When I was growing up, Santa Claus played an important part in my family’s Christmas tradition. My parents were really big on the magic of the season, and they went to pretty elaborate lengths to make the holiday extra special for my two sisters and me. This included a personal visit from the big man himself. Each year after the early children’s Christmas Eve service at … [Read more...]
Family for Sale
After a very crazy few weeks which have included, but are not limited to, a husband who was injured and bled so much it looked like a crime scene, sick kids, doctor visits, dental issues, broken appliances, various children having meltdowns over homework and lost shoes (which would not be lost if people would only put them in the basket conveniently located at the front door … [Read more...]
It’s Just Another Day
Mothers Day is fast approaching. This means everywhere I look I’m bombarded with ads and commercials that picture a happy mother cuddling her baby or getting sloppy kisses from her toddler. The second Sunday of May is often depicted in loving images, with husbands showering their wives with beautiful and expensive presents and children making breakfast in bed for mommy. The … [Read more...]
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
In just a few short days, a war’s going to break out in my otherwise (somewhat) peaceful household. November 1 starts the annual “War of the Christmas Music.” Each year, it’s me against my husband Joe and the three little darlings that I brought into this world, I should add after a collective 36 hours of labor and three C-sections. This year, I’m taking a proactive … [Read more...]
The Moments That Matter
I’ve been playing around with the notion of how a mom knows whether she’s doing a good job. It’s not like we get a performance review each year with a list of what we accomplished and a raise from the boss. Motherhood isn’t that type of job. Three years ago, I was toying with the same idea and wound up publishing this piece under the title, A Great Gift. It has been edited … [Read more...]