10 simple ways to lend a hand to stranded moms

"auntie" katie - my sanity while ryan was away.

Recently my husband was away on a work trip for nearly four weeks. It was not easy. During that time there were several things I was wishing for… and while it’s still fresh in my mind I wanted to share with you ten ways to help a mom who's going at it alone.

1.  Invite her over for dinner. Cooking dinner for one adult after a long day of taking care of kids can seem pointless. Spare your friend from having one too many grilled cheese sandwiches and bowls of cereal for dinner and invite her over for a meal. Do it early enough in the evening to not interfere with kids’ bedtimes.

2.  Even better, bring dinner over to her house. Either drop it off, or stay for a quick bite. Either way your friend will thank you.

3.  Mow her lawn. The last thing a busy mom can find time to do is mow the lawn. And besides, when will she be able to do it without little kids underfoot? At naptime? Nope! Not unless she wants a grumpy toddler on her hands after he wakes up prematurely from all the noise. Don’t offer, just show up and do it (unless you aren’t sure when naptimes are then, for heaven’s sake, definitely ask!).

4.  Take her kids for an afternoon play date. Don’t invite mom along, just give her some time to herself. Whether she has some errands to do or just wants to do nothing, the gift of a few hours sans kids will be a welcome blessing.

5.  Call her if you’re headed to the store to see if she needs anything picked up. Often mid-week she'll have one or two things needed from the store (milk!) that hubs would normally be able to quickly pick up on his way home from work. But with him away, a quick 10-minute errand can take a good 45-minutes out of mom’s day. Spare her!

6.  Wash her car. Though not a necessity, having a clean car can help bring peace of mind, and yet it often makes its way to the bottom of the priority list. Grab your own kiddos (or hers) and wash her car for her. Either that or ask to swap cars for an hour and take hers somewhere to have it cleaned.

7.  Offer to babysit one evening, or arrange a trusted sitter for her. See if she’d like to have a night to go out with the girls while hubs is away without having to scramble to find a sitter.

8.  Bring over some snacks and a chick flick for a girls night in. After days and days of being the on-duty parent 24/7 she may not have the energy to go out, but would love a little company and wind-down time in the comfort of her own home.

9.  Call once or twice a week just to see how things are going and if there’s anything you can do. Chances are things are going okay and your friend may say there’s nothing she needs help with, but just giving her that opportunity speaks volumes about how much you care.

10.  Help her clean her house before hubs gets home. Offer to come over the day before he arrives and lend a hand wherever she needs it.

And a BONUS tip:

If her husband is away over a holiday, then go out of your way to make it special for her. Christmas, Easter, Valentines Day, etc… but especially if it’s over her birthday or Mothers Day when she is meant to be queen for the day! Help ease the blow of missing her hubs by going the extra mile and sending her out with a gift card for a coffee and a new book or magazine to relax with while you stay home with her kids and clean her house! And then let her come home and play with her kids while you stay a bit longer and make them all a nice dinner (or order them take-out).

In saying all of this, your friend may be supermom and not need any help at all… but I doubt it. (Especially if she's used to having a partner around.) If that is the case she will be glad for your initiative and your availability even if she doesn’t take you up on any of your offers.

The most important rule of thumb is: INITIATE. Don’t wait for her to ask… ask her first! Make her feel valued and cared for and supported while she’s going at it alone.

Dear friends, have you had your partner away for any period of time more than a couple of days? What is something that would have been a blessing to you while you were solo parenting?

glad that my solo days are over for now,

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adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2011
do not reproduce without written permission

going at it alone

Since becoming a mom, I have never had more respect or admiration for single moms and military wives. How these women manage to parent their children, run their households, earn a reasonable income (especially in the case of single moms), and maintain their sanity and well-being without the support of a loving husband is beyond me.

I'm completely baffled.

