Welcome to my circus.

April 3, 2020
by Maralee
4 Comments

For Large Families Who are Sheltering at Home and at the End of Their Rope

My kids are having a brief moment to watch a “Phineas and Ferb” episode while chicken nuggets are in the oven, so I’m going to make this brief. This is really hard. I woke up this morning at the time … Continue reading

March 18, 2020
by Maralee
4 Comments

This is Not Homeschool. This is Survival School.

Deciding to homeschool your kids is a huge decision. You think about what curriculum will work best for your kids and for your teaching style. You research. You talk to other people about it. If you have kids with medical … Continue reading

February 18, 2020
by Maralee
Comments Off on We Spent the Morning Arguing about Cereal. I Don’t Regret It.

We Spent the Morning Arguing about Cereal. I Don’t Regret It.

I woke up early to come wake you up. Even though you don’t need me to. Even though you’re capable of waking up on your own to your own alarm clock in your own room. Every day you become more … Continue reading

October 15, 2019
by Maralee
Comments Off on Lies My Miscarriage Told Me

Lies My Miscarriage Told Me

Miscarriages are cruel. They steal your hopes and dash your dreams. They silence you with shame and regret. They make you feel unworthy of the gift of motherhood that comes so freely to others. They make you second-guess every decision … Continue reading

October 10, 2019
by Maralee
Comments Off on What I Would Go Back and Tell Myself The Day We Adopted

What I Would Go Back and Tell Myself The Day We Adopted

Dear Maralee, Today you will become a mother. I know they told you you would meet your baby son tomorrow, but the orphanage administrator decided it will be today. She will not tell you this until she walks into the … Continue reading

July 3, 2019
by Maralee
Comments Off on The Kind of Mom They Made Me

The Kind of Mom They Made Me

I have a serious issue with baking bread. In my mind the world is divided into two kinds of women:  those who bake bread and those who don’t. I have happily been in the “those who don’t” category for my … Continue reading

June 28, 2019
by Maralee
Comments Off on I’m not Woman Enough for My Daughter

I’m not Woman Enough for My Daughter

I signed my daughter up for a felt crafting class offered by our local public school. I was excited for her to do it not only because I know how much she loves that kind of creative crafting, but because … Continue reading