Cis Teen did me in. (I am also holding space and prayer for Hannah and others in her position that I don't have adequate actual words for right now. 🫶🏼)
Oh Hannah- my heart. Thank you for sharing and I am sending hugs your way. I am looking forward to you checking in with us again.
That little mermaid tweet nearly choked me- but it seems like it is FACTS.
The treasures of last week were that I got to rest. Not because I had planned it but I got a cold and my body said pump the breaks and I for once listened.
Have a great week everyone, in the midst of all the wildness going on in this world.
My treasure this past week has been being the recipient of wonderful hospitality! A family at church hosted our single moms ministry for a pool party, and I was part of a literacy seminar that was hosted at the speaker’s beautiful and peaceful ranch. I was thankful that these people chose to use their gift of hospitality!
This week I found out two members from my church are running for two local school boards. I’m had a complicated relationship with my church since 2020, but we are still attending for complicated reasons. One of which is having multiple family members on staff, and another…where else would we go?? Anyway. These people running for board are running for “traditional Christian values” and “power to the parents” and the like. I think one’s literal motto was “because education is the front line of the culture war”. 😬 My husband is a teacher at our local high school, and these potential board members (one who homeschools and the other who sends their kids to a Christian school) truly do not know the first thing about what actually happens at our schools. No, students do not go to the bathroom in litter boxes. No, kindergarteners are not learning sex Ed. This week I was just hit with another wave of confusion, anger, and disbelief. Sometimes the chasm seems so wide. I don’t know how/if I can be in relationship with people in this portion of my life. I don’t comment here often, but as I wrestled with a kind of grief this week I didn’t know how or who to express to, I thought of here. I knew someone would understand. Maybe I need to binge Pantsuit Politics! Beth and Sara always make it better.
I can definitely sympathize with you in going to a church because family does. My family attended a conservative church for years. That alone can be exhausting! The school board races sound difficult as well. A cousin of mine ran for a school board race in New York, lost, and said it was so hard. Some days, it just feels like one giant game of Whack-A-Mole in trying to disprove conspiracy theories and hate. <3 <3 <3 Highly recommend Sarah and Beth btw. :)
I'm a kindergarten teacher in Florida--I totally understand and empathize with your situation.
Teaching is already a challenging job, but it becomes so much more difficult when the people making the decisions don't have any idea what a day in the classroom actually looks like. So sorry you're experiencing this!
Thank you, Monica. It feels good to be seen. 💕 And thank YOU for what you do!! My daughter just had a great kindergarten year with a fantastic teacher. I recently told a friend how I feel about her teacher is how I felt about the labor and delivery nurses in the hospital…nothing but adoration, gratitude, and a weird sort of one sided attachment?? Ha. You are making a difference kids and their parents will be talking about for years!!
I’ve never had a miscarriage but what a beautiful way to express your grief and experience. As an amputee, I was told the grief I struggle with of losing part of me is similar to the grief of a woman losing her child. Never before have I truly understood a mothers grief until now.
HANNAH. I was not prepared to lose my every loving s word this morning, but your writing did that. I’m also an IVF mama and know all too well the embarrassment and guilt of needing help doing the thing your body was built to do. Bless you for sharing your story, and bless that bundle of joy you’re carrying!
The trauma of a miscarriage will unite people more than even having a baby will.
Some treasures from my week include reading an early release of Kristen Du Mezs new book (out in August, preorder it), Kate Boyd’s reverse series (excellent) and graduating my certificate program in Spiritual Formation!
Living in NW Montana means summer is just hitting us with some warm days (80s) and my kids were all invited on boating adventures with friends. Happy summer!
OMG when I went to double check I realize I had the wrong author in my head. It’s Karen Swallow Prior and the book is titled The Evangelical Imagination https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63828159
I went through Emmaus Formation Center. It’s based in Canada and all online. I do recommend it. https://emmausformation.ca
Just popping in to say hi! I'm missed you friends. It's been a busy couple of weeks here but I've got the next five days off and am looking forward to catching up on some summer reading.
We're headed to Stratford, Ontario for a few days; mainly to see Much Ado About Nothing. I'm excited to be taking a trip just for fun without the pressure to see all the people while I'm in town.
I did my first kids program last night and it was a success! I love teaching and I'm so thankful to be able to do that in the library space now.
Hannah~I am really moved by what you wrote. I wish the best for you and your baby boy. I hate that you had to experience such a devastating loss, but your kindness and grace in sharing the story will help other women who will go through it.
