Pastor Mom

In many ways, for a lot of years, Emma has come across as a teenager. She looks older than she is and in many ways she also acts older than she is. Well, now she is officially a teenager. 13! I can ask and wonder where time went, but that’s not the point of this post. There are many many mothers than have gone before me into the life of having a teenager. And many of them have shared with me the woes that come with the age. I didn’t believe them. Not Emma. She wasn’t going to get testy or angsty. She wasn’t going to be disrespectful. Not Emma. Let me just state that I know this is absurd. Because why would I assume that my child would not have all the normal emotions and feelings of every other child? Let me just tell you about her birthday. She woke up and immediately asked when she would get her presents. No big deal. That’s what makes birthdays fun. However, for the first time ever, we decided to give a gift card. A gift card to Amazon. And not a tiny one. Honestly, I was exci...

Today is the day. A birthday. Not a special birthday. Not 35 and not 40. Not monumental. Just 37. And if I’m being completely honest, I’m not feeling it. I’m in a funk. I’ve had a lot going on so maybe I am ready for a routine again. Who knows what the cause of my funk is, but it’s not my cup of tea. I’ve had a lot of medical issues in the last few months and that isn’t helping. I have learned I don’t handle stress well and as a result of stress and ibuprofen for my knee have been dealing with numerous ulcers. No fun. As I start another year around the sun, I can’t help but think about what I am going to do with the next 365 days that I pray God gives me. So I’m going to write my thoughts here to hold myself accountable. 1. Find joy in each and every day. Even the really busy, crazy ones. 2. Commit to not taking my stress out on the ones I love the most. 3. Work to find stress relievers. Practice better self-care. 4. Spend more time in conversation with friends. 5. Spend mo...

"Don't give up." "Just make sure you finish." "Don't stop until you are done." "Don't ever give up." At first glance, these statements are all very true.  They all make sense and are important life lessons.  In life we should always give our all.  We should not go into something with the intention of giving up or halfway completing a task.  Kids are notorious for wanting to quit things.  They realize doing something they thought would be fun, maybe isn't as fun as they once thought, so they want to quit.  They realize their friends are not involved, so they want to quit.  As parents it is our job to instill the idea into our children the importance of sticking with something.  But I have to wonder if there are times that it is okay to quit.  Are there times that it is okay to say "Nope, I'm done"?  Are there times that it is okay to say "I quit!" As a mother, I have used the "Don't give...

A few days ago I was watching something on the Hallmark channel and a commercial came on that really made me think.  The commercial was for the website  Because of You . This is what the first few lines on their website state " Everything you say and do has an impact on those around you. Because of you, people can feel empowered and loved, but also insecure and hurt. Even the smallest words and actions, whether online or in person, can have a big effect. Before you say or do something, think about how you might make others feel." As I was watching this commercial there were people sharing stories that were both positive and negative.  But it got me thinking of all of the people that have had an impact on my life.  There are so many.  Too many to list.  But there are also some that really stand out as making me who I am today.  For good or bad.  Ever since I saw this commercial I have been thinking about all of these people.  Many of whic...

Some of you reading this may know me personally and some of you may not.  For those that know me, you most likely know that one of the things I have struggled with the most in my life is my weight.  I remember getting a physical in 8th grade because I wanted to try out for the volleyball team and being told that I weighed 270lbs.  I am only 5 foot 1 so this was not a good weight for a 15 year old. And I am pretty sure that is when my desire to be thin started.  I dieted.  I binged.  Yes, I purged.  It was awful.  I was willing to do anything to fit in.  To look normal.  But it came with a cost.  I messed my body up so bad.  That entire time in my life was awful. Then I found the love of my life, got married, and had babies.  The highest weight that I have ever seen on the scale is 310.  I seemed to be okay with it though.  I was healthy other than being obese.  Then my mother died.  And she died fro...

I wish that everyone was as lucky as I am.  Why am I so lucky?  For a lot of reasons.  But, one of them is that I have the best Best Friend ever.  Chrissie and I have been friends since we were old enough to walk across the street (literally).  We grew up together.  We know so much about each other.  We are very different.  She is tall and I am not.  She is a nurse and I can not deal with blood or bodily functions.  But even with those differences, through the years we have remained friends. Now our friendship has not always been perfect.  I remember the time I spit on her (I have no idea why) and she did not talk to me for like a week.  There have been times that we have both been jealous of other friendships.  But we have experienced some amazing things together as well.  I had the privilege of dedicating her twins in Church.  I had the privilege of officiating her wedding to Dustin (who is also amazing)....

I feel like Jerry and I are pretty lucky that we have not had many clothing dilemmas.  We rarely have to give any kind of advice as the kids are getting dressed or picking out clothes to purchase.  The kids just naturally want to cover everything up when they leave the house, I guess.  Though tonight going to dance might have been the first time Gabby has put on pants since Sunday.  Hey, it is what it is. This year Emma is in Junior High.  And it is every bit as awful as I remember junior high being when I was in junior high.  Maybe boys experience this too, but I know for a fact that girls do.  People you thought you were friends with call you fat at the lunch table and then the next day want to be friends again.  Best friends find other friends they want to be "best" friends with.  It is awkward for everyone.  Bodies are changing.  Everyone is figuring out who they are and who they want to be, and yes sometimes that changes freq...