The Joy Comes from Using It
I am currently pregnant with our 4th child, and this pregnancy has been tough. With it comes not only new thoughts and emotions surrounding what it will mean to raise...
Amber Harder
How I Got Swept up Into Fairy Gardens
I haven’t been much of a fairy person, but I’m a huge fan of my 8-year-old daughter. When she took an interest in fairies and fairy gardens, I decided to...
An Eco-Friendly Easter Basket
When I was a kid, my family had some special traditions surrounding the Easter holiday. In addition to the festivities at church, my siblings and I received Easter baskets at...
The Song That Transformed My Parenting
I have fond childhood memories of watching midday reruns of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. I recall sitting on gold shag carpet in front of the big tube TV which was encased...
The Puke Shirt
I parented too many years without knowing the agony of caring for a child with an ear infection. Now it was time to pay my dues. My 3-year-old son seemed...
Traveling Internationally with Kids
Recently we had the privilege of traveling to Ethiopia as a family. Our oldest daughter was born in Ethiopia and joined our family when she was 11 months old. We...
Must-Reads for Children’s Christmas Literature
Each morning in December, the kids and I gather in the living room after breakfast. We get the fire going and snuggle up together on the couch. I pick up...
The Magical 3-Second Pause
I like being efficient and checking things off lists. Sometimes my children hinder my efficiency with their unpredictable needs and unexpected bickering. Oh, children. When I’m working hard to accomplish...
Save Time and Money on Birthday Gifts
With our 7th birthday here at Twin Cities Family on the horizon, we decided to take a moment this week to turn our hearts and minds towards all things celebration!...
To My Grandchildren: Please Care for Your Mama
Last May my husband lost his grandmother to cancer. It was a difficult experience, as any death is, but particularly thought-provoking for me as I just gave birth to a...
When You Don’t Have the Joyful “Back to School” Picture
For days my Facebook feed was filled with pictures of my friends’ kids on their first days of school. They were dressed in crisp outfits for the school year, posing...
A Letter to My (More) Rested Self
Hey there. I’ve noticed you have been looking a little bit more rested lately so I wanted to have a chat before too much time has passed. I didn’t want...
Do I Love You Enough?
My family is formed through both adoption and birth. We adopted from Ethiopia first, then I gave birth to two more children. My relationship with my oldest daughter is complex...
Mud Pies and Other Things That Terrify Me
I will be the first to admit that I do not care for sticky, messy, dirty, or slimy things. My mom tells the story of when I was a little...
