So we were doing a Deep Clean this morning (translation: deep stress) and the little ones were whining about cleaning their bathroom, and “Why do I have to pick up these toys”. My 13-year-old ran off after our dog, who had also just run off (aware, no doubt, that it was a Deep Clean day). …
With the Harry Potter hype lately, I thought it timely to share a quote from J.K. Rowling that has stayed with me. It’s about the power of failure, delivered as a Harvard Commencement speech. “Why do I talk about the benefits of failure? Because failure meant a stripping away of the inessential. I stopped pretending …
What do Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling, and Failure Have in Common? Read More »
Summer evenings are the best for catching up on a good read—that is, if you happen to be under 12. Because everyone else is busy still running around, most especially moms. However, I’m making a plug this week for reading, not just as a family, but one-on-one with an individual child. I’ve noticed that alone …
As I’ve mentioned (casually, of course), my eight-year-old daughter danced for a huge 4th of July celebration here in Utah called the “Stadium of Fire”. While it was a great evening with headliner entertainment and the most amazing fireworks display in the country, the best (and nerve-wracking) part was seeing if Chloe’s dance experience would …
One great communication technique for marriage is to validate. “Whether he’s late, again, or bounced a check, again, simply validate. Do not make accusations, suggestions, or sarcastic comments. Ask the Lord to help you remove negative feelings. Anger is exactly what the adversary wants because it clouds our judgment and makes marriage become a “you …
Sounds like something from a Neil Diamond song, but I remember coming to America! I can still see us all sitting in our living room in Paisley, Scotland—I was about eight—listening to my biological father tell us we were moving to America. It was unbelievable! And there was this trembling excitement, a surreal “realness” that …
The past few days, I’ve been thinking a lot about dreams—as in deeply desired pursuits. In elementary school, I began writing a book called, “Mom and Me”—with the express disclaimer that it was “not about my mom and me”. With that promising beginning as a writer (having your title NOT be what the book is …
