Motherhood feels like I’m running on empty every day; yet, I can’t remember a time my heart has felt fuller. Is parenthood about living in this tension of giving everything you have while simultaneously feeling like you’ve been given everything? The tantrums, the tears, the teething, when do you catch your breath? And yet, there’s … More Nothing and everything: that’s motherhood.

How come there’s no way to prepare anyone for the changes ahead until they experience it for themselves? I’ve found this with many life experiences – marriage, moving, pregnancy, postpartum. I suppose some of this results in that everyone is different, so our experiences won’t necessarily be similar. For me, I had no doubt becoming … More Preparing to be unprepared.

If I’ve learned one thing this pregnancy, it’s that I need help. It’s true. I literally need more help. Tasks that used to be molehills have grown into mountains. I can’t lift certain objects anymore due to their weight. My stamina for all yardwork and housework has decreased significantly. My feet are quickly disappearing beneath … More When Dependency Becomes a Doorway.

Underserving. Uncertain. Inadequate. When Jim and I found out we were expecting, a flood of thoughts and emotions surged through my mind and body. Excitement and eagerness met with anxiety and hesitation. Hopefulness and gratefulness met with fearfulness and self-doubt. There was a tinge of guilt for feeling both overwhelmingly grateful and undeniably afraid. The … More Changing The Narrative.

Does anyone feel like, no matter how much they schedule, plan, and execute, they cannot accomplish everything they hope to in a single day? Even if I check off everything on my to-do list, I often look back on the day reflecting on who I should’ve listened to a while longer, who I could’ve reached … More Befriending Finitude.

A sharply dressed man carrying his briefcase walked hastily toward his gate, armed with a Starbucks coffee cup and an iPhone glued to his ear. An elderly woman sitting nearby a window, watching as a mother soothes her restless, little one. A boy sitting nearby a wall, his cellphone plugged into the outlet, impatiently reassuring … More The What If’s.

I’m uncertain why, but I’ve always enjoyed getting a head start on anything and everything. An upcoming project, a workout, a new book, whatever it may be, I like knowing I’ve started something a decent amount of time before it’s “due,” even if I’m the one setting the “due date.” If only I had the … More The simple joys of a coffee maker.

It’s hard to believe it’s been 2 years since we packed up our belongings in Atlanta, drove to Chattanooga for Jim’s graduation from Covenant College and Georgia Tech, and headed down I-59 to Southern Mississippi.  We’ve been continually amazed at God’s provision for our family here – both in our workplaces, and within our community, … More I Live in Laurel: Year 2