ah the expectations that come with age. Now that we are older, we acknowledge moments that come (birthdays, anniversaries and other celebrations) but the gift giving isn't as important as they time spent together (because we don't have too much of that anymore. But i still do like to count the days (or sleeps) until I go on an adventure on a plan...so in some sense I understand this anticipation. All the best to you as you maneuver these changes in season for each of your kiddos.

thank you for this Kristen. I am glad that you have taken the time to challenge this article that has been promoted as being truth, when in fact its a lesson in missing the point.

I saw some of your tribute to your first born on instagram yesterday...so beautiful to see the young man he's becoming. Look forward to hearing his story further some day. Happy birthday Jafta!

always so refreshing to visit a blog from the FMF link up and hear how the word is particularly happening in each person's life. While I have lived where I am for a long time now, there have been moments of moving throughout the 20 years (for school and such) and I hear you...longing for the community you had, for a new community where you think it just might work...and tends to be people you weren't even sure about. Its so hard to start again...especially as an adult. Glad that God is bringing community to you where you are at. And so excited that you joined the FMF community this week!

I have feedly, i moved my stuff over when I found out...but the Old Reader looks pretty good. I'll have to check it out.

how beautiful to have a friend who is so invested in the people around her and shining the light of Christ into everyone's lives. Its so important to have such beautiful Godly people not only in your life but in the lives of your kids. i'm so glad that your Cassie's friend got to be introduced into the lives of these dear people. What a blessing.

i also broke off an engagement but for entirely different reasons. But I totally resonate with the idea of people telling you you were strong and not feeling it. I wasn't doing it for my future but for my happiness and for his eventually I hoped. we didn't know each other, it wouldn't have been a good idea to get married with some things that came to light...but i know the hurt, the why did that happen, why did it go on when it could have ended earlier. and sometimes people trying to 'help' when all you want to do it move through it...doesn't help but rather hinders. thank you for sharing your personal story

i think that melissa is just hilarious and so darn adorable. loved her as Sookie and her role in Identity thief seems epic. wow...what a great question. I went to several small schools growing up where there weren't really options like this. when i was at a christian school i was editor of the yearbook and was in choir in public school. when i was in college i was in the touring choir and in university i was on the student council for one and a half years. I adore singing but was never confident enough to be a solo singer so just loved being in ensemble, i actually felt the most 'myself' in the midst of those groups. student council was odd cause i'd never been in a 'in' group before and it was very strange to be in this little society. it was a good learning experience because I got to meet the freshman and help them through the orientation week. In christian highschool i had a small group of friends and longed to be part of the 'cool group' but never felt like i could quite enter it. that was hard for me, especially at t atime when you are still figuring out who you are. Cher was one of the girls i would have disliked in school and enid (though i've never watched the movie) would probably have reflected more of any angsty self. i wrote alot of poetry and cried alot of tears during this time. looking back i think these experiences all shaped me, but some days i'm sure i wish that i hadn't had some of the experiences. thank you for sharing about yours.

as usual, hit me right between the eyes and i wonder how many times i've been one to think that i've got any right to portion or dole out grace, when its abundant and not supposed to be in anyone's control but His. how often hearts are broken an wounds are ripped open in the name of 'grace' and yet grace is so far removed.
thank you for the reminder. there is such refreshment for me in your blog. you're not afraid to talk about the hard stuff, and that is so refreshing for me. thank you Serena for being used.