School began again today. Getting up before dawn this morning was torture. I was sure some kid had punk'ed this ole mom by dispensing a tiny drop of super-glue under each of my eyelids as I slept. Seriously, opening them was painful! That said, I must confess that we pushed our vacation fun to the eleventh hour (not literally, of course.)

It's New Year's Day and the old is past.  The new sparkling year dances before us and we are filled with HOPE that 2012 will heap upon us the blessings of joy and health and happiness.  

As I took a walk with Asher today around our neighborhood I saw a man up on the hill above our home taking down his Christmas lights.  He had crafted an enormous cross on the side of the hill with ...

Every Christmas there seems to be one specific Carol that speaks directly to my heart.  And not just a song, but a specific lyric.   Last year it was the line to the song "O Come All Ye Faithful," that goes, "O come let us Adore Him, Christ the Lord."  And this year it was the lyrical plea, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel."

We just wrapped up our third Christmas Concert of the Holiday season... only two more to go.   During tonight’s performance I noticed two sisters preparing to go on stage. One was in the wing, stage right, the other stage left. One was joyfully standing by smiling, the other's face held tension and anxiety.  Now I don’t know these girls well, but I have come to expect a consistent joyful disposition from the first sister, and a more stand-offish a...

I sat in the front pew waiting for my turn to rehearse with the choir and orchestra, replaying over and over again in my mind the tearful pleas of my six year old to stay at home instead of go to church.  "Can't another Mommy tell the people about Jesus tonight?" he wanted to know.

I don't leave the boys often, but when I do give them an early blessing and leave them with their Daddy or a fr...

I've heard it said that during this season of life with many young ones at home, The days are long, but the years are short.  With only 10 days till my first born's 8th birthday I have to agree.  My days are long and challenging, but this year is racing by at neck-breaking speeds.  

W...

No, I'm not confused about which Holiday is fast approaching; I know by the carols and the lights already strung on our neighbors' houses that Christmas is coming and the goose is getting fat.  But as I awoke this morning with Advent on my mind, for today is the first day of the Blessed season, I thought of Palm Sunday and how similar the two pre-Holidays are.  

On Palm Sunday the people of Jerusalem shouted for joy as Jesus entered their city, heralding Him the lo...