Dancing has taken over our household this year.  Not just the schedule, but it’s slowly creeping into every area of our lives.  Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, even some acrobatics.  Maddie pirouettes on a high relevé through the living room.  She visits with me in the kitchen with one leg extended on the barre (I mean the counter top) while her arms are in a perfect second position.  She does a one-person […]

It was one of those precious moments.  It was just Maddie and I in the car.  A captive audience–at least I’d like to think.  She’s 11, and sometimes time seems short with her.  She’s going to be seeking independence more, and perhaps, her mother less.  So I try, from now, to make the most of our moments alone. I started asking questions, and this is how it went: So, do […]

Every Tuesday and Thursday Izzy attends a science and Spanish enrichment program for home-schooled students.  Today when I picked her up she ran to the car with a big smile.  This is not unusual in the least.  She loves her classes.  What she was excited about today was a half-sheet of white paper addressed to the parents. Mom, don’t start the car yet.  I need you to do something first.  […]

Jesus’ ministry was in its first months. The crowds were growing as he healed, cast out demons and spoke truth. In Mark chapters 5 and 6, there are events that appear to take a snap shot of 24 hours in the life of Jesus.  He has taught, healed, calmed a storm and cast a “legion” of demons out of one man. Then he returns to the other side of the […]

Packing has overtaken our home.  There are boxes everywhere.  The calendar reads two weeks and counting until the big day.  And because I’m a fairly organized person, I even packed the gloves, hats and scarves.  I was quite certain that Denver wouldn’t see it’s first snow until the end of this month.  Well, it’s predicted for Saturday. But that’s not really the problem.  The problem lies in the Great Abyss.  […]

I’m not saying I wasn’t looking forward to it, but at the time, it was a calendar item that I just wanted to cross off and get done.  I knew that I would be spending three hours on a Saturday evening with hundreds of teenage girls.  At this point in my life, it’s not my calling to hang with this demographic.  But the tickets were purchased, and it was time […]

It was four little words that grabbed my attention.  I’ve read this story many times, but that day, it was four words that leapt off the page and filled my mind and my heart. In context these words are just a piece of a conversation between God and Abraham, but to me, on that day, they were literal. They meant everything. I have heard you. Genesis 17:20 The same God […]

We are moving.  Not far.  Just a few miles east to Parker.  I couldn’t be more excited, but at times, it feels like it will be a lifetime before we get the keys to our new home—30 days to be exact. I feel like a thousand tasks are coming at me from all directions demanding my immediate attention.  And, I’m realizing there’s only one of me.  Well of course I […]

Izzy was working independently reviewing some (addition) story problems.  I overheard her reading one particular problem out loud to Maddie.  It went like this: Chip collected 16 acorns and Dale collected 26 acorns.  How many acorns were added to their stores? Izzy follows up by saying, what cute names for chipmunks! Maddie suggests Izzy name her stuffed animals Chip and Dale. I start laughing, but keep my mouth shut despite […]