Where I’ve landed: Thoughts on Unconditional Parenting
Tuesday, 6 May 2014
I’m not sure quite when it happened. Maybe when I turned 30? Or when I headed back into the working world and I had more to occupy my time and thoughts than I’d had at home for two years? Or maybe the move to Italy took the focus off of petty things.
Maybe some of it just comes with my life stage? Married 11 years and my family is complete. Who do I need to impress? We’re happy together. Let’s just enjoy our life without comparing it to another family.
Whatever the reason, somewhere in the last few years I’ve stopped caring what other people think. I’ve stopped comparing myself to the instagrams and pinterest pins and pretty pictures from photographers. Read More
One whole year. Wow that was fast.
As I reflect on the last 365 days, I have mixed feelings about it all. In some ways we are living the dream we’d wanted for years. And in other ways it’s not quite what I expected that dream to look like. And still in other ways parts are challenging.
Yes, we’re living the dream.
Our city really is the perfect size. It’s a city with a population of 214,000 yet it has this small town feel – especially living in the city center. Read More
Yeah, you read that right. Instagram. The social medias changed my faith and relationship with God. How crazy is that?
The story goes like this…
In April of 2013 I found a hashtag #mth2013 – “Making Things Happen 2013”. This led me to finding Lara Casey’s blog and walking through some of her goal setting posts. Because goal setting is my jam. One line hit me: “Time with God is never unproductive. What is unproductive is when you try to do everything on your own. That leads you in circles.” As a perfectionist who needed control, that line began a big change in my relationship with God.
From others who posted using #mth2013 I came across more hashtags and users who taught me how to study the bible. Then I found so many books to read. I followed the authors on their blogs and Instagram. I’d see who else they followed….. it just . kept . going.
Recently I’ve discovered the world of podcasts. Yes, I realize I’m late to this game. I’m not sure why. Learning is also my jam. Sidenote: I’d also like to mention this has changed my laundry hanging and folding time – I don’t dread doing the chore anymore…it means learning time!
Anyway… Read More
And just like that, six months in Italy has come and gone.
I knew the milestone was approaching, but somehow April 18 slipped by without my taking time to really let it sink in.
I think it’s because the “everything is new” phase has worn off and we’re in the groove of our new normal. I’d been waiting for this period in the transition – waiting to mark the normal life moments. Here it is. We’ve arrived. And like most things in my life, I have mixed feelings.
In some ways our move here has been everything I dreamed it would be. We’ve embraced the European city life. Walking everywhere, seeing the same families and people as we walk our kids to and from school. Shopping at the market and grocery store multiple times a week. Eating meals outdoors at cafes in the piazzas. We live near family, and while they’ve traveled and worked a lot, we see grandparents, cousins and auntie and uncle more than we have in the past few years. We’ve opened our home to an intern from the US, and we regularly have friends over for meals or hangouts.
All of these things were in the dreams and plans in my heart for years. They’re the things I wanted most for our family. Read More
Good ol’ Timehop has been reminding me that I’ve hit two years since I started down the minimalism path. I’ve been reminded of how a book sparked it all. I’ve seen photos of closet cleanouts and status updates of donating car loads to a women’s shelter and Goodwill.
Even before that two year mark I was a purger and we definitly lived with less than most Americans. But looking at the photos of my then closet and office now, after having sold almost everything and moved half way around the world, it feels so cluttered and full.
Two years ago I said the words “sometimes I wish we had to sell everything and start over” or something along those lines.
And here we are. Fresh start. Less stuff. White walls. Read More
Now that I’ve fully recovered from an entire three weeks of illness, I’m ready to blog about my hospital experience.
Let me first say I’m not a fan of hospitals to begin with. I mean who is? Really? Now, I’m a little crunchy, but my no means do I dislike modern medicine. I love Target clinics with all my heart. How glorious they are. And I’d have given anything to cruise those isles with a red cart while waiting for my diagnosis and prescription to be filled. Read More
Tuesday, 6 May 2014
Wednesday, 22 January 2014
Tuesday, 11 February 2014
Tuesday, 23 July 2013
Saturday, 15 July 2017
Tuesday, 4 July 2017
Wednesday, 12 April 2017
Monday, 20 February 2017
Monday, 14 October 2013
Monday, 14 April 2014
Monday, 24 June 2013
Thursday, 29 December 2016
