closet confessional

“I wear my sort of clothes to save me

the trouble of deciding which clothes to wear.”

—Katherine Hepburn circa 1935

When shopping for clothes, what draws you over to a rack and causes you to start flipping through the hangers?  Well, besides dresses and jeans.... for me?  It's a good lot of stripes.  I'm not into geometric prints or animal prints... Solids are alright in moderation. And the flower print needs to be just right.  But stripes are the things that draw me in again and again. 

 

I'm a wee bit sheepish about sharing this picture of my stripes packed closet with you.  But it's just so shocking and hilarious, that I thought, "Why not?" I didn't realize just how many shirts, dresses, and sweaters I own that are striped until I saw THIS and realized I'm in a tiny bit of a rut.  At least I'm not in a color rut, right?  I see quite a variety in there. 

 

I do own more than striped things, but I'm thinking this collection takes up 2/3 of my closet space. 

And I lined them up just for you, so it doesn't always look this insanely striped in there... but I'll have to admit, it made me really happy to see them all together.  Like long lost cousins back for a family reunion. 

So if my sister (who tried to break me of my fashion rut) is reading this...  Jen, you can take the stripes off the girl, but you can't take 'em out of her. 


Now it's your turn:  What sort of fashion rut do you find yourself in? 

I refuse.

I refuse to stuff the dreams God has given me deep down where no one can see.  Because I'd be ignoring His voice.

I refuse to compare myself to the creative work God has done in creating the others around me.  Because He was mighty creative with me too.

I refuse to be cranky with my kids.  Because that's the easy way out. 

I refuse to believe the lie that I'm not good enough.  Because He makes me able.

I refuse to resort to selfishness when things get hard.  Because fighting for relationships is worth it. 

I refuse to be a wife that manipulates to get what I want.  Because being dishonest is not a way to live.

I refuse to let jealousy reign in my friendships.  Because God made us for relationships.  Lots of them. 

I refuse to feel bogged down and overwhelmed.  Because saying "no" to the overwhelming is what's really good for you sometimes.

I refuse to expect perfection from those around me.  Because they definitely don't get perfection from me. 

I refuse. 

a coffee date

It's time for another coffee date!  It's been four whole months since our last one.  For shame!  A coffee date in the form of a blog post is where I pretend I'm sitting across from you at a quaint little table while we sip a yummy drink and chit chat.  It's sort of like a random brain dump from me to you.  No need to thank me.  But you're welcome.  (wink)

 

As we sit down, we'd probably chat about the weather, and about the 10 glorious days of warm temperatures we had around here.  I might talk about the freckles that are finding their way onto my arms and face again.  I love them.  And so does Jeremy.  He mentions it every year.  I love that. 

I'd ask you something like, "So... what's new?  or "How's everything going?"  Like I always do.  And I'd say it like I mean it.  Because I do.  I really want to know how you are.  And I can usually tell if how you're "doing" isn't really how you're doing. 

We talk about things in your world for a while, then you ask me how I am. 

First, I'd surely gush about how excited I am that it's summer, and that we have no schedule.  Except for this week, because the whole family (Jeremy included, because he took the week off to be with us) is spending the week at Vacation Bible School  (VBS) at our church.  We're in Babylon this year, learning about Daniel's courage in captivity.  Jeremy, Drew (our oldest), and I are running the Food Court serving ancient foods (wearing full costume) in the tent city-like marketplace.  It's a blast... Day 2 starts tomorrow!  Our three grade-schoolers are in the actual program, and our three baby/preschoolers are downstairs in the classes for the leader's little ones.  Though I keep baby Emmy with me as much as possible... three hours is a long time! The whole family is loving it so far. 

I'd tell you that VBS is taking up most of our energy, but that we're making the most of this vacation time with Jeremy home for 10 days.  We're hitting parks, drive-thru windows, ice cream shops, and more.  It's been such a good time. 

I might even admit that I've been failing miserably eating the way I need to for my health (as I'm being naughty sipping a sugary drink with you.)  I can really feel a difference when I cut out the grains, sugar, and diary, but it's been so difficult to do lately.  I'd tell you that it's been a constant struggle over the last two years, and that I'm paying for it in my health.  I'd also ask you to pray for me in that.  Then I'd thank you. 

