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Well, it's that time of year again. The time when the weather FINALLY drops into the 70's, and I get to sit in front of the fireplace and eat Chicken Tortilla Soup while I listen to Christmas music. "It's the moooooost wonderful tiiiiiiiiiiiiiime. Of the yeaaaaaaaaar!" I have zero patience. I want to go from Labor Day swimming pool closures to ice skating rinks. Except I hate to ice skate. So, scratch that. I want to go from shopping for bathing suits…never mind. Basically, I want to curl up on my sofa wearing my leg warmers while I eat a steaming bowl of Chicken Tortilla Soup and talk about my feelings over the faint sounds of Bing Crosby's White Christmas on constant loop. I'm basically every man's worst nightmare.

I really would love to be one of those people who comes home from a trip, unpacks my suitcase(s) the moment I step foot in the door, throws a load of laundry in the washer before I've even taken off my shoes, and then creates a scrapbook or photo album entitled "Summer Family Photo Album" before the memories have faded. If you know me or have read this blog for more than a week, you know good and well that just isn't me. Not even close. But this past summer was one of the best summers of my life. Maybe the best. Despite the screaming and tantrums, the sleepless nights, the potty training failures, and my miserable attempts at motherhood, I can look back through my thousands of photos from our summer and know that I am blessed far beyond what I expected. And certainly beyond what I have earned. This has been a summer full of grace...in so many ways. Let's start here:

Remember my Labor Day post about how Brian got pulled over in a speed trap for the billionth time this year? And remember how I said I would reenact that in a one-woman show about it? And remember how I vowed to never travel in the car with any of them again until one of them learns […]

"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.' Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." (Proverbs 31:26-30, ESV)

When the author of the second part of Proverbs 31 "penned" these words, I can only imagine he must have known a woman like this:

Remember a few weeks ago when I said I would never again take a road trip while our kids are toddlers? Remember that? Remember how I said I'd rather rip off my toenails with a crowbar?



Yeah. I lied. Actually, I didn't lie. I just forgot that we planned this Labor Day weekend trip to my in-laws' farm house in Indiana. So, last Thursday morning—around (ahem) noon—we piled in the car, set Blues Clues on constant loop, and made the 10-hour trek to the Hoosier State.

For those of you who “follow” me on social media (Twitter, Facebook or Instagram), you’re already aware that I turned 32 last Thursday (August 1). And, for the first year in my life, I can really notice the wear-and-tear on my body. Let’s start with the crow’s feet.

“It seems strange celebrating the fact that we are still married rather than celebrating 8 amazing years. But, by God’s grace, you are my wife today!” [Um…thanks?] These were Brian’s words in a card he gave me Tuesday night on the occasion of our 8th wedding anniversary. I chuckled as I read those words—though he […]

I have a love-hate relationship with Pinterest. Few things undermine my sense of accomplishment as a mother, housewife and overall human being more than that ridiculous website. And, yet, I’m still enthralled with it. (That grumpy cat sucks me in every time.) Pinterest tells us, “Hey, you want to plan a baby shower for a […]

Start spreading the news. We’re leaving today. (Actually, tomorrow.) We want to be a part of it. New York, New York. Sorry, I can’t help myself. I’ve been singing this song ever since Brian gifted me (on Valentine’s Day) with a trip to New York City. Actually he gifted me with a trip anywhere I […]

Since we had a pretty traumatic Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year, I was excited to celebrate Easter Sunday with a newfound appreciation for the significance of the cross and the empty tomb. Lately, I have spent a great deal of time in the Word, and it has TRANSFORMED the way I view the events of […]