Who We Used To Be
My little family does a lot together. My husband and I don't typically go out much without our son. Fortunately, we enjoy many of the same things and each other. I'm usually happiest when we are together. However, from time to time my husband and I need some time to...
The Days In Between
Many years ago I purchased a wooden sign that has since hung in our living room. It reads "These are the good old days" and I knew when I saw it that those words were true. I was happily married, lived in a new house, had a decent job, and was enjoying life. Surely...
I Wish I Could Blame the Onions
I cried today. That isn't terribly unusual for me. A typical day involves me tearing up at some point. The tears come easily with empathy. They come out of joy as well. I wish I could blame the onions. Today though, I didn't just tear up, today I wept. My son says...
Leave Room for Magic
Some of my most vivid childhood memories are that of decorating for Christmas with my Grandma. I can remember the dusty smell of the Christmas boxes. I can envision the multi-colored lights reflecting off the paneling of the small living room walls. I can feel the way...
Made in Minnesota Gift Guide
This is my favorite time of year. I love Christmas and am pretty fond of shopping. While Black Friday deals do offer some adrenaline rush they aren't typically what I'm after for gifts. It is a great time to pick up things you need, but gifts should be special. This...
The Last Bath
As he scrubbed the dirt from his knees and splashed about I tried to be discrete about wiping my tears. I was happy after all. I was fully aware of what a gift this was. Rarely, do we know when the last time for something is. Often we think we can’t wait to be done...
We All Have Boots to Fill
Twenty-three pairs of empty boots lined up in rows. My heart hurt looking at them, but I must look. I must visualize the soldier that once wore those boots with pride. I must ponder their roles as sons and daughters, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, friends,...
Pink is for the Girls
This post is in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is October and there is pink everywhere. Honestly, some of the places I see pink seems a bit silly to me. Does an NFL player wearing pink socks do anything? I'm not sure, but perhaps the cumulative effect...
Reflections on Success
Writing has always been something I liked to do. When I was a kid I would write out elaborate plans and poems. As a teenager, my mom and I would sometimes exchange notes to effectively communicate. In college, I would sometimes help my now husband write papers because...
Don’t Outgrow Me Yet
This is one of my all-time favorite posts, originally published on Her View From Home. My only child's ninth birthday is approaching. Half of his childhood is in the books. My day to day mom duties are half over. Where the hell did the time go? Perhaps by the time he...
