It’s the last Tuesday of July and I’m writing this while planning out the remaining weeks of our summer. Though schedules have shifted, with July camps ending and fall sports already starting back up, the scorching sunshine and time spent swimming and camping feels peak summer. Still, we are staying the course on daily homework and routines and here’s how…

Have you ever been called to serve in a way that made little sense to you? Perhaps a mission or ministry that felt disconnected from your priorities or outside of your wheelhouse? When I first heard about Key of Hope, I wasn’t sure how I could step in and serve, aside from donating funds or meals to the organization…

I recently came across some interesting research from the Fuller Institute regarding faith and youth. Data shows that in order for kids to have a resilient faith they need four things…

As I’m sitting down to write this, I’m also making to-do lists for every major activity and trip on the horizon this week. Back in January the first week of May 2025 seemed distant and impossible. It would usher in true Spring weather, allow us to say mom’s funeral and multiple major trips would be in the rear-view mirror…but here we are. Staring it in the face. And at this very moment it’s not only possible, it is happening…

The Words of Remembrance for my mother’s funeral were intended to be a brief reflection of her walk of faith. Rather than a eulogy, her church asked us to provide examples of her Christian faith at work in her life, which we accomplished in three sections: “Everyday Grace,” “Heart for Hospitality,” and “Faithful Servant”…

When I heard the 5th grade was visiting Detroit Institute of the Arts, I knew I wanted to participate as a chaperone to experience that with Peter, especially as he’s approaching middle school and the end of these elementary school trips altogether…

In this season we are leaning into evening quiet time and aided homework with both children. Typically this is for a minimum of 1 hour but usually more like 2 hours, every night…

Today’s review is a perhaps a lesser known title in the secular world, but I’ll venture to say, as gripping as Atomic Habits in the way that it calls out the obvious and challenges the most-accepted tenets of productivity and efficiency. My favorite element of this book is its thesis: “Too often we treat the symptoms of toxicity in our modern world instead of trying to pinpoint the cause. A growing number of voices are pointing at hurry, or busyness as a root of much evil. Within the pages of this book, you'll find a compelling emotional and spiritual case against hurry and in favor of a slower, simpler way of life”…

When we lived in Atlanta, GA, Colin and I were always up for an adventure. Whether it was a hike or a spontaneous day trip, we were known to take every chance we could get to see something new or make the most of a weekend. We were in our pre-parenting phase, so we were also known to host some form of family or friends every week, rarely having a week or weekend without out-of-town visitors staying with us in our little bungalow. So it was a typical weeknight in fall of 2009 when pouring rain caused the nearby Krog Tunnel to flood, but atypical in the sense that we didn’t have any plans—no scheduled activities, no visitors.…

Moms are so funny, we make over the top comments like, “Eleven years ago today I ushered greatness into the world with the birth of my firstborn!” It’s a testament to the gravity of parenthood, really. A mission field, a battle, and a blessing all at once. So yes, this day eleven years ago I became a mother. And yes, my kid is amazing.

Pete enjoys video games, like most kids, but also loves to yo-yo and solve Rubix cubes…

One of my favorite reads from last year was “The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry” by Gabrielle Zevin. If you like strong, awkward, lovable protagonists a la “A Man Called Ove” or “Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine,” you’ll love A.J. Fikry.

The story centers around A.J.’s experience with life after loss, running his bookstore, and unexpectedly building his new life and network. It twists in a critical and delightful way…

We left NY almost a week after mom passed, horrified to leave dad but aching for home. We brought a few of mom’s plants with us, which meant rather than chance the Canadian border officials we would take the US route back to Michigan.

It was the first road trip without mom texting me for updates or me calling her from our dinner stop to check in…

The summer of 2024 felt so sweet, a living memorial of what would come by fall and winter. In the summer we spent days biking, walking, hiking, swimming, beaching, traveling—definitely need additional posts on all of the fun we had—knowing that once school started and cold set in our days would look so different.

Mom completed her final chemo treatment in July and immediately came to Michigan for what would be her last trip…

I recently read the book “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. Most have heard of this book, everyone I’ve spoken to who has read it mentioned re-reading it because it is chock full of rich data on habits, psychology and maximizing the two for overall health and wellness…