Author Archives: Paula

As a mother of…well, today there are only 2 at home… a wife, and household manager, and whatever else I find to do, I often feel… useless!  My kids are getting big and are very capable of taking care of themselves.  Today there are no extra children to help along.  Let’s face it, my husbandContinue reading “Make Me Useful!”

Do you ever look at life and wonder – what’s next?  I’m going to guess you do.  I do.  I do a lot!  When things are hard, I wonder what could possibly be coming next.  I dread the future.  When things are good I think, what’s next?  I anticipate the future.  I dream of possibilities. Continue reading “Wondering”

Isn’t it funny how things get connected in our heads?  For me, music is a great connector.  Right now, I am driving in the middle of the night through various states.  It’s dark and Switchfoot is singing along with me.  Okay… really I am trying to keep up rocking with them…  I’ll not share thatContinue reading “Memories of Home”

I’ve never actually been asked which child was my favorite.  I could have children with deplorable curiosity.  But I am pretty sure it has more to do with always having each of them be my favorite.  It was easy, “You are my very favorite Cale!” …my favorite Jessie, my favorite Ry…  Well, at least itContinue reading “Who’s My Favorite?”

My heart is crushed right now!  It’s not a new emotion.  In fact, as a foster parent, it’s a common emotion.  I can’t tell you how many people have asked me over the years how I can do it – let them go back.  Like I somehow have the magic answer to it not hurtingContinue reading “I Am Crushed”

I had had it!  Done, desperate.  I was going to get… the tape measure!  Ever have a child who cannot grasp the concept of the importance, or lack of importance in some cases, of a day, month or even year?  Though this swirly mess of learning was actually first conceived with a dear friend ofContinue reading “What’s in a Foot?”

“Of all the Charlie Browns in the World you’re the Charlie Browniest!” could have easily been used to describe me at Christmas.  We lived the Christmas dream.  Santa visited our family and handed out a gift each year. Our kids had a personal picture and experience to remember.  We had plenty of gifts.  More thanContinue reading “Thank you, Jesus”

Warning! All the incidents you are about to read are true and without exaggeration. And should I have the need, I’d do it again! With 6 children in a house, arguing can happen.  Accidents are plentiful and blaming can become commonplace.  But on this particular day I was one “b-lame” beyond what I was willingContinue reading “Protect Your Mug!”

As one of my little charges frequently says, “We can’t be bored during this time.  There is too much to do!”  And they are right.  This is the season of opportunity.  We started this time with a big sheet of paper and box of markers.  We all put down the things we could do soContinue reading “Boredom”

I wanted a break.  There are 6 children living in my house today.  I adore each one, but I also adore a moment to myself now and then. Perhaps a bathroom break – nope, little fingers poke under the door, “Mamma, are you in there?”.  A quiet drive to pickup kids at school – nope,Continue reading “Yucky Chocolate”