Dear Child of Mine, One thing you’ll learn quickly is your mom likes loves to bake cookies and concoct cakes and create candies. (At least I hope you’ll find this out relatively early in your life…but maybe not, because from what I hear raising kids takes a LOT of time. Baking may take a back burner. pun intended.) The […]
Prayers in Anguish
Dear Child of Mine, I am certain I’ll want to shield you from the pain of this world, this temporary dwelling place we are born into which offers us the opportunity to seek God, find him, cleave to him. While we wait for his final Advent, his Kingdom come, we pray. We pray in the […]
The Harmony-Seeking Idealist
Dear Child of Mine, I can’t wait to meet you and discover how unique your personality is, while at the same time find the shadows you share with your dad and me. I am always intrigued by personality tests. Perhaps this shows a deeper need to know myself and become more aware of my strengths […]
In Michigan for Thanksgiving 2013
Dear Child of Mine, You have a wonderful family – both mine and your dad’s – that will absolutely adore you when you make your way into our lives. We were able to spend time with both the Eccles and the Fishes over Thanksgiving (I never knew how to make my last name Fish plural). Just […]
Finding Humor in our Conception Struggles
Dear Child of Mine, I have to be honest with you. While the issue of infertility is very painful, and our desire to have you is very real, sometimes I switch things up and lighten the mood. I’m sure I throw people off by the things I am able to joke about. But I figure laughter […]
Our First Cruise
Dear Child of Mine, Your Dad and I love each other very much. For realz. We’re currently in the “Act I” stage of our marriage, as the TV show Parenthood would say – the time in our married life before kids (Act II) and long before retirement/empty nesting (Act III). And as much as I want […]
Pushing 30
…or at least that’s what I’ve been telling myself for the past many months. I turned 28 on November 19th and this past year is the first time I’ve ever “felt” my age. There are days I look at the veins on the backs of my legs and think, “How did this happen?” Whenever I […]
Advent: A Reminder to Wake Up
Dear Child of Mine, After years of following Jesus, I am just now beginning to embrace the seasons of the Christian year, experiencing the life changing lessons contained in the liturgy and the communion of saints. Advent is such beautiful, yet challenging time in life of the Church. It is at this time of year that […]
{recipe} Five Layer Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Oh dear, sweet child of mine, If you are anything like your mother a GIANT Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake will be just perfect for your birthday celebration. I have a sweet tooth to be sure, and one of my favorite indulgences is a homemade chocolate chip cookie. (I’ve gotten kind of picky though to be […]
Five Layer Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake with Vanilla Buttercream
Read the full story at www.kevinandmel.com Yes, friends, those are GIGANTIC chocolate chip cookies…bigger than my FACE…layered with homemade buttercream. Too good to be true? Almost. Five Layer Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake with Vanilla Buttercream recipe adapted from Big Girls Small Kitchen Ingredients 4 cups flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 6 […]