Category: The Valley
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Molded by Motherhood
It’s the longest and shortest years of your life, they say. Somehow marked by mundane repetition of rhythms and routines and yet, strangely, awakened to new magic every morning. The beautiful, messy chaos of life with littles. And I’m only a few months in. It might be fun, someday, to…
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We Got to Church Early
Despite a 10:30 start time, being early to church isn’t as easy as you may think. There’s of course the end-of-week sleepies that make your bed seem comfier than ever before. Plus the social burnout — going early means talking to people, and I’ve been talking to people all week.…
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A Scary World, A Saving God
The sun is casting its crisp autumn glow across the world outside my window. My pajamas are on, despite it being not quite 8 PM, and I’m cozy against a multi-pillow mountain while a pumpkin pecan candle wafts its fallish fragrance through the house. SIKE! How could I ever relax…
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Loving Lately
It’s quite possible that last week’s post came across a bit…dismal. I basically ended with the promise to think about sad things more. And while I do want to grow in acknowledging hardship and running to the Lord in prayer, that doesn’t mean there’s not room to celebrate the good.…
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Writing Again
An email popped up from this trendy little long-abandoned blogsite. Subject line: Writing Prompt. Message Text: What are your top ten favorite movies? I sighed. That’s not really a writing prompt. I’m also not really a movie person. My fatal flaw is that I don’t like to watch anything I…
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2025 Edition: Joe Stepped In
[Disclaimer: This post is an up-to-date revision of last year’s anniversary reflection, Joe Stepped In: A Tribute to my Husband. I recommend reading this one:)] The anniversary post I typed on this day in 2023 was marked by left-to-right leaning back and forth, a desperate attempt to stay positioned in…
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I’ll Still Go Buy Daisies
I’m up before dawn on a Sunday in May — one week away from the now-dreaded day when many in our midst will don floral dresses and pick up a bouquet on their way to Sunday brunch. I was among those scrambling children once. “Sorry it’s not much,” we’d all…
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This Changes Everything
The mechanized whir of a coffee bean grinder roared through the Starbucks lounge as my friend leaned in, eyes watery and full of compassion. Her hands encircled a steaming espresso, her voice barely above a whisper: “How are you handling this so well?” I glanced down at my phone lying…
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Friendship in your late twenties
Welcome to friendship in your late twenties — the roaring, soaring, tears-pouring twenties. It seems the easy days of community we created in college are behind us. Walking with each other through hard tests and breakups prepared us for life a little, but nothing compared to what we’re learning right…
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A Letter to Mom: I’m a mom now, too
Mom, I wanted to write to tell you that I’m a mom now, too. And I never thought I would have to walk this journey without you, but it’s happening — it’s here. He’s here. And he’s beautiful, Mom. Ocean-blue eyes with a dimple you could sink in. I’m convinced…
House on the Rock 