This little book turns Seven Years Old this week. She's basically a first grader, out in the real world, tying her shoes and reading books on her own. I'd like for you to please notice Tucker, working the line and meeting the people. Now, please notice Tyler, working so hard to work the Sharpie. Peter […]
I took my children to school today. It felt gloriously normal, like muscles that have ached to be stretched. It's hard to be isolated in eighth and ninth grade. As a friend of mine said, "Once I started ninth grade, my social life was so busy that I pretty much never really came back home." […]
A Christmas Special: Give my book for Christmas! For $20, I'll send to you a *personalized, signed copy* of the book of your choice, including gift wrap and shipping. Straight to your door, complete with my love and doodles. Available Books: ~ Just You Wait ~ You Can Do This Available […]
A big announcement for you today, you guys! My publisher has chosen to feature my first book for an online promotion, and you can get the eBook version of And Life Comes Back for only $1.99. Please click on over there and check that out. Prices rarely get better than this, and I love that […]
Falling in love is a little bit terrifying. And sometimes a lot bit. Remember that story of the morning when Robb died? Remember how the paramedic came into the kitchen, and he said, “Ma’am, are you his wife?” and I said yes, and he said, “We are going to need to tell you he has […]
I have a photo of the Last Halloween. The boys are five and three years old, and they are dressed as Power Rangers, green and blue. Robb is dressed as a member of the Ohio State Marching Band, and I, having simply snatched my wedding veil off the wall of our bedroom, am dressed as […]
Has it ever happened to you that you’ve realized you’ve been doing all the wrong things? Maybe not all the wrong things, but just too many of not-the-best things? You guys, I've been running ragged. There's a pulse of living a writer's life, and I suppose it's not that different from living any other kind […]
Recently, FaithHappenings featured my writing in their Author Spotlight. Here's my interview with a splash of personality. What do you love to write and what inspired you to start? I love true stories told well, so my favorite genre is creative nonfiction. I tend to lean into real-life moments and do two things with them: dissect big emotions, giant […]
I’m in the studio this week, laying tracks for the audible recording of And Life Comes Back. I’m kind of having a crazy great time with this process. And it’s a wholly separate something, this business of listening to myself tell the story. It’s one thing to see it on the screen, another to see […]
I’m not particularly qualified by profession or education to offer counseling or therapy, wisdom or advice. I don’t have a doctorate or a master’s degree, I’m not a theologian or philosopher, and I can’t talk about the economy or politics or the universe. I will say, though, it is widely known in my small circle […]
"Hey, guys? I have some great big amazing news. Want to hear it?" I taunt them because every great bit of news needs a great introduction. "Yes, Mommy! Yes!" And Life Comes Back is a finalist for a 2015 Christian Book Award! "Are you ready?" "We're ready! Tell us!" I told them that my book, and life comes […]
Since this is the year that my boys and I are taking back our holidays, this is the year when the Christmas cards will make their grand encore. Hello, Christmas cards. Remember me? It's been a long, long time. I have been collecting Christmas words, drawing them from carols, lyrics, greetings, commercials. I love to […]
"Do you have a punch card with us?" "I should get one, shouldn't I?" "You definitely should." And the next thing I knew, he was making confetti from holes in a business card as if he were the train engineer on The Polar Express. "Here's one for Monday, and one for Tuesday, and here's one […]
She stood so close to me with her hand on my arm. Her voice is so gentle and her words so intentional in her songs and now in her conversation. Sara Groves and I had shared a stage at a women's event: she sang and led worship, and I told my stories and shared what I'm […]
So, while this was happening, the paramedics said to Tuck, "Let's see... how many stitches do you think you'll need?" "Probably 150." "It's possible. I think it might be more like five." Another uniformed man said, "I'm thinking eight." They placed their bets, and then they said, "We will be at the firehouse on Tuesday […]
“Can you write this down?” she said to one of the friends standing beside her, nearly holding her up. “There’s no way I’ll remember this. And I just have to remember this.” One of the girlfriends took out her phone and opened to a note taking app. Her thumbs were at the ready, but suddenly […]
It feels weird to post this. But I've recently learned how to take the power away from awkward conversations: acknowledge the awkwardness. You just say, "Hey, so this is awkward." And then, just like that, it no longer is. Seriously. Works like a charm. This same awkwardness I feel right now also happens when I discover […]
I bought an emerald ring. I bought a ring because life has come back, and this milestone must be commemorated with a ring, as all of the major events in my life have been. I went to the store where Robb bought all my jewelry for me. The same women work there who have been […]
Dear Anxiety, Here's the deal about this weekend in Ohio: you are not invited. I am returning to my hometown, the city where Robb and I were engaged, got married, where we shared our first apartment and bought our first home. I will see my aunts, uncles, and cousins, and I can't possibly tell you […]
"I give this book four stars." As in, four out of five. Well, nothing's perfect from beginning to end. Do tell me why four and not five? "She's wasn't angry at God. She just seemed to cling to him and hold so steady in her faith. I wouldn't have been so faithful. Also, I didn't […]
