Derek held our baby first. I couldn’t. I was shaking from the labor and the, oh so many drugs that had been pumped into my body. Besides I was leaning over the side of the hospital bed puking into a …
Call for Submissions: Winter 2017 Magazine
Wonder: Wonder is a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar or inexplicable. It requires curiosity – something that often falls from our reality as we get older, and our to-do list and to-be lists …
Messy House Hospitality
“Can I stop over in 10 minutes?” “Sure, you can come over!” I hear myself say with feigned enthusiasm that even impresses me. I didn’t listen to the rest of what she said. I was too busy planning my panic …
Behind Closed Doors: A journey through marriage with pornography & sexual addiction
Jason and Shelley Martinkus bravely shared their story in the Summer 2014 issue of Hello, Darling magazine. The issue of the magazine is called “The Privilege of Femininity.” We discussed a myriad of topics that shape and inform our understanding of …
Date at Eight
My husband and I had a difficult time finding childcare when my girls were little. We did not live near family, and we didn’t always have the extra funds to pay someone to babysit our girls. So what did we …
Believing the Best in Someone Even When (Especially When You Don’t Want To)
I was sitting at my MOPS table when another mom called me out. Though I didn’t like it, I knew she was right. I was headed into a visit where I was assuming the worst was going to go down. …
10 Rut Crushing Adventures For You and Your Friends
10 Rut-Crushing Adventures For You and Your Friends Are you in a mommy rut? Do you need a little excitement in your life (other than the chaos created by your two-year-old)? I know the feeling. I like play dates as …
How Often Are Healthy Couples Having Sex?
The Question: How often are healthy couples having sex? The Answer I’ve often wondered why the less-is-more people don’t pair up with other less-is-morites, and why the more-the-merrier people don’t pair up with other more-the-merriers. I haven’t met one couple …
Why Awkward is Good in Friendship
Once upon a time there was a woman (okay, me) who was shocked. I was a little disgusted even, when I discovered my friend made a decision with which I so strongly disagreed. I couldn’t believe it! Other people maybe, …
How Motherhood Is Like The Velveteen Rabbit
“Mommy?” My three-year-old son stands before me on the rocky mountain path. We’re in Jasper and we’re hiking. “Yes, sweetie?” He looks solemn beneath his sideways ball cap. “You’re beautiful.” Then he turns and skips away, leaving me breathless. I …