Blog » Gather & Grow

When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned

30 Jul

I was a planner. All through school my planner was my lifeline. I loved getting the syllabus and finding out exactly what it was going to take to do well in a class. I would make lists for my lists, and it felt so good to put a check or a line through a task completed. Then I became a mom. I ... View Post

The Best Time For Baby #2. . .

27 Jul

{Today we are sharing a great post from our resident OB/GYN, Dr. Heather Rupe about considering the best time to have another baby. This post originally appeared on The Pregnancy Companion website back in January. Since we have many moms who are new to this community, we thought we'd share it again ... View Post

Why You Must Volley the Serve in Your Marriage

25 Jul

Friends, I'm starting a new series today called FAMILY FOCUS. For the next three Wednesdays, I hope to encourage you through three posts I believe God has laid on my heart and has been developing in me over the past few months. Today we start with MARRIAGE. Next week we'll talk about our CHILDREN. ... View Post

3 Keys to Thriving the Toddler Stage

24 Jul

I am absolutely exhausted. Every night after I put the kids in bed I release a great, big sigh of relief as I look forward to a few hours to myself. Perhaps this is why I stay up way too late and start my days even more tired than I need to be. But I digress. . . Where was I? Oh right. Tired. I know ... View Post

The Not-So-Perfect Vacation

23 Jul

I had high expectations: We’d have twilight walks by the river. There would be blankets spread out on grassy hills under tall pines. Our shoulders would be golden from time spent playing games in the backyard. A couple of date-nights with my handsome husband while mom and dad watched the ... View Post

Why Every Mum in the U.S. Ought to Visit “Downton Abbey” This Summer

20 Jul

So I'm assuming most of you - like me - won't be "crossing the pond" anytime soon (unless you're braving the crowds for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London), but if you have a hankering for a slower pace and a simpler time, "Downton Abbey" is the quintessentially British departure from all things ... View Post