September 10, 2021
by Maralee
2 Comments
Today marks fourteen years that I’ve been a mother (plus the four before that where I was a house mom in a group home, but I digress). 7 kids: 5 adopted, 2 biological. Ages 14 to 1. I’ve learned a … Continue reading
October 10, 2019
by Maralee
Comments Off on 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
June 3, 2019
by Maralee
1 Comment
A Prayer for My Children as They Make Their Own Choices Lord, let me catch my children. May I always listen to that still small voice that tells me to walk into the room without warning. Let me not avoid … Continue reading
September 20, 2018
by Maralee
1 Comment
I recently had the privilege of working with Nebraska Public Television on a short parenting segment that will be used as part of a child abuse prevention campaign. It was a new experience for me since up to this point … Continue reading
August 10, 2018
by Maralee
Comments Off on They’ll Only Remember the Good Parts
Another summer is coming to a close and again I’m wondering if I did it wrong. This seems to be the way I spend the last weeks of every summer— feeling guilty, feeling frazzled, imagining all the things I could … Continue reading
June 13, 2018
by Maralee
1 Comment
On my birthday this year I had a bit of a realization. I looked down at my plate, at the Death Star shaped waffle, the Minecraft themed adoption mug, my Star Wars t-shirt, my necklace with a bear on it … Continue reading
June 6, 2018
by Maralee
3 Comments
I think it’s supposed to make me feel better, but somehow the current motherhood mantra of the day is having the opposite effect on me. “You are enough, Mama! Just as you are. You are enough for your children. You … Continue reading
May 23, 2018
by Maralee
12 Comments
My oldest child was baptized this last week. It took three pastors from three different denominations to make it happen. Let me explain. We are a dunking family that attends a sprinkling church. I’m not trying to convince anybody that … Continue reading
March 13, 2018
by Maralee
2 Comments
As part of the therapy offered to the children at the group home we worked at, kids took horseback riding lessons. While we houseparents were not required to attend these lessons, I snuck my way in by showing up at … Continue reading
March 9, 2016
by Maralee
1 Comment
As parents we all have our pet peeves. There are behaviors in our kids or the kids around us that absolutely drive us nuts. I know some of you parents really hate it when a kid is a tattletale. I … Continue reading