He’s Not My Little Boy Anymore

My son is turning 13 at the end of next month, and I am not sure how to feel about it. On one hand, I am thrilled to see him grow into a responsible, considerate, hardworking, loving, and faith-filled man, but on the other hand, I am mourning the end of his childhood. Where did my little boy go? Just 12 months ago, he stood at least an inch below my chin, but now he is even with my nose. How did he grow up so fast? I am sure he will be my height or taller this time next READ MORE

Owning Our Mistakes

Today, my son learned a valuable lesson about admitting his mistakes when they happen, rather than covering them up. It was dinner time, and my family had just sat down to eat. I glanced toward our kitchen ceiling and noticed two prominent water marks. Realizing it was coming from our upstairs bathroom, I brought it to my husband’s attention, and we both hurried up the stairs. After using a towel to absorb the water under our sink and making sure we had no pipe issues, we started investigating possible causes for the leak. I thought of another time when water READ MORE

He’s Growing Up

This week, my youngest child turned 12 years old. As I watched him celebrate his birthday with blue frosting around his lips and a light-up punching balloon in his hand, I realized how much he had grown this year. The sweet little boy I have loved, cuddled, nurtured, and protected is transforming into a young man, and I am not ready. He is my 4th child and only son. Two adult children and one teen later, I am all too familiar with the aging process. This year is the year when he will really start to change. So far, he READ MORE

Time for Middle School

This week, my youngest child and only son started 6th grade. This makes me the mom of two adult children and two middle school students. Time is flying by so fast. Don’t get me wrong, I am excited for my children to grow up and become world changing adults, but I am in no rush. When our oldest entered middle school, I was unequipped to handle her hormone fluctuations, peer issues, child-parent struggles, and physical changes. It was a scary time, yet a great learning experience for our entire family. Now, three girls later, I still feel slightly unprepared to READ MORE

Rubber Ducky

My second oldest daughter is celebrating her 20th birthday this week and has decided that she wants a rubber ducky birthday party. You might think her party theme is a little unusual, but it truly fits her personality. She is silly, fun, creative, loving, smart, giving, pretty, and more. She has a wonderful sense of humor, fun loving demeanor, and contagious smile, not to mention she loves the color yellow and rubber ducks. She is as unique as each of her 130+ rubber ducks in the collection on her bedroom shelf and infinitely more valuable. She is a world changer, READ MORE