Obviously, the grace is there. Obviously there is a strength in women that lurks below the sometimes seemingly vulnerable surface. And obviously we are capable of far more than we often give ourselves credit for.

That being said--as much as I admire and respect these women who are going at it alone (all or most of the time)--I never want to join their ranks.

Being a mom on your own is hard. H.A.R.D.

despite missing ryan, levi and i had a
lovely easter together with friends

I've just passed the half-way mark of Ryan being away for nearly a month. I was glad to see him board a plane to Papua New Guinea where he would join teams of volunteer medical and aid workers on our organization's Medical Ship. Knowing that he's helping bring services and education to those who need it most is wonderful and satisfying. I whole-heartedly believe that it's a privilege to be able to serve others in this way, and if it weren't for the malaria risks associated with pregnancy (potential miscarriage or stillbirth to unborn babies), Levi and I would be right there along with him.

So yes, we are glad--and proud--to have Ryan away representing our family like this.

But I'd be joking if I said that having my husband sail up rivers into remote areas and villages of PNG is all fun and games. It's not.

Not for him... or for me.

To serve is always a sacrifice which must be weighed. It looks different for those who are going as well as those who are left behind. And for us, the sacrifices associated with this outreach are worth it.

photo source: ywam medical ship

But the fact remains that it's hard going at it alone.

Levi and I are doing fine. Of course we miss Ryan terribly--our incredibly kind-hearted husband and hands-on dad--but we will see him soon enough.

In the meantime, I'm seeing how tough I am and how resourceful I can be. I'm having a small taste of a new kind of perseverance and learning a tiny bit about life for the women who are my heros:

Single moms and military wives.

Seriously, these women should all be given medals.

Being a mom is an incredible joy and honor that I would wish for anyone who desires to be one. But it's also a tough gig in the best of times. And it's even tougher when your support system is stripped back to the minimum.

Recently a friend of mine asked me why I thought it was such a big deal to have my husband gone for a month. "What's so hard about it?" she earnestly asked me.

I almost fell off my chair. (Especially considering she is a mom herself.)

I guess we each have different standards and measuring sticks to determine what is difficult and what is not... and I'm ok with that. No need to get into comparisons. But let's just say I have a million answers to that question. In fact, I'd be tempted to ask the question in return: "What's not hard about having my husband away for so long?!"

But I knew she meant well and was just trying to lend a listening ear.

Like I said, Levi and I (and bubs) are doing well. (I can certainly feel the grace factor!) But that doesn't mean we aren't counting down the days until our family is reunited.

In the meantime, single moms and military wives - I salute you! You are amazing and your children should be so proud of you. (Same goes for single dads and military husbands.)

Dear friends, have you ever had a time where you've been a mom going at it alone? Maybe for a long time or maybe just for a "short" time like me? What did you find the hardest and how did you cope?

glad to usually not be alone,


P.S. Do you have any friends who are single moms or military wives? When is the last time you offered some form of support to them or told them how much you admire all they do for their families?

Are you an expecting mom? Have you linked-up yet?

Join the Bloggin' Babes and Babies of 2011.

{"Easter" with Casey}

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2011
do not reproduce without written permission

do you come here often?

If you're new here, welcome.

My name is Adriel. I'm a thirty-something music-loving, beach-going, family-advocating, mom-supporting, travel-adventuring, mountain girl (and city-lover) from Oregon who just happens to live in hot, humid tropical Australia with a hunky, spunky Aussie bloke - my husband Ryan.

yes, we were on vacation. nice huh? and no, we haven't had tans like that since,
which is why i chose to use this photo. we look vacationed and i like that.

He does manly things like mowing the lawn, fixing stuff, flexing his muscles, watching football (and basketball and cricket and...), building things in his man cave, fishing, cooking me breakfast, washing the dishes, changing pooey diapers, watching NCIS, and giving himself foot soaks and face masks.

