I sit down on the couch next to my 5 year old, with tears in my eyes. I look her in the eyes and say “I’m sorry.”  She immediately says “I forgive you.”  We discuss what happened then we both say I love you and back to playing she goes.   I don’t always get it right.  I don’t handle every situation correctly.  Sometimes, I yell.  I yell more than I would like to admit.  Sometimes, I can't handle all the noise.  Sometimes, my immediate reaction to misbehavior isn’t what it should be.   I am not a perfect parent.  I screw up all the time.  My kids are not perfect kids.  But who is perfect ?  God. God is perfect .    Growing up I didn’t have the best role models for how to handle discipline.  I was a well behaved child. I obeyed. But my obedience was out of fear, not respect, love or the desire to do the right thing.   I can recall specific situations, moments from as far back as age 4 o...

Have you ever come across something that just stops you dead in your tracks? Out of nowhere it knocks you right on your butt.  That was me today.  I was trying to read my devotionals while making breakfast, pulling my toddler off the counter, sipping coffee, it happened to me.  Here I was distracted as usual and BAM-right here in the story of Mary and Martha, it hit me.   I...am...Martha .   Eek.  I did not see that one coming. “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” I am Martha.   I am too busy, too tired, too worried, too stressed all...the...time .  I am focusing on the million day to day tasks that need done, but neglecting one major priority: My time with God.   Lately, I have been preoccupied with planning for back to school for me and the kids.  Trying to...

10 Reasons to Embrace Your Face Mask When Working Mom Guilt is Real  

I recently shared how my life is sort of like a reality TV show.  I have been told I should write a book.  Hmmm. Anyway...moving on.  A few weeks ago in the middle of a terrible week, I had one of those weird incidents that typically only happen to me.   Someone backed into my van.  Now that seems like something that could happen to anyone. It is pretty common I assume. But, did I mention I was stopped, at a red light, on a busy road?  It felt like slow motion as I watched this car back up...down the hill and right into me.  I couldn’t prevent it.  There was nothing I could do at this moment. I mean, you don’t expect this to happen.  I was not mentally prepared for this. Especially, not on that day.   I did the normal thing I assume someone would do in a situation such as this. I looked at him awkwardly and confused. He got out of his car and proceeded to yell at me.  I am sure my confused look was even more awkward now....

The highlight reels. It’s typically what we share. Look at these pictures. Looks like pure fun. The enjoyment on their faces. All 3 girls quietly and happily painting. Focused on their art project. But this picturesque scene lasted maybe 3 minutes. Rocks are a big deal around here. I don’t get it but every load of laundry I do I find a rock in someone’s pocket. They refer to them as “the collection.” Painting them is one of their favorite warm weather activities.  They are intent on creating a rock garden. Since the weather has improved, painting them has been of high priority. But with the chaos of last week, it just wasn’t going to happen. So, I promised them we would this week and today seemed like the perfect day. I set everything up outside. I even brought out washable finger paints for Addy so she could participate. And as everyone started painting I took some quick pictures of their fun. But here is what you don’t see: It was windy. Elly spilled the water cup multiple times....

I have been told my life should be a sitcom.   Maybe a reality TV show.   Things tend to happen to me that don’t typically happen to other people, or so I have been told…repeatedly.   After the past couple of weeks, a friend asked me “Teri, did you walk underneath a ladder, carrying a black cat, while breaking a mirror on Friday the 13 th ?”   Um, not that I am aware of, but I get why she asked. Summer is my favorite time of year to just have fun and make memories with my girls. So far, memories are for sure being made, but fun probably isn’t how any of us would describe it. Our first weekend of summer was set to be a beach day.   My hubby was taking care of unpacking the van, as I attempted to wrestle our feisty 1 year old into her swim gear.   Then, beeping of the back hatch as it closes, followed by screaming.   Somehow my 3-year-old ran right into it as it was closing and split her head open.   How it happened?   No one could tell you. ...

I hear the words “being a mom is hard” come out of my mouth and immediately I cringe.   I know I will likely hear a comment that is not going to make me feel much better.   If anything, it will make me feel worse.   I can almost start listing them off: you don’t know how blessed you are; other people wish they had kids; etc.   I thank God every day for my girls.  But…it…is…hard.   So, if you have ever been the person who has felt drawn to scold a mom or immediately remind her of her blessings, I have made this list for you.   See, when a mom says “being a mom is hard,” there is so much more behind those words. What it may mean: I am tired and I haven’t slept in 6 years. I am trying to manage this new phase of our lives. One kid is teething and one kid is tantruming. I feel like I am failing them. I lost my temper today. My kids are growing up so fast. I am not a pinterest mom. I miss the school stuff because I have to work. I hate...