Far Above Rubies

I am often asked about my parenting style, especially since joining the foster care family this part year.  There is this outside perception that I never lose my temper or have a bad day.   Confession: I do lose my temper and I most certainly have bad days.  However, being a mom is the most important job I've ever had.  In my hands rests the next generation.  They are the future, a future that I've been given a responsibility to shape and mold.  I not only want my children to be good citizens, I desire for them to make a positive difference in the lives of those they touch. I run my home similar to the way I ran a classroom back in the days I was still teaching.  We have a schedule that we maintain and everyone has their own set of responsibilities.  There are consequences and discipline measures taken for disobedience and disrespect. Here are some of the things Dave and I have implemented in our home that have helped us to earn respect w...

As I sit here writing this tonight, I feel vulnerable.  And, while I don't typically like to wear my emotions on my sleeve, it is nice to be transparent at times. Aidan's caseworker just left our home from a scheduled visit.  She is beyond happy with how wonderful he is doing.  He is developmentally on point, is extremely happy, and so well loved.  She calls me his mama.  Bella and Abbi she refers to as his sisters.  And Dave is clearly the best (and only) daddy this little boy has ever known.  We have been his stability from the time we got the phone call he needed a home when he was only 10 days old. In foster care there are hundreds of "unknowns" that circle round and round.  Things change from visit to visit and, even more so, from court date to court date.  Some moments it looks likely that he will get to stay...with us...forever.  And others, like today, it seems as if the day of "goodbyes" could be right around the corn...

In November of 2013 Dave and I had the pleasure of taking Isabella, Abigail, Poppie, Mimi and Alisha (my youngest sister) to Disney World.  To say it was "magical" is an understatement.  Disney World is not just for kids, it truly is for everyone.  I was blessed with the opportunity to go twice in high school (one of those trips I got to experience with Becky, my other sister) with our concert chorus.  But, to have now witnessed it through the eyes of my own two littles is simply incredible! The look of love and adoration in Bella and Abbi's eyes when they got to meet their most favorite princesses was so sweet.  They were in their own little piece of heaven. And then, to meet so many other princesses and characters, it left all of us floating through a land of fairy tales and happily ever afters. We stayed on Disney property at The Art of Animation .  They had a family suite large enough to sleep all...

Babe - Today is your 33rd birthday.  I remember when we were first talking, right before we "officially" started dating, and you had just celebrated your 18th birthday.  It's amazing how quickly 15 years goes by... I want to thank you for the incredible person you are.  You lead our family, and do it selflessly.  You love our children unconditionally and, to them, you are a hero.  You are my biggest supporter, while helping to make sure I don't get in over my head.  You are an amazing son and brother, son-in-law and brother-in-law.  Your nieces giggle at you.  Your friends appreciate you.  Your co-workers respect you.  You have an ability to lead complete strangers into worship when you sit behind the drums.  God has used and is using you to touch the lives of so many people! I love how motivated, passionate and driven you are while still kindly dealing with others feelings.  My heart skips a beat when you send me random ...

From the time I found out I was going to be a mom, I began praying fervently for two things... 1.) That my child(ren) would come to know, love and accept Christ at a young age. 2.) That my child(ren) would have a servant heart like Jesus. I grew up in a home where my parents showed my sisters and me what it is like to love God by serving.  They serve together in my childhood home as husband/wife and parents.  They both serve in church ministry.  They serve other people by; opening up their home for counseling, providing meals for families when they are going through an overwhelming life change, speaking words of encouragement during difficult times, supporting their children and grandchildren unconditionally, and the list goes on... We are products of who are parents are.  I had the best role models and now I want my children to see ME serving.  I want to teach them what it means to serve your family inside the home, to volunteer your time and resources a...

I wrote this post in 2015 and thought, at that point, that I had finally found the perfect stroller.  That was... until I discovered the REAL perfect stroller last week!  I. Am. In. LOVE. Here is what our stroller journey has looked like... I have a slight stroller obsession. Since Isabella was born in the summer of 2009 we have officially owned 15 strollers!  It is something that drives my husband crazy, yet he's the reason it's so difficult to find something we love.  At 6 foot tall, pushing strollers is awkward for Dave.  He ends up hunched over or kicking the back with each stride.  It is uncomfortable for him, and he sincerely dislikes the task. Our first stroller was a Graco Travel System, and was a baby shower gift.  It was perfect for our infant and toddler needs with both Bella and Abbi.  However, as the girls got bigger we wanted something that folded more compactly.  When we sold our car seat and bases, the stroller went with...