Hello from the suburbs of St. Paul! I am pushing hard to finish up several yard projects to be ready for my Barbie birthday party on July 21st. I was so excited that the new Barbie movie was opening on my birthday that I turned the occasion into a pink-themed confection of craziness. Mind you, I'm old as dirt, but have 3 now-grown daughters who played with Barbies like it was their full-time job for years. I have a list of projects as long as my arm, but then I have moments of "it will all be worth it, right?" like last night when we taste tested a batch of pink lemonade vodka slushes (with neon pink food coloring) -- and all is right with the world again! Hoping that you all have a delightful 4th of July weekend!
I realize almost everyone else is having the opposite problem right now, but it is finally, actually warm on the NH seacoast and I relate so much to that first tweet.
We were in NH for vacation the first week of June and we did not bring enough warm clothes. At all. 😂 We vacation there every year but this was a weird one! I’m glad you finally have some warm weather and hope it is not too hot!
Just popping in to say hey from our last day of vacation in Perdido Key, FL. It has been a very nice trip with our kids and the Gulf has been kind to us, being relatively calm. I’m always sad to leave the beach, but hoping to not think about that and enjoy the day. Have a great weekend everyone!
Awww I follow Lewis Capaldi on instagram and I love him--AND his music. I wanted to see him in Dallas when he came recently but was unable to make it. He has been sharing about struggling with Tourette's lately and this concert was at the end of a lengthy international tour. I know he was trying really hard to get better for this concert in particular, and shared afterward that he feels he needs to take a break till the end of the year. His recent album is chart-topping so I'm sure he felt a lot of pressure. I hope he takes care of himself. So many of us are cheering him on. I absolutely loved seeing that crowd singing along.
Cis Teen did me in. (I am also holding space and prayer for Hannah and others in her position that I don't have adequate actual words for right now. 🫶🏼)
Oh Hannah- my heart. Thank you for sharing and I am sending hugs your way. I am looking forward to you checking in with us again.
That little mermaid tweet nearly choked me- but it seems like it is FACTS.
The treasures of last week were that I got to rest. Not because I had planned it but I got a cold and my body said pump the breaks and I for once listened.
Have a great week everyone, in the midst of all the wildness going on in this world.
My treasures this week are good air quality (finally) and rain (finally)!!! The world feels bearable again!
Here are a few more:
-picking 8 cups of raspberries in one night and most likely having enough to sell!
-Marcie Alvis-Walker's (@blackcoffeewithwhitefriends) post on affirmative action being overturned is fire and grace.
-learning how to use my friend's hoverboard. Am I 28? Yes. Do I care? No. Do I want rollerblades now? Also, yes.
Have a lovely weekend, friends!
Sending hugs for the hard stuff and joy for the happy, Hannah!!
My treasure this past week has been being the recipient of wonderful hospitality! A family at church hosted our single moms ministry for a pool party, and I was part of a literacy seminar that was hosted at the speaker’s beautiful and peaceful ranch. I was thankful that these people chose to use their gift of hospitality!
what a sweet ministy!
This week I found out two members from my church are running for two local school boards. I’m had a complicated relationship with my church since 2020, but we are still attending for complicated reasons. One of which is having multiple family members on staff, and another…where else would we go?? Anyway. These people running for board are running for “traditional Christian values” and “power to the parents” and the like. I think one’s literal motto was “because education is the front line of the culture war”. 😬 My husband is a teacher at our local high school, and these potential board members (one who homeschools and the other who sends their kids to a Christian school) truly do not know the first thing about what actually happens at our schools. No, students do not go to the bathroom in litter boxes. No, kindergarteners are not learning sex Ed. This week I was just hit with another wave of confusion, anger, and disbelief. Sometimes the chasm seems so wide. I don’t know how/if I can be in relationship with people in this portion of my life. I don’t comment here often, but as I wrestled with a kind of grief this week I didn’t know how or who to express to, I thought of here. I knew someone would understand. Maybe I need to binge Pantsuit Politics! Beth and Sara always make it better.
Emily,
I can definitely sympathize with you in going to a church because family does. My family attended a conservative church for years. That alone can be exhausting! The school board races sound difficult as well. A cousin of mine ran for a school board race in New York, lost, and said it was so hard. Some days, it just feels like one giant game of Whack-A-Mole in trying to disprove conspiracy theories and hate. <3 <3 <3 Highly recommend Sarah and Beth btw. :)
Thank you, Sarah. Whack-a-mole—yes, the perfect metaphor. About to go download some pantsuit politics episodes right now.
