“It’s definitely a boy!” These are the words the ultrasound technician confidently said as my husband and I looked at each other, eyes wide. I was 19 weeks pregnant with our first child and had been counting down the days until our anatomy scan. Of course, I wanted what all parents want – a healthy baby. … Continue reading Mother’s Day 2023; The Gift of Unmet Expectations
trust
Waiting for spring
In typical North Carolina fashion, we had a warm February that caused many of the trees and flowers in my yard and neighborhood to bloom early. While it was beautiful for a time, we hit a cold spell last week and woke up to sleet and snow on Sunday morning. As we walked through our … Continue reading Waiting for spring
Brave in the small things
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
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
Power. Love. A sound mind.
Yesterday morning, I sat in the rocking chair in my six-week-old Jessen’s room and watched him sleep. School shootings have always wrecked me. But now they do on a different level. I found myself thinking about his first day of kindergarten. How it’s supposed to be such an exciting day, but one that I’m already … Continue reading Power. Love. A sound mind.
At peace ≠ in control.
"At peace ≠ in control." This was all I wrote in my journal the other day. Because as I’ve watched my baby learn to self-soothe, I’ve realized the healthy and unhealthy ways I too tend to self-soothe. In moments of stress or anxiety, my way of coping is to find something to control. They aren’t … Continue reading At peace ≠ in control.
Stop waiting for a worry-free season.
We’re two weeks in to being parents and the worries haven’t stopped. I knew deep down they wouldn’t - that they would just “transfer.” During pregnancy, I was scared of losing the baby. As we got closer to our due date, I was scared of something happening during delivery. And now that he’s here, I’m … Continue reading Stop waiting for a worry-free season.
One day at a time.
“Give us this day our daily bread” is a hard prayer to pray, especially in seasons where the future is uncertain. In Exodus 16, we see the Israelites waking up to find just enough manna covering the morning’s dew to meet their hunger for that day. For 40 years, they had to trust that God … Continue reading One day at a time.
Advent, week 3 // Though it tarry
In a season known for its hustle and bustle, the idea of waiting may feel a bit dissonant. But as we learn from the book of Habakkuk, and from celebrating Advent year after year, our questions aren't always answered in the way – or in the timeframe – we think they should be. In Habakkuk … Continue reading Advent, week 3 // Though it tarry
HJC 