When I was 15 years old my mother told me I was being a shithead. She always had a knack for telling it like it is. I was in the kitchen, reluctantly chopping cucumbers for a salad after she had repeatedly asked me for help. I don’t remember the specific shithead behavior I had partaken in, but I clearly
Read more177 girls are missing. It eats at me as I’m sure it does you. I read their names, imagine their lives, I close my eyes and pray for their safe return. Then I go back to my daily operations, as we all do, and listen to the radio that drones in the background of my otherwise silent house. I sift
Read moreDear Evan and Lulu, I say this to you a lot. It could be worse. When Robie chews all your stuffed animals I tell you “It could be worse” because I know that I’ve already thrown away 250 mangled dolls, books, bubbles, puzzles, markers, and much more of your belongings that became carnage of Robie’s wrath. It could be
Read moreI used to not partake in any type of writing classes, because I was just a blogger. In fact, I wouldn’t even admit that I was a blogger for many years. I was just archiving things for my children. I was just documenting a trip to Kenya. I was just using my blog to connect with other parents and
Read moreDear Evan and Lulu, I had many jobs before I became a librarian. All of them had value. All of them taught me lifelong lessons. That is why I don’t have many defined aspirations for you when it comes time for you to look for employment. I know you’ll have some jobs you hate, some you love, and some to just
Read moreDear Lulu, I can’t sleep between the beep of your heart monitor and the nurse that comes in every few minutes to check your vitals. So instead I sit here and watch your chest fall, thanking all things holy each time it rises again. Watching you like this reminds me of being with you in the hospital right after you were
Read moreDear Evan and Lulu, This week you both had your tonsils out. The hospital had figured out a system so the two of you never had to be without a parent except for the 20 minutes you were actually in surgery. You checked in together. You put on your gowns together. Your dad walked one into the surgery
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I used to not believe in the so called “mommy wars.” I assumed they were inflated. I thought they were titled in a divisive way to pit women against each other. I considered “mommy wars” to be exaggerated, misunderstood, and sometimes altogether made up. Then I wrote a blog about using technology with my children. I’m a believer. Except it
Read moreWe just returned from our annual Spring Break vacation to the ocean. So you’ll probably want to avoid me for a few days while I decompress after spending 16 hours in a car with children during the last week. I take a vacation every year with my family and yet I am still surprised at the things I learn.
Read moreDear Evan and Lulu, I’ve felt extremely scrutinized this last week. I’m reminded that it is often times easier to keep your mouth shut, and say nothing at all. When I was nine years old I was an expert at saying nothing. I was embarrassed by my stained teeth so I spent most of my time brainstorming ways to never have
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Chop Wood, Carry Water 