Wonder
One of my favorite words is the word wonder. As a mom, it reminds me of my kids when they were all little. I loved watching them as they...
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- Jun 7, 2021
Framily
A couple of years after our youngest son joined our family, I took Ezra to a birthday party for a school classmate. When the party was...
- Dec 30, 2019
Claimed
I heard a story on the radio a few months ago about a woman named Maris Blechner. Her first son died just after childbirth, then she...
- Jun 17, 2019
Will it eat me?
When Ezra, our African-born son, first came to America, he was 5-years old. In his first five years, he had developed an understanding of...
- Apr 1, 2019
Otter moms
My family visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium over Spring Break. It is a beautiful facility right on the bay with a big emphasis on...
- Oct 9, 2018
Biker wave
While vacationing in Florida and visiting a couple of amusement parks during Fall Break, I came to a realization: We parents need our own...
- Jun 19, 2018
The prodigal
When my youngest son gets angry, he often gets dramatically pouty. It may start with something as simple as my refusing him one more...
- Apr 2, 2018
Happy (2nd) Gotcha Day!
To the baby of the family, Ezzy Bear, Lieutenant Happy Face (more of a reminder to cease complaining than an actual title), Ez, Lil Man,...
- Mar 5, 2018
Family Reading Night
At the end of February, I was given the opportunity to speak at a Family Reading Night at my son’s elementary school. I spoke for about...
- Aug 23, 2017
Just a regular Wednesday
There are some mornings when it doesn’t pay to get out of bed. Take this morning, for instance. I killed a wasp in my bathroom. Getting...
- Jul 4, 2017
Strength to Grow
I’m always surprised at what plant life is capable of. After our week-long vacation at the end of June, we returned home to a veritable...
- May 28, 2017
Brothers
When our Congolese son Ezra came to live with us—me, my husband, our twin daughters, and our older son Knox—he entered a family who...
- Mar 23, 2017
One Year
It was April 2, 2016 when Ezra, our Congolese-born son, first stepped foot on American soil. Ezra, my husband Brent, and I were beyond...
- Feb 2, 2017
10 months home
When I was in college I went on a couple of mission trips to Romania to teach English using the Bible. Like any overseas trip, it was...
- Nov 8, 2016
The barber shop
Today, my son had his second haircut since coming to America. In case you’re keeping score, that’s 7 months living with us and 2 trips to...
- Sep 21, 2016
I solemnly swear
Today was a big day for our family. Although our Congolese son has been legally ours for years and he’s been home for nearly 6 months,...
- Jun 6, 2016
Our little sponge
Though our African-born son has been in America for only two months, we’re often surprised by the speed he acquires new words and...
- Apr 27, 2016
When I tell him about Congo…
When I tell my son of his homeland, I will describe the busy Kinshasa streets—the women with enormous bags, bowls, and boxes easily...
- Jan 6, 2015
Happy birthday, buddy
Since it’s already tomorrow in Kinshasa, it’s already our Ezra’s birthday. He’s four now, and four is one of my favorite ages, second...
- Oct 17, 2014
Home
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...
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