Planning for the 2020 Holidays: Remember What’s Most Important

Today is the first day of fall and already I am planning for the holidays. I’m not one of those people who starts watching Christmas movies in July or has all their gifts wrapped by Labor Day. I am thinking ahead and planning early because our Christmas will look different […]

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A Few Thoughts on How We Grandparent

  Recently a friend asked me (in a card) if I had a grandparenting devotional that I used and liked. I hadn’t even thought of looking for one. I look forward to answering her question in person, but instead of disappointing her with a “no”, I will share with her […]

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What Helps Me When 2020 Kicks My Butt

For me yesterday, for all intents and purposes, was fall. Yep, it’s still warm and sticky here in central Illinois and very, very few trees have started to turn into their magnificent fall wardrobe. But for me the page has turned—two of the kids left Saturday to go back to […]

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Why I’m Starting a New Volume in My Life

I always want to stay positive but real with you. Today I’m sharing part of my recent journey. It starts as a bit of a downer. My prayer is that you will read on to see God’s goodness and that maybe you can find a point of connection and encouragement […]

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About This Time Every Summer

About this time every summer, I go into a funk. Vacation is over. So is July 4th fun and my birthday. It’s too hot and humid to enjoy outdoor living. So I go into summer hibernation. I hunker down inside until the temperatures turn more livable. But then I thought—I […]

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I’m Not Whining, But. . .

To be honest, I’m having a hard time writing this blog because no matter how I reword it, I sound like I’m whining. I’m not. Really. I’m sharing what’s in my heart at the moment. I’m wondering if anyone ever feels this way except me. Right now, weeks past vacation, […]

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When Less Really Is More

Recently I saw famous restauranteur, Danny Meyer, on CBS’s 60 Minutes. I was intrigued by his attention to hospitality in his restaurants. He said, “If the food tastes great, that alone does not assure that you will come back here. So what hospitality does is adds the way we made […]

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Every Day Matters

My past twelve days have been fairly uneventful. As many of you know I am recuperating from foot surgery. Doctor’s orders are to stay down as much as possible to heal as quickly as possible. I am being a good patient thanks to Gene and the girls. While I am […]

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Amazing Grace for Me Today

We bought this train set for The Grand last Christmas. It has about a million pieces so throughout the year we have brought out a few pieces as he is ready for more. This afternoon I thought, Why not empty the box?! While Gene was in the shower I brought […]

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The Grand is in the House!

Wow! I am pooped tonight! We have The Grand for three days while his mama and daddy take a little break.. We just got him to bed (8:00pm)! He is so much fun! I think this will be my motto for the rest of my life— What/who fills me up […]

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