I knew it was coming but it still hit me like a sledgehammer—today was the airport goodbye with my youngest heading back to University. It seems like 5 minutes ago I was ecstatic with a full heart picking him up from that airport ready for a l-o-n-g summer at home. But in a flash, it’s over and I’m failing miserably at holding it all together as we bid him farewell until Christmas. So I’m here to pass a Kleenex and grab hands with whoever needs a little mom-encouragement today…

What’s not to love about multitasking? Simply knowing we are accomplishing at least two things at the same time (and looking like a pro) is something we hold in high esteem. As a writer, I spend much of my day hovering over my desk like a feminine version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and am therefore very aware of the necessity to exercise daily. Zumba has me covered 3 days a week, and the rest—I’m all about the walking. But what has me all enthused about traipsing around the neighborhood or hitting the gym? PODCASTS. Listen in and I’ll tell you why…

Something feels a bit “off” this week. Not bad. Different. A shift of sorts. And I now realize what it is— I have no teenaged kids anymore! Today my (six-foot) baby turns TWENTY and just like that, we are teen-less after raising three of them. We survived a span of fourteen years in teen mode—and now what? A new chapter mothering kids in their twenties. Because no matter how tall, educated, or married they are, I am “Mom” forever…

Friend, can you believe we are HALFWAY THROUGH THE YEAR? For me, time has flown at an alarming rate and yet I seem to have stuffed a whole lot of living into a mere six months already. I’ve never consciously done this mid-year before—but I’m feeling the need to hit the reset button for real. There’s no rule to say we have to jolly well wait until December 31, so let’s do it. Let’s reflect, refresh, and reset right now!

BOOKISH PROBLEMS: It’s hard to keep up with all the latest and greatest new books hitting the shelves. It just is. (Especially when your own is launching!) But when you are sent a copy to review or actually know the author, you simply have to spread the reading love. So I’m sharing four fabulous new Christian books for all ages, all quite wonderful. Plus, I’m giving one of them away right here…

By the time our kids are five years old, we sense that parenting is going to be one extreme roller coaster ride. We laugh, we cry, we fret, we scream, we worry, we pray—often all within the hour. But in this season of graduations, I want to give your hand a gentle squeeze and assure you that the motherhood mantle we wear is precious and permanent. And when you watch your child walk across the graduation ceremony platform, cap firmly planted and gown billowing, you will be rendered speechless. Other than the embarrassing cheer-scream you may let fly…

Friends, I’m not going to lie—it’s been crazy around here (think: having twins, except 2 months apart)—but allow me to introduce you to my latest published book: The Lighthouse Baby. I’m currently somewhat exhausted yet exhilarated after just launching The Glass Bottom Boat in March, but I’m now ready to proudly pull back the book baby blanket and show off this second novel in my “Flight to Freedom” series. Isn’t she pretty? Here’s the story behind the story…

As an author, a perk of my job is reading. I know. Tough gig. But the good news is that I feel it’s my duty to share the book love with you, my friends. I usually wait until summer to hit you with a half-dozen brilliant books I’ve stumbled across—but I can’t hold it in any longer! I’m having a delightful reading year thus far and have some gems to pass on for your reading pleasure…

Easter is almost upon us, friends! This most precious time of year in the Christian calendar when we gather to remember the death and resurrection of our Jesus… perhaps as part of a huge congregation or maybe more privately in our own way. But while we celebrate the sacrifice and marvel at the miracle for all mankind on a macro level, we also need to take time to hold it all very close and remember why Easter is personal…

My husband fears I am in danger of becoming a hermit. ‘Tis the writerly life. I seem to spend much of my time these days attached to my laptop with a mere English bulldog for company. Honestly, the introvert part of me is happy as a lark, yet I know I need my friends. Real life friends. And sometimes I have to be intentional about getting out into that garden of life and surrounding myself with my beautiful, life-giving, heart-warming bloom-buddies.