Next Big Thing

I’ve been tagged by my dear friend Marilyn Bousquin in the Next Big Thing, a blog chain letter of sorts to talk about what’s happening in your writerly life and then to tag five other women writers to hear their stories.  I met Marilyn a few years ago through the Ashland University MFA Program.  She runsContinueContinue reading “Next Big Thing”

On the Eve of My Mother’s Surgery

It’s the first day of 2013, and tomorrow my mom will have one of her kidneys removed.  We’ve been waiting for a surgery date for over three weeks and it’s been four weeks since they discovered masses on her kidney, but the reality of the surgery taking place has seemed far away and unreal.  MyContinueContinue reading “On the Eve of My Mother’s Surgery”

Advent Days 17-21: Run, Run, Rudolph

The last week of advent before Christmas got a little scrambled up, but there were plenty of highlights.  Elvis’s Christmas program was on the 18th.  Lydia finished off an antibiotic for strep on Monday and by Tuesday morning, she had it again, so the rest of the Wells family stayed home while I took EContinueContinue reading “Advent Days 17-21: Run, Run, Rudolph”

Advent – The Third Candle: Joy, Mary’s Candle (Poem)

First“But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.” – Luke 2:19 You wouldn’t stop moving, pushed against my ribs, and I pushed back. We exchanged our first conversation,just my skin between your hand and mine. We spoke our first nursery rhyme, sang our first hymn. I breathe every memory—not of visitors orContinueContinue reading “Advent – The Third Candle: Joy, Mary’s Candle (Poem)”

Advent Day 15 & 16: Gifts

The kids went Christmas shopping for their family members on Saturday, and what fun it was to see what they picked out for each person and the thought they put into gifts they thought each person would like!  I was impressed at their ability to focus on others, especially in the toy aisle, where thereContinueContinue reading “Advent Day 15 & 16: Gifts”

Advent Day 14: Pajama Movie Night, Waiting out the Darkness

Tonight I made a big bowl of kettle corn and two mugs of hot chocolate with two big marshmallows each, started the first fire of the year in the fireplace, and piled onto the couch with my three beautiful, marvelous, remarkable children who know nothing of senseless rage unloaded onto the spirits of their peers, to watchContinueContinue reading “Advent Day 14: Pajama Movie Night, Waiting out the Darkness”

Advent Day 13: A Special Treat

Public Service Announcement: Tonight’s post is written with chocolate and merlot, preceded by a chocolate chip cookie, potentially followed by more chocolate. And more merlot.I’m not sure why tonight beat the snot out of me. Maybe several weeks of whizzing about has finally provoked the over-tired toddler in me to throw a tantrum.  After I pickedContinueContinue reading “Advent Day 13: A Special Treat”

Advent Day 12: Deliver Cookies to Neighbors

When I got home from work today, Brandon was busy with our friend Bill installing an electric outlet and hanging a couple of cabinets in the kitchen, in preparation for an over-the-range microwave Christmas present from my in-laws (yeeeeeee hawwwwww!).  Never did I imagine in my pre-married life that I would be so excited aboutContinueContinue reading “Advent Day 12: Deliver Cookies to Neighbors”

Advent Day Nine: Go to the Festival of Lights

Tonight’s Advent activity was yet another very good reason to have a daughter.  I intended for the whole family to go to the Festival of Lights on campus, but it ended up being just Miss Lydia and me, and it’s a good thing — that program is long!  Since Lydia is six and goes to bedContinueContinue reading “Advent Day Nine: Go to the Festival of Lights”

Advent Day Eight: Make Christmas Cookies

We spent yesterday morning and afternoon catching up on our Advent activities from earlier this week, including coloring Christmas pictures (see “Don’t Color Christmas Pictures”).  We drew some Christmas pictures and made a few Christmas presents in the process.  I’m dying to post pictures of these gifts, but I don’t want to give away theContinueContinue reading “Advent Day Eight: Make Christmas Cookies”