A friend of mine whose husband is in the Air Force tells me all the time, “If it weren’t for that whole ‘Fullness of Truth’ thing, I’d probably be a Methodist by now. The Catholic churches in every place we are stationed are just so unfriendly and unwelcoming.” I used to think that she was simply unfortunate in the towns where they’d been sent.(Towns in Oklahoma, Utah, Colorado, Virginia, and Rhode Island.)  I’d never seen a parish as unfriendly as... Read more

The alarm went off this morning at 6:30 and I watched my beloved get out of bed for his early morning walk.  I was so grateful for a few more minutes of warm snuggling under the covers. The sunlight began to stream through our bedroom window and I reminisced about a morning 15 years ago when I awoke to gray skies and drizzle and burrowed into the pillow, smiling in anticipation of that long walk up the aisle awaiting me... Read more

“So, do you have names picked out yet?” I must get asked that question a couple times a week, most recently by the two pregnant ladies at the pool who had just said they were looking for ideas and that my children all have such interesting names.  I see what you’re doing there….but no, we have nothing definite planned. The Computer Guy and I tend to lean toward more off-beat names and then settle on something a bit closer to... Read more

One of the elderly ladies at church rubbed my belly today.  I know it’s pretty much just sticking out there….kind of a lot for just shy of 15 weeks.  No, there aren’t two in there, as I’ve been asked several times in the past few days.  Yes, I’m sure. It’s the belly rub that bothers me the most.  First, because I don’t know the woman….as in never seen her before in my entire life.  So, her laying hands on me... Read more

This afternoon, as I was reading the Little Red Caboose to #5, I felt the familiar squiggling feeling against the inside of my left hip bone.  #7 was moving around and making him/herself felt for the first time. I love the early day wigglings.  They are a secret moment shared between me and the baby, too small for anyone else to notice, they are mine alone to enjoy. In a few weeks, #7 will be big enough to be enjoyed... Read more

Renters are moving into our Oklahoma City house tomorrow afternoon.  I’m desperately trying to be okay with this.  It would be different if we had sold the house because it wouldn’t be ours, but it still is…there are just strangers who are going to be living in it.  It doesn’t help that they’ve already asked for permission to repaint my kitchen because “That color is atrocious.” I like to be in control.  I like knowing what is happening and when,... Read more

I was in Ikea two days ago buying shelves when I overheard a conversation between two well dressed 20-somethings.  (I admit to following them for a few minutes to catch the end of this exchange.) Him: You know my mom hasn’t worked in like 6 years?Her: Really?  What is she doing instead?Him: Nothing.  She just stays home and sponges off my dad.Her: She doesn’t do anything at all?Him: Oh…she like cooks and cleans stuff and spends all his money.Her: And... Read more

I couldn’t fall asleep last night.  My sweet Computer Guy had returned to Oklahoma to oversee the last of his office’s move.  That meant I spent the night alone in the house with the 6 children. I laid in bed last night, unable to relax, listening to all the sounds of the new house and asking with each one “house, child, or something else?” I thought about how soundly and easily I sleep when my husband is here and how... Read more

In times past, people would leave their old lives and leave notes which simply read “G.T.T.” and their loved ones knew…they’d Gone To Texas.  Well, so have we. We were chased out of town last Tuesday by the awful tornadoes which decimated so many.  They were a blessing to me.  Just as I was beginning to get weepy over leaving home, my friend Peace called to say “It’s headed right for you.  Get to cover or get out.  You have... Read more

You can convince yourself that you’ve become a pretty decent housekeeper right up until the moment when they move your fridge. Read more