The recent passing of Toby Keith had me reminiscing. I love his music - so many good singing songs. His patriotism. Adam loved country music and he loved America. Toby came over to Baghdad, Iraq when Adam and I were serving there in 2005. We waited patiently for him to fly in on a helicopter and put on a show in the middle of the
Read MoreOn my last radio appearance, we talked new years, new goals. Not quite “resolutions” because the word itself seems to imply lofty aspirations and certain failure. I shared the monthly goal list I work from and how breaking the year down into 12 smaller goals makes it easier for me to find
Read MoreI’m grateful for this space to process my grief. I am still surprised when someone stops me to say they read my blog or sends me an email about a specific post that meant something to them. Blogs can feel like you’re writing to everyone and no one at all. I’ve been writing my whole life and never put it
Read MoreWhat dreams are you pursuing in 2024? I’m making a list. I’ve always been a resolution girl. Love to chart out a course for the coming year full of adventure and accomplishment.
Read MoreSo much to get done, to attend, to pick up, to run by, to see and to do. There are days it is all too much. Single-parenting at Christmas is a never-ending hamster wheel where falling off comes with the pressure that you’re ruining the magic of a beautiful season for the little people in your
Read MoreI’ve talked before about changing up traditions. It’s hard to try to keep doing things the way we did before. It’s hard to make new traditions and not feel like you’re failing by letting some go. Here’s what I can say about Thanksgiving 2023. We made a ton of lefse at our house like we always
Read MoreI left the hospital on May 18, 2021, with the unfathomable task of telling my children their beloved father was dead. Never to return. Gone from this earth. I was dazed. I don’t remember who drove me home. I don’t know if anything was said on that car ride. I was completely numb.
Read MoreOne of Adam’s childhood friends started dating a girl from my hometown. We saw them more than ever the month before Adam died. It was like God gave us a few more memories to cling to in Adam’s sudden absence. These sweet friends used a family event to raise money for us. We had no idea and were floored by the generosity of so many. It was...
Read MoreIt is hard to know what grieving children need. They are often not very vocal about thoughts and feelings on loss. You may wonder if they are grieving at all. That’s normal. Kids live in the present. Yes, they are sad and hugely impacted by the loss of a parent, but the way in which they process it may mean they do relatively well in
Read MoreHere it is. FINALLY. The basement remodel photos everyone keeps asking for. BEFORE - we had mauve walls and no storage. Our downstairs had been a bit of a dumping ground of mismatched furniture and kid stuff since we moved in. Adam and I didn't use the space often. I wanted a fireplace. We’d talked about adding a
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