I stood in front of the mirror trying to screw up my courage. “I should be ready for this,” I told myself. “Other moms do a lot more than this a lot earlier” I wasn’t preparing to climb Everest, or even host a preschooler’s raucous birthday party. All that lay before me was a day with my … More Stopping the ‘Should’ Cycle
I love date night. From my first days with Daryl, I looked forward to catching up on life. I lived for our occasional road trips together because they meant hours to just hang out with my very favorite person. When we got married, we kept the date nights going. Every couple of weeks or so we’d head … More 10 Questions for Date Night
I can be a complainer. Most of us can, if we’re honest. It’s too hot out today. I can’t believe the waiter got my dinner order wrong. I definitely didn’t need to get a cold this week. Why can’t my husband ever remember when it’s trash day? Oh great, it’s allergy season again. It’s often easier to … More A Broken Washer and Other Lessons in Gratitude
[Newbornlandia, week six. In which my eyes no longer open all the way because: TIRED.] A couple of weeks ago my husband preached a sermon on humility. It was one of his best (ironic, I know, being that it was on humility – you can find it here if you’re interested). Sitting in the congregation that Sunday I … More Saying Yes and Other Lessons in Humility
I’m currently on parental leave from my position as an associate pastor. Our church has been incredibly supportive of our growing family. Not everyone is so blessed. Parental leave is a sticky wicket in America. It shouldn’t be, but it is. From my own ongoing personal experience, here are 10 Reasons Parental Leave is Necessary. 10. Yesterday … More 10 Reasons Parental Leave is Necessary
Today’s writing prompt from my friends over at For the Love of Writing is “Ways I am Nailing Motherhood.” Even the prompt made me laugh because: I am so not nailing this. The last thing I nailed was the giraffe print above when I finished the baby’s closet/nursery. I took a hammer and I nailed it. Other than … More Ways I am Nailing Motherhood
I’ve been thinking a lot about help lately. Since the birth of our second son, we have had loads of help. My mom stayed with us for three weeks. Late one night Wilson cried for a couple of hours and refused to be soothed by all the usual remedies. His tummy was full, his diaper was … More Top 10 Ways to Help a New Mom
Why do people say rude things to pregnant women? It’d be comical if it wasn’t so annoying. Now that Baby #2 is on the outside, I’m not on the receiving end of these comments anymore. (Can you HEAR the hallelujahs?) But for those of you who are currently pregnant, feel free to send this link to everyone you … More Top 10 Things Not to Say to a Pregnant Woman
We had a baby! After all that anticipation and waiting (40 weeks, 4 days – or, if we go by how it felt, approximately 12 years of pregnancy…), it happened. Our sweet, squishy, snuggly baby boy has finally arrived earth-side! He’s here! I am a birth story junkie. I just love them. I wrote up our … More Wilson’s Birth Story
Before having a toddler myself, I didn’t realize how vital parks are to parenting success. As one of my friends put it, “Kids are like dogs. You have to run them or they’ll tear up the house.” So, so true. South Orange County has an embarrassing number of phenomenal parks. From playgrounds to sports parks to adventure-themed spaces, … More Top 10 Parks in South Orange County
Courtney Ellis 