My word for the year is brave. I once had someone say to me that I was a brave person when it came to the big things – as in, I would pack up my life and move to South America for a year when I was 22 (which I did). But, I was overly … Continue reading Brave in the small things
Author: Hannah Jessen Conway
When Christmas isn’t what you pictured
Our Christmas looks different than planned. Thanks to a string of seemingly never-ending illnesses and now unusually cold temperatures, our holiday plans are looking a little quieter than we thought they would. At first, I felt frustrated by this. It’s my favorite time of year, and I love gathering with friends and family, going out … Continue reading When Christmas isn’t what you pictured
When the waiting feels lonely
I like to think of Advent as a beautiful season of anticipation, joy and expectation. And while it is those things, it can also be quite lonely. We might be waiting for things that others don’t understand or that they themselves haven’t had to wait for. I think about people who want to have a … Continue reading When the waiting feels lonely
When you don’t feel ready for Advent
The holiday season snuck up on me this year. And I don’t think I’m alone in that. I’ve heard from countless people how they forgot Thanksgiving was this week, how they can’t believe it’s almost December. Probably doesn’t help that (at least in North Carolina) we’re having seasonal whiplash, going from 80 degrees to below … Continue reading When you don’t feel ready for Advent
When “making the most” becomes unhealthy
“It goes so fast.” I can’t count the number of times someone has said this to me - or that I’ve said it to myself. And while it’s just one of those things people say to you when you’re a new parent, I’ve noticed it triggers something inside of me each time. Fear. Fear that … Continue reading When “making the most” becomes unhealthy
Seasons, part 2: the good and the hard
Living in the present isn’t easy. In part 1 of my two-part blog series on seasons, I talked about how nostalgia for the past and dreams of the future can become idols if we use them to escape our present. Another way we’re tempted to avoid the present is by writing off seasons as either … Continue reading Seasons, part 2: the good and the hard
Seasons, part 1: Protect the present
“This is such a unique season.” The number of times I’ve said this since having a baby is nauseating. And while it’s true, just acknowledging the “uniqueness” of any given season doesn’t stop me from missing previous ones or imagining future ones. While we were at the beach, I found myself missing how easy it … Continue reading Seasons, part 1: Protect the present
The freedom to change.
You’re allowed to change. As I sat on the beach this week with my son, the same beach I grew up on, it hit me how much I’ve changed over the years. And yet, I’m still so resistant to change. Namely, changes I see in myself. Whether it’s my priorities, my goals, my schedule, even … Continue reading The freedom to change.
Don’t believe everything you think.
We’ve all been cautioned at one point or another to not believe everything we hear. Whether it’s something someone else tells us, something we see on TV or something we read on social media, we recognize the importance of determining for ourselves what is true and not blindly believing every piece of unverified information that … Continue reading Don’t believe everything you think.
For our good and our growth
My son hates tummy time. And even though we only make him do it for ten minutes a day, he pretty much screams the whole time. While it kills me to hear him cry, I know how critical tummy time is for his development and for strengthening his little muscles. I know it will serve … Continue reading For our good and our growth
HJC 