It’s so many minutes after midnight. We are in Virginia but we were trying to be in Texas. Three children are finally asleep after a myriad of on-the-stairs comments. “I’m still hungry.” “My throat hurts.” “Can you put deodorant on my feet?” (This question did get a response and a laugh. Turns out “deodorant” meant some essential oils on his cute size 13 soles.) Two children – blonde and long – are sharing the sofa with me. One because she read a Weird Virginia travel guide earlier today that has her brain spinning with tales of “sightings” and she can’t sleep or bear to be alone. One because we are…

It’s hard to write currently. Hard to make time.  Hard to think straight.  Hard to focus. And I find that sometimes what I’ve already written a long time ago is actually what I am still thinking now. Or what I should be thinking. I wrote this post six years ago. That’s kind of crazy.  Six years ago.  Otto a newborn, spitting up all over the world.  Riley in high school, spitting up all over the world in her own fashion.  Me doing the same as well.  Four other tiny kids trying to figure out their little ways in the world, dressing up in costumes and wading in streams and letting…

These words, shouted from upstairs, “Otto just threw up in the hall. On a pirate ship.” The endless laundry Breakfast happens so early every morning Math homework Settling matters such as, “But can you force London to let me be her pretend kitty?” Tiny Lego pieces in the kitchen, floating in the sink, under the bed, wherever my foot finds to step “Is this enough food to get dessert?” “I’m hungry.” “What’s for dinner/breakfast/lunch/snack?” —————– And these are the easy problems. So, no matter what type of parent you are, maybe a guardian, step parent, or even someone that’s questioning “what is foster care?”, because you want to be a…

I feel sick to my stomach for a large portion of every day. Hello 2015. I had plans for you. They did not look like this. Now even my children ask, “Remember the good old days?” Yeah guys. I kind of do.

This week I give thanks for ….. caring texts a bouquet of flowers delivered to my door heat lamps for our cold chickens and rabbit, provided for by kind friends helpful friends to install heat lamps cheesy rice and broccoli for dinner prepared by more great friends sleepovers extra heaters for these wicked cold nights a friend who answers my call and lets me rant until I’m spent nerf footballs arriving in our mailbox (who knew you could mail a football?) generosity a purely pleasurable shopping trip where I felt spoiled and loved and even kind of cute transportation providers for my children caring and thoughtful friends to watch my…