still a work in progress
Advent is definitely one of my favorite parts of the pre-Christmas season. Advent is the part that helps me slow down and remember. Advent is the part where we get to prepare, anticipate, and wait to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Advent means coming. The coming of our Savior. Continue reading “Advent Countdown”
It has been said, and I’ve said it before, that motherhood is a thankless job. We don’t do it for the thank yous, or we might never do it at all, but it is nice to be acknowledged for what we do. Nice to feel seen. Continue reading “Thank You”
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. Continue reading “Twenty-five and counting”
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 I’ll miss that. But it has been replaced by something new. Sharing. Camaraderie. And common experiences. Continue reading “Vegas Vacation”
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!” Continue reading “Gorgeous in the Hood”
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 walk away hoping they will be who you think they are and do the things you think they’ll do. Continue reading “When All You Can Do Is Trust”
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 see that you got something right. Continue reading “Parenting: Big Job, Big Reward”
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 looks and feels like, and for teaching me what patience and forgiving seven times seventy looks like. (And then how to do it all over again the next day and the next.) Continue reading “Mother’s Day: A Letter To My Children”
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. Continue reading “Choose Family”
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, I’ll tell about Easter dinner, Easter eggs, and organizing egg hunts. Continue reading “Organizing Easter: Part One”
Unmastered 