finding beauty, confidence, and rest in motherhood
Here’s some breaking news – parenting a threenager is R-O-U-G-H. Like, there are moments where I’m all, “Can I get a return or exchange? I need the calmer model, stat!” Feel me? I mean, it’s mostly always awesome having a three year old, but I share about all the goodness often enough so I’m here […]
October is birthday month around here. Which means preparation begins in September. Specifically September 9th (the day after my sister’s birthday). You see, growing up I wasn’t allowed to discuss my birthday until after Katie’s birthday ended. Seems like a good parenting plan. Totally giving my mom a high five. Although, back then I didn’t […]
By no means am I an expert on little ones and casts. Max only had is on for 10 days. But, in that short time we did learn a few things to make his (and our) experience a little easier. With an arm cast, we immediately noticed that his under arm was getting roughed up […]
This post could not be more unrelated – something fun and something to make you think. That’s how these days of mothering go though, wouldn’t you agree? Lots and lots of fun which is often closely related to messes and then the things that make you step back and really think and pray and trust […]
As a part of the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama I wrote a post that is being featured on Natural Parents Network. Apparently it’s my week over there! This month the carnival participants have spoken up about how they discuss complex topics with their children. Please read […]
Today I’m over at Natural Parents Network sharing about Jemma’s (and my) journey from never napping alone to enjoying independent naps! – – – – – I never thought it would happen. The transition from only napping beside mama to napping independently. But it did. And much sooner than I ever anticipated. I wrote […]
Jemma “decorated” May 2013 of my planner and later fell in love with her birthday dot paints When I’m at home all day with the sweet bambinos I find myself saying interesting things. Things I wouldn’t have said 2 years ago when working in an office setting. This is the lingo of my new job. […]
Earlier this month our Texas family came for a visit. Texas family includes Dominic’s brother, Anton, and his wife and daughter, Tasha and Karrington. They moved shortly after Karrington was born, but we’ve been blessed with at least annual visits either here or there. We took our first trip to Texas when Jemma was just […]
When I wrote this post for Anktangle, Miss Jemma was at an all-time high of “I need mama and I need her now!” If I’ve learned anything, I’ve learned this comes in waves and we always recover. I hope you like reading about one of my treasured childhood books and how it’s translated to me […]
The last two months have been quite the adventure. Daily I find myself thinking up little pep talks to encourage myself through the day … You can do this, Gretchen. You can. Really You know, some people have twins … that would be much harder. Take some deep breathes, nap time is in less than […]
A 2 hour snooze sure makes the miles fly by! Traveling with little ones, no doubt, takes a bountiful supply of grace and patience. We’ve had our fair share of travels by plane, train, and automobile with Jemma in tow … starting with a train trip at 3 weeks old, a plane at 1 year, […]