Here it is at last.  The last day of 2012.  I look out the window at our snow-covered backyard and pause for a moment in wonder at all that transpired this year. My heart is grateful.  Deeply grateful. The Lord … Continue reading →

Tonight is the night.  Eight makeshift beds make the room an obstacle course as they slowly calm down, some more willingly than others, for our annual tradition.  On December 23rd the children all sleep around the Christmas tree.  It’s been … Continue reading →

It has been good for me to see the word “Joy” so many times this week.  With nine days left until Christmas and only fifteen days left in the year, part of me wants to hide under a blanket, take … Continue reading →

Week 49.  Week FORTY-NINE!  Am I the only one who’s a little bit stunned by that number?  I can hardly believe that the year is almost gone.  And yet, there is still so much to savor.  Perhaps that’s part of … Continue reading →

The lights in our house are dim.  A small Christmas tree in the other room glimmers cheerfully.  Downstairs I hear my parents playing ping pong with my children.  In a few minutes we will all gather together to listen to … Continue reading →

The house is a flurry of activity today.  The stimulation of cousins staying at our home seems to have everyone wound up even though they’re gone.  Noise comes from so many directions, from the girls working on a project to … Continue reading →

I can’t believe another week has come and gone.  I’m going to break with my standard format and share a picture I took this afternoon: It hadn’t been raining.  They were playing ping pong in the basement and hollered up … Continue reading →

There is a rhythm that comes with keeping a home.  When the rhythm is just right, and especially when it’s not in fast forward, there is a peace in it that I’ve never felt in any other setting.    It’s a … Continue reading →

I’m typing early tonight, before I’m too tired to think.  I look out our windows at a sky that ‘s striped with blue, pink, lavender and gray.  It’s kind of nice to have the time change now.  I don’t mind … Continue reading →

{Deep breath.} What a week it has been!  A week of everything except blogging and laundry, I’m afraid.  October is such a whirlwind!  No matter how I try to prevent it, I always feel this way at this time of … Continue reading →