The Monday morning after the movers left our apartment, I walked through its empty space, being my sentimental self, petting counter tops, opening and closing closet doors. The boys were in August’s empty room keeping themselves entertained. Chris was running a last minute errand. And I thought I’d say goodbye. It had been a wonderful home. In my empty kitchen, I caught sight of a piece of torn out Moleskin paper scotch taped to the wall above my kitchen sink.... Read more
One of the reasons I love summer is that I love the idea that every kid should have a magical childhood summertime place, where he or she is free to roam, explore, make up intricate stories with friends, play from morning to night with no reason to stop except to eat and go the bathroom. I don’t think a kid needs much to have those kinds of memories. Some of my sweetest occurred on long weekend camping trips (in actual... Read more
Dear people who don’t mind hearing about the details of my life (why do you read this blog? I can’t figure it out.): You have heard me complain for too long about how I missed summer. Well, I’m here to say, my complaining is done. I’m in summer. And it’s hot and full of sunshine and pools and oceans and mosquitoes and fireflies and little boys who stay outside all morning/afternoon and who always need a bath at the end... Read more
While I’m on vacation, I thought it might be fun to ask this question again. I’d love to know the answer you have, especially you newbies we’re still getting to know. This was first published on September 2, 2010… Tuesday, Helen Lee at Gifted for Leadership asked her readers (mostly women in positions of leadership in the Church) which books have most shaped their lives. Her question was in response to a similar one asked of the Twitter followers... Read more
In honor of this little vacation I’m on with some of my favorites, this post from January 6, 2011 seems appropriate. I just rode home in the back seat of a Volkswagen with two seventeen year old girls manning the front seats, singing at the top of their lungs to Taylor Swift. There are few things I love more in the world that singing to cheesy pop songs in the car with teenage girls. Ahhhhh. Being home in Philadelphia... Read more
This week, while I’m on vacation, I’ll be re-posting some thoughts from back in the day (also known as last year). This was first published on July 8, 2010… Today, while zooming through a profile piece on an artist and mother in the New York Times, I came across a new parental catch phrase that seems to ring true with my husband’s notion of “idle parenting,” as he defined it in Wednesday’s post. That notion was artist Karen Kimmel’s... Read more
This week, while I’m on vacation, I’ll be re-posting some posts from back in the day (also known as last year). This Thankful Tuesday post was first published on April 13, 2010… It’s Thankful Tuesday. Last night I left my child in the care of a new friend and joined my husband in a home full of acquaintances, drawn by our common love for teenagers. We were there to hear from an older couple who are legends in the... Read more
There are some weeks (like this one) where I don’t post much because I’m utterly exhausted and I’d rather go to sleep at 10 every night. And I figure you’ll forgive me. Then there are some weeks when posting should be against Mama:Monk’s rules. Next week will be one of those weeks. You see, not only did we just move and I’m recovering from a two-week tearfest, but my little family is going on a real-live vacation with two other... Read more
Dear younger self, I have some things to tell you, not because I’ve really learned that much in the past 8 years, not because I’m sooooo wise now, but because some friends asked me to. And I love them so, okay okay, I’ll do it. Remember when your cat Gretel died in 3rd grade and you told mom that you wish you had never had a cat so that you didn’t have to be so sad? Mom said: “Then you... Read more
Yes, it’s Wednesday. Thankful Tuesday is a day late, I know. But, come on, I’ve been moving! Have some grace on a girl. Here is a list of all that’s been happening since you heard from me last, in the form of a Thankful Tuesday list. One day I was vacuuming the house for a 3-year-old Lightning McQueen birthday party and the next, I was standing in an empty living room. That’s weird. I’m thankful that I didn’t have to... Read more
Micha Boyett
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