It’s ok to let them be bored, Mama. The most wonderful play sometimes happens through boredom. In our home, saying “I’m bored” leads to a few suggestions of things to engage in; “Perhaps you want to make an art project? You haven’t built with blocks in awhile. What could you create with Legos?”…or an invitationContinue reading ““I’m Bored…””
Category Archives: Parenting
Easter NextDoor to a Cemetery
Our home overlooks a cemetery. If you look closely, you can see the tombstones out through our kitchen window. We know a lot of folks buried there. My best friend is buried there. If you want to know people who are aware of their own mortality…it’s us. And YET… There is a transformation that occursContinue reading “Easter NextDoor to a Cemetery”
Good Friday with Kids
It’s Good Friday. An important day. A solemn day. A day that forever changed our relationship with God. Our family will spend part of today reflecting on Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross. We’ll gather together, take out some paints, crayons, or pencils, and make art together while we listen to the story of Jesus’ crucifixion.Continue reading “Good Friday with Kids”
A Simple Family Easter Tradition
Hey Mama, it’s almost Easter weekend. How are you going to share the Good News with your children this weekend? In our family, we set a simple table for Easter morning breakfast that always points to Him and His story. Sometimes there’s candy. Sometimes not. There’s almost always a sign something like the one picturedContinue reading “A Simple Family Easter Tradition”
Kings Day Epiphany
Happy Kings Day. Feliz Día de Los Reyes. In our family, today is the final day of Christmas; and the day our kids give and receive their gifts. The star 🌟 is removed from the tree and hidden, and the children dress as the Magi or Wise Men, prepare a gift for Jesus, (often makingContinue reading “Kings Day Epiphany”
Graham Cracker Gingerbread Houses
One of the most anticipated seasonal activities our family does around the holidays is graham cracker gingerbread houses. Each child (and adult!) gets: ◦ A large, sturdy Paper Plate to build on ◦ 1-2 sleeves of Graham Crackers ◦ A Tub of Vanilla Frosting ◦ An Assortment of Candy (usually M&Ms, Fruit Snacks, Twizzlers andContinue reading “Graham Cracker Gingerbread Houses”
2021 Family Bucket List
It’s 2021! How did you celebrate the ending of one year and the beginning of the next? To celebrate the new year, we ate a lot of yummy food (our family usually does “appetizers” for New Years Eve, and we eat all the delicious things I wouldn’t normally cook. We also worked on a “BucketContinue reading “2021 Family Bucket List”
Twenty Years Ago…
Twenty years ago today, he asked me to be his girl, and prayerfully walk towards marriage together. Twenty years later, 2 college degrees, 2 masters degrees, 6 kids (5 this side of Heaven), 2 ministry calls (in vastly different communities) in which we have loved & engaged deeply, and 17 & 1/2 years of marriageContinue reading “Twenty Years Ago…”
The Gift of Waiting
It’s Advent, Mama. The time of year when we wait in hopeful anticipation for the coming of the Redeemer, the One who will save the world. It certainly seems like this year, more than any other year that I can remember, that our broken world desperately needs a Savior. I’m not one for waiting. IfContinue reading “The Gift of Waiting”
A Gift for the King
Hey Mama. Do you have “perfectly good” toys in your home that aren’t getting any love? This charming little dollhouse hasn’t been nearly as played with as we thought it would be. And so this afternoon, the kids had an absolutely wonderful time fixing it up, adding a few fun furniture pieces (because what isContinue reading “A Gift for the King”
Next Door Hope 