There was a time my pain was a dark, cold rock in the center of my chest. It made my breathing shallow and kept me awake in the middle of the night. It was with me every day and I … Continue reading
January 10, 2019
by Maralee
2 Comments
Category Archives: community
December 17, 2018
by Maralee
7 Comments
The Mom Stocking Exchange: “Our Best Idea Ever”
It’s just a fact that creating Christmas “magic” falls largely on moms. We are typically the ones to decorate, bake, shop, wrap, ship, on top of our regular mom responsibilities that are plenty overwhelming without the extra pressure Christmas brings. … Continue reading
November 27, 2018
by Maralee
0 comments
Mom Moment: The Humiliation of Parenting
A couple weeks ago my husband and I were leading music at church, so two of our kids sat on the front row, unsupervised. . . other than my piercing glare from the stage when they got out of line. … Continue reading
July 19, 2018
by Maralee
0 comments
Hey Bride and Groom: Invite Some Kids
My family attended a wedding this last weekend and it was all kinds of fun. As we were leaving one of my kids said, “When do we get to do that again? To go to a party with all our … Continue reading
June 21, 2018
by Maralee
0 comments
You Never Outgrow the Need for a Family
I remember when the thought first struck me. I was watching a local TV segment about children waiting to be adopted in our area. They were interviewing a teenage boy about what kind of family he was looking for. He … Continue reading
June 14, 2018
by Maralee
2 Comments
Where “Check on Your Friends” Gets it Wrong
I read something the other day on the subject of suicidal depression that made me a little twitchy. I think you might have seen it too. It was a list of quotes from people who loved Robin Williams, Kate Spade … Continue reading
June 6, 2018
by Maralee
3 Comments
I Am Not Enough
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
June 5, 2018
by Maralee
0 comments
Everything I Know About Empathy I Learned from “American Pickers”
Maybe it’s the Midwestern sensibility. Maybe it’s the cool junk. Whatever it is, I’ve always had a soft spot for “American Pickers.” As I watched an episode recently, it got me thinking about what a great display of empathy always … Continue reading
May 23, 2018
by Maralee
12 Comments
I go to a Church Where I Don’t Agree With Everything
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 26, 2018
by Maralee
1 Comment
What My Friends Taught Me About Love on a Restrictive Diet
On the long list of topics I dreamed of writing about, this was not one of them. I did not want to have food issues or diet problems or whatever. This has been a hard season for me as I … Continue reading