I do girly things like blogging and writing, shopping (and deal-hunting), decorating, planning, toddler-chasing, reading, current events and politics-following, photo-taking, baby-growing, breastfeeding, teaching, yoga-stretching, DYI-ing, accessorizing, endless laundry folding (not by choice, just by necessity), and HGTV and Modern Family-watching.

And dreaming about sleeping in. Can't forget that. I'm always dreaming about sleeping in... and taking naps.

So yeah, that's us - the Bookers: a young-at-heart, cross-cultural, family-first, faith-filled, volunteering, slightly "special" couple who can't believe we found one another.

And apparently the America-Australia combination is a good one because we came out with one of the most gorgeous children you will ever lay eyes on. His name is Levi and he is 14 months old.

careful, he's a heart-stealer.

He does things like guitar playing (he's slightly obsessed), reading storybooks, banging things, walking around the house with a mini hockey stick and my new belt, wrestling with daddy, plowing into and over things, holding my eye-lash curler and pretending he knows how to use it, grunting, giggling, asking for crackers, playing with (and in) anything involving water, and stick-collecting.

He is seriously cute and adorable and hilarious. (Kinda like your kid I bet.)

In fact, he turned out so well that we decided to give him some competition, due to arrive in about six months:

And the Memos?

I write about all things mom-ish.

Sometimes my writing gets a little gritty and sarcastic and feels a bit like this:

Other times it's mushy, sentimental, and reflective and feels more like this:

And still other times it feels a little more "tipsy" and instructional and feels something like this:

And then there's the times that it's a tad less wordy and looks kinda like this:

If you'd like to read some of my best, click over to my besties page or check out the "most clicked" post list on my sidebar. 


I blog to connect, remember, process, encourage, entertain, inform, inspire, equip, challenge, record, relax, have fun, question, provoke, support... and to help me think beyond myself, tap into my creativity, and network with other women - primarily moms and mamas-in-the-making.


Thanks so much for stopping by. Please be sure to introduce yourself!

looking forward to connecting,


p.s. Dear regulars, if you haven't already linked up, consider checking out the Ultimate Blog Party 2011!

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2011
do not reproduce without written permission

the proposal

His idea was big, bold, and public.

Unbeknownst to him my idea was quiet, intimate, and sentimental.

But he was the one with the ring so...

I got my proposal on the main stage at our local Christmas festival in front of 1,500 cheering and screaming on-lookers.

I was shocked and a little embarrassed. Ok, a lot embarrassed. (And for the record that's very hard to do.)

I was also thrilled.

As far as a proposal was concerned, big, bold, and public had never even entered my imagination... but I was just glad to be asked to spend the rest of my life with the man I adored.

It was a happy, happy day.

Happy Love Day to my sweetheart. I'm so glad you wanted to show me off to the whole world.

And now, so do I... in my own little way. *grin*

I'm still so very in love with you.

In fact, I'm more in love with you now than I even was then... on that hot, humid night in December:

And obviously I was pretty dang happy and in love with you then.

You have my heart Ryan. Always.

yours,

Linking in with the lovely Mandy:

And writing about a memorable date along with Mama Kat:





adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2011 
do not reproduce without written permission

it takes a village

Ryan and I are great parents. {grin} We’re not perfect by any means but we do our best. In my opinion, that means we’re “great”.

But even “great” parents aren’t enough to raise healthy, balanced kids. Children need input, affection, acceptance, and attention from others as well.

You’ve heard the expression, “It takes a village…”?

Granted, if we were the last two adults on earth, I’m sure Ryan and I would be able to do a good job raising our kids… and they could be “healthy and balanced.” (So maybe we are "enough" in that sense.) But, since we are not the last two people on earth – and our kids need to learn how to relate to a whole range of people (not just dear old mom and dad) – it makes sense to me that they need others to help raise them and expose them to different personalities, different interests, different world views, different approaches, and different outlooks on life.

