I’ve known for the last couple of weeks that I need to be writing more. About what–I am not sure. But I long to iron out the wrinkled up thoughts in my head. An analogy I use often when I speak about the importance of writing in my life. It irons and straightens out all the chaos in my mind, making me feel like a newly starched white button down. Continue reading “Sabbaticals and Cereal”
Every year it seems to get worse. You prepare, and run around, and “serve” in as many ways as possible. All in an attempt to set the perfect stage for Christmas. We joke about how busy the holidays are, and while some of it IS funny (last minute gift giving, ugly sweaters being bought on the way to the party, buying the last Christmas ham), we have perfected the recipe for a distracted December. Continue reading “Have a Mary Christmas!”
I wrote a blog on “Mommy Do’s” some blogs ago about some things that have been working well for us as parents. Accessories and gear that we’ve enjoyed and general philosophies that we’ve implemented and found to be successful.
Writing that blog put me in a reflective mindset. I couldn’t help but recall moments and things that we’ve observed and ways we’ve behaved that were…not so helpful. Continue reading “Mommy Do Nots”
Joel and I Struggle, with a capital “s”, with Saturdays. If he’s off, he wants to get outdoors, work on projects and generally be on the move. Unfortunately for me, that means that I get to be…mommy. Again. Like every other day of the week. Being on Olson patrol on Saturdays doesn’t feel like much of a Saturday. It feels like Monday-Friday. Continue reading “The Perfect Saturday | w/ Pictures”
There’s nothing quite like getting off the plane in Bismarck and seeing the rosy cheeks of my mother ‘n law as her happy face appears around the security check. And you don’t know a proper bear hug until you’re embraced by Papa Tom in -1 degree weather. Continue reading “No Business like Snow Bis(marck)ness”
There is something about North Dakota. It’s not that it’s magical. And it’s not that it’s prettier than anywhere else. And there definitely isn’t a lot to do. But every time I’m up here, I feel like the smoke of the everyday clears and I can think better. Maybe it’s the air. The wind that constantly blows. Or maybe it’s all the delicious homemade meals. Continue reading “Bismarck, Summer 2016”
Joel and I recently went hiking at Cloudland Canyon and LOVED it.
I am not as into hiking as Joel is. I love the outdoors, but I’m sort of allergic to all of it. And I don’t like being sticky and sweaty. Joel, however, has a way of making you get excited about going on an adventure and, truth be told, I never regret joining him.
BUT something weeeeird happened on this particular hike. Continue reading “Gray Hairs and Gorges”
Disclaimer: Joel is stubborn. Stubborn as a baby. Stubborn as a boy. Stubborn as a man and a hus-ban. In a working relationship, they say you’re supposed to be a servant. And it turns out that just because “stubborn” also starts with an “s” doesn’t mean it’s also good for a relationship. Continue reading “Don’t Try This at Home | by Joel”
Land in Hand 