The topic of conversation might move to our kids, because it often does...

You might tell me about what your kids are up to this summer; possibly playing in a soccer league, conquering the great outdoors, or going to summer camp.  I'd tell you that our schedules are clear, but that we're looking forward to some June and July birthdays in our household, namely Emmy's first birthday coming in less than two weeks!  Also, I'd share that my Mom is flying in to visit us for over a week at the end of June, and that we're super thrilled about that. 

Next, I'd ask you what you've been up to for you.  Are you engaging in any favorite pastimes or hobbies?  I'd tell you shyly as my face turns red, that one of my dreams is coming true this summer. 

Along with a friend who has been dreaming with me, I'm traveling to the She Speaks Writer's Conference in July.  By myself, with my friend - across the country.  Cannot. Believe. It.  We have been dreaming of attending for three years now.  And, be still my heart, our husbands agreed that this is the year.  The conference is put on by Proverbs 31 Ministries and Lysa TerKeurst (who I adore, I can't believe I get to meet her.)  We'll be spending just five days away, including two whole days of travel. We're so giddy with excitement we can't stand it.  It's been hard for me to think about anything else! 

Learning the ins and outs of writing in sessions taught by some of my favorite authors and experts in the area is a DREAM!  When God puts a dream in your heart, you've got to start somewhere for it to come to fruition, right?  So that's what we're doing.  We're starting there. 

I'd take a deep breath, sip my drink, and force myself to calm my rapid heart rate while trying to change the subject. 

I might ask you if you've ever tried dry shampoo in your hair.  It's the stuff I've avoided trying because it sounded like an oxymoron to me.  How is shampoo dry?  Well, I'd tell you that I folded during a weak moment in the hair products aisle at Target.  It was only a couple bucks, and it was probably the cheapest brand.  But it's amazing.  You might laugh at me, and tell me that you've been using it for years (like when it first came out.)  But I'd still tell you how yummy it smells, and how it makes my second day hair so manageable.  You see, I never wash my hair two days in a row... I usually have a "do my hair day" and then a "pull my hair back because it's second day hair day."  But on that second day, my hair just needs some oomffh to get it back it to it's non-oily self.  This does it.  Just spray those roots, rub it in, and bam.  Good hair. 

You might look at your watch, and say that you need to get moving.  Maybe my dry shampoo talk scared you off, but either way, I'd look at my phone (because I don't wear watches) and realize I am needing to head out too. 

We'd hug (because I'm sort of a hugger) and say farewell in hopes that we don't go four months until our next coffee date. 


Now it's your turn!  What would you tell me on our coffee date?  I'm dying to know.

3 Traps Even Well-Meaning Parents Fall Into

     Most of us parents sincerely want the very best for our kids. We work tirelessly day in, and day out to make sure our children are well taken care of.  But sometimes we get so busy going through the motions of our daily grind that we neglect looking at exactly how we're parenting and the impact it's making.  As parents, it's easy to fall into traps and patterns of behavior in thought or action toward our kids that do more damage than good. 

    God has been so good to reveal the ways we all need help as parents.  The Bible is packed with gems of encouragement to help us as we navigate the rough seas we encounter as we bring up the next generation. 

    The following is a list of parenting blunders we've compiled (and... ahem, have been convicted of) in the midst of raising our seven children:

1.     {Comparing your kids to other kids.}

Kids need us to be on their side, rooting for them where they are at this moment.  They weren't made to perform like anyone else, look like anyone else, or be anyone else. They were made with the dazzlingly creative hand of God; and what he makes is good.

 

"My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth."

 

    Psalm 139:15

 

2.     {Holding onto their mistakes after they've come clean.}

When we say we forgive our kids, sometimes we don't.  We brood, glare, fuss, and generally don't give our kids an inch of wiggle room to make their wrongs right.  We say things like, "I'll forgive you... But, you have to __________."  If we truly want to show the love of Christ to our kids, then we can start by showing the love of Christ to our kids.  When He forgives, He forgives.  He lets us start fresh and new.  There is no brooding, glaring, or fussing. 

 

  "For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
    abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you."

