Author * Speaker
Finally, we’re a normal family. I’m working on a guest post about our adoption for another site, trying to condense three years of intensity and insanity into a few concise, feel-good paragraphs. Holy crap, it can’t be done. I can’t make the process look pretty. But I can point to the results and say, Hey! […]
Read MoreI told you about the Women’s Retreat. And the CFCS Gala. But I also want to share a big family win that happened in the midst of it all. Last Friday was the first night I’ve spent away from home & the kids since they moved in with us almost two years ago. We hugged […]
Read MoreIn Third Grade, I had a very special outfit, probably my favorite thing I have ever worn. It began with forest green polyester pants. This was the 70s, so of course they were flares, and they swooshed back and forth as I walked, as if each of my knees had its own skirt. There was […]
Read MoreI just tried on all my summer clothes. Nothing fits. Again. I have not worked out in any meaningful, sustained way in at least 8 months, and yet I’m shocked (SHOCKED!) to discover that I am facing yet another warm season with a wardrobe that consists of one pair of jeans and a single billowy […]
Read MoreA couple of months ago, I went to Steve’s company holiday party dressed like an Amish nun. I didn’t mean to. The dress code was “classy cocktail,” which I interpreted to mean, Like you’re coming from work, only a step up. I found a cute preppy dress from Tommy Hilfiger. It was a little big, […]
Read MoreThis will seem like a lighthearted post about hobbies, but it’s actually about survival. It’s only in hindsight that I recognize the unexpected things that kept me sane during the tough parts of our foster care/adoption process, and what I see now is that when things get tough, I pick up a random hobby. It’s […]
Read MoreI know this will shock you, but not every moment in our household is delightful and heartwarming. This was especially bad in the first year, when I so regularly found myself in situations I had no clue how to handle. Can you go to some random park with your friends? How should I know? […]
Read MoreToday’s adoption question: What have you learned about yourself through this process? That I hate conflict. This is not new information. But it feels newish, because sometimes the term parenting just feels like a code word for “being mad at someone ALL THE TIME.” I just don’t like being angry. My Dad is like this. He honestly […]
Read MoreTwo related things happened this weekend: First, I learned that my High School Reunion is coming up this summer (!!!). I’ve never been to one, and I’m surprisingly excited to go. And second, #2 Cherub asked if I would preach a sermon series at church about friendships. Specifically, the friendships that happen during the school […]
Read MoreI had a cold last week. I’m astonished how that became THE defining factor of 5 full days. I slept, took kids to school, walked the dog, slept, walked the dog, picked kids up from school, slept. That’s it. On Thursday I read a book, falling asleep between chapters 2 and 3, and again at […]
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Trish Ryan 