We’re on vacation. Jealous? Yeah.  Me too. When it was just Mark and me, we could do pretty much whatever. We took some vacations that were pretty intense, like England in late September, 2001 (yes, a week after 9/11).  We took some vacations that were more laid back, like a completely unscheduled week on Edisto Island, SC.  And we took a couple live-aboard dive boat vacations.  Eat, sleep, scuba-dive.  Bliss. But we’re learning that vacations with the girls are different. First, trips with kids are just different.  That’s kind of a given.  Trips with teens are a different kind of […]

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Today is Father’s Day. The day to hang out at the lake, grill manly meat, and for the kids to mow the lawn while Dad rests in the hammock with the beverage of his choice. If you’re a father, congratulations! If you live with a father, cater to him. If you have a father, call him. If you’ve lost your father, remember him. Try to find a moment sometime during the day to say a prayer for the children who don’t have a father to grill for.  (Yes, that was a bit of a Jesus Juke.  Sorry about that.  Back […]

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I wrote this to mark the beginning of the 2011-12 school year: …for this school year, for this day, my prayer is for two scared and excited girls to experience the amazing plans God has crafted just for them, to learn and grow into the amazing women God has formed them to be, and to rise above the distractions and temptations of culture to focus on God’s instruction for us…to love as Jesus loved, to give as Jesus gave, and to serve as Jesus served. Guess that’s my prayer for all of us… Today marks the end (for us anyway). […]

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Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  (Matt 11:28) I’m not very good at resting, although I think my family will tell you otherwise.  But the theme of rest has been coming up time and again over the past few months.  Like God is trying to tell me something or something. I’m an introvert.  To the extreme. Most people think of extroverts as people who are outgoing and gregarious and like meeting new people, and introverts as people who are more private, quiet, shy. While this often is true, there’s another […]

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When discussing financial responsibility and the importance of not going into debt no matter how important the thing is that you want: Me: We paid cash for you… Mash: You say that like I was a Barbie…. Me: You were a lot more expensive than a Barbie… Mash: Yeah, because I’m a one-of-a-kind. Me: Good one. I’m really thankful that my girls both have a good sense of humor! What’s popped out of your mouth that maybe shouldn’t have? Leave a comment…