 

Psalm 86:5

3.     {Reacting harshly to their mistakes.}

I know it's highly overused, but I have to say it because it's true; We all make mistakes. Whether you want to call them missteps, oversights, snafus, false moves, or miscalculations - we are all guilty.  Kids are bound to make lots of mistakes, because they haven't has as much practice as we have.  Reacting harshly to their mistakes only builds up a frustration in them that they don't know what to do with.  In time, as those frustrations mount into a giant heap of baggage, your child may start to disrespect you.  Possibly only in their thoughts at first, but they may begin to disrespect you with their mouths as well.  Pay close attention to the intent of their hearts when an issue comes up or they make a mistake.  If it's teachable heart rather than rebellious one? They just need more practice. 

 

"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

 

Proverbs 15:1

_____________________________

 

 

Parenting is tough.  The areas I struggle with and end up writing about are as much for me as anyone.  I hope you will be encouraged as you parent your growing kids.  

 

We are unfinished masterpieces along with our kids, so give yourself a hefty dose of grace today.  

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

 

Ephesians 2:10

Glory is coming

just a warning...

Good evening, friends!

I'm here to give a friendly public service announcement that I'm doing some blog housekeeping, and will soon be removing the links from the sidebar on the right hand side.  Those links are there for me so I have all of my favorite blogs in one spot, but some of you might use those links to peruse those blogs too. 

Bookmark the ones you love on your browser, because very soon they'll be disappearing!

This mama is exhausted and headed for bed - goodnight...

5 Reasons Why a Bigger House Isn't Always Better

"You're going need a bigger house!"

We've heard some form of this statement each time we welcomed one of our last three babies home,  bringing our kid count to seven. 

We always laughed it off, or said something in response that was weak and was not at all what we truly wanted to say.  Like, "Oh, we're just fine in our house!"  and "Are you offering to pay for a new house for us?"  (insert a nervous laugh)

With some thought, and a few years to mull this topic over in my mind, here's what I truly want to say about a bigger house:

1.     If we lived in the third world, there most probably wouldn't be talk of bigger houses if the one we currently lived in was larger than a majority of the houses on the earth.  Talk of bigger houses is an "American Dream" concept, one that can be tiresome and just plain bleh (for the lack of a better word.)  We generally don't need bigger houses, we want bigger houses.  There's a glaring difference.  Around the world, people don't just want food and clean water, they need it too.  It's hard to wade through the needs and wants some times - I'm right there with you.  I'm not saying moving to a bigger house is wrong, but it's a good idea to camp on the idea of need vs. want when considering a change.  We've contemplated building a new house that suits our growing kids (who just won't stop growing) and to better use the space, but the time is not now.  We are exceedingly thankful and love where we live.  Three kids to a bedroom times two and all. 

2.     I'll throw in an obvious one:  Smaller house means less to clean.  Because the majority of us doesn't have a cleaning staff.  The family is the cleaning staff, and this cleaning lady and her staff does not want more house to clean, thankyouverymuch. 

3.     Keeping small keeps your debt load small or non-existent.  Going bigger, unless you can pay out-of-pocket, just leads to more debt.  More debt = more stress.  Now, who needs that?  Not I, said the fly. 

4.     You just can't avoid having to share in our home.  It's a true benefit in our self-absorbed culture for children and adults alike to have to share.   Entitlement and selfishness can creep in when children and adults don't have anyone to share with.  We think things should be easy, convenient, and make us gloriously happy.  Sharing in childhood can produce adults who more readily think of the needs of others.  And if handled with care, smaller spaces can mean better manners, more empathy, stronger bonds, and better organization for those living within. 

5.      Living in smaller spaces causes you to grapple with the contentment factor.  

 ¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.  Philippians 4:11-13

I once heard that contentment isn't having what you want, but wanting what you have.  I agree, and I'd take it a step further and say that contentment is possible because Jesus Christ gives us the strength and ability to "want what we have."  We sometimes forget that we aren't supposed to be able to be content without the help of our Savior.  So I'd say, a perfect place to live would not be in a bigger house, it would be to live in contentment until and if we're called by the Lord to move elsewhere. 

What reasons would you add to this list?

Five Minute Friday: VIEW

"Where a beautiful crowd spends five minutes all writing on the same topic and then sharing ‘em over here. It’s like free writing therapy for the tongue-tied, tired, or blocked blogger. And boy are these folks the best." - Lisa-Jo Baker.com

This time, we're writing for 5 minutes on the topic of "View."