Of course as a parent of a young child, I’m going to be more selective with the people my child spends time with… That’s part of my responsibility to him: to lovingly protect and filter in ways that he can’t yet do for himself. But as time goes on—although I will continue to monitor—I will also be more and more releasing of that responsibility to him (as age-appropriate of course).

That is one of the reasons that I believe extended family is so important for Levi. These are people that we know and trust and understand their motives and values – people that I want him (and future children) to be around and be influenced by.

But in our case, as with most people, the term “family” stretches beyond actual relatives to include a number of good friends.

Since my natural family lives in another country, and Ryan’s natural family lives a 30-hour car drive away, the “family” (friends) surrounding us has become that much more important. Although friends can never completely replace our biological families (nor should they), they do serve an incredibly important role in filling out our families.

Enter... the Aunties.

Levi has lots of “Aunties” (and “Uncles” too for that matter), but the ones pictured above – Katie, Kate, and Jen – are some of our favorites. These are women that love and adore our son almost as much as we do. These are women who we trust to care for him. These are women who we want to influence his life because we love who they are and what they stand for.

Of course there are some other very important “aunties and uncles” in addition to those three… but these three are the ones I have a great photo of, so they are the ones that get “picked on” today. {grin}

We love Auntie Katie, Auntie Kate, and Auntie Jen. Not only do they practically help us with caring for Levi (awesome babysitters are such a blessing!) but they have become an extension of our family, which is important not only to Ryan and I, but also to Levi. (And even more so since his “real life” aunt and uncles and grandparents live so far away.)

We’re so thankful for their positive influence in Levi’s life. (As well as the other aunties and uncles that are too many to name individually here!)

I wish every kid got to have aunties that love and adore them as much as these aunties love and adore Levi. No doubt he will grow up feeling valued and treasured thanks, in part, to these ladies sharing their lives with him and investing into his childhood (which is an investment into his future).

Having good "aunties" (and "uncles") to help shape and teach our little ones in their formative years will—no doubt—make them better men and women one day.

This kind of “family” means so much to us, and we count our blessings to have them in our lives.

Dear friends, what about you? Do your children have bonus “aunties and uncles”? What do they mean to you? And how do you hope they will help shape your children’s future?

lovin the aunties,

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission

who wants to hear from a hunky aussie bloke? (a "daddy chats" vlog)

{This is the final post of the Moms Who Work series.}




Have you met this man yet? The one with the cute Australian accent?

He is my husband... my hunk-o-spunk.


He is the man I adore more than any other man on earth. He looked like this (bright-eyed and suntanned) when we took our trip to Spain last year. (This photo still makes me drool.)


{It's no wonder we came home with an extra family member from that trip... our little souvenir named Levi.}


In wrapping up this series, I asked Ryan to comment on the subject of Moms Who Work. (I didn't ask Levi to comment... but he did anyway.)


This is what they had to say...




What a treasure he is... wouldn't you agree? (Oh, and Levi too.) And what a breath of fresh air to hear from a man with a well-balanced perspective on motherhood (in my opinion at least).


I hope you enjoyed this little video... my first ever vlog. (Well, Ryan's first-ever to be precise.)


We're going to be doing "Daddy Chats" vlogs every now and then on the Memos so that you can hear from a dad's perspective on different parenting topics. So this is the first of (hopefully) many times you'll get to check out my man, hear some good daddy wisdom, and swoon over his good looks and adorable Aussie accent.


Oh, and just so you know... Ryan got all gadgety with this video and added in the intro and closing, complete with the little blurbs of music. I told him to set the bar a little lower so I wouldn't have to measure up next time... but he insisted. He's gadgety like that. And creative. (Plus he'll take any excuse to "play" on his macbook that he can get.) So thanks for that babe. It looks awesome. 


