Beyond Just Mom

Vacation began a day early last Friday with a foot of snow at our doorstep.  What a great way to start Christmas!  Visions of sledding, hot cocoa, baking (um. . . maybe), and cozy family time danced in our heads.  Two weeks of happy family harmony. 
Right.
By 8:30 a.m., echoes of yelling, crying, hurt feelings (and possibly bodies) [...]

I’m a sucker for singing men, especially a capella. 
Enjoy this from Straight No Chaser, Indiana University’s men’s a capella troupe:

If you can’t view the video, click on the post title above to go the actual website, and then it should work for you. 
While you’re at it, please check out my site’s new look.  I have some details to [...]

It feels to me like the cookie currency in my town is getting out of hand.
Don’t get me wrong.  I love cookies as much as the next girl.  I like to bake, and I like to eat, and I’m happy to do my fair share.  I believe cookie making is festive and heartwarming for those [...]

Oh, what a difference a split second makes! 
Yesterday, I was cruising through my Christmas errands:  picking up this, dropping off that, baking up this, shipping off that, stopping by here, shopping by there, and transporting people from place to place.  A light snow fell, promising a white morning blanket and lifting my Christmas spirits.  I was [...]

I must admit, I’ve been slow getting into the Christmas spirit.  Maybe because we traveled for Thanksgiving weekend.  Maybe because I’ve been working most weekends lately, while all the “good moms” are cooking and crafting and bonding with their families.  Maybe it’s because I’ve been trying not to get too caught up in all the [...]

This weekend, I’m enjoying the luxury of being a guest in my husband’s childhood home.  It’s not often that I get to sleep in, enjoy great food and wine, and relax with my extended family.   Both G and I are so thankful that both sets of our parents are healthy, happy and fun to [...]

I sure could! 
This article from Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller always gives me a lift.  I’m printing my favorite snippets; please read the complete article here.
____________________________________________
Special Thanks This Thanksgiving
By Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller
Millions of parents will pause this Thanksgiving to do what the day was originally created for — give thanks for the many [...]

We took family portraits this weekend.  We don’t do this on a regular basis like some families do.  It happens sporadically.  One year I thought, “Oh my gosh!  A’s teeth are all falling out!  We need to get a family photo while the kids still have those cute white baby teeth!”  Or, I’ve rummaged through all the snapshots [...]

Only 41 more days until Christmas! 
For those who celebrate Christmas (or any other December holiday), how does that make you feel?  Excited, energized, and full of joy. . . or stressed, panicked, and overwhelmed? 
Before you jump onto that Christmas machine, take a look at this video (it does have a Christian focus, and I [...]

Ah, the holdays are coming. . . and all that that entails, with high expectations, family gatherings, and of course, peace and joy throughout the world.   Right?
Today I came across this article on RealSimple.com that might be useful in the next couple of months, or really any time of year, to keep lines of communication [...]