Growing Together
Reflections on family life, motherhood, relationships, and the work of becoming alongside the people we love most.
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Forgiveness and imperfect parenting
As parents, forgiveness sets us free from the demands of perfectionism. We don’t have to get it all right. When we mess up, we apologize, humbly ask for forgiveness, and accept the grace there for us. In fact, our imperfect parenting provides the opportunity to teach our children about…
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Parenting with beginner’s mind
But what happens when we let go of having to change something, letting go of our judgments about good or bad qualities? What happens when we can step back from all the thinking, planning, problem solving, and analyzing, and just be with our children? Beginner’s Mind can help with…
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6 words of encouragement for new mothers
My friend and new mom, I am so excited for you. I also ache with you, and grieve the hard parts of these transitions with you. Here are some words written from my soul to yours...
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How mindfulness can help parents of children with autism
Mindfulness is not just a series of stress-management techniques, but a way of being with our experiences. Parents of children with autism, among us all, may benefit from mindfulness practice
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Waiting With Anticipation
Waiting for a Baby I’m coming into my 3rd trimester next week with our first baby girl, Laura Marie. I praise God for a healthy pregnancy and for carrying me and baby Laura this far. What a joy it’s been to feel her move and grow. Words can’t fully…
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We’re Having a Girl
Friends, I’m so excited to share that come September 2022, Joey and I are having our first baby — a GIRL! I’ve entered into my second trimester (oh, thank GOODNESS, I never knew creating a baby during the first few months was so brutal) and am starting to have…
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The Building Blocks of Hope
Adverse Childhood Experiences The presence of adversity, especially early on, can significantly affect the human brain and development. Since the late 1990s, we’ve learned about ACEs, or adverse childhood experiences, and the traces they leave behind. ACEs may be defined as potentially traumatic events that occur between the ages of 0-17,…
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Breaking the Chains of Generational Trauma
Generational Trauma We know now that newborns don’t enter into the world with a clean slate. Their emotional history begins even before they are conceived. For example, all the eggs a woman will carry form in her ovaries while she is a fetus in her mother’s womb. In other words, when your mother…
