Today is the beginning of advent, the season to prepare for Christmas. I love advent. The word means coming and advent traditions help me focus on Jesus rather than the busyness of gifts and parties. I like to use an … Continue reading →
Today is Thanksgiving and it feels different to me than others have. Our family is smaller, more scattered across the country than ever before. Two nieces have moved to Philadelphia. My daughter, her husband, and seven children now live in … Continue reading →
(This post first appeared on Parenting With a Smile on 3/14/14. I thought it might be appropriate for this Thanksgiving season, even though my circumstances have changed.) In January, my elderly father-in-law had several mini strokes and came to live … Continue reading →
Is it possible to have a stress-free Christmas season? For some – okay, for me! – the Christmas season begins earlier than for others. Confession time: I’ve been playing Christmas carols for a few weeks now. I just can’t get … Continue reading →
How do we find great books for Christian kids? If you are reading this, you may be thinking just that. After all, Christmas is coming. We want the children on our list to get books that affirm and challenge them … Continue reading →
Halloween has become a somewhat controversial holiday. As a matter of fact, some readers are probably bristling right now because I just called it a holiday. I have mixed emotions about it. I know Halloween’s background is dark. But I … Continue reading →