I'm a kindergarten teacher in Florida--I totally understand and empathize with your situation.
Teaching is already a challenging job, but it becomes so much more difficult when the people making the decisions don't have any idea what a day in the classroom actually looks like. So sorry you're experiencing this!
Thank you, Monica. It feels good to be seen. 💕 And thank YOU for what you do!! My daughter just had a great kindergarten year with a fantastic teacher. I recently told a friend how I feel about her teacher is how I felt about the labor and delivery nurses in the hospital…nothing but adoration, gratitude, and a weird sort of one sided attachment?? Ha. You are making a difference kids and their parents will be talking about for years!!
I’ve never had a miscarriage but what a beautiful way to express your grief and experience. As an amputee, I was told the grief I struggle with of losing part of me is similar to the grief of a woman losing her child. Never before have I truly understood a mothers grief until now.
Thank you, Rose! I’m sorry you had to go through the trauma of loss as well, that must have been so very difficult.
HANNAH. I was not prepared to lose my every loving s word this morning, but your writing did that. I’m also an IVF mama and know all too well the embarrassment and guilt of needing help doing the thing your body was built to do. Bless you for sharing your story, and bless that bundle of joy you’re carrying!
Thank you, Ashley! 🥹 Sorry for making you lose your s-word.
The trauma of a miscarriage will unite people more than even having a baby will.
Some treasures from my week include reading an early release of Kristen Du Mezs new book (out in August, preorder it), Kate Boyd’s reverse series (excellent) and graduating my certificate program in Spiritual Formation!
Living in NW Montana means summer is just hitting us with some warm days (80s) and my kids were all invited on boating adventures with friends. Happy summer!
Caitlin, what is the name of Kristin du Men’s new book? And congrats on your Sp formation certificate!! What program and would you recommend it?
OMG when I went to double check I realize I had the wrong author in my head. It’s Karen Swallow Prior and the book is titled The Evangelical Imagination https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63828159
I went through Emmaus Formation Center. It’s based in Canada and all online. I do recommend it. https://emmausformation.ca
Just popping in to say hi! I'm missed you friends. It's been a busy couple of weeks here but I've got the next five days off and am looking forward to catching up on some summer reading.
We're headed to Stratford, Ontario for a few days; mainly to see Much Ado About Nothing. I'm excited to be taking a trip just for fun without the pressure to see all the people while I'm in town.
I did my first kids program last night and it was a success! I love teaching and I'm so thankful to be able to do that in the library space now.
Have the best weekend available to you, friends❤️
Hannah~I am really moved by what you wrote. I wish the best for you and your baby boy. I hate that you had to experience such a devastating loss, but your kindness and grace in sharing the story will help other women who will go through it.
Thank you, Annette!
Hello from the suburbs of St. Paul! I am pushing hard to finish up several yard projects to be ready for my Barbie birthday party on July 21st. I was so excited that the new Barbie movie was opening on my birthday that I turned the occasion into a pink-themed confection of craziness. Mind you, I'm old as dirt, but have 3 now-grown daughters who played with Barbies like it was their full-time job for years. I have a list of projects as long as my arm, but then I have moments of "it will all be worth it, right?" like last night when we taste tested a batch of pink lemonade vodka slushes (with neon pink food coloring) -- and all is right with the world again! Hoping that you all have a delightful 4th of July weekend!
This party sounds amazing!!
Agreed!
I realize almost everyone else is having the opposite problem right now, but it is finally, actually warm on the NH seacoast and I relate so much to that first tweet.
We were in NH for vacation the first week of June and we did not bring enough warm clothes. At all. 😂 We vacation there every year but this was a weird one! I’m glad you finally have some warm weather and hope it is not too hot!
Just popping in to say hey from our last day of vacation in Perdido Key, FL. It has been a very nice trip with our kids and the Gulf has been kind to us, being relatively calm. I’m always sad to leave the beach, but hoping to not think about that and enjoy the day. Have a great weekend everyone!
Awww I follow Lewis Capaldi on instagram and I love him--AND his music. I wanted to see him in Dallas when he came recently but was unable to make it. He has been sharing about struggling with Tourette's lately and this concert was at the end of a lengthy international tour. I know he was trying really hard to get better for this concert in particular, and shared afterward that he feels he needs to take a break till the end of the year. His recent album is chart-topping so I'm sure he felt a lot of pressure. I hope he takes care of himself. So many of us are cheering him on. I absolutely loved seeing that crowd singing along.