Dear mommy-friends, this brings the Moms Who Work series to a close. What stood out to you most from this series? What is your "take home" message?


grateful to be a mom who works,

The Moms Who Work series:

• All moms work hard  
• How to be a stay-at-home mom without losing your marbles 
• Mom on a wire: finding balance and sanity in a home with two working parents
• You have spoken: the best and worst of being a working mom (away from home)
• How I became a pediatrician turned stay-at-home mom
• The pros and cons of being a work-from-home mom
• From home to work or work to home: speaking up about the transition process
• Back to work: tips for how to prepare for the transition after maternity leave
• Are stay-at-home moms 1950ish? (readers speak up about the best and worst of being a SAHM)
• 4 ways single moms are thriving 
• 8 tips for running a business as a work-from-home mom 
• Mom hat, student hat: important tips for studying moms 
• Hey honey, why don't you stay home with the baby while I go back to work? 
• What you wish others knew about being a mom
• Who wants to hear form a hunky Aussie bloke? (A "Daddy Chats" vlog)

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission

ss jg gnoiwn,,,,vn fia i if;p: (that's my 7-month-old typing "happy fathers day, daddy!")

It's Fathers Day in Australia!

Today I have a very special guest poster... my son Levi. Pretty impressive for a seven-month-old, right? It's his first ever post so be sure to show him lots of support and give him some "comment love". He's turning out to be a fabulous writer already... and he sure is a looker.

Dear Daddy,

Happy first Fathers Day to you! Well, technically it’s your second, but last year it was just you and mama celebrating while I was tucked up on the inside still. As much as I liked that, this year is way more fun.

Zl, op o iejftg opwa3ooooaaaaaaaaaaa mnloaaaaavvn     aeww wa ;agnqfweio j qwpol

Mama had lots of ideas about how we should spend this day together and what sort of pressies we could give you, and I thought that was all great. But I also wanted to write you a letter… pretty much to say…

I love you.

I know you waited a long time for me, and trust me, I waited a long time too. (Do you know how long nine months is in baby time? Seriously.) But I think it was worth the wait, because you are the best dad I ever laid eyes on.

You’re my favorite.

Sl sil jl Llevv ds,lakdldddddddddddddd 9 ,. ,l.FEO3 98G HOLDNj sje ohlszg o sosp

Some kids say that their dads aren’t around much, but I don’t get what they’re talking about. You have always, always made time for me. I love that about you. You’re the kind of dad who rushes home on your lunch break and after work just so you can be with me. In fact, sometimes you even like to do things like change my diaper because you know that means a few extra minutes of just daddy and son time.

I think that’s really cool. Not all dads are like that you know.

{you've gotten much better at some things since that first day...}

And oh daddy, I love how you play with me! Your crash tackles are pretty much the best thing ever. I can’t wait until I’m big enough to crash tackle you right back. Watch out… I’m growing fast!

I also love helping you with your tools and helping you with your food. (I like it when you help me with mine too.) Actually, I like helping you with everything… especially when it means I get to try something new to put in my mouth. (Wrenches taste sooo good.)

And you know the best part of my day? Bath time! You make bath time sooo much fun, and you never get mad at me when I splash you. And I love it when you wrap me up like a mummy in my hoodie towel afterwards. I feel so special when you take me and show me to mama. She calls me her burrito baby and then you and I go off to get ready for bed. I look forward to those special times together every night.

Bnspajaoijw  apwop oipawekasssssffoNO  Opawsaaaaaaaaaaaafn

And the walks, oh how I love our walks together. You take me around the neighorhood and stop whenever I look curiously at something. You tell me about your day and ask about mine. You teach me about colors and things that we see together on the street or in the park.

Did I mention that you’re such a good dad? Oh, how you are.

Mama thinks you’re a great dad too. She tells me about it all the time. She loves how you get up with me early in the morning, and how you’re always willing to comfort me when I cry. She loves that you love me so much and she tells me that you would do nearly anything for us. She’s pretty in love with you.

So am I.

