MOTY's Unite

There has been an impression on my heart for years (probably over a decade) to write a book about our experience in blending our little family.  I actually wrote a book when I was in the thick of it.  But  as I read through it, it was more a platform for me to express my woes than a place of vulnerability and transparency that could potentially help others.  So I tabled it.  For over 5 years. Just recently I have started working on it again.  From scratch.  Started over.  Its more of a memoir styled book which explains to you how I got the the place of being a full-time stepmom, what it felt like to live with that title for over six years, and where it led our family, now six years later, with all of our flaws. As I've written before, my dad passed in December of 2014.  That sadness.  That depth of grief...changed me.  We also built a home and moved cross country that following year.  To say the very least, we've had our pl...

My kids woke up last week and asked how many days till Christmas.  I love the sweet excitement and Christmas spirit that beams in their eyes.  That sparkle...that shine...why don't we have that all year long? There are countless stories in the Bible that talk about how bright and full of light the people from heaven are when they come down to talk to people on earth.  Like when Moses sees God and Moses' face shines so bright when he comes back to the village that people couldn't even look at him.  The kingdom of heaven shown bright on his face.  Like glowing liquid gold poured on his skin.  A reflection of the Mighty God. When you're pregnant, people often say that you have the pregnancy 'glow' about you.  Something about carrying a child, not quite released from heaven...not officially 'here' till their birth, bring a glow about you. When you see someone who lives in close communication with God, what do you notice first...their eyes.  How ...

Lately we've been under construction.  On our brand new home.  Six weeks, and counting, if your'e curious. Long story short, we had a bad 'batch' of windows installed that caused countless problems over the winter till this spring they started leaking when the rain arrived.  Puddles.  On our brand new, 4 month old, window sills.  Needless to say, things did not go well when we spoke to the window company. They've redeemed themselves.  They gave us an upgrade from vinyl to fiberglass windows, and their insurance is paying for the work, re-stucco, siding trim work, dry wall fixes, painters (inside and out), window cleaning, etc. I knew it would take longer than the 2 weeks they originally quoted us.  But we are sitting at 6 weeks...and although the end is in sight, its still a good week or two away. My kids are asking when Halloween is because I cannot decorate.  There are no signs of any holiday visible in this mess.  Not with our chan...