Earlier this week, someone told me I am the most well adjusted person he knows. To really appreciate this comment, it should be said this...

We’ve been back from our trip to the Congo for six days. We’ve resumed the routines of work and school and extracurricular activities...

A 7-hour layover in New Jersey—this is the anticlimactic final chapter to our week in the Congo. It’s not ideal. We’re watching...

I’ve only seen Brent cry three times. The first was when he was stressed out and overwhelmed in school. The second was when our girls...

He’s spooning up his morning tea with a tiny plastic spoon. Drops cover his lap and the concrete floor of our patio. Every few “bites” he...

Our boy loves his daddy. And who could blame him? His daddy is tall and handsome. He’s smart and strong. He can kick the soccer ball and...

Since the beginning of this process, we’ve been told to be very careful when posting pictures of our African son. As this week has...

I was unable to post a blog last night (my last night would be your yesterday afternoon). It was a day we’ll refer to as “The Many Faces...

My eyes popped opened at 4:30 this morning and there was no going back. Normally, if I wake up early, I can roll over and fall back...

If you’re at all familiar with adoption stories, you’ve heard of “Gotcha Day.” Many families mark the day the parents brought their...

After more than 24 hours since our departure flight from Nashville, we have arrived safely in Kinshasa. Flying internationally can be...

I’ve been singing songs from the movie Annie all week and I couldn’t figure out why. I wondered if it was because I had seen the previews...

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3 On Monday morning,...

I’m always amazed to look up in the sky and see a large hawk attempting to escape from his scrawny songbird tormentors. (If you’re not...

Dear daughter, I feel like I should explain a few things about the ridiculous way your body is acting right now. As you may remember from...

In June of 2012, our family was matched with a beautiful African boy to be his forever family. Wait, let me back up… In July of 2011, my...

Like anyone in her mid-thirties, our house has been undergoing a lot of changes. In the past five years since we moved in, we’ve...

When we moved into our current home about five years ago, we got 4 ½ acres, three bedrooms and three bathrooms, a partially finished...

For the second year in a row, a couple of blackbirds have built their nest in the gutter just outside my bedroom. (Disclaimer: I don’t...

“My name is Abby and I am the mother of twins.” “Hello, Abby.” “Welcome to the mothers of twins support group…” It’s just in my mind, of...

Like most people, I have a love/hate relationship with public restrooms. How many times have I heard one of my kids’ panicked screams...

I’m an excellent driver. Being a mom, I’ve perfected my ability to simultaneously drive the van, discipline the kids, and change the...

A very sweet friend recently gave me a handmade necklace for Christmas. It had a pendant with a picture of a songbird, some lovely beads...

Ever since I discovered characters with names like Jessica Fletcher and Nancy Drew, I’ve enjoyed a good mystery. Maybe this fascination...