Character · Christianity · Horsemanship · Parenting · Special Needs Children · Special Needs Moms · Women

Staring Down Those Insecurities

I’ve been working with horses for a few years.  My first and favorite horse, Sky, has been a great joy to work with.  Some would say that she trained me and I would agree. I was introduced to natural horsemanship shortly after I adopted Sky and I’ve never looked back.  I love it for a… Continue reading Staring Down Those Insecurities

Adoption · Adoption · Character · Christianity · Family Life · Middle Age · middle-age · Ministry · Mothering · Parenting · parenting · Perserverence · Special Needs Children · Special Needs Moms · Uncategorized · Women

My Unresolved Anger with Time

Dear Time, Maybe it’s middle-age. Maybe it’s the chaotic pace of life, or maybe it’s just me, but I find myself angry with you. You loom over me, always reminding me I’ll never finish all that needs to be done.  I’d like to play fair, but how can I when you care nothing for me? No matter… Continue reading My Unresolved Anger with Time

Adoption · Adoption · Attachment Disorder · Character · Christianity · Discipleship · Family Life · Ministry · Mothering · Parenting · parenting · pastor's wife · pastoring · Perserverence · Special Needs Children · Special Needs Moms · Uncategorized

Loving Those Porcupine People

It’s easy to love people who love me. I feel so good inside when I’m with those people.  Elated and strong; I’m on top of the world when I find someone who returns my love with more love. And then there is everyone else. The not-so-nice, not-so-friendly, not-so-happy, porcupine people who are just very difficult… Continue reading Loving Those Porcupine People

Adoption · Biblical beauty · Character · Christianity · Discipleship · Family Life · Friendship · Middle Age · Ministry · Mothering · Parenting · pastor's wife · Perserverence · Special Needs Children · Women

Big Girls Don’t Cry?

   Last weekend I attended a women’s conference for women in ministry.  We took a personality style test that revealed how others perceive you.  After twenty-eight questions, I came away with the title of “The Victor” which as I already know fits this type-A, reformed control freak and perfectionist to a tee. The problem started when… Continue reading Big Girls Don’t Cry?

Boundaries · Boundaries for children · Boundaries for kids · Christianity · Confidence · Discipleship · Family Life · Ministry · Mothering · Parenting · parenting · Perserverence · Special Needs Children · Special Needs Moms · Uncategorized

Helping Our Kids (and Ourselves) Navigate the Green When Life Just Doesn’t Care

  The frustration was building on her face.   She would not look my way.  Perhaps it was to stay focused; most likely it was to keep from letting the tears escape. My heart hurt as I watched this girl of mine struggling to keep her composure.  Golf is a long game.  It is one thing to… Continue reading Helping Our Kids (and Ourselves) Navigate the Green When Life Just Doesn’t Care

Adoption · Adoption · Christianity · Family Life · Ministry · Mothering · Parenting · Special Needs Children · Special Needs Moms · Uncategorized

All I Learned About Life From My 4th Grader as She Heads Off to School

She bounces when she walks.  It is an outward sign of her inward joy. And she has so much of it. I don’t know how it happened.  How it happened that she is so joyful is a mystery because she started life with so little. Almost ten years ago now, they handed her to me. … Continue reading All I Learned About Life From My 4th Grader as She Heads Off to School

Adoption · Adoption · Attachment Disorder · Boundaries · Boundaries for kids · Brat Talk · Mothering · Parenting · Special Needs Children · Special Needs Moms · Uncategorized

Mom’s Top Ten Survival Tips for Raising Your Child with Attachment Issues

       I have parented my adopted child for over nine years.  I will never be the same.  It is the hardest thing I have ever done. On the days I am frustrated, it is good for me to go back and remember how far we have come.  I only wish I had known… Continue reading Mom’s Top Ten Survival Tips for Raising Your Child with Attachment Issues

Adoption · Adoption · Boundaries · Boundaries for children · Boundaries for kids · Brat Talk · Discipline · Discipline · Ministry · Mothering · Parenting · Special Needs Children · Special Needs Moms · Uncategorized

Brat Talk: Great Expectations and Eliminating all of Mama’s Excuses

 I seem to have knack for weird parenting encounters.  Last week I listened to a mother drone on and on about why her son was a problem. This kid is a typical pre-adolescent boy; creative…lazy…and as his mother explained, a trouble-maker.  He would fall into the “not EVER fun to be with” camp. Now Mom… Continue reading Brat Talk: Great Expectations and Eliminating all of Mama’s Excuses

Christianity · Friendship · Mothering · Parenting · Special Needs Children · Special Needs Moms · Uncategorized · Women

The Power of Friendship

I just spent the most wonderful two hours today with a friend.  We laughed, cried, drank way too much coffee, prayed, and yes, opened up to each other by sharing some of our deepest struggles with our kids. As I reflect upon those special moments, I realize how much we need each other to navigate… Continue reading The Power of Friendship

Adoption · Attachment Disorder · Brat Talk · Mothering · Parenting · Special Needs Children · Special Needs Moms

7 Confessions of a RAD (Not Bad) Mom

 I resist labels.  I don’t like the boxes that words put us in.  There is one label, though, that I need to use today.  As a parent for nine years of a child who has suffered from multiple broken attachments, let me introduce you to RAD, or Reactive Attachment Disorder. I have made friends with… Continue reading 7 Confessions of a RAD (Not Bad) Mom