#6 is 16 months old, and until last week his entire vocabulary consisted of one word, “mama.”  When he first piped up and said my name, I was thrilled.  Most kids say their dad’s name first.  That’s okay because it’s easier to say, but I was delighted that this child asked for me by name. Until I realized that everything was “mama”…the dog, his father, the TV… For 7 months this has been his only word.  I was beginning to... Read more

Yesterday afternoon, I went to get my eyebrows threaded.  The woman who does them said to me, “You have a very nice arch.  It’s sexy…like a villain.” Read more

I spent this morning de-personalizing our house.  It goes on the market in a couple of weeks, and the things which make it our house are the things which will slow down a sale.  The Crucifixes in every room have been reduced to the one over the front door.  The wedding photos and baby pictures have been wrapped and put into boxes.  It’s no longer looks like our house, but like anyone’s house. The younger children have been following me... Read more

My 6 year old is a complete skeptic.  She looks at the world with a surprising amount of cynicism for someone so small .  I took her to the mall on Saturday and we walked past Santa on his big chair talking to all of the little children.  She raised a quizzical eyebrow and looked at me. “I don’t think that’s really him,” she told me.  “I think that’s just a nice old man in a suit.  It’s pretty cool... Read more

I spent a good part of this evening addressing Christmas cards to send to family and friends.  I would send one to you, but I don’t have your address.  I kind of felt bad about that, and was going to ask for it…..but I have 95 followers and only 6 more cards. This will have to do.  It’s my video Christmas card from me to you! //www.youtube.com/get_player Merry Chrimasis Everybody! Read more

I moved to Oklahoma when I was 19 years old.  I had never been here before, but my boyfriend (who later became a Computer Guy) assured me that it was a beautiful place and I would love it.   He was right.  I quickly fell in love, but not with the state.  I fell in love with his family. His relatives were a fairy-tale come true for a girl whose own family was far from ideal.  They were close knit, kind,... Read more

We have an Oma who has introduced my children to the tradition of St Nicholas’s Day.  Every year on December 5th they carefully write their letters and tuck them into their shoes.  Then they cross their fingers and hope.  They know that this is the last warning bad children get before Christmas.  St Nick takes their letters and good children get chocolate….bad children get rocks. I look forward to reading these letters every year.  (I have 9 years’ worth of... Read more

I needed this.  Not feeling the Christmas spirit?  You need the Christmas Can-Can as I do. Read more

I am struggling to get into the mood of Christmas this year.  The joyous anticipation of the past is not anywhere I can find it.  Instead of giddily dragging boxes of decorations from my garage, I keep looking at the boxes on their shelves and feeling indifference.  Our usual Advent activities just seem burdensome. The fight with the school for #3 may be over for now, but it has worn me out and stolen my enthusiasm.  Add medical issues for... Read more

A friend of mine (mom of 7) and I (mom of 6) were talking this morning about babies and pregnancies and those emotional phone call we have made to each other as we waited for pregnancy test results and the mixed emotions either way. As moms of big families, we feel a pressure from our social circle to always be thrilled with each pregnancy test the moment that it is positive.  We’re pro-life and somehow that should translate into pro-baby-right-now,... Read more