Category Archives: Life Lessons

When I Grow Up to be a Daddy

“I got you flowers, Mommy!” He spun in three circles and then did a forward roll off the couch. Some people express their excitement in mere words. Others need their whole bodies plus a three-foot radius. My son falls into the latter category. “Look at the flowers! I got them for you! Me and DaddyContinueContinue reading “When I Grow Up to be a Daddy”

Shot-Sized Gratitude

“I like how you got me a shot-sized cup. Thanks for that.” I said the words with a smile, but I’m sure the snideness of my comment hadn’t gone unnoticed. “Well,” said my husband in his characteristic and sometimes annoyingly sweet innocence, “you asked for a kid’s meal, so that’s what I ordered and…that’s whatContinueContinue reading “Shot-Sized Gratitude”

An Open Letter to Middle School Me

  Hey Middle School Mary, It’s me — Twenty-Something Mary. I hope you can tear your eyes away from instant messenger long enough to give my letter a read. I have some pretty heavy insight and wisdom to give to you, so go ahead — put up your away message (the one with the I’m-more-mysterious-and-deep-than-even-I-can-understand songContinueContinue reading “An Open Letter to Middle School Me”

Love and Poop (and when both are overflowing)

The green neon numbers of the oven clock boasted 3:30 am. At least, I think they did. I hadn’t yet managed to successfully blink away all bleariness from my sleep-deprived eyes, so it’s possible I wasn’t seeing quite accurately. I guess I didn’t really care what time the kitchen clock told me it was –ContinueContinue reading “Love and Poop (and when both are overflowing)”

3 Messes No One Shares on Social Media

Social media is a tool which claims to be a representation of who you are — your likes, dislikes, what you did last week, what you ate this morning, who you went out with last night — but in reality, it displays the person that you want others to think you are. The difference is subtle but important.ContinueContinue reading “3 Messes No One Shares on Social Media”

The Intersection of Independence (Bottle-feeding is Emotional)

Ten weeks of 1-2 night feedings was starting to grate on me. Don’t get me wrong – I’ve been so blessed to have a kid who gets good long stretches of sleep. But waking up constantly at 2 or 3 every morning – well – we all know that two fragmented four hour sessions isContinueContinue reading “The Intersection of Independence (Bottle-feeding is Emotional)”

Memory Loss, Burp Cloths, and Measuring Up: 3 Things Learned in Month 2

In keeping with my goal of writing down some thoughts on what I am learning each new month of mommyhood, here are 3 new things from month number 2 (if you missed my post from month 1, you can check that out here!): 1. Smiles induce memory loss. More specifically, my baby’s smiles. There haveContinueContinue reading “Memory Loss, Burp Cloths, and Measuring Up: 3 Things Learned in Month 2”

Compassion in Crisis: A Pregnancy Story

No matter how prepared you think you are, there is something a little frightening about those two solid little pink lines. Matt and I are so excited about our baby boy, coming in February 2015. I was able to write for the Greensboro Pregnancy Care Center blog on this new development in our lives andContinueContinue reading “Compassion in Crisis: A Pregnancy Story”

Why Social Media has Ruined My Life

So I exaggerated – social media hasn’t ruined my life. And this isn’t a post lamenting the evils of social media. But it’s a thought that popped through my head today as I was attempting to spend a few moments with God. I was sitting on our screened-in porch – something I don’t do enoughContinueContinue reading “Why Social Media has Ruined My Life”