Fifteen years ago our daughter was born. I had all kinds of hopes and dreams about what life with a girl was going to be. I envisioned tea parties and dance classes. I looked forward to pedicures and movie dates. I anticipated shopping trips and girls only getaway weekends. I was sure I’d be the kind of mom who knew when to listen and how to point her daughter back to Scripture. I just knew we’d share a love for Bible study and maybe even one day do conferences together for moms and ... [Read More]
Your Favorite Posts of 2014
2014 is over and this week my goal is to get back into my blogging groove. December was a crazy month and while I did LOVE sharing some Advent thoughts from the Gospel of Luke every day on Facebook, I didn't manage to blog as much as I had hoped. So, here we are in January. My girl goes back to school on Wednesday so we're relishing our last bit of Christmas break with some shopping and salon-ing. {Yeah, I just made up that word.} I'm looking forward to some fun family time before we jump ... [Read More]
30 Great Stocking Stuffers and Gifts for Teenage Girls
My girl and I have been working on her gift list for Christmas. Between her fellow cheerleaders, cousins, and close friends, she has quite a few gifts to buy or make. So, we've been on the hunt for the best gifts in several price ranges. And since we've done all this research, it seemed a shame not to share it with you as well ... since there's a pretty good chance at least a few of my readers have a teenage girl on their lists also. And so, here is our list of 30 great gifts for teenage girls ... [Read More]
Yik Yak … Yuck {Notes from an Overprotective Mom}
Three days ago I heard about Yik Yak because I am one of "those moms." You know, the ones who monitor my child's phone and social media and online activity. I downloaded the app to see what it contained and I was horrified by the language and attitudes displayed. I wasn't surprised that students in my daughter's high school cussed and were disrespectful of teachers. I wasn't even shocked at the graphic nature of "yaks" about sexual acts. Let's face it, all of that is on prime time television and ... [Read More]
Don’t Just Pick the Right Battles — Focus on the Real Enemy!
Soooo ... remember yesterday when I shared what I had learned about not exasperating our kids and all that? Yeah, well, apparently, I didn't really learn it because this morning was sheer disaster. It was ugly here, y'all. Really ugly. In fact, after my girl left for school {an early meeting of the Christian students club ironically}, I went back to bed. Because sometimes you do the first hour of the day so badly all you want is to go back to sleep and try to start it over. {And I'm pretty sure ... [Read More]
Parenting Is Hard …
and some days I just want to give up
It's been a rough few weeks around here. I'm not saying having a teenager is the hardest thing in the world because obviously there are people who deal with far greater challenges. But, I am going to say it's just really hard. And honestly, some days I just want to give up. I feel so inadequate for this task. There are so many things I'm not ... patient and gentle being at the top of the list lately. I have felt like we are in constant battle and I am so tired. As my friend Stacey would say, ... [Read More]