GO:

We've all heard it. 

"Enjoy these days with your kids, because they go by so quickly."

We smile and nod, because we're nice like that, all while thinking to ourselves, "I'm trying.  But these days seem to go so slow."

And as the years go by, we know the older woman in the express lane was right.  She was once in my shoes, but the view has now changed.  She's no longer down on the field, she's in the sky box, up in the nosebleed section peering down on what was her life from a different perspective.

So, older women in the store?   Next time one of you tells me to enjoy this - to soak it all in... I'm going to sincerely smile, and tell you I'm sitting back, enjoying the view from here. 

STOP.

you've come a long way, baby

 

{37 weeks pregnant, 2 weeks, 4 months, and 11 months}

I shared this comparison photo collage HERE on the facebook page yesterday, but I thought I'd share it here too since some of you aren't on facebook.  If you are on facebook, consider joining me there!

I love being able to compare how far we've come!  I took pictures all through my pregnancy in this exact spot on my kitchen too... I'm so glad I did. 

Today, we're celebrating the last day of school - but I guess we should have celebrated yesterday since we've not done a lick of school today!  We've been too busy celebrating.  We turned in our quarterly work samples and semester progress reports to our umbrella school, bought some donuts (and ate them,) went to the park, grabbed lunch, then went to our dear friends' adoption fundraiser yard sale! 

Great day!!! 

School's out for summer!

hope for the little years



 

Sometimes even if you love life with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers in the home, things can get mundane and downright hard.

 

 

This last year, we've had four babies, toddlers, and preschoolers to raise, along with the three older school-age kids.  At times, the days caused me to want to jump right back into my bed willing it to be the weekend again.  And at other times it rolled along swimmingly.  I was exhausted, yes.  That's normal for a mom of littles, even on a smooth day.  On those easy-ish days, I didn't get teary or get a raging headache, like I did on those not-so-smooth ones.  

 

 

 

There were breaks in the clouds, bringing a lightness to our days

 that I was and am so thankful for. 

 

Days when I didn't feel so alone.  So wiped out and frazzled. 

 

Through the realities of this life God has gifted us with - and it is a gift - I've learned so much. 

 

Those days that were tear and headache free weren't the result of changes in my circumstances, they were a result in changes in me.

Living life with little ones in the house is a precious, giggly, and carefree time.  But it can also be a host of other things that aren't so pleasant.   Here's how the ratio of smooth days started to greatly outweigh the hard ones: 

1.  Be Kind to Yourself, Get Up Earlier Than Them

Before you roll your eyes at me, and what I'm about to write, hear me out.  I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON.  I'm normally a stayupwaypastyourbedtime kind of person.  But necessity breeds invention, or however that saying goes... and oh, has necessity been breeding some inventions!  Years ago, I could sort of get away with sleeping in until one of the children woke me up.  But now things have changed.  Nowadays, mama feels cranky if she isn't dressed, and is mostly put together by the time the kiddos come barreling up the stairs in the morning. Plus, without a time to get grounded reading the Bible, things can go awry quite quickly with my attitude about things.

When I hit that snooze button (because I always do,) it's my reminder to start praying, all cozy in my bed.  Sometimes that bed is so inviting, that I pray for a loooong time between alarms.  But it wakes me up, and fills me up before even stepping foot on the floor to get a shower, read, and get on the computer. 

The kids have been trained since they were preschoolers or young elementary aged to stay in their rooms and play with their siblings until their clocks read a certain time.  (Currently, that time is 8:30 a.m.)  It has been a good system for our family.  It's predictable for all of us. 

By the time I see that first child's face at precisely 8:30 a.m., it's go time.  Time to feed the baby, get breakfast for the other little ones, get little ones dressed, play for a bit, and start school.  There's no time for mama to be lagging behind trying to get ready while the house has come alive for the day, plus the kids need their mama. 

Some families have found a system that works for them that looks entirely different than ours.  I'm so glad.  But maybe some of you are floundering.  Maybe you're feeling lost and overwhelmed before you even start the day.  The demands of kids and morning routines are just too much. 

