Live the routine. Get up. Do life. Crawl back into bed. Repeat. Recently there was a day that I woke up, started into the routine, and began thinking, “What is this all about? What is the point?!” Our oldest daughter messaged me one day and said in so many words…

A confession: my baby and I have a favorite bottle. This is a rather silly confession, but nevertheless, it is true. One afternoon, I was holding our baby and listening to our middle schooler talk about his day. As normal for this age group, he was fiddling around with whatever…

“Ooops!” Our kindergartener looked down at the bench, then sheepishly into my eyes. “I spilled the rest of my milk.” “That’s okay. Just clean it up, please.” Mealtime was nearly over. …

“Can I help with your toast?” Our 15-year-old son spoke to his 2-year-old brother. As the toddler was perched on a tall stool, they were nearly eye to eye. “Yes! I want jam, please!” the little man chirped with an excited wiggle. Loving the feel of the wiggle, he continued…

Sigh. Melancholy. Despondent. Sitting in the bottom of the dumpster, looking down. It had been a rough morning. Do you have a child that wages all-out war on any idea that isn’t theirs? …

“Hmmm…..are you stinky?” my niece queried as our very fragrant 2-year-old walked by, giving him a chance to claim the obvious. No such luck. “No. Are YOU stinky?” he retorted, redirecting the attention and swiftly exiting the scene. Blessings be upon my niece for tracking him down and preventing future…

“I wish the piano had never been invented.” “I don’t WANT to feed my animals!” “I didn’t play with those toys. It’s not my fault they’re out.” “I despise construction!” “But I don’t want to go…” There came a day where many of the above statements were thrown at me…

“I’m ready to be checked.” My 9-year-old gave a small smile of pride that his weeding job was completed. Walking out to the spot, I was amazed at the explosion of dirt and weed appendages that were strewn across the area. …

“I want to try swimming without a life jacket.” My 4-year-old daughter stood looking at me expectantly. “Okay, we will move our chairs closer to the pool, and I need you to stay right on the steps while you try this out,” I responded. …