My Story

A Packers Superbowl Spring

It happens every year. Slowly. Cautiously. A little show of green. A little gold….but then around December things become less cautious, more hopeful. Grandmas begin wearing their starter jackets proudly in the grocery store. Whispers of playoffs become more bold. We wait for each game with bated breath….will they win? How long can we hang […]

Posted in My Story | Tagged Family, Football, Green Bay Packers, Superbowl, Traditions, Winter, Wisconsin | 9 Responses

Chasing Garbage Trucks (a Marathon Story)

My finishing time was 8 hours, 25 minutes, but my experience was more: memories to last a lifetime, a new friend and a journey across the city of Chicago which seemed somehow to embrace the meaning of my name, victory for the people.

Posted in My Story | Tagged Chicago, Church, community, Family, Friends, Marathon, Rockstar, Running, Slow Runners | 15 Responses

Looking for Naomi

The children where dismissed From grown-up church She is always one of the first to go. Today she was not with them. Minutes pass. Panic ensues Where is she? Did you check the bathrooms? Where is her dad? Over the speakers: “We are looking for Naomi, is she here?” She emerges coming out of her […]

Posted in My Story | Tagged family life, lost child, panic, sunday school | 3 Responses

Guest Post at Life Nurturing Education

I met Renae during a homeschool chat with Twitter. Upon reading her blog I felt like I had found a new friend. Her site is welcoming, and warm. Encouragement from Renae is truly that. For the past week she has been hosting guest bloggers from around the homeschool community. I have a post there today. […]

Posted in My Story | 6 Responses

Won’t you be my neighbor?

I love being a “neighbor,” that unique sort of friendship that is defined by where I live. Neighbors are not always the people that one would seek or choose as friends, but with work, we can build community with these who share our daily life. When I was in kindergarten my family moved into a […]

Posted in My Story | Tagged Bridgeport, Chicago, community, Family, Lincoln Square, Madison Wisconsin, Mister Rogers, neighbors | 1 Response

Snail Mail

Today I got the most lovely note from my mom. I walked to the mail box and I found the regulars, circulars, bills…and then I saw it. Something hand written and addressed to me. I savored the words over a cup of coffee. Just a short note and yet I felt like a queen. I […]

Posted in My Story | Tagged cell phones, postage stamps, simplicity, snail mail, stationery, technology | 2 Responses

World Series Caramel Corn

World Series Caramel Corn used to be called oven caramel pop corn. But that name just does not do justice to this special treat that we make especially during the World Series of Baseball. This is a recipe that came from my great-grandma. She used to make it at Christmas time and put it in […]

Posted in My Story | Tagged Baseball, caramel corn, grandma, Traditions, World Series | 4 Responses

Solving the world’s problems

Yesterday our family spent a lovely afternoon celebrating a baby dedication. It was the perfect afternoon. The older children watched a movie, the little ones napped. Then the older ones took the younger ones to the park. The “elders”, a mixed group of adults ranging in age from 40-70, with political views both liberal and […]

Posted in My Story | Tagged Children, community, Family, Marriage, Politics | 4 Responses

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

What is it about watching a ball game that seems to bring so many emotions to the surface? So much love, passion, disappointment, hopefulness. There is something electric about the ball and the bat making contact. CRACK! (…or PING! as the case may be). Something nostalgic about all of that bubble gum and sunflower seeds. […]

Posted in My Story | Tagged Baseball, Chicago White Sox, Comisky Park, Family, Madison Mallards, Mom Life, Rite of Passage, Traditions, World Series | 4 Responses

Future in the Mirror

Thursday morning as I looked into the rear view mirror, I caught a glimpse of the future–not what I have passed on the road but what I will be looking forward to. I was filled with a bit of ache in my heart. Alex and Joseph sat in the back seat white shirts, black ties…all […]

Posted in My Story | Tagged Boyhood, Dear Husband, Family, Mom Life, Rite of Passage | 8 Responses