Consider cozying up in bed a little earlier at night, and give yourself a breather in the morning to just be still and start the day without the rush and frenzy that mornings can bring. 

 

 

2.  Let Go of Perfect

 

Us Moms are prone to the urge to have all of our ducks neatly in a row, and have them stay there.  I learned pretty quickly that my little duckies like to roam and don't stay clean, perfectly groomed and fluffed for long. 

 

Bedhead is now a staple in our house along with cold cereal for breakfast on the weekdays.  We may gussy up a tad when we go out. But at home, we're low-maintenance.

 

Mismatched clothes are the outfits of choice around here.  We're ragamuffins, and we like it that way.  None of the kids care that the culture of the day looks down on these sorts of things - if God looks at our hearts, why should we teach our kids otherwise? I'd much rather have a kid who, rather than embracing the trends of the day, runs hard after the timeless truths of the Gospel.

 

Attitudes can easily turn into idols of the heart for a mama who lets her appearance, and that of her family become so important that she isn't happy unless everything looks like it's in place. 

 

While I don't struggle so much with the appearances of myself and my family members, I do struggle with the urge to control.  I so desperately want things to go as planned, that my day feels all topsy-turvy if it veers.  God has helped me reign in this struggle, and it's a work in progress. 

 

One thing I have to remind myself of when the days feel overwhelming, is that my kids are not robots.  They were not created to follow blindly, act perfectly, and keep quiet.  I remind myself that I don't want robots, I want my kids.  My loveable, squirrely, kind, loud, and precious kids. 

 

 



 

3.  Keep Doing the Things You're Proud Of

 

You know those days, when you're so proud of yourself for making play dough with the kids, or sitting on the floor reading books for an hour?  Those days that seem few and far between? 

 

Keep doing those things. 

 

Keep sitting down at lunch with them, memorizing a verse together.

Keep bird-watching with them out the window in the winter, and out on a blanket in the summer.

Keep letting them crack the eggs, and stir the cookie dough.

Keep lingering in their bedroom at night, telling just one more made-up story. 

Keep your fingernails painted just the way they did them for you.

Keep hanging their drawings up in your room.

 

 

 

 

Press on, my friends!  The little years are fleeting, and before long you'll be on to another stage. ( I'm preaching to myself here.) You are a gift to your family, a rare and precious gem. 

 

"She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her."

Proverbs 3:15

 

 

Please feel free to share this with the moms in your life! 

 

 



 

 

 



When you have kids... Episode 2: the bathroom

If you missed Episode 1: the store - click HERE.

Before having kids, the bathroom was just an ordinary place to do your business, get clean, and get out.  There was no lingering going on back then, unless you were soaking in a hot bath (which you could take any time you pleased.)  You never had to announce to anyone you were going to go use the restroom, and you most certainly didn't announce that you had to "go potty." 




source

 

For moms, bathrooms have changed from being a place of business, to a place of refuge and shelter. Moms have been known to escape to the bathroom to pray,  take a time-out for themselves to re-group, make a phone call, or read. 

The bathroom is the perfect sanctuary because the door locks, and you can kill two birds with one stone.   Plus, the only things that can fit underneath the door are little fingers grasping for their mother's toes, scrawled out notes, small toys, insects, and pet snakes.  Let's pray a pet snake has never been sent under the bathroom door to find you.  But I wouldn't put it past a child who is lost without his mother to try and squeeze ol' Slither under the door to assess the situation. 

I have seven children, three of whom are far past the age where they absolutely need mom during the two minutes I'm away.  But do they still?  You betcha.  (To borrow a term from a famous fellow Arctic mom.)  One day, I counted five separate knocks from five separate kids.  It started like this...

First knock:  "Yes?"

Second knock:  "What do you need?" 

Third knock:  "WHAT??!!"

Fourth knock:  "This had better be an emergency.  Is someone dead or bleeding?  If not, you have no reason to be knocking while I'm in the bathroom."

Fifth knock:  __________________________

That fifth knock is greeted with silence.  You know you've done it.   If you pretend you aren't in there, they will give up and go back to whatever they were doing before, right?  Well, sometimes.

 


source

Usually I slip off quietly to the restroom unnoticed, though sometimes I announce my departure on a particularly trying day by calling everyone's attention and saying something like this:

"Mom's going to the bathroom.  Nobody follow me." 

