how I love thee. For the last four summers, we've been sending the kids to summer camp. They adore the time away, with the freedom to do what they want, within reason, we enjoy slightly cleaner bathrooms and less cooking. It's win-win for everyone. A few things I've chatted about before: Packing for summer camp Getting a jump start on packing for next year's summer camp ...

The preemie started kindergarten this week. He did beautifully. I, however, had a slightly rougher time. While the world sees this... I couldn't forget this...or this... or about 8 billion other moments that led us to the kindergarten door. You see, back in September 2009 I begged God for a miracle. Like, begged. I remember the moment, crystal clear, as if it happened just yesterday. The night before Luke had stopped breathing in the neonatal intensive care unit at just ...