Unmastered

Twenty-five and counting

Our 25th anniversary came and went last month without a lot of hoopla and celebration. I posted a couple cryptic pictures on FaceBook. Our closest friends and family wished us a happy day with many more to come.

November 21, 2019

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Vegas Vacation

A couple weeks ago we took our son, Trevor, to Las Vegas to celebrate his twenty first birthday. Getting to celebrate milestones with adult children is new and fun and different and exciting. Gone are the days of themed parties like Buzz Lightyear and Spiderman, with cupcakes and party hats, party games and pinatas. And… Continue reading →

July 3, 2019July 5, 2019

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Parenting: Big Job, Big Reward

Parenthood. The best job. The hardest job. It is not for the faint of heart. It will pull your heart in many directions at once. At its worst, the job of parenting is fear, paid through anxiety and questioning. At it’s finest it is non-stop hours, paid through grace and love and moments when you… Continue reading →

May 16, 2019

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Gorgeous in the Hood

I ran the Gorgeous Coast Relay in the Fall of 2018 (you can read about that relay here), so when I was asked to run the Gorgeous Hood to Hood Relay this June, I emphatically said, “I’m in!”

July 2, 2019July 2, 2019

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Running Intentions

I had planned to write a blog about my running plan. Which was a great idea. Except I don’t really have a plan. I thought maybe I would create a new plan this year. I mean I’ve always wanted an actual running plan. Something to put on a calendar, of course. The idea of color… Continue reading →

January 18, 2019

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Jesus Runs Too

I promised my friends I would write about the time I ran with Jesus, because it is a sweet and funny reminder that He is always with us. “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” ~Matthew 28:20 (ESV) A couple years ago, I was training for a relay run… Continue reading →

December 12, 2018December 25, 2018

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When All You Can Do Is Trust

It’s a curious thing, adoption. Even open adoption. Because as the biological parent, you must walk away trusting that the people you’ve chosen to be your child’s parents are the best. You read their letters, look at their pictures, possibly interview them (I didn’t have time – you can read about that here), and then… Continue reading →

June 26, 2019

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Choose Family

People often ask how I chose a family for my oldest daughter. And I haven’t really shared too much about it. My honest answer would be that I chose quickly. But not without a lot of thought.

May 8, 2019

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What I Did For Love

“Kiss today goodbye, the sweetness and the sorrow. Wish me luck, the same to you. But I can’t regret, what I did for love.” ~song lyric, “What I Did For Love,” A Chorus Line. I wrote those song lyrics in an album for my baby girl when she was just a few days old.

February 20, 2019

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Mother’s Day: A Letter To My Children

To all my children, On this Mother’s Day as I get to enjoy being extra celebrated, I feel like I should be celebrating all of you. I want to sincerely thank each of you for truly bringing out the best in me, for giving me life, and purpose. For teaching me what God’s unconditional love… Continue reading →

May 10, 2019May 10, 2019

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On the eve of Christmas Eve

The fourth week of Advent started on Christmas Eve Eve this year. If I’m completely honest we forgot to light the candle on our Advent wreath. We aren’t perfect. And even Advent is unmastered some times. But we did light candles. Lots of candles. First at the candlelight service at church and then on top… Continue reading →

December 25, 2018

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Family Jammies

Dressed in their Christmas jammies time stands still. It’s as if they always lived under this roof, instead of just breezing in to visit from college, or life in the real world. In their Christmas jammies next to the tree, they are little children again, festive and happy and excitedly waiting for Christmas.

December 25, 2018

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Another Bite

Last week I wrote about how funerals always make me wonder what people will say about me when I have left this world and gone home to be with our Lord. I resolved that more than anything, I want people to remember that I loved Jesus and that I loved them. Anything else is a bonus,… Continue reading →

March 27, 2019

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Faith: One Bite at a Time

I’ve been to a few memorial services in this past year, the last two were for two older gentlemen I would consider “framily” (friends that feel like family). There were beautiful celebrations to mark their lives here on earth. In both cases their sons spoke about them. Spoke real words and told true stories. Some… Continue reading →

March 20, 2019

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Amplify Again

I haven’t posted anything in a few weeks. We’ve been traveling for the girls’ sports, and my youngest battled a horrible flu for several days and was clingy/needy which made it difficult to write. But those are excuses and if I’m honest I’ve been in a bit of a funk. It happens every winter. I… Continue reading →

March 13, 2019

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Love Isn’t a Green Eyed Monster

You’ve most likely heard “love is patient, love is kind.” But do you know what comes next? The next line in that verse says, “Love does not envy.” The Message Bible translates it this way: “Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.” And The Passion Translation says “It refuses to be jealous when blessings come… Continue reading →

February 12, 2019

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Organizing Easter: Part One

I’ve been asked by some close friends to tell about Easter celebrations in the Mastrantonio house, and to include a list of what I’m putting in baskets this year so that those who haven’t even taken their baskets out of the attic (you know who you are) can get some ideas. In this first part,… Continue reading →

April 18, 2019

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Organizing Easter: Part Two

I was asked to tell about Easter celebrations in the Mastrantonio house, and to include a list of what I’m putting in baskets this year so that others can get some ideas. In Part One I told about Easter dinner, Easter eggs, and organizing egg hunts. You can read about it (here). In Part Two… Continue reading →

April 18, 2019April 18, 2019

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Organize the Meals

I think next to my faith and my marriage, the thing I get asked to write about most is how I stay organized. Organized with my household, my kids, our activities. Organized is a relative word. Honestly, I’m not that organized. I think I’m surface organized. But we have a lot of people who really… Continue reading →

January 16, 2019January 16, 2019

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