There is room at the table. I wasn’t sure of that anymore. I’ve spent the past three years trying to make friends. When we first moved, I felt like a trailblazer.  An adventurer. After the first month or so?  Good feelings gone.  Once you unpack the boxes, you actually have to live in that unfamiliar […]

Oh you beautiful people that still join me here.  Did you know that I love you?  I do.  Times infinity. In an effort to be organized (read: grow up and be a big girl) – I’m doing a big thing.  (For me)  I’m putting travel dates out there for the rest of the year.  I […]

Hi, my name is Amy. I realize the introduction might seem silly, but it’s necessary.  Because somewhere along the line I stopped showing up here with my whole self.  I’ve been scared.  Scared because I didn’t have it all together.  (Translation: my life felt like broken pieces laid out on the floor.)  Scared of what […]

I lost sight of him. Depression, dirty dishes, a list of things he “wasn’t” and a pile of heaping hurts clouded everything. I saw him everyday – but I didn’t see him.  I saw all the things he wasn’t.  All the things that hurt. Honestly, at one point, I gave up.  I decided that I’d […]

Today we grieve and we celebrate. For this sweet little family, it marks the year anniversary of learning that sweet baby Ellen no longer had a heartbeat.  Though we are grateful that precious Karis is here – our hearts ache for little Ellen. Amanda and Daniel, I love you.  So much.  Thank you for spending […]

It’s taken me 3 months to write this post. I’d like for this to be an incredibly well written piece.  I’d love to be witty and awesome and put together the perfect words to describe my love for the people in these pictures and the extreme amazingness of this event even happening. But the words […]

“Are you ready for the kids to go back to school?” In a word, no. That’s why, over the past week, I haven’t really felt like talking and I seem kind of “off”.  (Which could be linked to also trying to quit caffeine – again.)  It’s why I just looked outside at the Buzz Lightyear […]

Love. I was convinced for the longest time that it was a feeling.  And it is.  Yet, it’s more. It’s a choice. It’s one more hug.  It’s choosing to come back and try again.  It’s pacing floors at 1 am with an infant who decided now was the time to party. (A party you wish […]

Six kids ages 2-8. Thunderstorms. A skunk that wasn’t afraid of us.  (I was most certainly afraid of him) Frogs. Snake warnings. And amazing friends. “I’m not sleepy, mommy!” Releasing their frogs into the wild… “Look, Mom!  I caught a fish!!!”   Worn out toddlers who refused to nap.   These boys…   This happened […]

These days are full. Sometimes almost too full but I probably only think that when yelling is involved. It’s been a big year.  Of learning.  Of fighting for these little ones.  Of trying.  Of growing.  Of laughter and…did that seriously just happen? I wouldn’t trade it for the world.  Even though it’s been harder than […]