She also says we're two peas in a pod. When I get bigger we'll see how right she is about that... but for now I like being told I look like my daddy.

I know you can’t wait to take me fishing and to play soccer and golf and go out to watch the football. And it won’t be long before I’ll be helping you make stuff in the shop and cooking dinner with you. But right now I’m just little. I still really love your cuddles and your kisses and your stories and songs. (I also enjoy your jokes - mama says enjoy it, cuz that might not last.)

Oh, but the songs... Yes, I love, love, love your songs! (Even though you never get the words right.) Actually, I love it best when you can’t get the words right because then I get to hear two of my favourite sounds – you singing and mama laughing. It’s the best!

You’re so funny dad.

{i remember when you were first learning to dress me. you really had no idea, did you?}

I hope you know how much I love you. One day soon I’ll be telling you myself with words. But for now just know that when I look at you and smile, when I giggle, when I nestle into your neck, when I’m calmed by your cuddles, and when I’m relaxing in your strong arms… that’s when I’m telling you I love you.

{best day of my life yet daddy - my birthday. isn't it easy to see how much i love you?}

Akei mc,cc…,,,,,,,,,,,J WIW PIE mvm jaw ef nvqgve v m

Happy Fathers Day, daddy. You are the best dad a kid could ever ask for or dream of.

I’ll love you forever.

     love and slobbery kisses, Levi   xxox

p.s. Since I’m still learning how to type, mama helped me with this letter. I did  some of the typing myself (the really good bits), but she did most of it. (She takes great dictation.)

Dear mommy-friends, for those of you blessed to have amazing husbands or partners who are great fathers to your kids... why don't you take a moment today to tell them again how grateful you are. What's the best thing about your baby's dad?

so grateful for my baby's father,

P.S. Like this post? You might also enjoy Like Father, Like Son. (My humorous look at the men in my life.)

Have you registered your blog here yet?

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission

sweet sleeping child-O-mine: froggy bum

So lately... I've been wanting a baby.

I know, I know. I already have one. (A really gorgeous one at that.)

I think I've been looking at some of these too much:

Twelve days old seems like years ago.

My husband keeps saying we should have another baby so that we don't have to share. He can hold one while I hold the other. Sometimes we "fight" over who's turn it is to cuddle Levi.


Our love is hard to contain within the space of one little child.


Can you please just look at those sweet little lips and that cute little bum? {gasp}

I've been having some serious belly envy lately. I'm looking at these preggo mamas in all their big, round, belly glory... and I want one of those.

But who am I kidding? One is plenty enough for now. We'll give this child a brother or sister... when it's time.

For now, to appease myself... I'll just keep looking at these "old" photos.


Aren't they precious? Is my sweet sleeping froggy bum child not one of the most heavenly sights you've ever seen? Any newborn that smiles in his sleep... must be divine, I tell you.

Dear mommy-friends, how do you appease your belly envy and newborn envy? Please feel free to remind me that one baby is enough for now. Someone needs to keep me grounded in reality.


dreaming of a bigger belly,

Have you registered your blog here yet?

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission

introducing a little girl in a land far, far away {a photo story}

Once upon a time, Little Girl was born in California on a hippy commune called God’s Army. {Sounds a little crazy… but it wasn’t. It was just the 70’s.}

When Little Girl was three she spent the next year and a half living with her parents and grandparents on a sailboat in the South Pacific.

{I should mention here that she always wanted to be a mommy.}

At five years old, she moved to Oregon – the beautiful place she’d grow to call home. {Fast forward a few years.} And then as soon as she was able she went off to explore the world… After traipsing all around Europe and Asia and a few places in between, Little Girl found herself settling down in Australia. {Crikey, the crocs!}

And then, after 29 years on her own, Little Girl finally met Hunk-of-Spunk. {So worth waiting for.}

Then Little Girl and Hunk-of-Spunk fell madly in love.

