As I rush through my morning routines, preparing for a week away at camp with a group of elementary students, I can’t help but stop for a few minutes and write a quick entry about this “new” day! I am so thankful that for the past eleven months I have no longer been waking up next to my best friend, but now the dad of our sweet baby boy. Twelve years ago, I remember spending time with Jeff, shortly after we began dating. We were talking about...

For a little boy who wears pajamas with the tagline “Captain Sleepy Head” he sure lives up to “Captain Sleep Next to Mommy’s Head” better. I guess this would take up too much room on his tiny 9-month nightshirt. As advice poured in from well-seasoned parents previous to Arie’s arrival, the phrase: “whatever you do, don’t let him sleep with you” trumped ALL counsel. We never thought it would be an issue in our family, as our little man made his...

As humans we desire to know answers that depict our future, much like a road map, providing direction through life’s winding paths. But in some instances we are not handed life’s map, but rather a compass. This is a story about two friends, two journeys, one perfect plan. Shortly after Jeff and I moved to California I was introduced to what felt like my twin, my best friend, Joni. Initially introduced because of our interest in running, our...

Thanks to a my wonderful friend Dayna for making this beautiful video of our sweet baby boy from the time he came home to the moment he was forever ours!  

When Arie first arrived into our lives, I remember handing him to anyone and everyone who entered our home. We were excited to share the sweet bundle of love, warmth, and cuddles. It is strange to think that everyone who visited within that first 24 hours, knew this new member of our family as well as we did. Upon his arrival, I recognized that by not carrying him before birth, a progression of bonding needed to begin immediately. As days and...

Much like the average person, Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning were such a time of anticipation and excitement for me. Trying to fall asleep, waking many times in the night checking the alarm clock to see if it was time to get up, and finally rising before the sun came up. I remember our routine on Christmas Morning: I would run into the living room and grab the stockings from under the tree. Trying not to take a peak in the large socks, I...

I never expected that in my most joyful moment I would experience such pain. A pain I have never felt before. It was someone else’s pain, a stranger, who I so rapidly felt love toward. In this moment my joy was overwhelming, it gleamed from my soul. After a season of experiencing the dryness of the wilderness I could see the black cloud in the distance, rain was approaching. God’s showering of blessings in my life was nearing. In knowing...