You'd think I was a mobster heading down to the docks for a midnight meeting with a guy named Sonny.  Who talks to their kids like that?  Well,  sometimes I do.  And I'd imagine sometimes you do too. 

Taking a shower has new meaning too.  If your spouse is home, and has your back, you can take more leisurely showers.  And, boy, do those kind of showers feel luxurious.  Shaving your legs feels like a rare spa treatment.  But if you're home alone with the kids, most showers are quick and business-like.  Much like the freezing cold camp showers I'm sure most of us have been subjected to sometime in our lives.  It's in and out.



source

 

I heard of a great solution for bathroom visitors that are grade school age and up, and I honestly can't remember where I heard it.  But I'd imagine that sliding some math fractions under the door for the interrupter to solve would be enough to teach the older "they should know better" crowd to not interrupt your short break. 

For the youngers?  Well, I haven't figured that one out just yet.  All these years, they still come a knockin'.  But I know they love me.  I know they need me.  And I can deal with that.  I treasure that. 

I just hope the stories my kids tell their spouses about me when they're older are accurate.  I've never met mobsters named Sonny down at the docks at midnight.  Ever.

11 months

Today is little Miss Emmalie Claire's 11 month birthday!

As you can see, she is quite the little ham.  And just two days ago, she pulled herself up to a stand for the first time! 

Oh, how we love having this little peanut in our lives.  She is a true blessing and a definite mark of redemption in our lives.  We praise God for you, Emmy. 

Being a beginning writer

I've loved to write since I was a girl.

I'm drawn to putting my thoughts into words, then stringing them together on a page.  In the last several years God has put a dream in my heart:  to someday be an author of a real book you can hold in your hands. 

Writing is something I'm thinking of constantly - it just won't go away.  So I figured instead of running away from it, or shooing it away because this season of life isn't conducive to it,  I'd invite it in and see what happens.  So lately, I've been reading books about writing and doing some research online about writing.  Well... and um, I've been writing too.  I'm a non-fiction girl - I like to write from the heart; so I can grow, and the reader can too.  It's a scary thing to say you've been writing, because it feels like I'm saying I think I have something worth publishing.  Time will tell if I actually do, but for now, I'm going to obey the voice that tells me to write and not worry about the rest. 

All of this reading and research has inspired me tremendously.  So instead of keeping all of my new-found knowledge to myself, I thought I'd share it here.  Who knows?  Maybe some of you are budding closet writers like myself, and could use some encouragement and some direction.  And if you aren't, maybe you could share this with people in your life who might be wanna-be writers as well. 

I love reading about the writing process of published authors.  My favorites are those who write the kind of books I see myself writing, and who are moms like me.  Knowing that other moms with children living at home can do it, helps me think it's not crazy for me to think about.  Even though it feels crazy most of the time. 

These two gals blog about things that are so helpful to me.

Emily Freeman
     On Writing (all of Emily's posts on writing in one spot)


Lysa TerKeurst
     Writing/Speaking (all of Lysa's posts on writing and speaking)

There are countless books and articles on the subject of writing - here are my current favorites:

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
The Creative Call (An Artist's Response to the Way of the Spirit) by Janice Elsheimer
Writing Tools by Roy Peter Clark

And then there's that much needed thesaurus.  Here's my personal favorite:

Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus

*I love how this thesaurus adds words and phrases such as "out to lunch" or "kick up a fuss."  Should you hug a thesaurus?  I don't know, but I might have.  I love it that much.   

These articles are great too:

When You Don't Have a Cabin or a Dog... But Are Still Called to Write by Sarah Mae

"A Message Growing Inside of Me" an interview with Emily Freeman

Every Book Starts With a Sentence by Lysa Terkeurst

How to Get Published by literary agent Rachel Gardner



There you go...  just a bit of the information that has has been building up inside me.  Carving out time to write and learn about writing with seven kids and a husband is slightly insane.  But one has to start somewhere if God is whispering "write" into their ear.  So I'm starting.  Staring to pray, seek, learn, write, and believe. 

I may be writing for an opportunity years down the road, or it may be just for this blog audience, but I don't care - I'm doing something I love.  And that is a reward in itself.