When Every Choice Is Too Hard (Podcast #16)

“I am just trying to figure out my life, one day at a time.  I am just trying to discern which direction to walk.  I desperately want a clear path to follow.  Someone to hand me a map and say, “Here.  This is your life.  You will maximize it if you take this road, turn…

First Birthday (love song for a baby)

You came to me from a distant landThe secret place of my innermost beingYou traveled miles and milesTo find me You came in the space between my two greatest sorrows. When the lamp of my womb went out, suddenlyLeaving me with a cold-wind feelingLike the door to every chamber of my heartHad been left blowing…

Miss and Carry (A Little Life Remembered)

I miscarried nine days before our 15th anniversary. There we sat, across the table at a little cafe, drinking coffee together.  Our six living children were home with a friend who gave us the day together to celebrate our marriage. The week before, Randy and I had privately laid the whisper of a body down…

Surrender: Listening for the Song

Our baby is 3 months old now.  We have settled into our new roles and are working ourselves into a more predictable pattern of living.  Life as a mother of five small children is a blur.  Every day has its own rhythm.  Sometimes it is like a song.  Sometimes it is total chaos. Last week was particularly hard…

The Last Few Days of Pregnancy

I am in the last week or so of pregnancy.  I can feel my heart and my mind being pulled in so many different directions.  There is part of me that wants to sit down and enjoy the last few days of normal sleeping patterns, two free hands, the freedom to be away for more…

Room for You (New Song)

I am two weeks away from my due date.  I can hardly believe that any day we will see this new little face and our lives will be forever changed.  It feels so surreal. In preparation for Heidi’s arrival, I’ve been rearranging, organizing, constantly cleaning and decluttering this tiny house.  All of my creative energy…

Handmade Day #3: The Baby Bear Hat

Just try to resist this little face. Kells, my living teddy bear, models today’s handmade item. Click on the image to see more pics and to browse my etsy shop. I am making new, one-of-a-kind items every day for the 15 Days of Handmade.

The Daily Turn #16: My Fat Little Baby

My fat little babyis reaching upfor something brightthat dangles–bangles of lightand brilliantcolor.His elbowsare deeply dimpled,his cheeks areperfectly-proportioned for a million kisses.There has never beena rolypolier boy. One day he will have dreamsof being an astronautor a fireman.He may want to write a bookor play guitar like his dada. But right now,all he hopes foris this:that I…

Remy Lochlan Chester, A Birth Story

Minutes after Rosie, our first child was born, the first and most prevailing thought in my head was, “I can never do this again.” God is so merciful.  And by his grace, I was able to do it again.  And again. And last week, our fourth child, Remy Lochlan Chester was born into this world….