I love how children adore facts. My son informed me this spring that the world’s largest aquariums were in Okinawan, Japan and Atlanta, Georgia. Japan is not even on my radar let alone my bucket list, but Atlanta, Georgia now that is a place I love! Elijah loves sharks, “great whites” in particular. Unfortunately great…
busy mom
Vacationing with Family: A Blast or A Drag
My husband and I worked at a smallish dude ranch in Northern Colorado for many years. Several times during our tenure, a family reunion booked the whole ranch for the entire week. Maybe Grandma and Grandpa were treating the family to a vacation or the whole family pulled together and decide instead of a cruise,…
5 Hacks for Leaving the House On Time (with or without kids)
I call it the SWAMP! I feel totally sucked in by all the things to do and left undone when I leave the house. Physically, it is like walking through water with weights on. I am pushing with my arms, my legs and my mind to just get out the door. Don’t ask me anything…
What Two Days With A U-Haul Taught Me about God
A blown engine in Amarillo on a family road trip left the boys and I stranded for a few days. Triple A showed up quickly, assuring me a quick fix. The mechanic thought different. J. C. of Gene Messer Ford brainstormed solutions, called friends in the business trying to get us a rental truck, and finally…
Most Remote Monastery In Americas
My pilgrimages to the distant desert location started in the late 90’s. A friend spoke mystically about a remote monastery called Christ in the Desert in New Mexico. In college a world religion professor invited all his students to experience one night in a monastery in Southwest Missouri. I have forgotten the name of the…
Procrastination- The Queen of Self Sabotage
Dog Pee! All I can smell is dog pee! I am standing in the middle of my other wise clean house sniffing. Dog pee is not really the issue, After challenging myself to a 2 hour house cleaning fest that turned into 6 hours. I am trying to rationalize my own self-sabotage. I took an…
Honey, I called a Tow Truck-Family Travel
Family Travel has its trying moments. With a heat index of over 100 degrees Amarillo Texas is no place to get stuck without AC. The boys an I decided to just tough it out until we got to my folks house in Tyler, Texas. The poor old truck had other ideas. A Warning Sign I…
Cooling off With Zapata Falls A Family Friendly Hike
Go through a cave to climb into a waterfall for the price of only a ¼ mile hike? Count me in! I was a little suspicious when the guide suggested that we do the Zapata Falls hike during the heat of the day. Even in the Colorado 90 degrees is hot! The entrance to Zapata…
Two Month Travel Adventure: Travel with the Kids
The Joyous Family is off on a two month travel adventure. Looking at Elijah (9) and Wesley (11), I just could not wait any longer. My sweet boys were becoming young men and their personal schedules were trumping family scheduling. Previously, I thought 11 &13 would be ideal ages for a long road trip in…
Daily Prayer Time Hacks for Busy Moms
I awoke to no heat. Dealing with the immediate issues stopped me from my daily prayer time. It was 30 below that frosty morning in Northern Colorado. Huummmph! Calls to the landlord, checking and rechecking the furnace and the thermostat gratefully produced heat an hour later. The much needed time alone with Jesus just evaporated…