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Day of the Deployed – Saying Goodbye
Today is Oct. 26 – the 11th annual Day of the Deployed, a day to remember the sacrifices of all the service members deployed around the world. Perhaps, also a day to remember the families left behind as well. (this site uses Affiliate links-purchases support our ministry through a small referral fee that never affects your cost.) I don’t know what it is like to be deployed. I only know what it is like to say goodbye and be left behind: the heaviness in my chest, the knot in my stomach, the steely resolve, and the tears hiding behind every smile. Below is my post from the day my husband…
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Celebrating the Days of Summer
Looking for ways to make summer fun without breaking the bank? Us too, all the time! Even an outing to the movies can cost upwards of $100 with a family of five for all the bells and whistles, never mind the cost of an amusement park or out-of-town vacation. Our income dropped in half when we moved here and decided I would stay home. We had to find different ways to make the summer days fun for our family without spending a small fortune. Food seems to be the center of many family celebrations, so when I came across this idea, I knew I’d found a winner. We are celebrating…
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Dear Birthmom, an Honest Letter from my Side of Adoption
I wrote this to our birthmom many years ago, but the years have brought a few changes to my perspective and unfortunately tragic changes to our circumstances. Have you ever had a letter you wanted to write, but knew you could never send it? It would be too real, too raw, too vulnerable? stir up too much drama? What about talk to someone who is out of your life? Sometimes, I have so many things I’d like to say specifically to our daughter’s birthmom due to our unique circumstances. This is not a letter to any birthmom. That would be easier to write. Birthmothers make a tremendously bold choice to…
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Adoption – Getting Started
If you’re considering adoption, getting started doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are a few tips based on our family’s journey. Adoption – Getting Started Decide your time frame for really starting the adoption process. We spent 2-3 months researching before taking the first step. During the research process, decide on a budget and financing. Start saving money at first glimmer of choosing adoption to build your family. Most agency adoptions cost between $20,000-40,000, you may be able to find the agency’s basic costs outlined online which will help you formulate a budget and choose an agency. You can raise funds, get a loan, and expect a tax rebate. Research…
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Revisited: My Perspective on Homemaking and Tiffany Lamps
My perspective on homemaking has really changed in recent years as I’ve worked harder to make my heart a home for Christ. What I had always imagined wasn’t what God wanted at all. (Heaven not Harvard is as a participant in affiliate programs including the Amazon Associates Program. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) I used to obsessively watch HGTV and dream of my perfect space. But once I had my dream home, I’ve realized that God isn’t interested in how I decorate it as much as he wants to be the master of how I live in it. I used to imagine my future home once I…