Soon after, on a very hot night in tropical Australia, Little Girl got engaged to Hunk-of-Spunk. {They were pretty flippin' happy about it.}

And before they knew it, the two were married on a little beach cove in Australia…

{They also took photos in the city... cause the beach and the city are two of Little Girl and Hunk-of-Spunk's favorite things.}

And then {lucky} Little Girl got to wear her dress again in America... for another {sort-of} wedding celebration with all her American friends and family. {Cause they didn't want to leave anyone out of the fun.}

And after the wedding, and the second wedding(ish) gathering, Little Girl and Hunk-of-Spunk found a place to live Down Under where they could have nice weekend picnics. {They really do get to live here.}

They have a fun relationship and try not to take themselves too seriously too much of the time.

After a year of holy matrimony, Little Girl and Hunk-of-Spunk went for a visit to Spain, a very beautiful place...

...and apparently a very fertile place too. {Deliriously happy.}

After their time in Espania, Little Girl’s belly began to grow...

And grow...

And grow.

And then, Heart-Stealer was born. {Pretty much the best day ever.}

Little Girl thought her heart would explode as love seeped out from all directions... She had to change her name to Heart-Stealer’s Momma.

 Hunk-of-Spunk became even more hunky as he became Daddy to Heart-Stealer.

Heart-Stealer was incredibly cute from the very beginning...

... and keeps getting cuter all the time. {Kinda like his Daddy.}

Heart-Stealer’s Momma couldn’t be more glad to have begun her little family. She realizes that she’s all grown up now… even though she sometimes still feels more Little Girl girl than like Heart-Stealer’s Momma. 

But, she is learning... She is growing... She is glowing... She is glad to finally be a momma, even though it's a pretty tough new gig.

Oh yeah, and she’s thinks every good conversation, or read of a blog, goes best with a nice cup of coffee {or hot chocolate… whatever}, which in Australia is called a "cuppa".

.THE END.
{for now}

So mommy friends, this is my story up until now. I hope you've enjoyed getting to know my family and I a little bit more personally.

Adriel + Ryan = Levi (Didn't we do a good job?)

And, just because, here are some other things about me:

• When I was a kid I wanted to be the first woman president of America... or a rock star. I now find myself as a teacher and a mom. (Not all that different if you ask me.)
• I love photography, but I still have very little idea about digital photo editing (though I really want to learn… in my “spare” time).
• I am a Christian and my faith is a very important and central part of my life.
• I love following politics and keeping up on current world events.
• I love the beach, but have never had less of a tan since becoming a mom.
• I’m obsessed with all things Asian – the décor, the art, the food, and ohmygoodness the people. I’ve been doing volunteer work as well as teaching in Bible schools throughout Asia on several occasions throughout the last 10 years, and I’ll jump on a plane headed there at any opportunity I get.
• I enjoy writing and reading… and am seriously trying to make time for both in order to stay sane and to keep being deliberate about growing as a woman.
• I love slippers and I probably own seven or eight pairs... even though it's often too hot to wear them here. (For years I've not taken a single flight without a pair in my carry-on bag... and I fly a lot.)
• I don’t think I will ever get sick of movies or live music, bean burritos or grilled cheese sandwiches.
• I've lived in California, Oregon, Fiji, NZ, Europe, Malaysia, Egypt, and Australia... and have worked as a preschool teacher, nanny, waitress, PR exec in a government office, and full-time volunteer with a non-profit before becoming the Director of Childhood Development in our home. (Best, hardest job yet!)
• I love my family – the one I was raised in and the one I’m creating with my husband.
• I've lived overseas for ten years and I still get homesick.
• I think that perhaps grace is the most important force we could ever pursue, embrace, receive, and give.
• I am frightfully tired, deliciously happy, hopelessly in love, and incredibly grateful for my life.

And lastly mommy friends, have you written an "about me" page? If so, please link up here. I'd love to get to know you more personally too!

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