Preparing for the Adventure of Change
It’s a new year, and I suspect there will be many changes in store for all of us—the good, the bad, and maybe even the ugly. Whether it’s in relationships, parenting, careers, schooling, church, moving, or more, each… Read More
Be-Attitudes for the New Year
Emotions, stress, expectations, and frustrations can easily find their way into the blending family life, so it’s important for you as a couple to try and address probable stressors ahead of time. Because our attitudes have a lot… Read More
Building Traditions That Bond
For blending families, there are a lot of “but we always did it this way” challenges that come during the Christmas season, whether it’s about food, gift giving, visiting and traveling, or even decorating. Younger children may adapt… Read More
When Christmases Clash
The Christmas season can reveal differences between the two of you that didn’t even know you had, and this time of year can even exacerbate the differences you already know you have. When you’re aware of your holiday… Read More
Talking About the Holidays
Lots of emotions, obligations, and sometimes unreasonable expectations come with the holidays, and when it comes to understanding those things, mind reading doesn’t often work too well during this time of year…or anytime, for that matter. So it’s critical… Read More
My Picture Book Critique Group
Each month I meet with my critique group, and I love it. Each of us is working specifically on picture books, and we are all learning a lot about this special area of writing. We hone each other’s work…. Read More
Like a Little Child
Children have so much to teach us. Last week I spent time with four young families. One had a newborn who slept peacefully in my arms while I gooed and giggled over every infant face she made. She… Read More
Life’s Little Challenges
Dale and I just got back from New York, helping my 93-year-old mom settle into assisted living. It was a busy but fruitful week full of lots of emotions and challenges. But that’s just part of life’s journey,… Read More
Travel Tips
In May, my husband and I took an international research trip to Ireland, and I just returned from my seventh trip to South Africa! Never did I think I’d be doing as much international travel as I have… Read More