It is a very long-standing tradition in our family that at some time during the gathering someone will furrow their brow, rise up with mock angst and horror in their voice, and point to someone else with a quivering hand and say, “YOU RUINED CHRIIIIIIST-MAAAAAAS!” (or Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day, or Easter). (I realize.. Read More
Family Holiday Traditions (for better or worse)
A post-Christmas reflection on the holiday traditions that have come and gone in my family. TRADITION! TRADITION! (The above is a Fiddler on the Roof reference – a classic movie I was introduced to as a child and which through the years has caused my dad to spontaneously burst into song at the.. Read More
Misha’s – The World’s Best Coffee
THE WORLD’S BEST COFFEE Our family, once upon a time, discovered the World’s Best Coffee and it became part of a much appreciated Christmas tradition. This tradition started when my oldest brother was graduating from law school in D.C. and we’d all piled in the car to go up there. At.. Read More
Birthday Visits
My baby turned FOUR! I can hardly believe that on this day in 2012 I was holding such a tiny newborn bit of life in my arms. Wondering how could ever be possible that she would one day be running circles around me, talking a mile a minute,.. Read More
Feeling Like Jeff Daniels In Pleasantville: Stuck & Repetitive (as a Mom)
Flashback to when my entire life seemed to revolve around the micro-world of two-year-old! I stumbled on this blog post while creating a site backup tonight. While scanning over the backup code (such an awkward way to read), I realized my “full set” also included the place where too many posts have died in infancy; the “unpublished”.. Read More
Things To Remember. . .
Good things are worth sharing! A lot of Internet memes and inspirations lately have sounded good but just weren’t true. And I’ve had to be intentional about reading things all the way through before I hit “like.” But something a dear sweet friend shared on her Facebook page last night was very encouraging. .. Read More
How Kind Are You?
We Remember Kindness and we tend to remember when people are unkind too . . . Do you ever just randomly dream about several people at once? I met this new day just realizing (again) that I’ve known a lot of really quality people! We might not live close or.. Read More
Friendships of Love, Grace, & Acceptance
I came across an older article this morning… (through a blog, of a blog, and a comment on a blog…don’t you just love the Internet for its endless rabbit trails?)… It was about two people with opposite values, points of view, and lifestyles not only found common ground but connected through.. Read More
Cabbage Patch Doll Hopes & Dreams, Demonism, Homeschooling & Muffin
I love how having a child can help me to realize some of my childhood dreams (of being a mom), make others fade (the idea of having ten kids AND being a Supreme Court Justice), and then completely dash and crumble others. Today, it was the hopes of having my only surviving childhood doll, a.. Read More
Morning Conversations (With A Child)
“I don’t know; it’s just a peach!” Standing at the kitchen sink, paring knife in hand, I was answering questions the way I swore I never would. Vague, impatient. My toddler clinging to my legs. A plate of sliced peaches in front of the wide-awake four-year-old at the table eliciting an endless amount of wonder… Read More
Happy Anniversary! (To Me & This Blog)
I can’t believe that (this month) it’s been a year since I hit “publish” on my first Reflective Mom blog post! It’s also been four years since my husband and I said, “I do.” Not being a big fan of crazy-mushy over the top social media posts about one’s.. Read More
Getting to the Grove Atlanta – Struggles, Changing Seasons & the Promise of Spring
Tonight, I stepped a little outside of my newfound “stay-at-home mommy comfort zone” and went to The Grove in Atlanta. This is a truly beautiful monthly gathering put on by the women’s ministry of Passion City Church. When you walk in to The Grove off of 400’s Syndey Marcus exit.. Read More