The little gal in the photo above? She will be graduating in one short month... ...and suddenly we've entered the season of "lasts." The last choir concert, the last high school play, the last time Mom sneaks into her room to steal I mean, borrow a cute pair of earrings... How did she get here? How did I? Grace, more grace … [Read more...]
Ready, Set…Redemption! A Begin-Again Guide to Advent
Part I Note (aka Warning) to Reader: I've been away awhile and am feeling wordy. I don’t know about you, but when it comes to setting sail on the sea of life, my little boat bounces around a LOT. I’m 52; you’d think I’d have things figured out! Still. I think I’m getting there. Do you want to know my secret for calming down the … [Read more...]
Stranger Things & Scary Smartphones: Part II
How a Hit #Netflix Series is Helping me Parent This is a 3-Part Series on the Need to Establish Smartphone Monitoring, including (but not limited to) a Stranger Things list of what to do and NOT do. (You can read Part I HERE.) Okay, okay, I get it. Part 1 was written eight years ago and you're thinking...What the heck, Margaret?! Why's … [Read more...]
When Being Hyper-Controlling went Poorly for Me
Or: The Mom I was vs. the Mom I am, 20 years and 7 kids later. Warning: This story comes with a moral attached and gets a little bit…raw at times. If you do not wish to profit from my hard-earned wisdom, (ha), or feel uncomfortable dealing with difficult themes, here’s a cute kitty meme: Now scoot, ‘cause some shit's about to … [Read more...]
Going Places: a Midlife Reflection & Modern Map Art Review
Once, for Christmas, my four sisters and I drew names for a gift exchange. My sister Mary was surprised, I think, when I told her the "boring" gift that I had in mind: an atlas. I wanted an atlas. Because I wanted the world. To this day, I love maps and traveling, but am not {currently} at a stage in my life when I can go very far. … [Read more...]
Love, Love, and more {Valentines Day} Love
Six of my six at-home kids are sick, falling like flies to the stomach flu. Poor sweeties. As I was setting out their Valentine's treats this morning, 16-year-old Cate smiled weakly. "Thank you for the puke ammo!" I laughed. This post will be heavier on photos than on words, I think, mainly because I've been taking pictures daily but … [Read more...]
Getting the Pin: An Inaugural Reflection
You guys. I started out January thinking, "Okay, I'm going to schedule ALL THE THINGS and like that, I'll get the important things done. My poor forsaken blogging habit! Do I not think it's important? No excuses, though, 'cause I am having a pretty good year so far. Note that I didn't say "perfect" year, because I don't want you getting all … [Read more...]
Room with a View
An Election Day Meditation Autumn in Minnesota continues to be absolutely gorgeous. This picture was taken a few days ago. It's a shot of my bedroom from the kids' playground out back, where I was taking a break from going down the slide with my 3-year-old. (Note: as a creaky 50-year-old, I needed to take lots of breaks!) Looking … [Read more...]
On how I’ve been Massively Successful in all my Endeavors
It's simple, really. For the past month, give or take a day here and there, I have focused on success in the following areas: 1. Overeating; 2. Overspending; 3. Under-exercising; 4. Under-cleaning; and 5. Dealing with a mental health issue that's not my own. And THAT'S why I haven't been blogging at all, because I'm pretty sure you've … [Read more...]
Grief, Grace and Unbelievable Goodness
I know you have plenty to read and do today, so I'm going to keep this very brief. It's Good Friday, emphasis on that first word "Good." Today is the day--the day of days. Our Lord has triumphed over sin! He will continue to triumph over sin. Praise Him for that. Thank Him for that. To God--and Jesus--be all the glory. Yet … [Read more...]
